March 2023 Newsletter

Dedicated to the art of woodworking since 1984.

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Next Meeting:

This Thursday


March 16th 

Meeting Start: 6:45 PM

Meeting Location:

Moolah Shrine Center
Oasis Room
12545 Fee Fee Road
St. Louis, MO  63146

OR

Youtube LiveStream Link HERE for online starting at 6:45 PM

President’s Letter

We’ve been having great guest speakers and as a result lots of questions resulting in meetings running longer because no one is using the microphone stand for questions.  We’ve decided to start the monthly meetings at 6:45 PM and will start using a mic runner for questions.  Hopefully this will streamline the Q&A and we can finish our meetings by 8:30 p.m.

 

For our April meeting we will have the business meeting and election of officers. No Show and Tell in April.  

Superstar Weekend is coming up and as of today we have 20 people signed up.  There is a lot of room for more attendees, so please join us on April 21-22.   Sign up on the Guild website.

 

The Salvation Army has asked us for help with their  “Angel Tree Program”.   
In addition to the unfinished toys we build for the hospitals, we also build and distribute to three charities and the guild tree at the Shriner’s Feztival of Trees.  In 2022 we made and distributed 1200 finished toys.    I know we asked people to slow down on the toys but the demand is coming back up and we need more toys.  We are asking everyone to start making toys again for the hospitals plus an additional 20 or more for the charities.
 
For the new members who don’t have experience making toys, please join us on April 30 for a new member toy build.   Check the guild website for details.

See you Thursday evening at 6:45,

Brian Ellison

 

Nominations for open positions on the SLWG Board will be presented by the nominating committee at the March meeting. 

Nominations from the floor will be accepted at the April Business Meeting prior to the election.

THIS MONTH’S PROGRAM
(In Person Presentation and Livestream)

Wood Carving Demonstration

with

Glen Miller
and
Steve Botkin

LINK TO THIS MONTH’S MEETING

LAST MONTH’S PROGRAM

All about the Sawmill Industry

with

Dan Bechtold
Knotty by Nature

Link to Last Month’s Meeting Recording

SWAP MEET planned for MAY

Will be held in the Parking Lot beyond the Faust Park Maintenence Shed. 

Stay Tuned for more details!!!

Donate to the St. Louis Woodworkers Guild HERE
Super Star Weekend

Saturday, April 22, 2023
with
Tom McLaughlin
from Canterbury, New Hampshire
Guest Host on TV Shows
Master Woodworker

Tom is planning to cover the various aspects of a bowfront table: design, joinery, curve shaping, making bow front drawer, veneering, edge-banding & inlay, and finishing. For a preview of his experience, see his website HERE.

Register for the Super Star Weekend HERE

NOTICE — NOTICE — NOTICE

A ticket to the Super Star Weekend will be raffled off at a Thursday Guild Meeting.  You have to attend to win.  

Thank you to Don Turner for this donation!!!

SHOW AND TELL

Editor’s Note:

The St. Louis Woodworkers Guild encourages its Members to share their projects in the Newsletter.  Please send items you would like to showcase in future SLWG Newsletters to grady.vaughan@gmail.com.

GV

Charles Schrock had acquired a lignum vitae wood lawn bowling ball as a source of wood for a project and wanted to preserve the medallion on the top.
He came up with this keepsake box, keeping the curvature of the ball for the base.  Due to the oily characteristics of the wood, he used epoxy for the final finish.

Joe Turner made this cylindrical maze puzzle box which has circular discs with slots on the perimeter that have to line up properly for the box to open.  He created the discs accurately by using a CNC machine.

Don Turner made this HSH side table with mortise and tenon joints using our white oak stock.
Hal Donovan built this table for the HSH program.

Tom Tierney built and donated these tables for the HSH program.
Doug LaRico built and donated these two tables for the HSH program.

Phil Morton built and donated this table for the HSH program.
Another table for the HSH program.

Collin Preftakes recently made a desk for his wife. The wood is African mahogany (or sapele) and the top was made from only two wide boards!

TOOL RECALLS

 Here is a link to a site that lists safety recall notices for woodworking tools.  LINK

COMMUNITY

St. Louis Woodworkers Guild contributions to the local community
 

CHRISTMAS TOY  PROGRAM
It is time to get starting building toys for Christmas and other distribution during the year.
 
We will build toys in the Faust Park shop on the first and third Fridays of each month up until about Thanksgiving.
The TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED to 10 am to 2 pm to avoid the noon rush and having to drive home in rush hour.  Feel free to bring a lunch and take a break when desired.
The first session will be March 3rd.
 
IF YOU WANT TO BE REMINDED OF EACH SESSION a few days before, respond to this email with your email of choice.
If you don’t respond you won’t get further emails of a routine nature.
 
