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Welcome

The purpose of this website is to provide you with some basic information about the club – when and where we meet, what meetings are like details about membership and other club activities. It’s not meant to be a gallery of resources about woodturning, simply an introduction to the club.​

​​The Club has been running for over 20 years and has always been affiliated with the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB).

Our Roots have always been set in the heart of the Midlands known as the “Black Country”. The Black Country is a defined area steeped in industrial history. For a flavour of its early days follow the link, you may find it interesting:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Country

The club home is located at Dudley College, a super venue with easy disability access, and plenty of free parking, “Club Nights” are usually held on the third Thursday of the month. 6 pm to 9 pm. (see events page for full details).

Since the start of the 2020 pandemic the club has had to rethink and redefine how it pilots the future, we now embrace technology as best we can, mixed with good old hands-on learning. We were able to remain open throughout the Pandemic period by hosting across the Zoom platform, However, we are delighted to state that since October 2021 we are back open at Dudley College.

We host a variety of meeting types informal online monthly “Chinwags” via Zoom plus monthly club night events, made up of Hands-on, Club turner or professional demos.

All are welcome, from those thinking of taking up this fabulous hobby to those already giving it a go you will meet and enjoy the company of a friendly bunch of folk, sharing your venture to learn more about this historic craft.

If you are interested contact us via the website or simply come along and see what goes on. Details of the costs involved are shown on the  Mission Tag “Joining the Club”. as well as Organisation & Documents where you will find our policies on Safeguarding & Health & Safety matters

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December 2024 – Chairman’s Challenge

This month’s submissions for the Chairman’s Challenge and other items that our club members made during the last month. The challenge was. “Anything you fancy crazier, the better….” + any other items made by members this month

Next month’s Chinwag Zoom meeting is on Tuesday, 7th of January 2025. The Chairman’s Challenge theme will be “Free Style Decorated Rim Platter (Any Size)” + any other items made by members this month.

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December 24 – Mary Stevens Christmas Coffee Morning and Jigsaw Festival

We were again invited to attend and take part in this year’s Mary Steven’s Hospice Coffee Morning, the event has a number of tables selling various items of goods for Christmas and a stall selling jigsaw puzzles at a £1 a piece. Along with these they had a couple of tables with tombola gifts, for the correct numbers drawn, The many visitors kept the tea and coffee people busy during the opening in addition they also had a good number of cakes on offer.


We were able to set up three tables, a section for the charity table sales, a section for members selling their own turned items, and a small section for Kim Brown (Ian’s Wife) in attendance with Kim’s Kraft’s selling her hand made cards and gift packages. There was a good turn out from the club with nine members turning up and helping out for the day, we were very pleased to have this additional help.


The charity table had a steady flow of people, although the event had fewer people turn up due to a couple of other events going on in Stourbridge. We had many returning customers whole purchase items from us in previous events. The charity table raised around the £140.00 with the member’s donated items, this also included donations from the members that were selling their own turnings.


Thanks from the club, go out to Paul Whiley for making the very large log snowman, which stands around 3 feet high. It was raffled off on the day and this made £48.00 for Mary Stevens.

The winner was picked out of the hat by a member of Mary Stevens Hospice staff, the winner was Steve from Halesowen.

It was a good day out with members chatting to the public and explaining about various items and different woods.


The club and its members are looking forward to the next event.

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November 2024 – Private Demonstration for Mary Steven’s Hospice

