Visit to Magnus at Wimpole Hall 22-03-14

Unfortunately Magnus has not been too well recently, but this did create the opportunity for me to go up to Wimpole for some more one to one tuition. I was given a large piece of bus spring at my blacksmithing class recently. This is no EN45, it behaves like an alloy steel with all sorts in it, and is also 4”x2”in section in the middle then only really 1/1/8” at the ends. When cut it has a mirror finish. I had already formed a slim handle socket and a straight blade. I wanted something more traditional with a beard and bigger socket.

This forge at Wimpole was built in 1790. Loaded with charcoal it was so much easier to use than coke or coal.

 

Someone ordered coal by mistake at my blacksmithing class in Forest Gate Once, now that proved interesting – red faces and lots of fumes. 

Back to charcoal - the fire (once lit) only requires intermittent pumps from the giant bellows to keep it going. Less chance of overheating, less carbon loss, less noise but expensive on bought charcoal. However small charcoal is even better and may be bought from a maker for very little.

My latest axe head, I want to make beards!

Sussex Group meeting at Mary’s Barn 23-03-14

The first meet of the season was very well attended. They stopped half way through and held a Ball planning meeting – they take things very seriously in Sussex. Everybody you see is volunteering during the weekend! They still require many more however – contact Mike Gordon.  Thanks for the venue Mary.

Court Luncheon at Apothecaries Hall EC4 19^th March 2014

I was delighted to be invited as a member of the Howe committee and as chairman of the APTGW. This has not happened before,  previously only liverymen were allowed to attend. I was in good company with Masters of the Needle makers, blacksmiths, upholders, spectacle makers, secretaries, curriers and fruiterer's, to name but a few!  The venue Apothecaries Hall is fabulous, stuffed with everything you could imagine of a worshipful company with a history back to 1672.

Perhaps not as old as the turners however who gained their royal charter in 1604: but then like so many companies their origins go back even further, the turners to 1179.

The display cabinet was opened at my request and I was able to handle this very old bowl from 1758

 Amongst their many great portraits of former Masters (most of which were life size) I found a really striking portrait of our Queen.

We enjoyed a less formal chat in the Black Friar afterwards.  The pub was saved from demolition by Sir John Betjeman. It was built on the site of a Dominican Friary at the turn of the century.  Apothecaries Hall was burnt down during the great fire and was rebuilt as it is today.

Saturday 8^th March group meeting at Egerton Kent TN27 9EY

This meeting was hosted by ‘Bardster’ who lead the leather working meeting at White Chimney Woods last year. On this 'spoon' day there were members of the APTGW, the Facebook spoon group, some bush craft folk and Kent hedge layers! Now I do not subscribe to the use of facebook, but maybe it does have some good outcomes.

Carol Lenard was needle felting, something I have never seen. The process which involves an array of very sharp needles consolidates wool into a solid mass similar I guess to felting. In fact some of the objects made are a combination of the two processes.

 

This rabbit had  huge feet and ears, well OK it was a hare.

Tom Standon (most promising Kent hedge-layer of the year).

For someone who lays hedges he is a very good spoon and treen maker. 

It was that first real sunny Spring day of the season. The hard standing area was small which compressed everyone into a cosy working group; this promoted a lot more interaction than usual, something perhaps  to bear in mind at your next meet. It also makes it more convenient to borrow tools – thanks Harry.

Once again and a big thanks you to ‘Bardster’ our host who not only made us very welcome but introduced a few potential members.

I have been playing with an axe handle and case for Magnus (Wimpole Hall blacksmith).

Every was going well until I had to resolve the design of the last component. Should I laminate it or try and wet mould from one piece?

The wet moulding won. However I did have to make a fairly accurate mould first. Then a soak overnight.

Pushing it into shape was a lot easier than I thought. Then a few plastic spring clamps to hold it in position.

The nearly completed case.

Maybe some surface decoration if I can convince myself it would add to the design.

Visit to Playsters Farm (Richard Binghams) Herstmoncaux Sussex 1^st March

It was a beautiful day to visit the site of the next Ball. Not that you need reminding but – 9/10/11^th May

Considering the rain so far this Winter? The ground was fairly dry and solid.

This venue has great potential and the organisers have thing well in control. If you wish to volunteer then contact Fionn or Mike from the Sussex group.

Left to right Harry Rogers (secretary) John Burbage (retiring treasurer) Richard Bingham (owner and great trug maker) Mike Gordon (Sussex group rep).

ADVANCE NOTICE

                                                                                      

The Worshipful Company of Turners will be running their prestigious biennial Turning Competitions at Apothecaries Hall, Blackfriars Lane, in the City of London

on Tuesday 28^th October 2014.

WCT Competition for members of the APTGW – to produce a three legged stool.

The APTGW has doubled the prize money    1st prize £400   2^nd £200   3^rd £100

Please note this is a pole lathe competition.

The prizes will be awarded on the afternoon of 28th October by Lord Mayor, Alderman Fiona Woolf.

On 29 October there will be an exhibition of the competition entries open to the public and available for sale if the owner wishes. The competition pieces should remain on display until 4pm on 29 October.