Several things to note:
We will be making a donation to Toys for Tots for their “Christmas in July” event as well as at Christmas time.
You must be a member of the Guild and had the safety class to work at the shop. Non-members and others are welcome to build at home and donate finished items to the program.  Any quantity is appreciated.
Please wear your safety glasses in the shop.
If you can’t make it to the shop but want to build toys, please let me know and we can provide ideas, plans, or patterns for various items.  You may also build items of your own design.
A lot of items need to be painted before final assembly.  If you or your spouse would be willing to paint, we could sure use your help.  You can paint in the shop or at home.
Donations of wood have helped keep our expenses down.  If you can donate good quality 1 or 2 by’s up to 12 inches wide it would be a help. 2 by’s can be pine.  1 by’s in pine or poplar would be acceptable.  Any lengths 8 feet or less are acceptable.
 
We hope to have another good year with more than 1200 toys donated and appreciate everyone’s support.
 
If you have any questions, please contact me. 

Wayne Humphrey

Toy Committee Chair Rick Weitzman readily awaits the toy donations.

  Toy Committee Update
 

Toy production moves along.  We had a good selection of toys collected at the February meeting.

All woodworkers should be aware that we are donating these toys for children and that all toy donations must be fully sanded with NO splinters or sharp edges — ready for a final finish.  

Call me if you need toy parts and I will bring them to the meeting for pickup.

Thank you to all who have built toys and contributed to this important program.
 

Rick Weitzman

 

Toy Committee Chair
314-920-7867

2023 Toy Report

A New Year on a good start!! 

Toy Tally

Collected
March — 175
YTD –511

Delivered
March — 264
YTD — 462

Since 1994 — 83,368

2023 Toy Program Major Contributors

Over 200 Club
Bill Meuth — 250

Over 200 Club
Dan O’Heron – 104

Over 50 Club
Rich Sanders — 57
Linda Turner – 50

NEW CONTRIBUTORS

Larry Alvarez
Linda Turner

Dan O’Heron

2023 Target and Challenge

Target for Delivered Items:  4,000

11.6% ACHIEVED
 
 

10% Member Participation Target

2% ACHIEVED
7 Members

Toy Pattern Library is Growing

 
Keep checking the website for new patterns throughout the year as well as the schedule for donating seasonal items.  We’ll continue to add new and interesting patterns for all levels of woodcrafters so check back often.
 
Find patterns at:  https://slwg.org/community-involvement/toy-program/

Organizations that we currently donate toys to include:

BJC Children’s Hospital
Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition
Hawthorn Children’s Psych. Hosp.
LifeWise STL
Mercy Hospital

Peace Pantry Cedar Hill
RankenJordan Ped. Bridge Hospital
Rockwood School District
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Toys for Tots

Toy Committee

Rick Weitzman, Chair
Paul Bailey
Vickie Berry
Hal Donovan
Dan Lender

Steve Mettes
Charles Schrock
Bill Schuchat
Grady Vaughan

Please contact us with comments, suggestions or if you need to arrange pickup or delivery of toys. Individual contact info can be found on the Members Only section of the SLWG website.

HSH Table Build Community Outreach

 
HSH table program is  going well as we continue toward our goal of 100 tables built and delivered to HSH by the end of March. All Members are welcome to get involved.

If you have a table ready you can either bring it to the March meeting or contact me for pickup. You can drop your table by my truck which will be parked on the lower level next to the rear entrance of the Moolah Shrine building on Thursday. 

Wood will be available for pick up at the March meeting. 

Please see me at the meeting or call me at (314) 412-1817 if you have any questions about the program.

Thank you to all of our Members who participate in this program by donating their time and talent to build tables for HomeSweetHome Clients.

Tom Tierney

UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS
 

MARCH 16         Glen Miller           Wood Carving

APRIL 20           T. J. Thayer          Bowl turning demonstration and talking about wood turning.

MAY 18             Don Turner              Making Kitchen Cabinets

JUNE 15            Chris Linenbroker    River Tables

Woodworking Classes

Held at Faust Park Workshop

Upcoming Classes
See the Schedule on the SLWG Website HERE.
                                                
Date                            Teacher                            Subject

       
March 25, 2023 Windus   Shorty Router Table & Edge Sander
March 26, 2023 Schuchat   Sharpening  
April 1, 2023        
April 8, 2023 Conner   Shorty Drill Press
April 9, 2023 Schuchat/Payne   Fundamentals 2023A6
April 15, 2023 Nasser (his shop)   Turn A Salt & Pepper Shaker
April 22, 2023 Tom McLaughlin   Bowfront Sofa & End Table
May 6, 2023 Mike Stoll   Tuning up and Using Bench Planes  
May 7, 2023 Noffsinger   Shorty Band Saw
May 14, 2023 Schuchat/Payne   Fundamentals 2023A7
May 28, 2023        
June 3, 2023 Schuchate/Payne   Beginners Woodworking  
June 11, 2023 Schuchat/Payne   Fundamentals 2023A8
June 24, 2023 Schuchat   Shorty Planer/Jointer

Short classes for new members (and old members who want to attend) are being offered ahead of Open Shop hours on specific Saturdays.  One hour classes for Band Saw, Planer/Jointer, Hand Plane, Table Saw & Drill Press will be scheduled.  See the website calendar for dates and times.

Check out the Events Calendar on the SLWG website HERE.