This club was asked by Mary Steven’s Hospice, who are our preferred charity, to give a demonstration of our woodturning skills to the gentlemen day unit service users of the hospice, some more of an interest as everything is normally more aimed towards women. This could turn into a regular event for the club. We have already been asked to cover another demo event in December, which more of the women will be going to. For this event we had four members who volunteered for the event, these were Steve, Ian, Brian and Barrie.
Within the event room, we had a display table that showed some of the member’s work as to what could be done with wood. Prior to starting we had nine patients who were driven in by ambulance to Mary Stevens in addition to a number of the nursing staff.
Ian started the event with an explanation of what woodturning was about and how it all started with bodgers. Once again we had Steve who started by explaining the various items of the lathe and what they are used for and also how to use them. On the lathe he demonstrated turning a snowman and after explaining about the health and safety involved for keeping yourself safe, and giving a talk about the process of turning has he worked through the process. Steve also explained how the trees are prepared and cut so that we can have them to turn. Various pieces of wood blanks were shown and the type of tools that we use.
After Steve finished his snowman, Ian took over on the lathe and showed how to make a Christmas tree with carved areas along the length of the tree. Both Steve and Ian gave a running commentary on what they were doing as they progressed through the projects.
Question were asked during the event by patients and staff a like, who also showed an interest. After this first session was completed, we stopped for a bite to eat put on by Mary Stevens.
Whilst we were having a break the other area was set up by the staff so that the painting side of the event was able to start, when this got underway we had a limited number of people taking part in the painting of the items, and also an additional lady asked if she could take part whilst she was waiting for the ambulance.
At the end of the day, everyone who turned up to view the demonstration took either a snowman or Christmas tree home with them
Thankfully, we had a number of donated items from the club members for the event.
We were thanked by Ruth and the nursing staff for the day’s event, and they look forward to the next one. All four of us would like to thank them for looking after us all day with the food and drinks to keep us going.

Report by Barrie Fisher & edited by Steve Hackett

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November 2024 – Birmingham Botanical Gardens Tremendous Trees Event

The club took up the option of taking a trip out to the Botanical Gardens who we are hoping to develop a relationship with, so that we can acquire any cut down trees and be able to turn some items in return for them to sell.

We were there on Sunday 10th November 2024, to represent the club at the Tremendous Trees Event, to display the works and also sell items from our charity table and other pieces members had for sale.  The event ran from 11.00 till 15.00, but we needed to be there by 9.30 to unload and get all areas of the demonstration and selling areas set up and ready for the public to arrive.

The area that we had been given for use during the day was undercover and out of the elements.  It was also a large area, this area was about 30 feet square.

They also made sure that we had enough tables and chairs for us to use, of which we ended up using eight tables for the three areas that we had taken with us.

Three tables were used for the turned items that were for the gallery and were looked after by Mike and Georgie, Steve’s wife, whilst on the table they were having a good many questions about how the various shapes were produced and the techniques that were needed to produce them.  This was ongoing throughout the day, and it was good to know that the public wanted additional information.

We also had three tables for all the charity items that were donated by club members, who we would like to thank again for their effort in producing them.  On the remaining two tables, we had members selling their own items to the public.

Once again, we had Steve taking his lathe to the event along with the required tools and required wood blanks for the day.  Steve was set up in the corner of the room with plenty of room for the public and kids to see what was being done and also to ask questions during the day.  Steve was producing a number of spinning tops and Christmas trees throughout the day.

The club’s thanks go out to all members who took part in the event.

When the gardens opened we had a steady footfall throughout the day looking, buying and asking questions of everyone.

Having spoken with the people of the botanical gardens, they are hoping that this can turn into an ongoing event for both of us.  We must also take this opportunity to thank the garden staff for the hospitality that we had from them during the day and also keeping us supplied with tea and coffee along with the biscuits  and the additional hot water during the day.

The feedback that we have received was that it went down well with the public, and they enjoyed the additional aspect of having a wood turning club within the confines of the gardens as it gave an additional aspect for the visitors.

Report by Barrie Fisher & edited by Steve Hackett

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November 2024 – Chairman’s Challenge

This month’s submissions for the Chairman’s Challenge and other items that our club members made during the last month. The challenge was. “Christmas Ornament / Christmas Gonk / Nutcracker/ Snowman” + any other items made by members this month

Next month’s Chinwag Zoom meeting is on Tuesday, 3rd of December 2024. The Chairman’s Challenge theme will be “Anything you fancy crazier, the better….” + any other items made by members this month.

