|
President’s Letter — March 2021
|
|
A lot is happening as we end our fiscal year, set budgets, do audits, hold elections, and start some new community involvement projects.
With schools closed or working on partial schedules, we have learned of a need for desks that students can use at home for study. This will provide a small space they can use at home, call their own, and store their supplies. To get these desks to deserving students, Bring-Me-A Book-St Louis will distribute them to many of the same children that will be getting books through their existing program. |
|
The Guild is starting a project to build 150 of these desks. A design has been chosen, samples built, revisions made, and costing done for the project. $3,500 has been allocated for this first lot of desks and the jigs and fixtures that will be needed to fabricate and assemble the units.
To see a sample of the desk and learn more about them, |
|
|
Tom Tierney has led this project and will continue to spearhead it. The first units will be built at the Guild shop using Guild volunteers to work out all the manufacturing glitches. As volunteers are needed, emails will be sent out requesting help.
As soon as a space is cleared at Faust Park, a storage shed will be constructed to store toy supplies, toys, and other items related to Guild activities. When construction starts, a number of volunteers will be needed. Keep an eye on your emails for more information.
Do you know when the Guild was founded? Why it was founded? Where? You probably don’t because it was a lot longer ago than what you may think and little, or any, documentation exists. If you were around at that time we would like to hear from you. If we could get some founding members of the Guild together for an hour of reminiscing, we will video it for posterity and perhaps create a written document from it. If you would like to participate in this endeavor, please let me know at president@slwg.org.
Bill Schuchat has loaded up the shop with lots of classes for the remainder of the year. Be sure to check the calendar on the website for more information.
We are planning a buy, sell, swap meet for a little later in the year. This will give you an opportunity to get rid of some of your stuff and acquire someone else’s. Some of the used equipment the Guild has accumulated over time will also be for sale. Stay tuned for more information.
We are looking forward to getting back to monthly in-person meetings. When we do we will also be live streaming the meeting so you can watch it from home. A survey will be going out asking about your willingness to attend in-person meetings and we would appreciate your feedback on the subject.
I recently had a new member ask what books she could read to learn about woodworking. Tough question to answer and I encouraged her to learn by doing, by participating in classes, building toys, and by hanging out when these events or activities take place. It is easy to pick up woodworking tips when toys are being collected. Just ask questions of someone when you have one. I haven’t met a woodworker that wasn’t willing share information with a less experienced person. Use the shop during open shop hours to improve your skills and see what others are working on. Woodworking skills are generally learned little by little. An apprentice woodworker will spend years learning the necessary skills to become a master, so above all, remember to be patient.
Stay safe in all you do, |
|
|
THIS MONTH’S PROGRAM
(Online Presentation)
|
|
|
This month’s meeting will include committee reports, Show & Tell and a presentation on the subject of Making a Violin. The presenter will be Geoffrey J. Seitz, Violin maker. Goeff has been making violins, violas and cellos for over 25 years. His instruments are noted for their beautiful design and rich tone. He was raised in Lemay, MO on a strawberry and tomato family farm. Geoff has studied classical violin, but is best known for his numerous awards playing old-time fiddle music. He has won two national fiddle championships.
Guild Members: Watch your Inbox this week for the Zoom meeting invitation. |
|
|
|
Scott Wunder made a presentation to the Guild last month at our regular meeting. Scott is a former SLWG member who got started in wood milling over 25 years ago. He made a previous presentation to the Guild in August, 2016.
Below are several images from his presentation last month.
|
|
|
 |
|
Scott has a difficult time finding appropriate parking places for his log truck. Someone is always complaining. |
 |
|
He told us about a client who found just the right piece of wood in his stock for a vanity top with a natural extension for a shelf behind the toilet. |
|
 |
|
Faux fine wood timber, actually an artistically finished pine box beam. |
 |
|
Nicely filled and finished live edge piece destined for a table top. |
|
 |
|
Scott noted that the above product had the highest return per board foot that he received for his products. |
|
|
Guild “NEWS BYTES“
Amazon Smile has made a donation of $33.16 to the Guild. Thanks to all of you that use Amazon Smile to make your online purchases.
—————
Rick Weitzman has agreed to be the new Chairman of the Toy Committee. Our thanks to Dan Lender for the work he has done with the Toy Committee.
—————————-
The election process of Guild Officers and Directors is taking place by email (the same as last year), and Members should have received an email concerning the process. If you are a Member and have not received this email, please contact Wayne Humphrey at president@slwg.org
————————
Because of Covid, some of the organizations that normally accept toy donations have put a temporary hold on donations and our supply is outstripping the demand presently for toys. However, we would like to have more people contributing to the toy program. Too few people are donating too many toys to maintain the long term viability of the program and new contributors can help alleviate this issue.
