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President’s Letter — April 2021
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After a very strange year of no in-person meetings, things are starting to get back to normal with plans for an in-person meeting in June. It will be good to see old friends and meet many new members. It will also be good to see Show and Tell in person, buy raffle tickets for gift cards, see a speaker in person, drop off toys and pick up supplies, borrow a book from the library, hear reports from the various committees, and be able to ask questions and look for information from other members in person. There is a lot that goes on in a meeting that lasts 1½ to 2 hours.
Over the past year we have lost members and gained members and are now only down about 25 over the year. This drop is a lot less than I expected and I am glad that members appreciate the benefits of belonging to the Guild. To have full access to the shop, 11 meetings a year, discounts from vendors, classes, tours, picnics, and other activities for a maximum of $75 per year (about 1/3 of the membership) is a heck of a bargain. It is only through your support that we can make this happen and I thank you for it.
We have a lot going on at this time and it will get busier as we pick up some past projects that have been stalled. Toy donations will go up as hospitals start accepting more items. Keepsake boxes for children in foster care will be needed. Book boxes will be needed when BMABSTL can get back into the schools. Picnic tables will be needed for St Louis Torchbearers 2. If you want to be involved in Guild activities, there will be many opportunities.
A change in leadership occurs after the general meeting in April. Vickie Berry will become President of the Guild and I will assume the position of Past President. The rest of the board will remain the same. Vickie has been on the board for several years, worked hard for the Guild, and is not afraid to speak her mind. I am confident that she will do a great job leading the organization through this next year.
Stay safe in all you do, |
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THIS MONTH’S PROGRAM
(Online Presentation)
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The April 15 meeting will include Committee Reports, Show & Tell and a presentation on the subject of Pen Making. The presenter will be Guild Member Jeff Nasser. Jeff has been turning for over 60 years and making pens for over 50 years.
Guild Members: Watch your Inbox this week for the Zoom meeting invitation.
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Last month’s presentation was on the subject of Making a Violin. The presenter was 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.
Below are selected images captured from the presentation which is available to be viewed on the SLWG Website by Guild Members.
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Geoff’s fascinating presentation took us from a basic history of violin design and making to the different woods used in the construction… |
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…to how each component contributed to the sound emanating from the instrument… |
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…to what kind of finishes are used and how they are applied… |
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…and finished up with a short solo on one of his instruments followed by a question and answer period. |
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Guild “NEWS BYTES“
Resuming General Meetings at the Shriner’s Facility
About 100 folks answered the survey of when they would feel comfortable attending a meeting in person.
70% indicated June
9% indicated July
12% indicated August
We have decided to resume in person meetings in June with all the appropriate safety factors in place.
We got a lot of comments returned and we certainly appreciate those. Most were concerning masks and other safety related items.
After a year off, it will be good to see some familiar faces again (even if it is just from the eyes up) and as promised previously, there will be cake and ice cream.
Save the Date
The Guild is planning a Swap Meet on June 12th between the hours of 9 am and noon at Faust Park. Bring your stuff to sell or swap. Also, used equipment in the Guild inventory will be sold. Stay tuned for more information.
Storage Shed
The first order for lumber for the storage shed has been placed and April 17th is anticipated start date for construction. The shed will be used to store toys, toy supplies and other items. When help is needed for the construction, emails will be sent asking for volunteers.
Election of Officers
No nominations were received from the membership to fill open positions on the Executive Board so there will be no formal election. Positions for the next year will be:
President – Vickie Berry
Vice-President – Bill Schuchat
Treasurer – Tom Tierney
Secretary – Adam Conners
Director – Dan Sudkamp – Expires 2022
Director – Don Turner – Expires 2023
Director – Jay Noffsinger – Expires 2024
Director – Dan Lender – Expires 2025
Past President – Wayne Humphrey
Budget for the Next Year
A condensed version of the budget for the next year, has been posted in the Members Only section of the website. Members may log in and review it.
There were a lot of expenses that were planned for last year that didn’t occur so our cash position is good. Most of these expenses will be incurred this year and our reserves significantly reduced from the current balance.
Our membership dues basically cover the ongoing operation expenses with additional money coming from shop classes, safety classes, equipment sales, donations, raffles and other fund raisers.
Financial Audit
Finances of the Guild have been audited twice in the last year and everything was found to be in good order. Audits are performed by three members of the Guild plus Tom Tierney and in a normal year will require 2-3 hours of time.
It is amazing how much paperwork is generated by such a small organization but it is all necessary. Our thanks to Tom Tierney for all the work he puts into keeping the finances in order.
