Friday, December 23, 2016
Carving a Pleasing Form
The above link is to the Hiawatha Woodturning Club's youtube channel. Our first video of a demonstration has been added to the channel this morning. It's the first of a two part demo that was presented by Gary Weiermiller at the November meeting. The title is
"Carving a Pleasing Form".
Please take a look at the video, the first using our new video system, and let me know what you think.
Please subscribe to the channel. That way you will get notices when new content goes up.
I hope to add some of our past videos to the channel. But that might not happen until spring. I don't think I have those files with me.
Merry Christmas everyone. Tom
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Platter
Just finished this platter. It's about 11 inches in diameter from box elder. It is for the Straits Area Audubon for their raffle. I burned an abstract wolfs head in the center and a little gold run n buff detail on the rim.
Friday, November 4, 2016
DIY Visualizer
I have my DIY Visualizer up and going. I have turned 4 or 5 pieces with it and I really like it. For me this works much better than the laser.
My system is a Logitech 270 web camera attached to a small windows notebook computer.
I have a couple of pictures below. The camera is mounted to the area of the boring bar where my laser was before. The camera plugs into the USB2 port of the laptop. This laptop is running on windows xp. So I just start up the computer then select "my computer" then find the usb camera in the file tree and select it. The image comes up on the screen and I then move the camera into position the image of the toll bar cutter is near centered in the image.
Next I taped a piece of page protector plastic over the computer screen. Once that's set in place I can trace the outline of the bar and cutting tip. Then its a matter of drawing in a wall thickness and its off tot he races.
It works for me, your mileage may vary. Some are accustomed to the laser and may like that better.
The camera was around $25.00 on amazon. I grabbed the page protect form my wife's desk, the laptop I got it off a friend and it cost me a bar tab at the brewery. So maybe $50 total.
Oh I should point out that I didn't need to build a shelf for the computer. You know the guard that most lathes come with. The one we all remove, well mine is swung open and the laptop sites neatly on it. I am a happy camper.
My system is a Logitech 270 web camera attached to a small windows notebook computer.
I have a couple of pictures below. The camera is mounted to the area of the boring bar where my laser was before. The camera plugs into the USB2 port of the laptop. This laptop is running on windows xp. So I just start up the computer then select "my computer" then find the usb camera in the file tree and select it. The image comes up on the screen and I then move the camera into position the image of the toll bar cutter is near centered in the image.
Next I taped a piece of page protector plastic over the computer screen. Once that's set in place I can trace the outline of the bar and cutting tip. Then its a matter of drawing in a wall thickness and its off tot he races.
It works for me, your mileage may vary. Some are accustomed to the laser and may like that better.
The camera was around $25.00 on amazon. I grabbed the page protect form my wife's desk, the laptop I got it off a friend and it cost me a bar tab at the brewery. So maybe $50 total.
Oh I should point out that I didn't need to build a shelf for the computer. You know the guard that most lathes come with. The one we all remove, well mine is swung open and the laptop sites neatly on it. I am a happy camper.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Vase
In the pictures below is a vase I turned recently. It's from a piece of maple, stands about 8 inches tall and is about 5 inches wade at the widest point. The finish is several coats of satin lacquer.
Hopefully the pictures capture the unique character of the wood. The wall thickness is just a little thicker than I would normally do. I didn't want to have voids showing all the way through, about 5/16" was about the limit before holes started to show up.
Hopefully the pictures capture the unique character of the wood. The wall thickness is just a little thicker than I would normally do. I didn't want to have voids showing all the way through, about 5/16" was about the limit before holes started to show up.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Video System Update
Hiawatha Woodturning Club,
For members and guest who have missed the last couple of meetings. It was decided that it was time that the club put together a video system that would 1) provide a better demonstration experience for the audience at live demonstration 2) provide for recording the live demonstrations 3) allow us to take advantage of remote demonstrations if and when this movement takes off with in the AAW community.
To that effect Steve Promo and Tom Cadwalader (yours truly) set off to build a frame to support the equipment and purchase the equipment to accomplish this.
At the October meeting all of this technology came together and was tried for the first time. Steve Promo did a short demonstrations on making scoops. In my opinion this is how it went. Those in attendance my have a slightly different or vastly different opinion, so feel free to use the comment section.
Basically everything worked, but there is room for improvement. Lots of room for improvement. We went into this with a somewhat limited budget and there were a few surprises. I learned that there was a whole lot more to learn about video and broadcasting a live stream than I ever thought I needed to know.
