Hi

Well, I’m back from holiday now, and had a great time. I don’t usually make the Newsletter about me, but so many people sent their good wishes that I don’t want to ignore that. I’d also like to especially thank John M for suggesting we visit Puerto de Mogán. I’d never been to that part of Gran Canaria before, and it is a lovely area. If you find yourself on the island, it’s worth a visit.
Thanks also to those worried that I wasn’t making the most of my time off by having to send last week’s Newsletter; fear not, I’d written it before I left and scheduled it for delivery whilst away. Fear not, the Newsletter is not about to turn into a travelblog, normal service returns next week!

A recent question asked about buffing Acrylic Gloss Lacquer using our Buffing System. Our emailer wanted to increase the gloss level, but didn’t want to apply wax. I’m not sure quite why this would be, but I was able to help nonetheless.
The first two buffing processes – Wheel A with Compound 1 and Wheel B with Compound 2 – are mostly about preparing the surface for the final waxing with Wheel C. But using them does smooth the surface down to a very fine level, which in itself improves the shine. As I’m fond of saying at demos,the smoother the surface, the more light gets reflected and is visible to the eye. I’ve done many demos with the Buffing Wheel Kit where the audience are already impressed when I use Wheel B, which I think shows that the process can be halted there. Using Wheel C and the wax does increase the depth of the shine, giving an even better result, but if wax can’t be used on the item then this is a good alternative.

We recently featured a picture of a coffee table which included Purpleheart in it. The table had been finished with Finishing Oil, and looked great for it. What we neglected to mention (thank you, Mick, for reminding us) is that the reason Finishing Oil was used is that it contains UV filters which will help to protect the colour of the Purpleheart (which as you probably know eventually turns brown in sunlight). Our Acrylic Gloss Lacquer and Acrylic Satin Lacquer also contain UV Filters, so they would be a good option when using this timber. Plus, it helps them last longer when used on outdoor items.

Not so much a question to end with, but I’d like to pass on a conversation I had with a good friend recently, made all the more pertinent by reports I’ve seen recently of two tragic deaths caused by timber coming off the lathe at speed and causing fatal injuries.
Our friend is a very proficient and experienced turner; he was working on a platter when he heard a strange noise coming from the lathe. As he turned it off, the wood he was working on flew off the lathe and hit him in the face. Fortunately, he was wearing safety glasses which gave him some protection, but they were pushed back, breaking his reading glasses beneath and causing a gash that needed several stitches.

Upon inspection, the timber he was working on was rotten in the middle, although this was not visible when it was whole. The tenon in the chuck had broken away, allowing the rest of the wood to fly off.
I’m pleased to say that a good recovery has been made, and our friend has now invested in a full face safety visor. But the thing to takeaway here, is that this can happen to even the best turners through no fault of their own, so please, protect yourself. You may never need it, but when you do, you’ll be grateful!

Having only just returned from my overseas travels, I’m refreshed and ready to go out and about again! I’ll be in Newark for the Midlands Woodworking Show next Friday and Saturday. I said we’d do a little giveaway, so come and say hello, tell me you’re a Chestnuteer, and we’ll give you one of our Chestnut Products Can Openers. (While stocks last, one per person, etc etc).

Before that, though, I’ll see you here next week!

Terry