The December meeting was brought to order by Ryan Hoss.  The wood challenges were discussed by Brian Geffre.  From Banksai pods, a lamp and a lidded box were turned. Duane Tougas was chosen as the judge, and his pick was the lidded box.  Ryan brought in one of his favorite tools, the Texas Toothpick we made in our earlier years of Toolday.  Watch for this item to be back on our list for 2008!

Our demonstrator this month was Paul Hedman.  Paul likes to create odd things on the lathe, and offset turning has really inspired him.  Turning begins with roughing out a round shape.  Once roughed, Paul begins to define his shape.  Once the "bowl" of this goblet is shaped, he offsets the tailstock and begins work on the stem.  Here is a photo showing the two offsets that were done on the goblet stem.

This video clip shows the work in motion.

Paul has an interesting "invention" that allows him to turn small offset spindles (his "Mr Potato Head" series).  Here it is in position.  Another tip Paul gave us is to use a ground off open end wrench to size tenons. 

Note that in this months meeting, Henry Lay was the only one brave enough to sit in front of Paul!

Group Shot 01, Group Shot 02

Paul brought  examples of offset turning.  His turned bee sure got our imagination going!

Other items brought to show and tell:

• Banksai pod box
• Banksai lamp
• Bowl
• Vessel with finial (Paul Hedman)
• lidded box with chatterwork
• Segmented bowl
• Hollow vessel
• small spindle turnings

Thanks for a great demo Paul!