What I see as improvement areas and what we can do.
1) The first obvious issue was the latency between what Steve was doing live and what was showing on the monitors. The picture and audio being later takes some getting used to. The audio was the bigger issue for both the audience and the demonstrator.
The fix: I have been working on the latency, Archie and I swapped out the hard drive on the computer with a faster drive I had. Plus we tried recording to a solid state camera card instead of the hard dive in the computer. This seemed to help a lot. But for the audio we need to do what I did during the demo, and that is to mute the audio on both monitors. Their will always be some delay and in our smaller room, thats not good.
2) Lighting. The light we are currently using needs to be relocated. It's too close and there needs to be a second light. There are deep shadows on the piece being turned and its very difficult for the demonstrator to see what he/she is doing. We need more even lighting across the entire lathe.
3) Cameras.
The overhead camera was prone to hunting for focus. We need to run that camera in manual focus and manual exposure.
The second camera (the one showing the demonstrator with a wider shot) The footage looked like security camera footage. As I tried to work through this issue it was a combination of dropped frames and something else. It was starting to look like it was just a bad camera. But I deleted the driver (the software that runs the camera form the computer) and used the Microsoft drive instead of the camera manufactures drivers. This seemed to help a lot.
4)The background is distracting. Having the office area behind is not the best situation. I think we would be better off going back to having the lathe by the garage doors. The lathe table and the video from are only connected by the white 110 volt cord form the power strip. So both pieces can be moved separately if need be.
So that is basically it. I have edited the footage form the last meeting and put it in the cloud for members to download. I would recommend you download it and then view it as opposed to trying to watch it like a uTube video. I put the file in a dropbox account and that doesn't typically stream video every well.As you watch the movie I think you will see what my concerns are.
The computer we have was $421. What really need is one that is $2,000. But with the changes we have made to both the settings and the hard drive we are pretty dam close. The testing I have done lately has been turning out pretty good video.
The video of the scoops demo can be found here. I welcome your feedback.
Click Here for Video
For members and guest who have missed the last couple of meetings. It was decided that it was time that the club put together a video system that would 1) provide a better demonstration experience for the audience at live demonstration 2) provide for recording the live demonstrations 3) allow us to take advantage of remote demonstrations if and when this movement takes off with in the AAW community.
To that effect Steve Promo and Tom Cadwalader (yours truly) set off to build a frame to support the equipment and purchase the equipment to accomplish this.
At the October meeting all of this technology came together and was tried for the first time. Steve Promo did a short demonstrations on making scoops. In my opinion this is how it went. Those in attendance my have a slightly different or vastly different opinion, so feel free to use the comment section.
Basically everything worked, but there is room for improvement. Lots of room for improvement. We went into this with a somewhat limited budget and there were a few surprises. I learned that there was a whole lot more to learn about video and broadcasting a live stream than I ever thought I needed to know.
What I see as improvement areas and what we can do.
1) The first obvious issue was the latency between what Steve was doing live and what was showing on the monitors. The picture and audio being later takes some getting used to. The audio was the bigger issue for both the audience and the demonstrator.
The fix: I have been working on the latency, Archie and I swapped out the hard drive on the computer with a faster drive I had. Plus we tried recording to a solid state camera card instead of the hard dive in the computer. This seemed to help a lot. But for the audio we need to do what I did during the demo, and that is to mute the audio on both monitors. Their will always be some delay and in our smaller room, thats not good.
2) Lighting. The light we are currently using needs to be relocated. It's too close and there needs to be a second light. There are deep shadows on the piece being turned and its very difficult for the demonstrator to see what he/she is doing. We need more even lighting across the entire lathe.
3) Cameras.
The overhead camera was prone to hunting for focus. We need to run that camera in manual focus and manual exposure.
The second camera (the one showing the demonstrator with a wider shot) The footage looked like security camera footage. As I tried to work through this issue it was a combination of dropped frames and something else. It was starting to look like it was just a bad camera. But I deleted the driver (the software that runs the camera form the computer) and used the Microsoft drive instead of the camera manufactures drivers. This seemed to help a lot.
4)The background is distracting. Having the office area behind is not the best situation. I think we would be better off going back to having the lathe by the garage doors. The lathe table and the video from are only connected by the white 110 volt cord form the power strip. So both pieces can be moved separately if need be.
