The President's Corner - March 2011

February’s program was “Your favorite Tips and Jigs” presented by our members gave me some concern that we wouldn’t have enough participation to fill the time. Boy, was I wrong! As the tables filled up, I became worried that we wouldn’t finish on time. I wish I had counted the participants and/or jigs. There were a lot, and very few duplicates, if any. Jigs ranged from pretty simple to mighty complex. I am going to be sure to borrow the DVD from the club library and make notes on several. A hardy thank you to those who brought something to share, your participation made for a great meeting. I particularly want to thank Bruce Wrenn, as you might suspect, he brought a fair number of items and cut his presentation short so that we only ran about 15 minutes overtime. Paul Rolfe, the Klingspor store manager, announced that he is the author of a new book on carving “Bellamy Eagles.” Here is the description from Amazon.com: “John Haley Bellamy (1836-1914) was a folk art woodcarver from New England, best known for his eagles. These symbols of America in his unique style make them ideal projects for carvers of all skill levels. Learn about Bellamy himself, and see 293 color photos with step-by-step instructions. This informative guide discusses the tools, with instructions to carve three differently styled eagles (“Portsmouth,” pilothouse, and soaring). Instructions include gold leaf application as a finishing detail. Patterns are provided. This book will be a treasure for all who enjoy carving in this distinct style.” 

Paul also announced that he has negotiated an arrangement with Horizon Forest Products whereby he will have sheet goods available at the Woodworking Shop. This should be a real benefit, particularly if you are looking for something special. Horizon has a big selection, but doesn’t sell less than 5 sheets. Paul also got some figured maple, which Horizon considered undesirable because it wasn’t plain enough to use for flooring. Keep an eye on Paul’s stock for it to appear.

The 2011 schedule of meetings and workshops is up on the TWA website calendar and I think it is great. Terry and his committee have outdone themselves this year. Everyone should take a close look at the workshop offerings. I am sure there issomething there to interest each member and hope everyone will plan to attend at least one workshop. We have everything from design to finishing. Remember, part of the cost of workshops is covered by club dues, so, if you don’t participate, you aren’t getting all you can from your dues. We have made the workshops very affordable when compared to the same course elsewhere. Google a presenter’s name and see what they charge at a woodworking school for a similar class, then add travel and lodging. What we charge usually won’t even cover the gas for travel to a class.

This month I recognized Terry Tenhouse for his efforts on behalf of the club. He is a Board member and chairs the Program Committee (and therefore gets credit running a super team effort). He also volunteers his house for several T4T workshops and attends others every year. He is most definately one of the folks I look to for advice and when I need someone to help with a club effort. Terry holds a wealth of knowledge and does not mind sharing when asked. Terry, it is a pleasure to know you and work with you!

As you know we recently bought the web address trianglewoodworkers.com. With this new web address, we are considering redesigning/updating our site. Unfortunately, I haven’t a clue how to do it or what can reasonably be done. If anyone has expertise (even a little is more than I have) in website creation/ design and is willing to help, please call or e-mail me.

For those of you who enjoy woodworking shows, they will be in Chantilly, VA outside Washington, DC on March 10, 11 &12, and in Charlotte on March 25, 26 &27. Also for you old tool collectors, PATINA (The Potomac Antique Tools and Industries Association, Inc.) will hold its annual tailgating and auction on March 19 in Damascus, MD.

Next month’s presentation is “Saw blades 101”, by Tom Ferrone which will teach us the why’s and how’s of the wide range of saw blades available for woodworkers 

President: Allan Campbell

The President's Corner - February 2011

This month I want to recognize Kay Baker, who acts as our Librarian and Membership chairperson. In that capacity she receives our dues and forwards them to Hugh Fish (by the way, when we pay dues late it makes more work for Kay. Dues are payable July 31. Please pay them promptly.) She keeps track of who is paid, prepares and distributes name tags, catalogues the library, adds items bought, donated or created (meeting & workshop videos). She provides all new members to our editor to be recognized in the newsletter. She is also the only member I know of who actually loses sleep worrying about club matters. 

