This evening was packed with activity.

We had an excellent entry to this evenings competition of "thin wet turned flowers", most entrants didn't stop at producing bunches of flowers but also producing weed pots or small vases in which to display their flowers. John Navin was judged the winner of the experienced entry and  Bernie George the winner of the beginners, full results and pictures of the entrants can be found here.

Derek started the evening activity with a demonstration on multi-axis turning. This will be the subject for the May competition where entries must contain a significant content based round multiple axis turning. Derek started his talk and demo by handing round various examples, some good and some rough (to say the least!!) of the results of his experiments using two and four axis. He highlighted the need to number the axis before starting turning as it is very easy to use the wrong centre and hence end up with another entry to the scrap box!

As well as numbering the centres on each end of the spindle it is also advisable to record which centre at the head stock goes with which at the tail stock. Failure to do this not only fills the scrap box it will also make it difficult for you to repeat any interesting shape you come across. Because when using multiple axis you are turning in air a lot of the time  you should be using a fairly high lathe speed, I used 2,200 rpm.

This propeller type shape was obtained by mounting on centre c1 in the headstock and c1 the tail stock, note the axis on either end of the spindle are at 90º to one another. Turn until you are happy with the size and shape, not forgetting the other side still has to be turned. Next mount in c2 in the headstock and c2 the tailstock. Turn until both sides have the same profile. If you want to reduce the thickness of the profile then you can repeat the c1 and c2 turning until you are totally happy the shape.	This wavy shape was obtained by again mounting c1 in the head and tail stocks. This time instead of the axis being at right angles to one another they are the same both ends of the spindle. When mounted in c1 you turn a cove at the ends of the spindle and a bead in the centre. Once you happy with the shape remount the spindle in c2 at both ends. You now turn a bead at both ends and a cove in the middle of the spindle. Again if you wont to refine the profile you can remount in c1 and c2 to remove more wood.	This item was made using a combination of the techniques used for the two previous items. So here we use the cove and bead shape of item two, but also use the twisted axis of item one.	This propeller type shape was obtained in exactly the same way as the propeller item to the left. The only difference this time was that I succumbed to my usual practice of sticking wood together before starting the turning process. Here the final result gives the impression that the light coloured wood is twisted, where as it is actually straight.
Turning at headstock end of the spindle use the following centre combinations:- Headstock c1 with c2 tailstock Headstock c3 with c4 tailstock	This last spindle (2 shots of same item) has been turned using the four axis c1..c4.  The two ends of the spindle have been turned using different centres and here it is very important to have your centres numbered. The centres used to turn the two ends of the spindle are shown to the left and right. Once you are happy with the profiles at the two ends of the spindle you then remount it at the intersection of the two axis in the head and tail stocks (i.e. true centre of the spindle) and now turn a bead in the centre of the spindle. Once you've done this you'll need to repeat the mounting using the offset axis's to clean up either side of the bead. Given the shape obtained with this spindle I feel it could make an ideal candidate for making table legs assuming the process described here was repeated several times over the length of the leg.		Turning at tailstock end of the spindle use the following centre combinations:- Headstock c1 with c4 tailstock Headstock c3 with c2 tailstock

The above are just a few examples of shapes that can be obtained using multiple offset axis. I found that during my experiments it's certainly worth playing around with various combinations of centres at the two ends of the spindle to see what shape is hidden in the wood, you should also consider using a true centre at one end with offset centres at the other. The distance of the offsets from the true centre also can have an effect on the final shape obtained.

We were pleased to see more members than ever bringing things for the show and tell table. We had examples of flowers (some of which  which got too thin) ,  some home made gouge sharpening jigs and various other items.

After a short break for drinks John gave demonstrations using both his Tormek and Robert Sorby ProEdge  grinding machines. He also showed the use of various of his jigs and burring tools, he also used his machines to regrind the gouges for a couple of members.

 Les brought a long his Creusen slow grinder together with his Wolverine grinding jigs, Les too used his machine to regrind members gouges.

Hopefully members enjoyed this evening and we look forward to interesting shapes entered in the May competition.