Club Meeting: 23 July 2025
Report by: Graeme Mackay

Dick started with an outline of production turning for an approaching conference. In this case, some 400 pens as conference gifts for a specialist pest removal project gathering. Description was provided for the starting of the process and its relationship to the history of the conference.

The explanation quietly introduced the numbers required. Also , indicating the type of wood to be used for the pens: the sourcing of dated, several thousand-year-old swamp kauri remains from Ahipara.

Also, that became evident that the production of this mass of pens, some 400 in number required planning of both the individual unit production methods and that required to handle larger numbers. While the single unit production for the same for each, there was an additional layer required for the numbers. Quietly, along with the individual step descriptions, there are a number of modified tools and specific jigs that were required.

The batch totals for production were defined by the size and jig type and through some magic calculation, a total of 30 units per production section was arrived at. Slipping under this calculation was the great Woodturners method for individual time units. The overview had timings for every stage, process, workings, and the overall calculation of time per batch of 30 units.

It was easy to succumb to calculations until one thought of each 30 unit sections and posted time numbers covering the 400 pens required. Noting that the target was 400 identical items which included the internal workings, refill, and presentation package chasing. At each point in the demonstration, Dick quietly introduced the size and frequency of the time numbers required for each section, i.e. However, he added a very casual and clear direction that still kept in the open the detailing and production required for each mass production step.

Hidden in this quietness, it was a regular application of very detailed and precise planning and sequencing. The numbering of each individual pen as part of the production batch process. The importance of unit or batch sequencing was not denied or hidden, rather opened up to the audience giving a clear view of the difference between individual one-off and mass batch production.

In a tidy and easy to follow outlines in the SAWG project section. Each step had options available and choice of methods to follow e.g. preparing and dressing the timber. Benefits such as gluing choice options and their advantages are shown. Again, at each step production detail was covered and clearly outlined. A useful tip was that there are no process shortcuts. Each step is required, the choice of action at any step is your own. Dick acknowledged the additional steps to use for working in swamp Kauri. The extra timber work slips back into time calculations. There is no magic wand.

The accompanying presentation cases required to same attention to detail and planning: including wood choice, colour, glue type and surface finishing.

In all, and introduction to pen making, and the covering of the move from one-off to multiples.