We are starting a new drive to encourage NEW TOY CONTRIBUTORS. If you didn’t contribute toys in 2020, and donate 10 or more before the end of September, you will be in a drawing for $20 gift cards as well as the drawing at the end of the year.
To encourage beginners, we will be shooting “how to” videos on toy building. These will be relatively simple items that can be built with minimal equipment at home or in the Guild shop. Each video will contain some tips on building that would be applicable to toy building in general. The first one has been completed and an email will go out to members when it has been edited and posted. |
|
|
| 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 |
|
 |
|
We had a drywalled I-beam on the dining room ceiling where a wall used to be. So I installed a wood coffered ceiling to hide it. Used 1/2” oak plywood for the bottom of the beams. 1/4” plywood for the large open panels. |
 |
|
Found that 3/4” tongue and groove oak flooring was considerably cheaper than oak boards. Took longer to install but all I have is extra time these days.
Jerre Baynes |
|
Here are a couple of workshop items I made recently. The first two photos are of a sand paper disk organizer that holds my 6 most commonly used grits (60, 100, 120, 150, 220 and 320). At a glance you can see when your are running low.
The 3rd photo is a simple guide that helps properly & quickly align the holes in the sanding disks. The top position is for sanders with 8 holes. The bottom position is for sanders with 5 holes. Alignment is accomplished with 5 dowel pins.
John Bronson
|
|
|
 |
|
I’m a new member and I would like to share my first woodworking project ever. Above is a pic of my new nightstand.
Randy Lamb
|
 |
Mil-Spec M1A1 Abrams Tank that I made for one of my Grandsons.
I used Cherry and Maple with plans from Wood Magazine.
Mike Peery |
|
| Here are a couple projects I finished last month.
Jeff Puls
|
|
|
Dovetailed cabinet in figured cherry. This was a super fun project and is sized just right for a little spot in our bathroom. I decided to engineer the panel myself so I could take advantage of some special veneer for the front. I used concealed knife hinges to keep the look clean and am still deciding whether or not I will add a door pull. |
|
|
| A few months ago, I was inspired by the Guild’s webinar featuring Scott Grove. Scott got me thinking about veneering for the first time and how it might stretch me into some new directions. I had a couple of fails but I’ve really enjoyed trying some new creative techniques including the copper leaf interior (that Scott later recommended to me) on this veneered zebrawood box. While I didn’t quite get the glow I was going for, there is definitely an element of surprise when you open it up. |
|
I have a Craftsman 8″ Drill Press that I’ve added a larger table to a number of years ago, but I’ve had the problem of raising and lowering the table. With all the Covid stuff going on, I decided to see what I could do to make the raising and lowering easier. I looked on line, found a third party system that would help but since I’ve got a solid shaft post (I changed out the hollow one for a taller post) there system would not work, so I used some of their ideas, modified it to work for me.
Bob Meyer
|
|
|
 |
|
Found the pulleys at a local hardware store, each has a capacity of 420 pounds, I know overkill but figured it was better. |
 |
|
Used muffler clamps to attach the angle bracket to the post. They have a rounded metal part instead of a flat metal bar, allowed better hold to the post. |
|
| Used PVC pipe to make a counter balance weight that I filled with some steel pieces that I had along with some sand to about the same weight as the added table. |
|
|
|
I have been working on several projects both large and small. I am nearing the end of a nightstand for my wife that will match one I made for myself years ago. In addition, I have started a project that I put off at the beginning of Covid 19: namely, to build a violin. I have read several books and watched a ton of videos. |
|
|
| So far, as the photos below show, I have made a half pattern and used it to build the mold that the violin will be made on. The willow corner blocks have been glued to the mold and have been carved to fit the violin outline. The back is maple that is 20 years old and is made from two pieces. They have been milled and glued together; the carving is still to be done (lots of work!). This is the first time I have used “hot hide glue” and it was an adventure. Rather than buy a $150 glue pot, I used a double boiler and a hot plate. Still need to work with this to get a steady temperature of 140˚. I have sanded and planed the ribs (sides) to 1.4 mm thickness, but have not tried to bend them yet (more fun to come). |
|
|
I also bought plans for a toy catapult. Next time, I will try screwing the parts together instead of using dowel joints. |
 |
|
I can send the plan to anyone who is interested. It works great for throwing marshmallows. |
 |
|
|
And lastly, I turned some Padauk blanks to make the top for a reusable wine bottle cork. |
|
|
I was overdue for a different shop dust collector system. I had the Harbor Freight system sitting in my basement for 6-1/2 years. Until recently, the box had never been opened. With a little ingenuity I designed a two-stage system.
