Christmas 2012

Founder and Leader of the SCWW -- Jamie

     We started our meeting on a cold, December evening at Jamie's studio/school, Wednesday the 19th. This marks the fourth year for our group and it's great to see how we've survived!  People have come and gone which is to be expected in any organization but I think we've all benefited from our monthly meetings, demonstrations, and getting out of our self-imposed isolation as woodworkers!  As you can see, there was some libations (no tools = Okay) and treats which we all enjoyed.

Raffled Items

     We started off with a drawing for some donated items that you can barely see on the table.  There were two boxes of Bench Cookies (non-edible), Richard and Eric each scored a box of those.  And then some vise grip clamps for a drill press which was won by Cal.  Next was the big event as far as the drawings go.  With monies from our dues, Jamie purchased several gift cards from Lee Valley which I'm guessing ranks pretty high as our favorite toy store.  Son of a gun ---- I was a winner with a $25.00 gift certificate.  The other lucky winners were:  Chuck -- $50.00; Jamie -- $50.00; and the top award of $100.00 went to Dennis.

     Besides the drawings, libations, and socializing another aspect of this meeting is for the members to bring in and share their projects.  This is a great time to see what we do when we're off in our shops.
Russ showed us this beautiful 4 panel, room divider that is made of Cherry and Cherry plywood.  He mentioned the plywood and needing to keep track of which side is the A and which side is the B!  Beautiful example of mortise and tenon joinery:

Four Panel Screen

     Ed, who's been working away on his bargain basement lathe, brought in what he referred to as a "one board bowl":

One-Board Bowl

     I don't know if it was the libations or what but I had a tough time grasping the concept of how this bowl was made.  Ed said the process came from a guy by the name of Malcom Tibbets so here's a LINK to his website so you can get more information.  Now, I'm going to go out on a legal limb here.  In spite of Woodcraft Supply sending me their Cease & Desist Letter: 

Merry Christmas John, from Woodcraft

    I also found this video produced by them showing the process Ed employed to make the bowl, here's the LINK to that.  Anybody know a cheap lawyer?

     A new member, Percy brought in this carving he recently completed.  It's done on Maple which is pretty hard on the tools, and is a combination of power tools to rough out the design followed by hand work:

Percy's Rose Carving

          Many were interested in his website, here's a LINK to that for you.

     Rich, who's been a member for quite some time brought in a P-51 Mustang and told us about a DC-3 aka as a C-147 he recently completed for a airplane mechanic that specializes in vintage, military aircraft:

Rich's P-51 Mustang

     Besides my "science fair project" style of the legal problems Woodcraft sent my way, I decided to show this apartment sized wine cabinet:

John's Wind Cabinet

     It's designed to hold 3 bottles horizontally and 4 Merlot sized glasses.  The doors are done with Radio Weave caning.  Many of you were interested  in the hardware used to secure the doors.  It's actually a casement latch:

Rat-Tail Latch

     So, here's a link to where I bought it:  http://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/window-hardware-rat-tail-casement-latch

     Our final presentation was made by Ted.  He does some fantastic work and has shared the building of a custom Oak staircase he's been working on in Utah.  You may recall his demonstration this summer on pattern sawing with the table saw and the making of the tapered posts.  Obviously he couldn't actually bring it in but did share some photographs of it:

Ted's Staircase & Plumb Bobs

     As you know, he's also a bit of a tool junkie -- hmm, that may be an understatement!  He's holding a huge, English style of plumb bob and brought in a number of them from his collection of approximately 120 which are displayed on a Plumb Bob Tree in his house.  The oldest is a stone one from the 14 or 15th. century but most date from the mid-1800's to the 1950's.
     You can also see a sampling of his moulding and other planes in the background.  The largest is a 3" crown moulding plane plus various other shapes and sizes.  Of particular interest to me was a really nice scrub plane from Holland that I just couldn't fit into my pocket!  Many of these planes were custom made by the user, often of a hardwood like Maple inlayed with boxwood at the wear points and even homemade blades of old files.
     The meeting ended with socializing, stories, and several tried out the planes that Ted brought in.  A couple of sore arms later they were singing the praises of the electric router and shaper!

So Quiet & Peaceful

Assorted Planes

      I'll end this final blog of the year with a:

Merry Christmas to all, 

and to all a Good Night!!

Happy New Year

The Day You've Waited For!

HO HO HO TOOLIES!

     It's Christmas time in the Wooditis shop located way up in the north of Las Vegas!  Our end of the year get together to celebrate not only Christmas but also 4 years of Sin City Woodworkers has arrived.  Normal time, 7:00 pm and the same wonderful location which is 2267 West Gowan, unit 106.

     If this is your first Christmas get together we will have drawings for fabulous gift certificates plus an array of door prizes.  If you should have something you'd like to donate for that door prize drawing do bring it in -- who knows, that thing you have gathering dust may be just what someone else needs.
   
     The format for the meeting is different from the others we have during the year.  The shop will be relatively dust free which you know is pretty hard to achieve in a woodshop!  Bring in a project you've made during the year if you'd like to share it with us.  I know some of you have made things that are way too large to bring in but bring photos of your work.  Some of those that come to mind might be a staircase (hint/Ted) or a console table (hint/Dave) and that's only a few this Santa has on his list!  It's a great time to mingle and start up conversations about the project, gives us a chance to pick everyone's brain and learn about techniques that are new to us.  Also gives us a chance to find out what other members woodworking preferences are.

     This is a meeting where you're encouraged to bring even non-woodworking guests!  There should be some goodies out there to munch on and feel free to add to that as well.  There are quite a few members who have been with the Sin City Woodworkers for the entire 4 years and, thanks to Jamie's' efforts we're still going strong!

See you tomorrow at 7:00 pm