We Need 1 hour of Someone’s Time per Month
When the Guild meets again in June we will be live-streaming and recording the meeting for those that can’t or don’t want to attend in person. Connecting the electronics to set up cameras and run cables is a time consuming process. This process needs to be started at about 6 pm to be ready by 7 pm. The good news is that this is no-brainer work. Hal and David will direct the activities and they need a “gaffer’s assistant” (Hollywood term) to do a lot of the “grunt” work. To volunteer, contact President@slwg.org
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Membership Committee Annual Report
During the year due to the pandemic all in-person activities were cancelled starting in March 2020. The shutdown of our activities did have an impact on the Guild membership. Below are the numbers:
April 1, 2020 April 1, 2021
Total Active Members 229 236
Basic Membership 165 163
Shop Membership 64 73
David Schindler
Membership Committee Chair
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| 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 |
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Saw this and thought it was funny. Had to build it. Sized for bluebirds.
Jerre Baynes
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I copied an IKEA Bekvam for a friend because for some reason you can’t buy them anymore.
Paul Berglund
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Here are pictures of a cradle I built for my new granddaughter. I got the white oak from a Guild member in a trade for some poplar.
Matthew Conlon
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When making toys, I hate to throw away large scraps. I recently discovered while making the standing cat that the large cutoff that remained could be turned into a Bird with a single cut. . Here is a picture of the Cat, the Bird and the cutoff in front of the “plans” to make the bird.
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These pics show what happens when you have too much time on your hands after making a trip to the lumber yard. Over time I have continued to add new truck body designs and cutouts too. I usually make 10 vehicles at a time which fills a good part of a day.
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When doing the cutouts the lot size depends more on what scrap pieces I have or how they lay out on the pine board. I try to make more gender neutral items than trucks and cars. They don’t take up as much space but do take almost as much time to cutout and sand.
Bill Meuth
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Our daughter wanted to give cutting boards to her in-laws as Christmas presents. She needed 10 similar in size but unique in their construction. She requested a feature I had never added to my previous boards, a gravy slot/channel. Since it it is added after the board is near completion, I always thought it was too great of a risk, especially on end grain boards, to ruin the board.
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| The fixture design probably is a combination of various fixtures I came across on the web. The fixture adjusts to accommodate an 8”x8” board up to a 22”x30” board.
The channel is cut with a 1” bull nose bit installed in my plunge router, and cut to desired depth in 3 – 4 light passes. Test cut on a scrap before each pass.
Bottom line, I made 14 boards. I was able to successfully cut the channel on 12 boards and salvage one of the two that were ruined.
Tom Tierney
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| My daughter bought a small house in Affton this past December. It’s a nice house, had some of the typical problems of a 70 yr old house and those were mitigated. However, the seller literally lied about one thing—said there was ‘seepage’ in basement.
We constructed a serious array of shelving, custom made to store my daughter’s teaching materials and it was nearly done when we had that nasty heavy series of rainstorms in January and over an inch of water in basement. None of her materials were damaged (our shelving was above water), however, it meant it all had to be dismantled (!) for the water proofing company to come and solve the leakage. Here’s where I was glad we used screws to construct it all!
I’ve taught my daughters the use of all kinds of power tools (didn’t want them to be as helpless as my wife’s roommates were!) and thus they are quite adept at using squares, all sorts of drills and power tools as well as levels and ways to construct such things.
Notes on construction:
All the supports and wall studs are 2×3, and the surface is ¼ plywood held down by screws as well.
The studs on the concrete walls were attached using Ramset and 2-1/2 inch nails. I put four in each, and judging by how they feel, hope they will be strong enough! It’d be really tough to remove them!
Below are some photos, before and after.
Paul Bailey
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Before the remediation was performed. |
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Note the black on baseboard area—it’s a weeping tile which goes down to piping which leads to a new sump pump—no small job! (If anyone wants to know who did it let me know cause I think it’s done right!) |
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| Shelving which we completely finished this past Easter weekend. |
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| I have been making progress on my violin. I had the ribs bent and glued to the corner blocks on the mold and had hot melt glued the ribs/mold to the wood for the violin back. I was in the process of tracing the outline of the ribs on the back when I, unfortunately, dropped the rib assembly and broke one of the lower ribs. No fixing it, so I released the hide glue that held this rib to the blocks and am in the process of regluing a new rib. Two steps forward and one step back. Such is the life of a woodworker sometimes.
Bill Schuchat
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Violin with ribs installed 1
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New rib halfway installed
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Designed and built 58” square farmhouse table for my son’s family. Top framed with 2×8 pine with 1×8 pine in center. Apron of 2×4’s and legs of 4×4’s. Came out great.
Now refinishing old maple butcher block table for countertop of their kitchen.
Alan Brown
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This Greene and Greene style frame is inspired by Darrell Peart’s Seattle Mirror. My son and his wife just bought their first home and my wife wanted a frame for a collage she made of their wedding invitation and some lace she made for them. I used a board of Honduran Mahogany I’d been saving.
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| The through tenons are pinned and ebony plugs are used to hide the them as well as to add a G&G decorative touch. The upper and lower rails use cloud lifts, but not the curve of Peart’s design. Both stiles are tapered. The finish is an aniline dye to get the G&G color, followed by tung oil and padded shellac.
