September 2023 Newsletter

Dedicated to the art of woodworking since 1984.

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Next Meeting:

This Thursday

September 21st 

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

Since my last president’s letter, we have again made remarkable progress in dealing with the workings of our wonderful guild!

  • A well thought out 5 year plan was finalized to provide a vision for the future. This is a living document that can be modified as the need arises.
  • A guild sponsorship program has been developed which should benefit both the guild as well as the sponsors. To compliment this plan we will next work on a classified add/marketing program.
  • Guild Bylaws revisions were finalized and already published in the Guild website.
  • A Financial Audit committee was formed. They will complete a required biannual audit in October.
  • A feasibility study committee to look into the need and requirements for a possible new shop was named. Members include Jay Noffsinger, Bill Schuchat, Todd Martin, Bob Ryan, and David Gronefeld.
  • A new high capacity and efficient heat pump unit was installed in the front section of the shop which should significantly improve the comfort level of workers in both hot and cold weather.
  • Thanks to Bill Schuchat and his committee, a very successful Guild picnic was held in Faust Park. Arrangements have already been made to reserve a shelter in Faust Park for next year’s Picnic!
  • Work is well underway on our first commissioned project, to renovate garden club signs for a neighborhood near “The Hill”.

I continue to be impressed with the level of volunteerism in our Guild Members.

Stay safe in the shop,

Jay Noffsinger

Meet Matt Stacker, our new Membership Coordinator. He or one of his helpers is the first person most people meet as he hands out name tags and lanyards.

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

Furniture Design

with

Steve Palmer
Juried Artist
Best of Missouri Hands
 

LINK TO THIS MONTH’S MEETING

Note:  We have been having some technical issues with our internet connection for livestreaming recently, so if you cannot get into the meeting remotely this month, you will be able to see a recording of the meeting later when we post it to the SLWG website under the Media tab.  Better yet, attend in person!

LAST MONTH’S PROGRAM

Model Ship Building

with

Rich Weitzman

The History of Ship Modeling
Building from kits vs. Building from plans 
How a wooden ship model is built

Rich discussed the topics in detail followed by an interesting question and answer period during which the attendees were able to ask questions that were pertinent to their own experiences.

See the entire presentation on the link below.

Link to Last Month’s Meeting Recording

Donate to the St. Louis Woodworkers Guild HERE

See the Foeder Crafts /
Home Sweet Home Video
HERE

(Thanks to Hal Donovan for creating this video)

SEPTEMBER  Picnic and Tour

The annual picnic scheduled for Saturday, September 9 at Faust Park had beautiful weather and was well attended by 31 Guild members plus their families.  Most of the attendees toured the historic buildings adjacent to the picnic area.  Tim from the park was very knowledgeable of St. Louis County history and gave an extremely interesting talk.  All those attending seemed to enjoy the event. 

The volunteers did an outstanding job and the event went very smoothly. Thank you to the following volunteers: Vickie Berry, Adam Conners, Hal Donovan, David Gronefeld, Andrea Lyons, Bob Ryan, Bill Schuchat, and Tom Tierney.

Southwest Gardens Sign Replacement Project

This project is up and running with Bill Schuchat leading the effort.  Thanks for volunteering for this project is due to Thomas Clemens, Tom Coleman, Karl D’arcy, Paul Deutsch, and Fran Field.

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

Cleaning high efficiency bag filters

Here’s a trick I ran across, I tried it, and it worked surprisingly well. This is the best way to clean your air cleaner inner filter.
It does require the use of a kitchen utensil, so ask permission first, if applicable.

Ron Romitti

Ken Smith brought in a beautiful maple and walnut jewelry case that he made.

Keith Lissant brought in a Name Letter Stool that he made for his 2 year old grand nephew.  He said that he didn’t have the thickness he needed for the top, so he built up layers of oak to get the desired thickness.

Brad Barnhard showed several Marquetry Plaques that he crafted using a baltic birch substrate with a 1/16″ layer to make them 1/2″ thick overall. 
He uses a card scraper rather than sandpaper to prevent smearing and finishes them with shellac.  He uses some online images, but also some photos that he took with his camera.
Birds that he likes to portray include Cedar Waxwings, Swallows, and Carolina Wrens, among others.

Steve Mikola showed his cribbage board and domino box that he made.
Steve also brought an orbital sander disc alignment jig that he made for quick and accurate application of hook and loop sanding discs to the sander.  Neat trick!!

TOOL RECALLS
and Other Videos

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
 

Shriner’s Feztival of Trees

The Guild will again be participating in the Shriner’s Feztival of Trees this holiday season and we need items to be placed under a tree.  We have already received several items and are looking for more.

Items need to be received no later than the general meeting in November as the Feztival opens the following Saturday.  For more information, check out FEZtival of Trees (moolah.org)

Tree ornaments received from Don and Linda Turner.

Holiday Toys

Toys for holiday distribution continue to be built in the shop and at home shops.  At this point we have constructed approximately 1,000 toys toward our goal of about 1200 items.  Since many of the toys consist of several different items, our item count would be well over 1,500 items.
 
If you need wheels and other items for toys, they can be purchased locally, plus the Guild has an inventory of many items.  Check with Rich Weitzman or Wayne Humphrey for information.  If you want to purchase items or need something out of the ordinary, check local hobby and craft stores.  For your lowest cost option for larger quantities of items, check out where the Guild gets their items: https://www.craftparts.com

Questions?  Contact Wayne Humphrey at wehumphrey@hotmail.com or 314-440-2173.