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October 2024 – Chairman’s Challenge

This month’s submissions for the Chairman’s Challenge and other items that our club members made during the last month. The challenge was “Goblet with Captive Ring / Hand Bell with or without ringer”.

Next month’s Chinwag Zoom meeting is on Tuesday 5th of November 2024. The Chairman’s Challenge theme will be “Christmas Ornament / Christmas Gonk / Nutcracker/ Snowman”

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Demo Report – October 2024 – Ian Ethell

For the clubs’ entertainment this evening we have Ian Ethell who is a member of Trent Valley Woodturners and has been turning for a number of years now but still works full-time.

Off-centre honey dipper

For his first project, Ian will be turning an off-centre honey dipper and stand, and for this he produced a handout diagram of how to mount the piece between centres. The piece of wood was 200mm long by 30 mm square with the position being marked at 6mm each side of the centre line on each end of the blank, so we now have three points marked on each end of the blank.

Tools used were:

  • 1” oval skew with a 15-degree angle
  • 3/8 bowl gouge with 40 degree bevel and no wing
  • Parting tool

The speed of the lathe was set to 3200 rpm.
Ian used the skew using the toe to mark the first area to be cut, these are marked first by using a story stick with all measurements on. By cutting in, only 40% of the blade and bevel must be in contact.
The skew was used to produce the shape of C, and then the bowl gouge for the shape of A. You must start in the centre of the area to be shaped and as you move along the shape open the flute of the gouge up. When sanding, you must keep the strip of abrasive tight across the turned section. To make the shape crisper, you need to go back to stage C.


Stage B
This is to cut the area for the honey itself again we use the long side of the skew and then with a peeling cut produce the required shape cut with the point whilst rolling the skew, the parting tool was then used to produce the slots on the end of the shaped blank, these slots are then sanded to remove any roughness

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Shape G The thin spindle
Using a gouge again to remove some of the unwanted wood, work towards the headstock for this. Ian used the gouge laid over on it’s side to produce a type of skew cut, the shape of the spindle should have a slight taper to it.


Shape I
Sharp tools and clean cutting is essential for this, this is the first cut, using a bowl gouge cut the curve to the required depth.

Shape H
Same cut as for I

Shape F

Same cut again for this bevel

Shape D

The very end of the tail stock.  Take this down to about 5 to 6mm, at this point we still need the offset positions.

Shape E

We need to watch the amount of pressure being applied to the item now so that it does not flex.

Cut the handle back towards the headstock.  Take it down to a thickness that is still sound, as the other end still need to be finished.  At this point, go back to step D for removing this additional waste. The ends need to be finished off by using a carving knife for each end, then sand to the required finish.

Yoke now which is made out of Cherry

A flat piece of cherry is held between the square jaws of the chuck.  Then a slicing cut across the end with a spindle gouge.  Hollow out the centre from the end so that a hollowed out section is all the way through the wood.  The tool rest is now turned square on to the side of the wood and run down the side of the blank, then curve the cut into the blank to form a Y shape.

At this stage it pays to have a plain colour background which helps you see what you are cutting.  A bowl gouge was used for the side.  Produce a chamfer prior to parting the yoke off the wood.

Now for the base, again use the flat stripe of wood used for the yoke, this is used to mount the yoke into to form a bed for the honey dipper to be mounted on.

Bottle Stopper 45mm square

Produce an inverted cone, now a dome is formed on the end which is the widest part of the cone.  This is then textured on the end by using an elf texturing tool and also frame this texture with the point of the skew. At this stage apply sanding sealer to the end grain and then apply wax into the created pattern.

Now tip the blank within the chuck and re-tightened, this will produce the off-centre effect.  Slice off a section of the wood at the chuck end whilst using a skew, the blank can now be put back into the chuck so that it is running true again, at this stage remove any surplus wax that may be present.

