Welcome

West Michigan Woodturners is an association of woodturners of all skill levels from beginners to advanced turners. The club is focused on education and advancing the art and science of turning all forms on lathes. We periodically offer an introductory class for beginning turners. At the monthly meetings demonstrations by either club members or invited speakers allow for turners of all levels to advance their skills. Please browse our site to see what we are doing and contact us if you have any questions.

April 11th 2026 Meeting

The meeting starts at 9:30AM sharp, arrival time starts at 8:30 AM in person and 9:00AM via Zoom. We will meet in the Community Room of the Big Rock Community Church, 3140 N. 3rd St., Kalamazoo (Oshtemo) MI 49009.
As usual there will be lots of coffee, some sweet treats and many of your friends to chat with.

Remember, your donations for the Raffle table are much appreciated! They also are a source of supplies and turning wood for many of our members. Please take the time and effort to keep your donations coming. A BIG THANK YOU.

Also, bring your latest turnings to share with the members in “Show and Tell” segment of the club

Demonstration:

The April meeting demonstration will be Peter Keith and Ricc Havens showing the process of using pewas for crack repair on turnings. 

Pewa – (pronounced peh-vuh) are more commonly known to most woodworkers as butterfly patches or repairs.  In the turning world they are commonly referred to as pewa.  Pewas is the Hawaiian word meaning – tail of fish, shrimp, pr lobster. In Hawaiian culture it symbolizes – healing: Due to its use in repairing, it symbolizes mending relationships, community healing, and restoring cultural continuity. 

It’s more commonly used today in flatwork to keep a crack from expanding.  It can be used in wood-turning that way too, but there are other uses that pewas/butterflies can be in woodturning such as accenting a piece by using a different color pewa/butterfly than the wood of the main piece, “artsy” uses, etc.

Come to learn the process and some tips & tricks that Peter and Ricc have learned when using pewas/butterflies.