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THIS MONTH’S PROGRAM
(In-Person and Livestreamed!)
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Dust Dog Dust Collection
with
Brian Killen
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If you can’t make it to this month’s meeting in-person, here is the LINK for streaming.
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Turning Cracked Wood
with
John Ferreira
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John showed us his techniques for repairing wood gaps using coffee grounds and other materials.
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If you could not make it to last month’s meeting, here is the LINK for streaming.
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SUPERSTAR WEEKEND:
The Art of Curved Furniture with Jeff Miller
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Guild Members, join us for an exclusive all-day presentation featuring one of the country’s most respected furniture makers and educators for St. Louis Woodworkers Guild Members only.
- Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
- Location: Moolah Shrine Center, 12545 Fee Fee Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146
- Schedule:
- 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Coffee & Networking
- 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Presentation by Jeff Miller
- Fee: $60 (includes lunch)
About the Speaker: Jeff Miller
Jeff Miller is a furniture designer, craftsman, teacher, and author based in Chicago. A former classical musician, Jeff brings a unique discipline and rhythm to his craft, having transitioned from the symphony orchestra to the woodshop.
His furniture has been exhibited in galleries nationwide and is featured in the Decorative Arts Collection of the Chicago History Museum. Jeff is a prolific writer whose books include The Foundations of Better Woodworking, Beds, and Chairmaking and Design, the latter of which won the Stanley Award for Best How-To Book. Known for his “multi-faceted” approach, Jeff combines traditional hand-tool skills with efficient machine techniques to create designs that are both contemporary and timeless.
Session Topic: Using Curved Wood in Furniture Construction
Breaking away from the straight line can be intimidating, but it is often the key to elevating furniture design. In this full-day session, Jeff will demystify the process of incorporating curves into your work.
Attendees will learn:
- Bending Techniques: Methods for bent lamination to create strong, graceful curves.
- Joinery for Curves: Practical advice on creating tight, durable joinery in curved and shaped furniture parts—often a source of worry for builders.
- Design & Philosophy: How to conceptualize curved designs and the “why” behind the shape.
Also included be focus on the use of hand tools in the process and Jeff’s preferences for specific tasks. In addition to hand tools, he will show the how the use of jigs, clamps, and power tool strategies can make complex shapes manageable.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a master craftsman! For more examples of Jeff’s work, visit www.furnituremaking.com
Registration is open on the SLWG Website HERE.
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April Meeting Silent Auction Rules
Please review and follow the rules noted below
- To enter the Silent Auction you must pay a fee to the St. Louis Woodworkers Guild based upon the seller’s stated minimum bid. This must be paid in advance. There are no refunds if an item does not sell. The SLWG Treasurer will assign a lot number when all fees are paid. The fee schedule is as follows:
- .01-$10.00–$1.00
- $10.01-20.00–$2.00
- $20.01-30.00–$3.00
- $30.01-40.00–$4.00
- $40.01-50.00–$5.00
- Over $50.01—exact 10%
- Items must be in place by 6:40 pm. Doors will open at 6:00 pm. The bidding will end at 8:30 pm
- Once bidding has closed the buyer and seller are expected to finalize payment with each other. The SLWG treasurer can assist with change and credit card sales.
- The seller must remove all unsold items.
- All auction items must be woodworking related.
- Reserves will be set by the seller on all auction items. The reserve is the minimum bid set by the seller for which the item will be sold.
- All bidding must be in $1.00 multiples.
- SLWG reserves the right to limit the number of auction items per member.
- The majority of auction items are (expected to be) used. The condition of items is as represented by the seller and are sold “as is”. SLWG is not responsible for defects, hidden or otherwise.
- Large items (such as table saws etc.) should be left in your vehicle. A photo should be made available to stand in for the actual auction item. If one person can carry it, it should be okay.
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John Ferreria brought in turnings from Bradford Pear, Black Locust, and River Birch.
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Corey Doner brought in one-handed and two-handed sanding blocks, designs from Woodsmith Magazine.
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Dan Lender was using up project leftovers making finger boxes from walnut and other species. He made one for his granddaughter and had a friend CNC her name on it. He cut the fingernail pull with a 1″ Forstner bit at an angle of about 10 degrees. Finished with boiled linseed oil, shellac, and 4 coats of lacquer.
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Mark Voegtle used an angle grinder for digging out these platters after using a Forstner bit predrill. He noted that for his cheese cutting boards, he has found that it is best to use wood at least 7/8″ thick. He uses Tried & True Finish plus Walrus Oil.
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Chuck Schrock brought in a bassinet that he built for his daughter. He bought the spindles, but the rest of the project is hand carved. All of the spindle ends were slotted and splined.