Remove the waste at the chuck end so that a plastic bottle stopper will fit, this reduction being done by the use of a parting tool.  Remove the item from the chuck and affix the plastic end onto the turned item.

I have never needed one of these as the bottle is always empty.

Ian was able to answer questions throughout the evening.

Once again we must offer our thanks to all those who make the night run smooth, without them, we would not have a club.

Report by Barrie Fisher & edited by Steve Hackett

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Demo Report – September 2024 – Jason Breach

This year’s all-day professional demonstration event for the Black Country Wood Turner’s is with the very talented Jason Breach.

Jason will be demonstrating the following:-
Simple box – Pagoda box – Decorated box using the Axminster Eccentric Spiralling Chuck and finally a Decorative Owl head.

Jason has developed his reputation for woodturning over several years and has been teaching the subject for over 25 years now, and he lives near and works for Axminster Tools.

Links to reports on Jason’s projects for the day.

Jason had a display of his work, some of which he demonstrated how to turn during the day. 

Jason had several special tools made to his design, for sale during the event.

Henry Taylor Jason Breach Box Refinement Tools

During the day we had a display of member’s work and a member’s tool sale. The cost of the event of £15.00 for the complete day, in this reporter’s opinion, was well worth the value and the members who did not attend missed out on a very enjoyable day. We would like to thank all club members who brought in items for the display table.

The club thanked Jason for his input on the projects and tips as he worked through them, and also for answering all the questions asked throughout the day. Jason demonstrations went down well with all who were there, with a lot of new ideas and tips to use. It was well worth the cost of the day.

We would like to thank Ian’s wife Kim for the preparation and presentation of the food at midday.
Thanks also go to all who helped set up the event and in taking everything back down, also Ian and Kim for helping set some of the work up on Friday night.


I would like to say it was nice to get our rooms back again without the animals and the jumble junk. So we must also thank the new administrator that we have for making sure we had a clean room and kitchen area with all rubbish removed and also for having a good supply of chairs

Report by Barrie Fisher & edited by Steve Hackett

Event Report – August 2024 – Mary Stevens Summer Fayre

As a group, we started to set up at 8.30 with four gazebos being erected by the club members, who supported the event by giving their time and donating turned items to the charity table.

There was a chance for club members to sell their turnings, also Steve’s wife was selling her felting pictures. We had a steady number of members who came along and helped out during the day with the charity table.

Steve and Angus turned spinning tops for the kids throughout the day as a demonstration for people to see and ask questions. They made over 25 spinning tops and all the spinning tops were given to the kids free of charge during the event.

The event itself was set out all around the bottom field with various stalls offering different items for sale, tombola stalls, food stalls, and many others making money for the charity. The Theme for the event was Beside the Seaside. And the whole event raised £18122.42 for the hospice.


Many members turned up and gave us their time during the day, and from what I saw everyone enjoyed the event and thankfully the rain kept off for the duration of the event.
During the day the charity table made a good amount of sales for Mary Stevens with the details to follow on how we did during the day.
Thanks to all members who added items to the charity table and this is greatly appreciated that you put your time and effort into making these items.

The raffle also did well selling a good amount of tickets with it being drawn out at the end of the day.

During the day we had a steady flow of people looking at various items, with some buying. But the event went quiet for sales at about 14.30 for us

This year we have raised the following:-
Summer Fayre Charity Table £332.15
Summer Fayre Skittles £152.00
Sedgley Flower Show £203.40
Botanical Garden Reps Donation £20.00
The total paid to Mary Stevens this week was £707.55
A very large thank you to all who took part in these events in any way.

In total for this year. Blackcountry Woodturners have donated £1221.28 to Mary Stevens Hospice.

The committee would like to thank all those who turned up to help including the wives of some of the members it was a big help in the packing up process, it made it a lot easier.

The Club is now looking forward to the December Xmas event for Mary Stevens Hospice.

Report by Barrie Fisher & edited by Steve Hackett