It has been a little while since we posted a weekly blog. Sorry. This week, there are machines for sale, product discounts, furniture moving and pics from the open days.
Natalja was off sick for a week before the open days and both Martin and Les were snowed under with stuff to do, not least getting ready for the event.
Nevertheless, we got there in the end and Natalja came back and helped hugely with getting everything looking ship shape.

Minimise uneven wear on bandsaw blades by cutting few circles!
Les’ Tip of the Week
Friday 8th & Saturday 9th April
– Woodturning Shop Open Days
Les, Martin, Natalja and workshop friend Kate busily tidied, moved, shuffled and packed bits and pieces away to make way for our trade supporters to arrive on Thursday 8th April and they finished just in time.
Hope Woodturning, Paul Howard and Chestnut Products arrived in the afternoon with Planet Tools arriving shortly afterwards to get set up.
The afternoon was rounded off with Bailey’s and ice in the yard before heading off out for dinner.

























Both days saw visitors dropping in to say hello, buy some bits and pieces and enjoy one of the demonstrations that were going on all day.
We’d like to thank everyone who came along on the two days to have a look around, and of course, big thanks to our trade supporters Hope Woodturning, Paul Howard, Hampshire Sheen, Planet Tools and Chestnut Products.
Wednesday 13th April
New Wood Store

For those that have visited the shop before would have noticed a large shed opposite the entrance. This was always going to be a wood store and it is finally living up to its purpose!
Before the open days, it was cleared out of the boxes and other bits that were stored in there to make way for Martin’s demo lathe before Natalja took over today to move the wood into it.
There is still more work to do in there, but it is great to have made the space available for the wood stock as we increase the number of blanks available.
Plus, there is still more of that gorgeous Yew to process with more to come. The most special blanks will be added to the website as they are processed.

15% Off All Jo Sonja Media
Until stock runs out, have 15% off all Jo Sonja media . . .
Thursday 14th April
New Products
Planet Tools: After the event last week, Les and Martin decided to expand on the range of products we stock from Planet Tools. The range now includes forstner and drill bits, live and drive centres, lathe accessories, pen kits, pen blanks, Japanese saws and other useful items.


Currently, the range is only available in store, but it will work its way onto the website over the next few months.

Hope 150mm M33 3.5mm Faceplates
When the Hope Woodturning team were here last week, we took the opportunity to grab a few of these sturdy faceplates. We think they may be of interest to our customers with M33 3.5mm spindles on their lathes. A bargain at £12.00 each!
Furniture Moving . . .

As you may have gathered, a lot has been changing here since the open days! Throwing the doors open is a fantastic excuse for a huge tidy-up. Afterwards, when there is less clutter, it is the ideal time to step back, look around and see what improvements can be made.
After the trade guys left last Saturday, the lathes were moved back into the teaching room in a different configuration which you can see above.

With Easter here, we would like to wish all our customers a peaceful weekend.
We will be taking a break from 3pm on Thursday 14th April and re-opening at 9.30am on Wednesday 20th April.
Orders placed over the Easter bank holiday weekend will be sent as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding.
Machines for Sale . . .
With all the moving around and reorganising we have been doing, Les and Martin have ‘found’ some machines that they would like to sell:
Les has a Vicmarc VL175SH for sale. It has a variable speed 1.5hp motor, 14″ swing and is 1000mm between centres. It also comes with an outboard turning attachment. £1500.00 including a chuck and some tools.
Martin has TWO Nova Comet lathes (complete with a G3 Chuck) for £350.00 each. These are super lathes for beginners and those who are strapped for space in the workshop. They have a 12″ swing and fit up to 14″ between centres. Electronic variable speed with its 0.75kw motor and a 1″ x 8tpi MT2 spindle.
Martin also has a hardly used Axminster Trade (AD340PD) worktop pillar drill available for £300.00. Info here: www.axminstertools.com/axminster-professional-ap340pd-bench-pillar-drill-230v-107704
Please contact Les or Martin for more information and viewing. These items are available for collection only.

Martin’s Product of the Week: Project Kits
Who doesn’t love a project kit as a gift or an item for sale? We have a selection of what we think are some of the nicest kits available including clocks, egg rings and hinged box lids.