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Greetings!
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The Southwest Missouri International Association of Pen Turners picnic is scheduled for Saturday September 18th. Please RSVP Freddie Pike at frp45@windstream.net for the details and location. For the past two years we have attended this picnic and have had the opportunity to get to know some of the local area turners to swap ideas and techniques. The barbecue made by Larry Randolph has been worth the trip in itself. We do have to pay for the pavilion so we ask that each attending family pitch in to help pay the way. It's not much so the small expense is well worth the knowledge and friendship gained. The deer pictured above are permanent residents at the park in Springfield. There are only two in the picture but there were dozens scattered through the woods. I don't have enough frame area to show the whole picture and have the deer large enough to see.
In the past we have brought items to sell at the picnic but we never seem to be able to bring what folks are most interested in. Another issue is we usually have a helper with us. This year she'll not be available so it is impractical for us to bring everything or attempt to have things go smoothly.
With that said, we will not bring items to sell. Instead we would like for you to contact us and give us a list of what you would like, we will package it up and bring it to you. We will collect for it at the picnic. Please have a check or credit card for your purchase. We will not have any change available.
I will be giving a demonstration on how to assemble and turn inlay blanks. It seems that it is not as simple as it looks and some folks are ruining some high dollar blanks. We'll fix that little dilemma.
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Tech Talk
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When I drill my blanks, The hole is off center at the bottom, My drill bit must be defective!!! Your drill bit is not defective and there is nothing wrong with the wood. There are a number of reasons for this and it even happens when drilling in metal. To lessen this effect there are several things you can do.
First, make sure that the top of the blank is exactly 90 degrees perpendicular to the drill bit. If it is in the least bit uneven, the bit will actually bend (walk) in the downhill direction on the blank. Once this walking starts it will continue unevenly into the blank and may even penetrate the side of the blank.
Second, if you are drilling wood which has been cut on an angle to the grain, you can expect the bit to walk into the grain slightly. For this you may want to start the bit just off center in the opposite direction of the grain to compensate for the pull on the bit into the grain. Practice with some scrap pieces to see how this effect reacts with your bit and on your drill press.
Third, If you are using drill bits smaller than 3/8", you will want to make sure you are using a brad point bit. A brad point bit will lessen the walking effect. Drills larger than 3/8" are too stiff generally to walk in wood or acrylic.
Fourth, To severely lessen this effect, drill the blanks on your lathe. If the bit is stationary and the wood is spinning, it will keep the bit centered and will all but eliminate the off center at the bottom of the blank. It will still walk slightly but not enough to matter. You will still want to make sure that the end of your blanks are square.
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laser inlay blanks. We have four unique & very special 
Our newest clip is in and it has been a big request for a long time. This is our version of the 