I wanted a system that was portable, minimal footprint, less than 80” height, operate on 110/115 volt, and for maximize flow use only one flexible inlet hose and the system had to have minimal bends throughout. |
|
|
|
The major components are as follows:
Motor/blower: Harbor Freight Central Machinery 2 Hp
Separator: Oneida 5” Super Dust Duty
Chip Collector: Rubber Maid Brute 20-gal trash can
Filtration: Wynn Environmental, MERV 15 filter
Dust Collector: Menards 3-1/2 gal bucket
Hose handle: Rockler Dust Right Quick-change
Remote control: Rockler
Structure:
Laminated 1” birch plywood
Laminated 2-1/2” x 3” Southern yellow pine
Baltic birch plywood, ¾” UV |
|
| This ladder was made from a walnut tree that I cut down on my farm almost three years ago. I had the 15 ft. long log rough cut at a locally owned small band-saw mill near Owensville. I air dried the lumber for two years in my garage and then in my basement. When I began building my own house in 1982, a project that took me three years to complete, I included a library in the design. |
|
|
With this ladder, I now have completed my obligation to my elementary school librarian wife to finish that library with a ladder that will help our grandchildren reach to read the best of children’s literature.
The hardware came from Rockler.
Videos from the saw mill are HERE and HERE.
Ron Schwarz
|
|
I got tired of my tools not being readily accessible. My chisels were in a box on one shelf, planes on another shelf and under my bench and squares in multiple places. It seemed that every time I would work on something I would say to myself, ONE OF THESE DAYS &%#*$@#*, I’m going to fix this.
Ron Romitti
|
|
|
Well I finally did, it took 1-1/2 sheets of 3/4” plywood, some 1/2” Baltic birch, Danish Oil and some time and I’m very pleased with the results. The wall has proven very handy, I’ve been moving things around to see what feels and looks good, it’s a great system. |
|
|
 |
|
Also the bench vise is new, I had trouble finding something what would work for the bench that I built, but Rockler hooked me up. |
 |
|
Preliminary layout of the wall supports to make sure it was right. |
|
| Scott Grove published a short video on how to make a Poor Man’s Adjustable Carving Vise for holding unusual shaped items HERE. |
|
|
| 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
|
|
|
A web page has been created for our Ranken Jordan projects.
Check it out HERE.
|
|
|
|
Toy Committee Update
This month was a slow month for collecting and for the distribution of toys. Thanks again for your efforts and support. I am hoping that in the next few months we will be in full swing distributing toys to our Outreach Organizations. Only three of our Outreach Organization wanted toys this week.
The Toy Committee is planning to have a “Build a toy of the month” activity. If you are wanting to build toys for the different Outreach Organizations and are not certain what to build, than you can build the “Toy-of-the-Month”, more details soon.
Invitation to new Toy builders:
The Toy Committee would like to invite each of you to build toys. Every new toy builder will be eligible for a random drawing at the end of June. Two $20 gift cards will be given away. You may be the lucky winner.
If any of you would like to be a part of the Toy Committee, please contact me. Thanks again for your support.
Dan Lender
Toy Committee Chair
|
|
|
|
Toy Collection
The SLWG Toy Committee plans to have a toy collection in March, date to be announced.
Watch your inbox for an email! |
|
|
You Asked…
I won’t be able to bring my toys to the Toy Pick Up – will there be another opportunity?
Yes, Vickie Berry has volunteered to act as a collection point for members for those that want to contribute and can’t make it to our next collection day. She lives in Glendale and is available most days and times – just call or text her at 972-741-1944 to schedule a delivery time.
|
|
|
|
New Toys Received this Month
|
|
|
Collected
March — 330
YTD — 1,365
|
|
Delivered
March — 225
YTD — 1,214
Since 1994 — 76,426
|
|
2021 Toy Program Major Contributors
|
|
Over 300 Club
Wayne Humphrey – 483
Over 100 Club
Rich Sanders – 292
Linda Turner – 282
|
|
|
None this month – great opportunity!
|
|
|
2021 Target and Challenge
|
|
| Target for Delivered Items: 6,000 |
|
20% ACHIEVED
A Good start for the year!
|
|
| 10% Member Participation Target |
|
|
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: |
|
|
|
Dan Lender
Paul Bailey
Vickie Berry
Hal Donovan
|
|
Steve Mettes
Bill Schuchat
Rick Weitzman
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
Bring Me A Book Team News
With a current inventory of 206 book boxes, the Guild is taking a break from making more book boxes for the next few months. Stay tuned!
Tom Tierney
|
|
|
Tom Tierney: (314) 412-1817
Jack McKay: (314) 435-2232
|
|
Charles Schrock: (314) 822-3709
|
|
|
Check out the Events Calendar on the SLWG website HERE. |
|
|
|
Woodworking Classes
Held at Faust Park Workshop |
|
|
Woodworking Classes
Upcoming Classes
See the Schedule on the SLWG Website HERE.
