Paul League, October 27, 2018
November 3, 2018 Meeting and Demonstration: Randy Grant
PALMETTO WOODTURNERS (PWT), will meet Saturday, November 3, 2018at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be at Mann Tool, 802 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC. We will have a brief session for club business and announcements.
Highway access to Mann Tool remains limited. Chris Drive is now closed from both US Highway #1 (Augusta Road), and from Leaphart Road. The primary access is from US Highway 378 (Sunset Blvd.). Access to Chris Drive also is possible from Leaphart Road via Morningside Drive, Hook Avenue, and Klapman Road.
NOVEMBER PROGRAM: Demonstration by Randy Grant
Randy Grant resides in Columbia and is a well known member of Palmetto Woodturners. Randy does not just make coffee and deliver donuts for PWT meetings. He is a very accomplished woodturner and has presented several times over the past few years. He is well known for his love of burls and work to embellish turned pieces. At the November meeting, Randy will share knowledge he gained at John C. Campbell Folk School, which he attended as a recipient of one of PWT’s $600 scholorships last December. The class he attended was lead by well known turner Dixie Biggs and was entitled "Need Some Relief." Randy will demonstrate relief carving on turned objects, including the various stages of carving a leaf. The presentation will demonstrate the use of several different carving tools and techniques, including wood burning or pyrography.
State Fair Update
Palmetto Woodturners put on a very good showing at the recent SC State Fair. We had six lathes set up and in operation on the opening day of the fair; unfortunately, Mother Nature intervened and the Fair was closed on day two due to the passage of Hurricane Michael. The fair goers touring the Moore Building (crafts) really enjoyed the demonstrations. Thanks very much to all the members who helped out with this event. We made a lot of shavings, but the smell of fresh cut wood was topped by the aroma of the chocolate chip cookie vendor nearby.
American Association of Woodturners
Palmeto Woodturners is an affiliate member of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). Just under a third of our membership are also members of the AAW. I strongly encourage those of you who have not joined AAW to give it a close look. The AAW website offers a wealth of information on every aspect of the craft; however, much of that wealth is limited to AAW members. Please visit the AAW website and take a look. Recent materials provided by AAW will be available at the November PWT meeting, outlining the benefits of AAW membership. Guest memberships limited to sixty days are available at no charge to individuals who have never joined AAW.
Learn to Turn a Christmas Ornament Event – December 8, 2018
PWT’s annual Learn To Turn a Christmas Ornament event is just around the corner. Once again, PWT will partner with Mann Tool, inviting the public to turn a Christmas ornament with the assistance and guidance of PWT. Public participants will be charged the nominal fee of $5.00, and all proceeds will be donated to support Epworth Children's Home.
The event is Scheduled for Saturday, December 8, 2018, and will be conducted as usual at Mann Tool. The event will run from 9:00 am to noon. David Fellows will take the lead for PWT this year. Volunteers are needed to assist at the event. We will need people to greet and sign in participants, to assist the participants in turning simple Christmas ornaments, and to assist in the decorating of the turned items. Please contact David to let him know if you will volunteer your assistance at this event. David can be contacted at (803) 290-5248 and via email at
November Election
November is election month, including at PWT. I promise no speeches or robocalls. At the November meeting we will conduct the election of PWT officers for 2019. The nominees are: President- Mike Weaver; Vice-President - David Fellows; Treasurer - Jim Harle; Secretary - Spencer Brown; First Year Board of Directors - Jim Nelson, John Fastnaught, and Tom Queen.
President's Challenge for November - Christmas Ornaments
Time to get started preparing for the holiday season. One good way will be to turn a Christmas ornament of your choice. This will be a good warm up for PWT's December Learn-to-Turn. Also, PWT supports Mann Tool’s sale of ornaments in support of Epworth Children's Home. So, all items entered in the December President’s Challenge will be donated for sale by Mann Tool.
Display of Members' Work
Bring your latest (or oldest) work for display. Displays are an important part of our monthly meeting and provide inspiration to the members.