Green to Clean: An exploration into drying methods for rough turned bowl blanks – with Karl Koch

Thursday July 10^th
Hybrid: Live at NCSU Crafts Center and by IRD Broadcast via Zoom
Zoom call opens a 6:15 for socializing
Meeting begins at 6:45 PM
Demonstration begins at 7 PM

Do you have access to downed green wood but then have struggled with how to begin the drying process? Perhaps you are not sure what steps to take to dry your wood. Or, does your current method produce more cracks or movement than you expected or liked? If so, then this month’s demonstration on different methods to dry wood, through an extended experiment, will provide insights into the many possibilities available.

Turning bowls and other forms from green wood has been practiced for centuries. But, because wood shrinks a small amount along the grain but quite a bit more both radially and tangentially to the grain, bowls turned from green wood are prone to warp to an oval shape as they dry. This difference in drying can make checking and cracking likely, depending on the type of wood and the speed of the drying process.

To read the entire article, click here.

Building the Dux Chuck "Eccentric" Chuck Workshop

It's a wrap for this workshop, but what was learned and made at this Friday the13th workshop will lead to a lot more creative projects in the coming weeks and months.

This was one of those workshops that no one wanted to end. After a great Demo on Thursday night, Jim and Rita came back to the Crafts Center Friday charged up and ready to engage the workshop participants with a full day of exploration into the making a "Dux Chuck" and then opening the creative doors to using the "eccentric chuck" they had made.

If you were unable to attend this workshop, you can still learn more about the "Dux Chuck"
by checking out the information below.

For more information about the Dux Chuck, read the article located here.

To see the workshop documents, drawings and tool list, click here.. and here.

Show & Tell Review

Here is a look into what is being explored and made in members shops. Every month WGNC hosts a Show and Tell session where members can share with other members and their guests what they are learning, exploring, turning and even some of the challenges they are experiencing.

It is always a fun evening with lots of interaction, exchanges of ideas and a great source of help abundantly shared with all members.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

And in other news:

RIP Member #1

June 16th 2025

We have just learned that David Ellsworth passed away today.

The Father of Woodturning, would have been 81 on June 25th. David had recently entered hospice care after medical setbacks. There, he was surrounded by his family until his passing today.

The AAW made the followinmg posting shortly after learning of Davids death. "This is a terrible loss for David's family and friends. It is a loss for thousands of his students and for the field of woodturning. He was proud to be Member #1 and a founder of the American Association of Woodturners, and their first president. Rest in peace, David. We will carry your legacy forward for generations to come."

New Videos:
The June Demonstration and Show & Tell videos are available now. Click here.

New Galleries:
The Jun Show and Tell Gallery photos are now available for viewing Click here

Breakout: CNC for Woodturners 2

On Friday June 6th Bob Taylor hosted another breakout session in his shop. This breakout was a second session where Bob discussed using a CNC to do blank prep, make jigs, and create custom joints for segmented turning that would be difficult if not impossible with traditional shop tools. Bob also demonstrated the CAD/CAM software that drives the CNC, and some custom turning-specific software he has written. Bob then used the CNC to prepare a live edge blank for mounting on the lathe. Bob closed out the Breakout by showing how he uses a laser to put his maker mark on the bottom of a finished bowl.

The original Breakout Session filled up quickly and many members asked if Bob would consider doing another session which he has agreed to do. We thank Bob for all his effort in putting a second session together. To see some of Bob's work and pictures from the breakout session click here.

Breakout: Women in Turning

The WIT breakout sessions tackled a new project on Saturday, May 10th. This breakout, hosted by Ted Ross, featured a funnel style salt shaker. The project, followed a basic plan to allow salt to move freely through the shaker, while also giving Eddie, Ellen and Maria plenty of design freedom to create their own exterior shapes and add any embellishments they found interesting.

Breakout: Comments

Below are a few comments regarding the "Let it Burn!" breakout:

Lars Nyland:

Great day yesterday watching all of you burn your pieces! The transformations were amazing!

I was shocked at the end of the day how much carbon had accumulated in the rinse water; I've never seen anything like it.

Here is a link to the slides I made. If you care to, you can take some time to look into each artist and the techniques they use.

Stephan Moll:

Thank you very much for having hosted such a wonderful breakout session. Not only was Lars” presentation great and relevant, but opening your workshop for us, the setup outside, the cookies and donuts - it all made for an educational, worthwhile, well organized, fun and peaceful day. The great weather, of course, helped, too.

David Chapin:

Today was a great day. Lars, it was wonderful to get the benefit of your experience, combined with a chance to experiment for ourselves.

Thanks so much!!

Karl Koch:

Thank you for sharing with us today Lars! I have been thinking about all the new ideas that I was exposed to today. And thank you Ted for hosting us in your shop and yard!

It was a good day! Which is never something to be taken for granted.

Much appreciated,