Next two months:
Date Teacher Subject
3-Apr Wayne Watson Sharpening
4-Apr Andy Clawson Diamond Sharpening
Stone
1-May Jeff Nasser Pen Turning
2-May Bill Schuchat Toy Trucks
Recent Classes
TEACHER SUBJECT
6-Feb Brian Ellison Beginner Scroll
Sawing
6-Mar Don Turner Building a Drawer
7-Mar Dave Windus Build Jigs
|
|
|
Faust Park Workshop Information
SEE SHOP MANAGER’S LETTER FOR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
March Shop Hours
April 6 & 7 10 am – 2 pm
April 10 & 11 9 am – 5 pm
April 13 & 14 10 am – 2 pm
April 17 & 18 9 am – 5 pm
April 24 9 am – 5 pm
Safety Class attendees must register online and bring their current Guild membership card.
Directions to the shop on the SLWG website HERE. Limit of 4 per class.
|
|
Next Shop Safety Class
When:
Thursday, April 1, 6:30 pm
Where:
Faust Park Workshop
Duration:
Plan for 3 Hours
Cost:
$20 for Current Members
Visit the SLWG website for Safety Class Signup HERE. |
|
The Shop is OPEN!
Faust Park Shop Rules to Keep Us Safe!
Rule 1: If you feel unwell or were in contact with someone who feels unwell please do not use the shop until you have been cleared by a health professional.
Rule 2: The number of people using the shop is limited to four (in addition to the Shop Monitor) at all times. Shop usage is on a “a first come, first served basis. A new phone number has been activated so that you may call ahead to ensure that the shop is below maximum capacity. The number is 314-348-3945. This number is only available during “open shop hours” It is not available at other hours.
Rule 3: Every person in the shop must wear a facemask at all times while indoors. Safety glasses must also be used at all times.
Rule 4: Everyone entering the shop must have their temperature taken by the Shop Monitor. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be denied entry. This is a St. Louis County health requirement for anyone using any building within Faust Park.
Rule 5: Each person entering the shop must use hand sanitizer before they start working in the shop. Hand sanitizer is available in the shop for your use. Sanitizer first, sign in second!
Rule 6: The Shop Monitor will be enforcing “social distancing” to the extent possible within our space. He or she will assign appropriate workbenches as required to maintain the best separation among all users.
Rule 7: The Shop Monitors well be sanitizing the machine controls such as on/off switches, adjustment knobs etc. on a regular basis.
I would also like to point out that the Shop Monitors have all volunteered to continue to serve the Guild during these trying times, so please make their efforts easier by adhering to these health precautions. Doing this will ensure that we all can continue to enjoy one of the Guild’s greatest benefits.
Wayne Watson
Shop Manager
|
|
|
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! |
|
|
 |
|
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 Wayne Humphrey at president@slwg.org and if I don’t know the answer, I will try to find it for you. |
 |
|
The St. Louis Woodworker’s Guild is now listed with Amazon Smile.
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite woodworker’s guild every time you shop at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the St. Louis Woodworker’s Guild.
Simply go to smile.amazon.com and select the St. Louis Woodworker’s Guild as your organization that you want to receive donations from your eligible purchases. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. You don’t make the donation, Amazon Smile does. It truly is at no cost to you. Just make sure you go to smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com. If you have any questions on how the program works, just send an email to Wayne Humphrey at president@slwg.org . |
|
|
SLWG Officers, Board Members and Committee Leaders |
|
|
President:
Wayne Humphrey – 314-440-2173
Vice President:
Bill Schuchat – 314-406-1823 |
Secretary:
Adam Connors – 314-495-1772
Treasurer:
Tom Tierney – 314-412-1817 |
|
Directors:
Jay Noffsinger (exp. 2024)
Vickie Berry (exp. 2021)
Dan Sudkamp (exp. 2022)
Don Turner (exp. 2023)
Immediate Past President:
Bob Brinkmann
Marketing & Membership Chair:
Wayne Watson
Membership Coordinator:
David Schindler
Woodworking Show Coordinator:
Wayne Watson
Book Box Committee Chair:
Tom Tierney
Outreach Coordinator:
Open |
Newsletter Editor:
Grady Vaughan
Librarian:
Al Carlson
Toy Committee Chair:
Dan Lender
Shop Manager:
Wayne Watson
Classes and Workshops Coordinator:
Bill Schuchat
Web Master:
David Zemon
Media Coordinator:
Bob Fuerman
Legal Counsel:
Bill Hobson |
|
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)
|
|
|
|
|
