Untitled - MetosExpo - Free

Notes and Comment (colltillued)and quality of the displayed work made thegallery an impressive rival to the moreheraldedITOS across town-not surprisingsince 75% of the ITOS exhibitors are alsoMW members. The intimidation factor washigh; rumor had it that some pieces earmarkedfor the "instant gallery" neveremerged from their maker's car trunks.The highlight and culmination of the symposiumwas an auction of donated tools,wood and turned pieces for the benefit ofthe Daphne Osolnik Memorial Fund, an armof the MW's education fund. Mrs. Osolnik,wife of Kentucky turner Rude Osolnik and astrong supporter of the turning renaissancein the United States, died last spring. Biddingwas brisk, and the proceedings were hilariousthanks to West Virginian auctioneer BobFlemming, himself a woodturner. There wassomething for every pocketbook, from amodest $5 for a gavel to $900 for a Macassarebony hollow form turned by David Ellsworth.It was an ideal opportunity to pickup "collectibles" donated by some of MW'sbetter-known members: Stocksdale, Nish,Osolnik, Alan Stirt and Michael Shuler, toname just a few. Best of all, when the dusthad settled, the auction had added nearly$8,000 t the memorial fund.This year's symposium will be in Septemberin Seattle, Wash. For more information onthe MW and the number of the regionalchapter nearest you, contact the AmericanAssociation of Woodtumers, Box 1059, Eastsound,Wash. 98245; (206) 376-5390.-Michael DresdnerProduct reviewBosch 1611 plunge router, Boscb PowerTool CO/p., Box 221 7, New Bern, Ne.28560; (9 19) 633-4133.To my knowledge, d1e Bosch 1611 is the fi rst220v plunge router available in this coumry.It's a big machine, with a powerful motorthat draws 7 amps at 220v and a 12-lb. heftthat make it feel similar to other 3-HP plungerouters I've tried.The handles are comfortable, and d1e controlsare laid out so the user's right handcan operate the locking trigger switch whilethe left hand releases and engages thespring-loaded carriage lock, allowing therouter to plunge-cut. A revolving depth stopallows plunging to three preset depths, butit had a bit of play in d1e machine I tested.The depth scale on the 1611 is only dividedinto 16ths, much too coarse a scale for precisionwork.The construction of the 1611 is velY solidd1roughout. The fan is a casting and movesair well wid10ut screaming like routers withcheaper stamped-metal fans. The 1611 hasan armature lock that allows one-wrench bitchanges, a nice feature. Other Bosch colletshave multiple splits for a uniform grip on thebits. Unfortunately, d1e 1611 collet has onlyone split. The router base is a ribbed aluminumcasting with projections to receiveadapter plates, for template work. But, theseprojections make it difficult to fit homemadesubbases, something I do often. The edge_1IIIr'""----.-. ..Photo: Patrick WarnerThe industrial-strength Bosch 1611 plungerouter has a lot Of power for the money.guide and hardware (not included) are substantial,and the router's instruction manualis better than average.Because they carry their weight high, mostplunge routers can be tippy when routingedges. The 1611 is no different. With theswitched right handle more than 5 in. awayfrom the cutter centerline, both handlesmust be grasped firmly at all times to preventirregular cuts or burning the work.Overall, the Bosch 1611 has good performanceand handling, and wid1 a mail-orderdiscount price between $200 and $240, thisindustrial-strength machine seems to pack alot of power for the price.-Pat Warner, Escondido, Calif.The teacher with thetwisted backJulius Kaesz was his name, and had you evermet him, you would always remember him.The truth was that my long-ago professor ofwoodworking technology had a twisted backd1at shortened his stance to under five feetand a deeply lined face d1at's hard to forget.Despite his rough outward appearance,Dr. Kaesz was a gentle man and an exceptionallygood teacher. Apprentice woodworkerswere eager to attend his courses atthe woodworking institute in HungalY d1atnow bears his name, and there were threetimes as many applicants as could be accepted.The prospective student had to pass a threephaseexam for admission by producing aflawless blind dovetail jOint , a complextechnical drawing and a freehand artisticdrawing. For months, I prepared for thisexam, but despite my deftness wid1 dovetailsand drafting, my freehand drawing was as farfrom my competence as belly dancing. I followedevelY bit of advice I could get, butthen help came from an unexpected source.I got to know a lady who lived in my buildingafter helping haul coal upstairs for herstove. She needed my youth and strengd1and compensated me wid1 a hug and somemuch-welcome pocket money. Gentle Mrs.Forbad1 treated me as her own son. Her realson, Joseph, had gone off to fight the Russiansin 1918 and never returned. Befored1e war,joseph's ambition was to become anartist/painter. His mod1er proudly showedme many of his canvases, and I found scoresof pencil drawings in a closet-just the kind Icouldn't draw. The temptation was too great,and I borrowed one of d1e drawings-a lovelyscene with four people playing cards at around table-and submitted it as my own forDr. Kaesz's exam.There are few people in my life I rememberwith more love or gratitude d1an Dr.Kaesz, and leaming woodworking from himwas my greatest pleasure. I tried my best toplease him, and as the mond1s passed, Imade good progress in my studies, includingfreehand drawing. And then it happened:One day Dr. Kaesz took a glass of milk andposed it on the table in front of the class."Your aSSignment today," he said, "is to drawthis glass of milk so realistically that I'll betempted to drink it." Two hours later, he collectedour handiwork.The next day, Dr. Kaesz told us that wehad all done better than he'd expected. Butthen he put his hand on my shoulder and said,"But this little fellow made the milk look soreal, I was scared I would spill it as I took d1edrawing to my office." Then he whisperedthat he wanted to see me after class.My heart had stopped beating as I openedthe door to his office. Dr. Kaesz looked mein d1e eyes and said, "My son, I am proud ofthe progress you are making, but I think it'stime we return your exam drawing to d1emother of my good friend Joseph Forbath,"as he handed me the drawing with d1e fourcardplayers. And then, pOinting his finger tothe cardplayer with only his back showing,he asked, "Do you know who this little fellowwith d1e twisted back is '" I knew!-George Frank, Soutb Venice, Fla.Notes and CommentDo you /maw something we don't aboutthe woodwork ing scene in your area?Please take a moment to fill us In Notesanti Comment pays for stories, tidbits,commentary and reports on exhibitsanti events. Send manuscripts anti colorslides (or, black·antI·white photos-preferably with negatives) to Notes andComment, Fine Woodworking, Box 355,Ne wtoum, Conn 06470.118 Fine Woodworking