The demonstrator for the evening was Dave Simms who introduced his theme as simple forms.
The first project he undertook was to turn between centres 2 teardrop shaped forms one about one third the size of the other . these were to create a bird using the larger of the 2 pieces for the body and the smaller the head. A small hole was drilled in both to take a dowel to connect them together. Dave showed a branch that he had adorned with 4 or 5 birds. He also showed us a slightly larger form of a single bird mounted on 1 leg (wader style) on a plinth.
The next project was similar but much larger in scale. This time after roughing out between centres he mounted the place in a chuck. This allowed him to turn the larger teardrop forms.
This bird was mounted differently in that he created a neck from a wooden curtain ring cut in half. Both head and neck were drilled to accept the neck and 2 holes drilled on the underside of the body for legs. The finished item mounted as a pair of birds looked very effective.
The final project was a slight deviation from the bird theme to a fish which involved a similar process but the tail was actually formed as a shallow cup and then the sides cut away on the bandsaw to create the lobes of the tail. Again this was very effective. The little stub left from parting off was cut slightly on the saw to form a mouth.
This all gave many of us ideas for “quick and simple” projects that will appeal to many.