So that is basically it. I have edited the footage form the last meeting and put it in the cloud for members to download. I would recommend you download it and then view it as opposed to trying to watch it like a uTube video. I put the file in a dropbox account and that doesn't typically stream video every well.As you watch the movie I think you will see what my concerns are.
The computer we have was $421. What really need is one that is $2,000. But with the changes we have made to both the settings and the hard drive we are pretty dam close. The testing I have done lately has been turning out pretty good video.
The video of the scoops demo can be found here. I welcome your feedback.
Click Here for Video
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Recent work by Tom Cadwalader
Below is a plate that I had turned recently, actually I think it was turned in May and I just finished it recently. It's kind of a 2 part project. I have been working at embellishing my turnings with some wood burning of late and this is the next step in my progression.
The wood is Quaking Aspen and the finish is Helmsman Spar Urethane. The Plate is about 11 Inches in diameter.
On edit I changed quacking aspen to Quaking aspen. The leaves on the trees quake, they don't quack. My bad.
The picture below is the palate in May. Notice the knots and the turquoise in one of the knots.
The wood is Quaking Aspen and the finish is Helmsman Spar Urethane. The Plate is about 11 Inches in diameter.
On edit I changed quacking aspen to Quaking aspen. The leaves on the trees quake, they don't quack. My bad.
The picture below is the palate in May. Notice the knots and the turquoise in one of the knots.
Below is the finished plate, as you can see I incorporated the knots into the image I burned in.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Art Prize
Turners, Gloria and I attended Art Prize in Grand Rapids recently. We spent 2 full days checking out the art. 1453 pieces in 170 different venues. We didn't see it all...but we did put a big dent in it.
As most of you know our own Jim Rutledge had a piece accepted for this venue.
I took a ton of pictures and put them into a slide show.
I know the pictures are only o the screen a short time, but you can always replay it and use the pause button. All of the pictures were taken with my iPhone.
You can view the slide show here.
Click here for the slideshow
As most of you know our own Jim Rutledge had a piece accepted for this venue.
I took a ton of pictures and put them into a slide show.
I know the pictures are only o the screen a short time, but you can always replay it and use the pause button. All of the pictures were taken with my iPhone.
You can view the slide show here.
Click here for the slideshow
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Video System Update
We had another work session at Steve's place yesterday. We mounted the monitor brackets and tested the fit of the monitors. Added some of the cables and a shelf bracket.
I think we have most of the hardware we need. I have a signal splinter coming in a few days and that should be the end of the hardware needs.
We have a 40 " TV for the main monitor. It's mounted on a bracket that pivots and tilts. The second monitor is a 19 " LED that also is on a bracket that tilts and pivots. The splinter will allow us to have the same picture on both monitors, so the demonstrator can see just what the audience is seeing.
We have a new ASUS 15" laptop that will run the switching of camera inputs and take care of the recording.
Yet to do:
1) get the software license. I have the choice narrowed down and thing I'll go with the Many Cam software. The vMix software is far more powerful, but we would never use all of the features and it's pretty complicated to get set up. So unless my testing shows something that's a show stopper I'll be getting the Many Cam application.
2) test the whole system all together. Once the splitter gets here (projected for Wednesday) I'll do that.
3) mount a folding shelf on the end of the stand. This is for the computer. We are short one bracket. It's due to arrive Monday.
4) take the frame up to the Maintenance building and put it altogether. This should happen Thursday or Friday.
5) we need covers for the tv's. The cameras just need socks to cover them and the portable one has a quick disconnect and can get locked in the cabinet with the computer.
We hoped to be ready for a full blown unveiling at our next meeting Saturday.
One more item, we need to have some folks trained on operating the system. What I propose is that 2 or 3 learn it so that we have someone available all year. The way I see this working is that the demo would be recorded and a copy of the clips could be sent to me and I will edit the footage to spruce it up and then load it up to the cloud somewhere.
At our next meeting we need to discuss what we ant to do with the final product. Options are:
1) put them up on uTube or Vimeo and either let them be available to the public or just members
2) put them somewhere like dropbox and let members view and or download the video from there.
3) some other way that I haven't thought of.
Please be ready to discuss this Saturday.
a few pictures below.
I think we have most of the hardware we need. I have a signal splinter coming in a few days and that should be the end of the hardware needs.
We have a 40 " TV for the main monitor. It's mounted on a bracket that pivots and tilts. The second monitor is a 19 " LED that also is on a bracket that tilts and pivots. The splinter will allow us to have the same picture on both monitors, so the demonstrator can see just what the audience is seeing.