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He used red and white oak and finished it with water-based urethane.
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Charles Schrock brought in a natural edge dogwood bowl from a tree that he harvested in 2004.
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He also brought in a Cigar Ash Tray that he made from a cactus tree base and features copper pipe cigar rests and hammered copper bowl. He finished it with an epoxy finish.
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Gary Schmidt brought in his first time cauls that he was making in his shop instead of purchasing from a vendor. He made this one about 20″ long with a camber on each end of about 1/16″.
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Pictures from around the room at the February Meeting
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TOOL RECALLS
and Other Videos
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Check these links out if you have these items (some might be a little dated):
Leatherman Multitool Recall (7/31/25) LINK
ToolGuyd Recalls Website (Various) LINK
Grizzly Wood Lathes (11/2/23) LINK
Rigid Framing Nailers (7/31/25) LINK
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COMMUNITY
St. Louis Woodworkers Guild contributions to the local community
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Toys are built in the Faust Park shop on the first and third Fridays of the month from 10 am to 2 pm.
If you would like more information, contact me at 314-440-2173 or wehumphrey@hotmail.com.
Wayne Humphrey
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Toy Committee Update
If you need supplies (wood, dowels, wheels, pins, etc.) please don’t let that stand in your way of making toys 😊. Reach out to Bob or Wayne, and we will let you into the shed to look around for what you need.
I will be bringing about 50 kits for 5-6 toy types to the March meeting. Each kit will make 10 toys.
We have lots of patterns for toys of every kind. Contact me, and I will share them with you. Link to Toy Program on our website which includes toy patterns.
Please contact a committee member with any comments or suggestions you may have for the program and thank you to all who have built toys and contributed to this important program.
Bob Baird
(636) 484-3950
Toy Committee Chair
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Collected
February — 208
YTD — 427
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Delivered
February — 172
YTD — 297
Since 1994 — 95,161
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2026 Toy Program Major Contributors
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Over 100 Club
Linda Turner — 156
William Marsek — 154
Paul Hellenbrand — 117
Over 50 Club
—
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2026 Target and Challenge
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Target for Delivered Items: 4,000
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10% Member Participation Target
(40 Members)
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7.5% ACHIEVED
3 Members (through January)
(Total Guild Members 402)
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Organizations that we currently donate toys to include:
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BJC Children’s Hospital
Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Hawthorn Children’s Psych. Hosp.
LifeWise STL
Mercy Hospital North Pediatrics
Lambert St. Louis Airport USO
Arlington United Methodist Church
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Peace Pantry Cedar Hill
RankenJordan Ped. Bridge Hospital
Rockwood School District
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Toys for Tots
Crisis Nursery Wentzville
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Bob Baird, Chair
Paul Bailey
Hal Donovan
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Charles Schrock
Grady Vaughan
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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 HERE.
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HSH Table Build Community Outreach
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Tom will have wood to distribute at this month’s meeting
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The members have contributed 167 tables so far this year. Bob Jones built 4 dinette tables in February. He is now a member of the 5+ club. Twenty-four members have participated in the program this year. Four members are new to the program.
Thanks to Dan Lender, Hal Donovan, Charles Schrock, and Jay Noffsinger the program increased its wood inventory this month by over 200 board feet (bdf) of rough sawn oak.
A workday to mill wood for kits will be scheduled later this month. We hope to get 20 – 25 small end table kits from the milled lumber
We have ample wood in the Shed. Oak, Cherry and walnut are available for tables.
Wood will be available at the March General Meeting. It will be outside the lower exit door in the back of the dark grey Tacoma pickup.
You can learn from YouTube and others but, the only way you can improve is to build.
Thank you to all who participate in the program.
Please continue to contribute to the Guild, especially the Outreach Programs.
Get involved. I promise you, you will be amazed at the knowledge, character, and goodness of your fellow Members.
Tom Tierney
(314) 412-1817
tmtierney@gmail.com
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One of two, three drawer dressers (32”W x 30”T x 16”D) built by Tom Tierney using dinette table plywood sheet off-cuts and walnut edging.
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White pine drawer boxes with machine cut dovetails using Porter Cable jig. Finish is water based acrylic paint with a satin sheen.
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Two more of Hal Donovan‘s end tables for the HSH program.
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FY 2025-2026 Target and Challenge
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Target for Delivered Tables: 150
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Tally to 2/28/26:
Current Month Current Year Program Total
Dining Tables 6 32 66
End Tables/Sofa Server 6 98 424
Coffee Tables 0 29 62
Night Stands 2 8 13
Total 14 167 565
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Total Tables by Year
FY 2022-2023 102
FY 2023-2024 121
FY 2024-2025 175
FY 2025-2026 (11 months) 167
Grand Total for Program 565
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Table of Recognition
Below are the Members who have built five or more tables.
