Dick Veitch – Stepping up on a pencil pot

Club Meeting: 25 May 2022
Report by: Graeme Mackay

A new take on Barbara Dill style pencil pot with a demonstrators variation. Dick Veitch presented a clear, easy to follow view of the multi-axis pencil pot from the SAWG project list.

The demonstration highlighted the progression through the stages of the Barber Dill style project that provides an excellent exercise of shaping curves, multiple axis, and sharpness of form. Dick raised the issue of deciding on grain, wood features and wood types. In this project, the choice highlights the clean curves of this project.

There was a simple focus on the basics: accurate measuring, working to the plan, sharp tools, and quiet cuts.

Technical points:

  • Ensuring that the centres are on an equilateral triangle.
  • The spigot fixes the cutting line is the same in each hand.
  • Following simple marking lines fixes the alignment of the individual axis points.
  • Axis numbers need to be clearly marked. Use a felt tip for the beginning
  • As curves need to be replicated, variations and incorrect cutting clearly show up.
  • Small cuts and check
  • Ensuring that the centres are on an equilateral triangle.
  • The spigot fixes the cutting line is the same in each hand.
  • Following simple marking lines fixes the alignment of the individual axis points.
  • Axis numbers need to be clearly marked. Use a felt tip for the beginning
  • As curves need to be replicated, variations and incorrect cutting clearly show up.
  • Small cuts and check

Dick Veitch variation: beads across the individual phases. In this case two beads formed in a standard manner. Initial lines with skew chisel, once formed cleaning with spindle gouge, and the bead lines finished off with a sharp skew.

The inevitable question from the floor arose over running the beads, joined around the three faces. A technical complicated discussion was followed the main point of “no easy answer.”

Dick Veitch final reminder: planning, measuring, and Sharp tools and that the SAWG project sheet gives excellent guidelines. An excellent demonstration.