We have a new ASUS 15" laptop that will run the switching of camera inputs and take care of the recording.
Yet to do:
1) get the software license. I have the choice narrowed down and thing I'll go with the Many Cam software. The vMix software is far more powerful, but we would never use all of the features and it's pretty complicated to get set up. So unless my testing shows something that's a show stopper I'll be getting the Many Cam application.
2) test the whole system all together. Once the splitter gets here (projected for Wednesday) I'll do that.
3) mount a folding shelf on the end of the stand. This is for the computer. We are short one bracket. It's due to arrive Monday.
4) take the frame up to the Maintenance building and put it altogether. This should happen Thursday or Friday.
5) we need covers for the tv's. The cameras just need socks to cover them and the portable one has a quick disconnect and can get locked in the cabinet with the computer.
We hoped to be ready for a full blown unveiling at our next meeting Saturday.
One more item, we need to have some folks trained on operating the system. What I propose is that 2 or 3 learn it so that we have someone available all year. The way I see this working is that the demo would be recorded and a copy of the clips could be sent to me and I will edit the footage to spruce it up and then load it up to the cloud somewhere.
At our next meeting we need to discuss what we ant to do with the final product. Options are:
1) put them up on uTube or Vimeo and either let them be available to the public or just members
2) put them somewhere like dropbox and let members view and or download the video from there.
3) some other way that I haven't thought of.
Please be ready to discuss this Saturday.
a few pictures below.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Jim's Work
Here it is, Jim's piece o display at art prize. i think it shows pretty well.
Well done Jim. Congratulations.
Well done Jim. Congratulations.
I am overwhelmed
1,453 works of art in 170 venues at the Grand Rapids Art Prize.
Our club and the woodturning community is well represented by Jim Rutledge's piece "Ancient Arrowheads". I think I recognize one other UP turner J Marc Himes.
I hope to get a few pictures of the turnings on display later today.
Our club and the woodturning community is well represented by Jim Rutledge's piece "Ancient Arrowheads". I think I recognize one other UP turner J Marc Himes.
I hope to get a few pictures of the turnings on display later today.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Video System Update
After our meeting last Saturday Steve and Tom got together and started working on the cage that will hold the cameras and lights. It will also have a shield to protect the audience from "Unguided Missiles". The frame is 1" square steel on casters.
Below are a few snapshots of our work in progress.
Below are a few snapshots of our work in progress.
Below is the material that is left over. Steve figures the jobs pretty close.
Monday, September 12, 2016
September Meeting Continued
At the August meeting Charlie Wilson described the holding system he uses to chainsaw cutting blanks. For the September meeting he brought the device. See Picture below. Thanks Charlie, but some of use were hopping it was going to be in the "Bring Back" raffle.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
September Meeting
Below are some pictures from the "Show and Tell Table" at the September meeting of the Hiawatha Woodturners Club. This months meeting was a continuation of the August meeting, where the demo was "From a log to the lathe". Members where encouraged to bring in work from th blogs that were cut up in August. Then talk about how the process went.
Stev Promo's third drum.
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Aug 2016 Mtg
The topic for our August 2016 meeting was " From the Tree to The Lathe". It was about looking a a piece of wood and then deciding what we can make form the particular chunk of wood. Members were encouraged to bring in wood that they were having trouble seeing the art inside. Most who brought wood brought burls,probably because most of us struggle seeing what we can do with a burl.
The discussion was led by Steve Promo and Gary Weiermiller. Gary and Steve did a great job of showing us how to evaluate a piece of wood and visualize the shaped we can get from them. After a brief "chalk talk" led by Gary, it was outside to play with chainsaw.
Some pictures are below, starting with the show and tell table. Notice in the pictures from the show and tell table, 2 of the drums that Steve Promo stated working on at our last meeting, which was held in his shop. I think you will agree the look pretty spectacular.
The discussion was led by Steve Promo and Gary Weiermiller. Gary and Steve did a great job of showing us how to evaluate a piece of wood and visualize the shaped we can get from them. After a brief "chalk talk" led by Gary, it was outside to play with chainsaw.
Some pictures are below, starting with the show and tell table. Notice in the pictures from the show and tell table, 2 of the drums that Steve Promo stated working on at our last meeting, which was held in his shop. I think you will agree the look pretty spectacular.
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