Wednesday, September 16, 2009

RCWA - Sept 2009 General Meeting - Studio Tour

The September 14, 2009 meeting of the Rapid City Woodworkers Association was a field trip to the shop of Will Bellucci and Rachel Sheffel in Rapid City.

Grant, Rick, Kathie, Bob, Harley and Rex watching Will's demonstration.

Will explained how he cuts the tree to approximate size in the field, coats both ends with anchorseal, then lets it cure for six months to a year. To prepare the wood for turning, he knocks off the corners on the bandsaw. Then he took this chunk of tree and began shaping the outside of the bowl. Will explained his choice of tools and his preferred shapes for the grind.

Will and Rachel explained the technique for the vessel top edge treatment using templates to perfectly space the carvings.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

or

When life gives you scraps, make quilts.

or

When the bowl splits, make a jack-o-lantern!

Many thanks to Will and Rachel for their hospitality and for a very educational and entertaining evening of woodturning.

the end