Monday, October 24, 2016

Members of the Cork Chapter at The National Seminar in Maynooth, 22nd & 23rd October, 2016.
From left: Michael Pattwell, John Ahern & Paddy Lynch

From left: David Lee, Charley McCarthy & Hugh Garrett

From left: Leslie Clarke (Kerry Chapter Secretary), Pat Moloney, Seamus Healy & Jerry Twomey

From left: Jim O'Donovan, David Lee & Charley McCarthy

From left: Gerard Hennessy & Joe Kennedy

The winning entry, Limerick Chapter 
Fourteen members of the Cork Chapter attended the National Seminar in Maynooth over last weekend. It was a most enjoyable few days and everybody seemed to have a good time. Unfortunately we didn't bring back any prizes from the competitions even though the standard of the items that our members entered was very high. Indeed the overall standard was really high and accordingly nobody was really disappointed. It was an honour to just be there.
Thanks to Ger Hennessy and his team, our entry in the Chapter Challenge looked very well and those of us who were there felt very proud of our effort. We didn't, however, win but we were delighted when the Limerick Chapter were announced as the winners - and a very worthy winner they were too. Hearty congratulations to them.  They even included a box for the pieces and that can be seen in the background.



The Cork Chapter entry.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

For the October 2016 workshop we were back in familiar territory, in Leo O’Donoghue’s comfortable workshop in Little Island. 
Some of the attendance
For his project Leo decided to do a gavel and sound block.  A gavel is a small ceremonial mallet commonly made of hardwood, typically fashioned with a handle and often struck against a sound block, a striking surface typically also made of hardwood, to enhance its sounding qualities.   It is a symbol of the authority and right to act officially in the capacity of a chair or presiding officer.  The expression passing the gavel signifies an orderly succession from one chair to another.  The gavel is much associated with the judiciary but in truth I never saw a judge in this country using one.
In Medieval England, the word "gavel" could refer to a tribute or rent payment made with something other than cash.  These agreements were set in English land-court with the sound of a "gavel," a word that may come from the Old English "gafol" (meaning "tribute").
Leo O'Donoghue at work on his gavel
The main part or head of the gavel was made of mahogany and  the handle was beech.  The sound block was a combination of the two.
Leo drilled the hole for the handle first into the squared wood, on his drill-press, and then turned the head between centres.  For a finish he sanded up to 400 grit and used sanding sealer, followed by his own polish made of bees’ wax (from his own apiary) mixed with turpentine, liquid paraffin and carnauba wax.
When fitting the handle he split a section of it on the bandsaw and glued a wedge of mahogany and this gave the end of the handle a nice contrast.
Leo, with his completed gavel and sound block
Leo’s workshops are long recognised for the great refreshments served and this time was no exception.  Thanks, Leo and thanks too to your wonderful “catering staff”.  
The competition was a plate as demonstrated by Tony Farrell at the last workshop.  In “Advanced” Peter Manning was 1st, followed by Gerard Hennessy and Charley McCarthy, in that order.  “Intermediate” was won by Joe Kennedy, with 2nd and 3rd going to Jim Byrne and Michael Pattwell, respectively.  “Beginners” went to Pat Dromey for 1st and 2nd.



Competition winners.

The members agreed that we should vary the date for the November workshop as the regular date clashes with the Open Day in Ronaynes’ Shop in Thurles.  The new date will be 12th November at the usual venue at Togher at 1.30.
The Cork Chapter, in co-operation with Atkins on the Carrigrohane Road, held a chainsaw training evening at Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, last week.  This was an excellent evening with the presentation made by the Technical Manager of the Husqvarna main importers in Ireland. 
To say it was anything less than excellent would be doing it a disservice.  We were taken through the ‘secrets’ of properly sharpening the equipment as well as how to use them as safely as possible.  Personal protection equipment (PPE) was available to view and examine and was tested. 

The success of the evening is confirmed by the number of people who left with a new respect for this dangerous piece of equipment and the number who promised themselves that they would no longer use it without first fitting themselves out with the adequate PPE.

Monday, October 3, 2016

These messages have been circulated by our Hon. Secretary, Mick Bouchier.

Hi All, October Workshop in Leo O’Donoghue’s at 1.30pm on Saturday 15th October. Competition is a Plate. Leo will have Beeswax and Honey for sale on the day. Regards, Mick Bouchier, Secretary Cork Chapter IWG 086 8520542

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Hi All, Date for your Diary Please let me know in advance if you will be attending. A Chainsaw Presentation, relating to care, sharpening and H & S will take place in the Oriel Hotel, Ballincollig on Wednesday 12th October at 7.30pm. This is “FREE” event (2 hours approx.) sponsored by Atkins Limited, Cork & Bandon and will be delivered by Andy Walsh of Liffey Distributors, Dublin. It is a must attend event for Chainsaw owners. Regards, Mick Bouchier, Secretary Cork Chapter IWG 086 8520542