March 2024 Meeting Minutes
Cape Atlantic Woodturners Meeting Minutes
Location: Egg Harbor Township Public Library
Date: March 12, 2024 Time: 6:00 pm
Attendees
- Melissa Flynn, President
- Joe Jones
- Gerald Bruman, Treasurer
- Alan Tasoff
- Sue Bailey, Secretary
- Karl Geary
The meeting was called to order by the president.
No treasurer’s report at this time. Reminder for 2024 dues!
OLD BUSINESS
Meeting dates scheduled at the Egg Harbor Library, beginning at 6:00 pm:
- April 16, 2024
- May 21, 2024
- June 25, 2024
- July 16, 2024
- August 20, 2024
- September 17, 2024
CAPE MAY COUNTY 4H FAIR: The 4H Fair this year is scheduled for July 18th from 3- 10 pm, 19th from 10 am to 10 pm and 20th from 10 am to 10 pm. Fridays don’t usually get busy until around 2 pm. The plan at this time is to have scheduled demonstrations which will be announced at the Fair. Please notify Melissa with what you would like to demonstrate and your preferred time slot. We hope to have a cooler with ice. Melissa stated she will reach out to the students with regard to the 4H Fair. We will have the same location. This year’s theme is “Oh The Places We Will Go With 4H”. She suggested some off-center turning with Dr. Seuss in mind. Melissa also mentioned the Atlantic County 4H is August 9th & 10th. Contact Melissa with any questions. You can text.
TURNING CLASS - Melissa stated that Mary from the class may join our club. Joe stated he was having difficulty getting class updates out via e-mail. Joe remarked that Mary was working on a platter that turned into a funnel. Welcome to the funnel club!
NEW BUSINESS Nothing new to report.
SHOW & TELL/MEETING TOPIC - Tonight’s topic was finishes. Gerald shared a few different pieces with different types of finishes. Alan shared some beautiful segmented and spalted pieces. He also shared an article for creating an eight-point diamond ornament. He also showed his sled for cutting segments. Joe shared a platter and some pieces as well using his ebonizing finish. Melissa asked about getting larger blanks for the club. Gerald asked what kind of wood, what projects, etc. He suggested using green wood which is easily found, since we lost our contact for obtaining hardwoods. Alan brought up the topic of milling found wood. Melissa asked about turning green wood, and Gerald recommended turning wood cut in the winter due to the sap. The bottom 4-6 feet with a winter cut is full of fluid. Summer time cut wood is sometimes called Fat Wood due to the sap content which is throughout. Gerald said we have lost our supplier for exotic hard woods. We also discussed turning Bradford Pear. Alan said he has a milling shop near him and can get scrap wood to glue up if that is something the club would be interested in. Melissa expressed interest in going to the mill with Alan. Karl remarked be careful with glue-ups. Gerald expressed interested in some of the scrap sapele. Bill’s donation of the battle ship wood was discussed. Melissa asked if wood can get “too old” to turn. Gerald stated no. However, the wood we do have for the club, is less than optimal due to the source. Most times, they are cut-offs. Gerald’s students duplicated a part which Alan needed for his table saw. He stated it was a good project for his students. He also offered to help if someone needs a piece duplicated. It’s a great academic challenge for his students.
FINISHES – Different methods of finishing were discussed including oils, sand and seal, 3408, friction polishes, gel stains, etc. Joe showed his ebonizing stain and showed its finish.
RAFFLE There was no raffle at this meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:50 p.m. The next regular meeting the Cape Atlantic Woodturners is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 6:00 pm at the Egg Harbor Twp. Library. We hope to discuss the skew chisel.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bailey Secretary