Our thanks go out to both Steve and Robert Hackett who were again able to come together via Zoom and put on the turning demo for those of us who are in lockdown and unable to move around.

The meeting started with Ian Brown going through some club information prior to the demonstration

The live demonstration for this month is being put on by Steve Hackett who is turning a Pool ball trinket

box along with Rob who was looking after the audio and video side, in addition to hosting the event.

Steve began the demo with a slide show talking about pool/billiard balls, their common sizes. The phenolic resin that they are made of, and the possible hazards in machining them. The importance of using a dust mask and dust collection.

Steve explained the process that he was going to follow and the tools he would be using.

Steve then showed a video on how he drills a centred hole in the ball using a jig on a pillar drill, ready for tapping an M8 thread 

Instructions on how the doughnut and screw chucks were constructed. The doughnut chuck was used to the pool ball was secure into the chuck with an 8mm bolt through in the centre of the doughnut chuck, this is then further secured by adding an additional top ring to the mounted base unit of the doughnut by three M8 flat head Allen screws that are recessed, these are 120 degrees apart.

At this point, a further hole is drilled into the top of the ball and again tapped with an M8 thread, which means that the holes are lined up 180 degrees apart and in line with each other.

The top of the pool ball is now removed by using a a homemade thin-bladed parting tool.

This is then smoothed flat and glued on to a piece of end grain elm. The glue normally used to do this is epoxy but in this demonstration CA glue was used for its quicker setting.

Whilst waiting for the glue to dry a hole was cut into the main body of the ball in various size bits to a depth

of 20mm. This was then turned to a smooth surface and sanded, Yorkshire grit was applied and then

polished with microcrystalline waxto an even shine.

At this point Steve started on the top of the ball by using a screw chuck with a 8mm bolt fixed into the

centre position. The wood was turned down to form a round shape, this was then put together with the

base to form a complete round sanded and finished item.

Steve Turned the base and the finial, also made out of elm. Both of them have a 7mm stem turned with

the aid of a spanner to measure the shaft size. These were then screwed into the pool ball threaded holes, in this case without the need for glue, but it is recommended.

Steve has stated that if anyone needs additional information, then please contact him.

Our thanks go out to both Steve and Rob for this demonstration.

Next month Rob will be doing the live demonstration. He will be turning a hollow form colour and pyography decoration.

Report by Barrie Fisher and Steve Hackett