Tony O’Driscoll
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Toy boxes I made for two of my Grandsons, made with Baltic Birch plywood and chalk boards. |
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Baby block created on my CNC for my newest Grandson.
Mike Peery
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Here are two participants in our February Scrollsaw Basics Class.
Brian Ellison
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We are looking for videos of interest to our Guild Members. Please send us links to your favorites and we will publish them here. These can be videos that you upload yourself to our website or see on another site.
GV
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| Here is a link to a site that lists safety recall notices for woodworking tools. LINK |
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COMMUNITY
St. Louis Woodworkers Guild contributions to the local community
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Desks for Kids Program
The first ten desks built for the Guild’s new outreach program have been delivered to BMABStL. These first ten were built to work out design and production issues. This first batch allowed us to determine how to divide up and flow the work, what jigs were needed, and number of desks to build in a lot given the size of the Shop. Also, given the size of the Shop, we will divide the work into cutting and preparing the parts, and assembling the desks components.
We are excited to get the program rolling. We now have a Desks for Kids Workday sign-up page on the Guild website. We have two days, 2 shifts per day, listed on the sign-up sheets. The dates are Friday, April 16 and Tuesday, April 27. Members who would like to help must reserve a slot by going to the Guild website and reserving one of the slots available.
Currently, the Shop is busy on Saturdays during April and May, so we are unable to schedule times on the weekend.
Please contact Tom Tierney (314) 412-1817 if you have any questions. |
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A web page has been created for our Ranken Jordan projects.
Check it out HERE.
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Toy Committee Update
This month the Toy drop and parts pick up day at the Faust Park Guild Shop is April 13, 2021 and next month the date is May 10, 2021.
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, then 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.
Rich Weitzman
Toy Committee Chair
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Toy Collection
The SLWG Toy Committee plans to have a toy pick-up Tuesday April 13 2021, at 10:00 – 11:00 am at the Faust Park Guild Shop.
We will have axles, tires, wheels, etc. available for your use. You can always contact me in advance to help us have what you need be available.
Rich Weitzman
Cell 314-920-7867
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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.
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Collected
April — 0
YTD — 1,365
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Delivered
April — 0
YTD — 1,214
Since 1994 — 76,426
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2021 Toy Program Major Contributors
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Over 300 Club
Wayne Humphrey – 483
Over 100 Club
Rich Sanders – 292
Linda Turner – 282
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None this month – great opportunity!
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2021 Target and Challenge
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| Target for Delivered Items: 6,000 |
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20% ACHIEVED
A Good start for the year!
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| 10% Member Participation Target |
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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/ |
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Organizations that we currently donate toys to include: |
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Paul Bailey
Vickie Berry
Hal Donovan
Dan Lender
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Steve Mettes
Bill Schuchat
Rick Weitzman
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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. |
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Bring Me A Book Team News
BMABStL is once again donating books and book boxes to underserved children in the St. Louis region. On April 17, 30 book boxes and 210 books will be given to students at the Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls in St. Louis City. This is great news for the BMABStL program and for the kids.
BMABStL is working on getting additional events scheduled in the coming weeks and months. The program still has a sizable inventory of book boxes but finally things are beginning to open up.
Tom Tierney
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Tom Tierney: (314) 412-1817
Jack McKay: (314) 435-2232
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Charles Schrock: (314) 822-3709
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Check out the Events Calendar on the SLWG website HERE. |
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Woodworking Classes
Held at Faust Park Workshop |
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Woodworking Classes
Upcoming Classes
See the Schedule on the SLWG Website HERE.
Next two months:
Date Teacher Subject
1-May Jeff Nasser Pen Turning
2-May Bill Schuchat Toy Trucks
3-June Wayne Watson Safety Class
5-June Dave Windus Making Small Boxes
6-June Wayne Watson Collecting Antique Tools
(at his home)
Recent Classes
Date Teacher Subject
3-Apr Wayne Watson Sharpening
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Faust Park Workshop Information
SEE SHOP MANAGER’S LETTER FOR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC
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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.
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April 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.
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Next Shop Safety Class
When:
Thursday, May 6, 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. |
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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
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Join or Renew your Guild
Membership Today!
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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! |
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WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Mike Aufmuth
Michael Brown
Judson Clark
Russel Cunningham
James Devros
Gregory Enriquez
Angie Haddock
Steven Livingston
Andrea Lyons
Kelsey Mohsen
Anderson Newman
Matthew Spaunhorst
Stel Steller
David Wulf |
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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. |
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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 . |
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SLWG Officers, Board Members and Committee Leaders |
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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 |
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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:
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Newsletter Editor:
Grady Vaughan
Librarian:
Al Carlson
Toy Committee Chair:
Rich Weitzman
Shop Manager:
Wayne Watson
Classes and Workshops Coordinator:
Bill Schuchat
Web Master:
David Zemon
Media Coordinator:
Bob Fuerman
Legal Counsel:
Bill Hobson |
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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 support our sponsors.
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(In-store only)
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