Projects
The Guild is about learning. Our members pass on their knowledge for others to enjoy.
This page is where we will collect the knowledge.
Epoxy Resin Inlay for Bowls
Pepi Waite has been at the forefront of using Resin Inlay at the Guild for some time now. She has put her method on paper for us to follow.
Download PDF
Harry Potter wands
For those making the Harry Potter wands, you may want to print out the Spells. Download PDF
Wood Drying
(This was posted to a wood turning group re using alchohol to dry wood)
Allegedly, the alcohol "replaces" or "displaces" the water in the wood. Very difficult to do, given that the two are completely miscible. Personal opinion is that the author of the method took a course in Histology, where alcohol is used to dehydrate specimens prior to sectioning. Note that dehydration is not drying. What happens is that the specimen is soaked in alcohol, which is then decanted, fresh alcohol added, and after a few cycles, the amount of water in the specimen is minimal. Similarly, it is used for dehydrating waterlogged wood http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File6.htm
Principle is the same as if you took a quart jar, put in a cup of black sand, followed by a cup of white. Shake to mix, pour off a cup. Put in another cup of white, mix, repeat enough times until there's almost no black sand left in the jar. This is not what the soakers do, however. They soak, cover, monitor. Of course the cover and monitor has always been a reliable method, because it does control the relative humidity around the piece, slowing the rate of loss from the surface to that which can be replaced from the interior.
That's how wood dries - losing water. Until approximately 30% water by weight, there is no distortion or loss. This is "unbound water" loss. Below 30%, the piece begins to lose "bound" water. Bound to the celluloses themselves by influence bonds. Even when wood is dehydrated by alcohol, the bound water must be evaporated afterward.
In the analogy, put some glue in the quart jar and shake black sand before beginning the mix. Even after the same number of cycles, there will be "bound" black sand to be removed.
To get information on how wood dries, try http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr113/fplgtr113.htm chapter 3. Good stuff
On line woodturning magazines
More Woodturning Magazine Fred HolderCreative woodturning English
Toxic and Poisonous Timbers
Listed below are timbers where problems could be experienced, because of their toxicity:
The first group are very poisonous and must never be used as "wet food" containers, i.e Salad Bowls, Goblets etc, or for childrens toys, i.e. Rattles, Teething Rings etc:
| Tutu | Ngaio | Laburnum |
| Yew | Hemlock | Kowhai |
The next list may indicate respiratory problems unless adequate dust protection is used, i.e. Asthma, Bronchitus, or worse:
| Rimu | Huon Pine | Robina |
| Tasmanian Blackwood | American Black Walnut | Teak |
| Siky Oak | Western Red Cedar |
The last one is a more recent one, and is only toxic when it comes into contact with the skin when turning.
Bad Woods For a more comprehensive list with an Australian bias, look here