If you are interested in building toys for the program or for kids and grandkids, the book, “Making Heirloom Toys” would be a good one for plans.  The toys are interesting for kids, sturdy, and easy to build.  Several of the items in the book are being built for the holidays.

Linda Turner has painted some beautiful details on the Christmas toys as can be seen below.

Toy Committee Chair Rich Weitzman awaits toy donations at every monthly meeting and has toy parts if you let him know in advance of the meeting.

Dinosaurs

Our dinosaur cutout inventory is running low and we need to replenish it.  These items are very popular with the children at the hospitals we serve.  If you are interested in scroll saw or bandsaw work, this is a great time to get started on the toy program.

Use your own pattern or download a plan from the Guild website HERE.

  Toy Committee Update
 

Toy production moves along, but we need more.  We had a good selection of toys collected at the August meeting, but our hospital partners are starting to increase their requests and our inventory of toys in the shed is starting to go down.

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.
 

Rich Weitzman

 

Toy Committee Chair
314-920-7867

2023 Toy Report

Toy Tally

Collected
September — 277
YTD — 2214

Delivered
September — 0
YTD — 1862

Since 1994 — 84,768

2023 Toy Program Major Contributors

Over 900 Club
Bill Meuth — 931

Over 500 Club
Dan O’Heron — 504

Over 200 Club
Wayne Humphrey — 240

Over 100 Club
Linda Turner — 197

Over 50 Club
Paul Bailey — 81
Rich Sanders — 57
William Marsek — 51

NEW CONTRIBUTORS

None this Month

2023 Target and Challenge

Target for Delivered Items:  4,000

46.6% ACHIEVED
 
 

10% Member Participation Target

5.5% ACHIEVED
18 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

Rich 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

 
The demand is high for the small dinning, end, coffee tables and nightstands we supply. Our tables are popular with the HSH Clientele. The tables move out of HSH’s inventory quickly.
 
Information about HSH and the table build program can be found on our website under the Community Service tab. Click HERE
 
Members can build tables for donation using Guild supplied wood and plans, or Members are free to use a mix of Guild supplied with other wood(s). Also, Members may use their own design(s) as-long-as the final product conforms to the dimensions shown on our website.
 
 
Please contact me at the meeting or by call, text, or email if you are interested in building a table(s). Or, reach out to any Board Member (look for a red lanyard) or talk to a table builder if you have any questions.

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

Tom’s Table

Mortise and tenons were used to secure apron to legs. Shop-made corner braces were glued and screwed to ensure stability. Six tabletop tabs/clips from Rockler were used to secure the top to the base and allow expansion/contraction of the top.

Some of the tools used in the construction of this table included a benchtop mortiser and a Moxon vise.

No wood at this month’s meeting.

UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS
 
OCTOBER 19 Amy Haake   St Charles Historical Homes
NOVEMBER 16     Quinn Saw  

Woodworking Classes

Held at Faust Park Workshop

Upcoming Classes

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

         
September 24, 2023     Fundamentals 2023B5  
September 30, 2023 Stoll   Moxon Vise  
October 7, 2023 Bernhard   Veneered Jewelry Box  
October 8, 2023 Bernhard   Veneered Jewelry Box  
October 15, 2023 Bernhard   Shorty CBN Lathe Tool Sharpening
October 22, 2023     Fundamentals 2023B6  
October 29, 2023 Sudkamp   Cutting Boards  
November 4, 2023 Stoll   Hand Tool Appliances for Planing:
November 12, 2023     Fundamentals 2023B7  
December 2, 2023 Schuchat/Danner   Beginners Class  
December 10, 2023     Fundamentals 2023B8  

 

Currently, Fundamentals 2023B classes 9 & 10 are scheduled for Jan and Feb 2024, but we are looking to revise the schedule to get these completed sooner.  The 4 weeks between meeting may be shortened to 3 weeks since Project #2 has been changed from a tool chest to a Shaker table which is a simpler project.  Scheduling conflicts will need to be worked out.    

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. 

October “Open Shop” Hours
Oct 1                       9 am – 5 pm

Oct 3 & 4               10 am – 2 pm

Oct 10 & 11          10 am – 2 pm

Oct 14 & 15          9 am – 5 pm

Oct 21                 9 am – 5 pm

Oct 28                 9 am – 5 pm

Next Shop Safety Class
When:
   Thursday, October 5th, 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

Andrew Conley

Pat Bira
William Brougham

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 Jay Noffsinger 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:
Jay Noffsinger – 618-530-7114

Vice President:
Bill Schuchat – 314-406-1823

Secretary:
Adam Conners – 314-495-1772

Treasurer:
Joe Turner – 314-495-5938

Directors:
Bob Kastigar  (exp. 2024)
Dan Lender  (exp. 2025)
Hal Donovan (exp. 2026)
Jason Sankovitch (exp. 2027)

Immediate Past President:
Brian Ellison

Membership Coordinator:
Matt Stacker

Woodworking Show Coordinator:
Open

IT Administrator:
Doug Johnson

Media Coordinator:
Bob Ryan

Newsletter Editor:
Grady Vaughan

Librarian:
Al Carlson

Toy Committee Chair:
Rich 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

Image Credits:
 


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