The speaker at our January meeting was Leon Harkins, a master chip carver. Leon brought with him a number of examples of his work ranging from the very simple to the very elaborate. After describing the difference between “in the round carving”, “relief carving” and “chip carving”, Leon demonstrated the basic skills used in chip carving. It is really amazing what can be done with just a couple of knives. Mike Payst showed us a bow saw he made at one of Bill Anderson’s classes. It is really neat and well made. Maybe one day he will show us how it works. I understand they are still in regular use in other parts of the world, particularly Europe. I hope many of you took the opportunity to visit the Lie- Nielsen hand tool event at the NSCU Craft Center. They had all the various tools Lie-Nielsen produces on hand for you to try out. I have rehabilitated some Stanley planes, and, while mine can produce a very fine shaving, they just don’t work as well as the Lie-Nielsens. It may turn out to have been an expensive visit for me. 

The 2011 schedule of meetings and workshops is up on the TWA website calendar and I think it is great. Terry and his committee have outdone themselves this year. Everyone should take a close look at the workshop offerings. I think there is something there to interest each member and hope everyone will plan to attend at least one workshop. We have everything from design to finishing. Remember, part of the cost of workshops is covered by club dues, so, if you don’t participate, you aren’t getting all you could from your dues. And... the workshops are really cheap when you compare them to the same course elsewhere. Just Google the presenter’s name and check what they charge at a woodworking school for a similar class, then add travel and lodging. What we charge usually won’t even cover the gas to get to a class at one of the schools. Next meeting’s program is “Your favorite Tips and Jigs” presented by our members. I know some of us hate to get up and “show off” something that we have made, but please bring in a jig or idea to share. Woodworkers are gadget people (how else could the toolmakers stay in business), so we really want to see what others have come up with. And, by the way, you can bring in one of those gadgets you have bought that really works well; you don’t have to have built it. We want to know about commercial jigs and tools as well. As you know we recently bought the web address trianglewoodworkers.com. With this new web address, we are thinking about redesigning and updating our website. Unfortunately, I haven’t got a clue how to do it or what can reasonably be done. If anyone out there has expertise (even a little is more than I have) in website design and building and would be willing to help determine what, we could and/or should do, please give me a call or send me an e-mail. For those of you who enjoy the woodworking shows, they will be in Chantilly, VA outside Washington, DC on March 10, 11 &12, and in Charlotte on March 25, 26 &27 

President: Allan Campbell 

The President's Corner - September 2010

This will be my last “Presidents Corner” as my term of office expires with the September meeting. I feel genuinely privileged to have been able to preside over this club and have had the opportunity to get to know everyone. At the same time I have been somewhat humbled to compare my meager output and craftsmanship with that of so many of our members. I have enjoyed my time in front of you each meeting and am very appreciative of your tolerant acceptance of my feeble humor, mispronunciations and wrong dates. hank you all for bearing with me. A new president will be chosen from within the board during their meeting shortly and I will take my place in the gallery. Bruce Wrenn did not disappoint during his presentation last month on sharpening with sandpaper. As was to be expected we were treated to a lot more than sandpaper sharpening and those of you who attended Bruce’s workshop at Klingspors can now truly regard your achievements as ‘a cut above the average’ or ‘a shining example’ or perhaps even ‘true grit’. We can now type in www.trianglewoodworkers.com and bring up the TWA web site thanks to Paul Holzworth. We shall see what else we can do with it - suggestions are welcome. TWA will co-sponsor with ncwoodworker.net and Klingspors for the annual NC Woodworkers Showcase which will be held at Klingspors Woodworking  Shop on Saturday September 11, 2010. his is an opportunity to see and be seen. Categories include Apprentice (novice, beginner) Intermediate (like most of us I suppose) and Open (seasoned craftsmen & professionals – the masculine encompasses the feminine as usual, unfair I know but perhaps Janet or Amy will put us in our places). This is an opportunity for anyone at all skill levels to put their work forward. he whole show is an opportunity to measure yourself and your work against your peers. No one should be ashamed of his/her work. We do not enter expecting a prize -- but it is always noce. I expect to see a better showing from TWA than we had last year – please don’t let me down. Our next club meeting on Tuesday September 21st will feature Brian Coe of Old Salem Museums speaking on historic work benches in the Old Salem collection. here is more to an old bench than you might imagine and Brian Coe is the man to bring this out – don’t miss it. I hope to see you all there. 

Mike Reddyhoff: President