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Name Current Year Level Grand Total
Alan Brown 5+ +30
Paul Deutsch 5+ +20
Hal Donovan 25+ +100
Paul Hellenbrand 5+ +15
Jim Hessburg 5+ +15
Bob Jones 5+ +5
Doug LaRico 5+ +10
Charles Schrock 10+ +75
Tom Tierney 30+ +100
Don Turner 5+ +10
Grady Vaughan 20+ +45
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Current Year No. of 5+ Builders 11
Overall No. of 5+ Builders 18
Current Year No. of Builders 24
Overall No. of Builders 41
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NEW HSH TOOL KIT PROJECT
Do you have extra hand tools that need a new home? The Guild has a solution for you!
We’ve selected HomeSweetHome as the perfect organization to benefit.
Vickie Berry will have a collection box and at every meeting.
See more details in the Forum on the SLWG Website at this LINK.
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| 2026 Upcoming Meeting Presentations |
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| Date |
Presenter |
Subject |
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| 19-Mar-26 |
Brian Killen |
Dust Dog: Dust Collection Systems |
| 16-Apr-26 |
None |
Guild Business Meeting Night |
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Woodworking Classes
Held at Faust Park Workshop
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Faust Park Workshop Information
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- 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. First time Safety Class is $20. Refresher attendance is FREE!
- No one below the age of 16 is allowed in the shop
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For Faust Park Shop “Open Hours” and the next Safety Class, click on this LINK for access to the website calendar.
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Directions to the shop: Plug the following address into your GPS or phone:
1135 Henry Jackson Rd. Chesterfield, MO
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Join or Renew your Guild
Membership Today!
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Annual Dues Renewals
Grace Period
If a membership lapses, a former member can rejoin the guild within 12 months of expiration without having to retake the $20 Shop Safety Class. After 12 months have passed, the individual will be required to Renew membership and retake the $20 safety class.
Annual membership renewal is available online (click on button below) with 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 and completion of Safety Class status is required for classes and use of the Faust Park Shop.
CURRENT Annual Membership Dues:
Basic Membership $50
Full Shop Membership $120
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!
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Matt Buha
Brent Ebl
Dylan Schweitzer
Eric Meyer
Richard Willmore
Ed Mills
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Heather Moresi
Tom Ott
Eric Permenter
Andrew Rogers
Donald Birger
Thomas Selby
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If you are a current or retired Boeing employee you can 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.
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SLWG Officers, Board Members and Committee Leaders
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President:
Brian Ellison
president@slwg.org
Vice President:
Corey Doner
vicepresident@slwg.org
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Secretary:
Adam Conners
secretary@slwg.org
Treasurer:
Joe Turner
treasurer@slwg.org
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Directors:
Hal Donovan (exp. 2026)
Grady Vaughan (exp. 2027)
Bob Kastigar (exp. 2028)
Bob Danner (exp. 2029)
Immediate Past President:
Jay Noffsinger
Membership Coordinator:
Brian Ellison – membership@slwg.org
IT/Sponsorship/Donations Coordinator:
Todd Martin – donations@slwg.org
IT Administrator:
it@slwg.org
IT Support Team
support@slwg.org
Todd Martin
Dave Schuster
Jim Becher
Nick Balogh
Steve Botkin
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Librarian:
Al Carlson
Toy Committee Chair:
Bob Baird
toys@slwg.org
Photographer:
Leo Weisman
Shop Manager:
David Gronefeld
Newsletter Editor:
Grady Vaughan
newsletter@slwg.org
Classes and Workshops Coordinator:
Corey Doner
Program Coordinator:
Corey Doner
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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 Patronize our sponsors who support the guild and our mission to encourage and educate members and non-members to enjoy and enrich their woodworking skills and experiences.
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Walnut Level Sponsor. Norrenberns Lumber & Hardware is a family owned and operated union shop with years of experience in the industry. We are a fully licensed and insured company with a wide variety of products in stock.
We are a full-service lumberyard and small hardware store, both fully stocked. In our lumberyard, we have all types of wood and a small selection of hardwoods. We are excited to be a walnut sponsor to support local woodworkers. Remember to tell us the guild sent you!
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Pine Level Sponsor. Guild members will receive a 10% discount on saw sharpening at Quinn Saw.
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Pine Level Sponsor. Learn the art of Traditional Woodcarving with professional woodcarver, Mary May!
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