Faust Park Workshop Information

Important Notice from the SLWG Board regarding the Faust Park Shop

The Faust Park Shop is open only to SLWG members who have completed their Safety Training.  Minimum age for membership in the Guild is 16 years old.  Children less than 16 cannot be Members and therefore are not allowed in the shop under any circumstances.  Shop Monitors are authorized to enforce this major safety and liability issue.

  • To participate in the Workshop Safety Class or use the shop, you must have paid the current year Guild dues and have your current membership card with appropriate marking.
  • To use the Guild Workshop during open hours, you must have passed a Workshop Safety Class. 

Shop schedule may change due to inclement weather.  Generally, if schools are closing, the Shop may also be closed.  A notice of the Shop closing will be placed on the Home Page of the SLWG Website HERE

April Shop Hours
Apr 2                   9 am – 5 pm

Apr 4 & 5             10 am – 2 pm

Apr 8                    9 am – 5 pm

Apr 11 & 12        10 am – 2 pm

Apr 15 & 16          9 am – 5 pm

Apr 22                  9 am – 5 pm

Next Shop Safety Class
When:
   Thursday, April 6th, 6:30 pm
       
Where:
           Faust Park Workshop

Duration:
           Plan for 3 Hours

Cost:
         $20 for Current Members

Safety Class attendees must register online and bring their current Guild membership card.
 Limit of 10 per class.
Visit the SLWG website for Safety Class Signup HERE.

Directions: Plug the following address into your GPS or phone: 
1135 Henry Jackson Rd. Chesterfield, MO

Join or Renew your Guild

Membership Today!

Annual Dues Renewals
 

Remember that letting your membership lapse will result in having to retake the Safety Class ($20) prior to using the Open Shop at Faust Park.

 

Annual membership renewal is available online (click on button below) with PayPal or any major credit card, or mail a check for the appropriate amount with member’s name in the memo line to 
St. Louis Woodworkers Guild
P.O. Box 411766
St. Louis, MO 63141-9998

 
Current membership status is required for use of the Faust Park Shop.
 
Annual Membership Dues:

 

Basic Membership            $40
Full Shop Membership      $75
 
A Basic Membership entitles the member to four (4) uses of the Guild Shop during the membership year.  
A Shop Membership entitles the member to unlimited use of the shop during open shop hours.

Member benefits also include:
 

                      > Discounts at Guild sponsors
                      > Access to Project Workshops 
                      > Access to a local community of woodworkers
                      > Access to the secure portion of the website

See the SLWG Website for signing up!

Click here to pay dues online

WELCOME to NEW MEMBERS

Kimberly Acquilano
Charlie Carter
David Christoff
Sandy Cupp
Karl D’Arcy
Carl Fitch
Lance Markus
Julie Koesterer

 

Thomas Koesterer
Carin Kohlmeier
Jerry Rich
Jason Rudolph
Jeffrey Schaefer
Tom Shrum
Leo Smith

If you are a current or retired Boeing employee you can now contribute to the St. Louis Woodworker’s guild through the Boeing Gift Match program.  The guild is now an approved charitable organization with the Boeing program.  As an employee participant, your donation of $25.00 USD or more or the equivalent volunteer hours of 25 hours or more will be matched 1:1 by Boeing.  The maximum individual contribution is $6,000.00 or 6,000 volunteer hours.  Your contribution is tax deductible as long as you follow three simple steps:

Step 1:  Eligible Boeing employees or retirees first make a contribution directly to the guild

Step 2:  After making your donation go to Total Access and click on My Community Giving – GIVE – Gift Match on the Boeing Gift Match page.

Step 3:  Register your donation whether it’s monetary or volunteer hours and select The St. Louis Woodworker’s Guild and enter the total amount and the date of the contribution.

It’s that easy, you get a great tax break and it benefits the guild directly.  If you have any questions, please email Brian Ellison at president@slwg.org and if I don’t know the answer, I will try to find it for you.

SLWG Officers, Board Members and Committee Leaders

President:
Brian Ellison – 314-651-7699

Vice President:
Bill Schuchat – 314-406-1823

Secretary:
Adam Conners – 314-495-1772

Treasurer:
Tom Tierney – 314-412-1817

Directors:
Jay Noffsinger  (exp. 2024)
Dan Lender  (exp. 2025)
Hal Donovan (exp. 2026)
Don Turner (exp. 2023)

Immediate Past President:
Vickie Berry

Membership Coordinator:
Collin Preftakes

Woodworking Show Coordinator:
Open

IT Administrator:
Doug Johnson

Media Coordinator:
Brian Ellison

Newsletter Editor:
Grady Vaughan

Librarian:
Al Carlson

Toy Committee Chair:
Rick Weitzman

Shop Manager:
David Gronefeld

Classes and Workshops Coordinator:
Bill Schuchat

Legal Counsel:
Bill Hobson

Donations Coordinator:
Todd Martin


Our Sponsors

The St. Louis Woodworkers Guild relies heavily on sponsorship to execute on our mission statement of education, community service, and local development. Please support our sponsors. 











(In-store only)










Kohler City Hardwoods
Walrus Oil

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