Saturday, September 21, 2013

September 2013 Meeting at Wooditis

   
Our meeting began with the traditional round robin introductions.  There were a number of new faces and about 27 of us in attendance all total.  Jamie began the meeting with a reminder about the 2 x 4 x 8 Challenge.  The challenge is to make whatever you can from one stick of construction grade lumber without adding any other wood to it.  The only allowed add-on items  would be glue, fasteners, dowels, finish, and fabric but no additional wood of any kind.  The judging will be done anonymously when we have our end of the year, Christmas party.  Jamie showed off her prototype and it's a good one, the rest of us better get hot on our creations.  I must admit that I've been putting it on the back burner and if I'm not careful I won't have anything done!
Jamie's Project, the groove is for a tambour!

     During our round robin intro's we often joke around by saying: "my name is Herkimere and  I'm a woodworker", just like they might do at an alcoholics anonymous meeting.  Well, Aaron added to that by admitting to a mistake he made on a recent mirror project.  This opened up an interesting and revealing discussion about how we all make what we call "stupid mistakes" in our work but ultimately they make us better and smarter.  I've been working with wood since the early 60's and come to the conclusion that it and perfection are seldom used in the same context.  I mean really, how many other endeavors have a book titled Measure Twice, Cut Once!
     Eric gave an endorsement for Nevada Carbide, here's a LINK to them for your convenience.  They were able to not only help him repair a saw, they manufactured a special fixture to do it!  In this age of mostly remove and replace "technicians" it's good to know there are still folks out there that can actually repair tools.  In addition to being our local source of repair and warranty work on brands like Powermatic and Jet they are set up to sharpen virtually any cutting edge.  Check out the link to them and see what all they do.
     Last item that came up is an announcement about two, upcoming events.  One of them is the Summerlin Art Fair which will be the weekend of Oct. 12 & 13.  It's in the Community Park on Town Center just south of Charleston Blvd.  My wife and I are using this as our first ever venture into the craft fair world!  She'll be selling her dolls, LINK here for her site; and I'll have a collection of boxes.
     The other event is the show that Ed mentioned for the woodturners group, here's that information:

                             Summerlin Library Art Gallery Show
 The show will take place from Thursday, October 3, until Sunday, December 8, 2013. Installation of the pieces by library staff will take place on Wednesday, October 2nd. We will have a reception (cookies and punch) for all members and guests onThursday, October 3, 2013, in the gallery from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.

 The venue is the Summerlin Library Art Gallery, located at 1771 Inner Circle, Las Vegas 89134. Directions to the library can be gotten from the internet at "Google Maps".


We got a little disorganized at the end of the meeting so in case you didn't see this beautiful box that Mike brought in here it is now.  It's made of quilted and tiger stripped Maple.  The knob and splines are of Ebony and the hinges are from England.  It has Mike's signature, hand polished lacquer finish --- stunning!










Scratch Stock Demo

     As the writer of the blog I can elaborate as much as I'd like to on anything that happened at the meeting and also let you know how much I welcomed the enthusiam you showed for the demonstration I did -- that makes doing them worthwhile and fun!  There are so many facets to woodwork, being in a group like this gives us all the opportunity to share and learn from each other.  Here are a couple of links you may find helpful to get you to make your own scratch stock.  First off, here's a link to a video from Garrett Hack:  http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/video/how-to-make-a-scratch-stock.aspx    Although it's from Fine Woodworking Magazine I don't think you have to be a member to access it.  It'll give you more information than I was able to show and you were able to see; during my demo on making the blade.  This is the simplest version of a scratch stock that works well.  One advantage to this style is that the length of it gives you a lot of surface to press against the edge of your board.  If you're planning on doing the traditional quirk & bead type of detail near the bottom of an apron or whatever this is the way to go.
     The way the scratch stock is held in the holder, whether it's this one or the one I've drawn, is with 1/4-20 machine screws and threaded inserts.  These can be a pain to install!  In my experience it's a bit easier to use the ones that thread in with an allen wrench and you can make a special tool or use a drill press but ---- there's another way.  I recently made a platform bed and used a number of the brass inserts that are inserted with a slotted screwdriver.  These are notorious for breaking off about half way into the hole!  Here's a LINK to my blog that explains the procedure.
     The other style of scratch stock holder is the L-shaped one.  The advantage of this is that you you're not limited to only working an edge but can get further in on the board.  The dimensions are suggested only, make it whatever size feels good in your hands or can be made from whatever piece of wood you have laying around!  Use a hardwood if possible, put a radius on the edges to make it comfortable with a spokeshave or router, and consider finish and/or wax to have it feel good while you use it and reduce friction.  If you have it, wood at least a full inch thick will allow more "meat" to secure the scratch stock.  Make your kerf as thin as you can,  mine is about 4" long.


For blades, any steel that is soft enough to file but hard enough to hold an edge will work.  I used a blade from a miter box saw, an old handsaw blade, bandsaw blade, etc. is all good.  Remember too that  if you wanted to just purchase it all, check Ron Hocks website for a $30.00 version complete with stock to make your own blades --- the choice is yours.
Here is a collection of pictures that Lupe took of the demonstration.  
Cutting Blade to Size

Filing Cut Smooth & Square,  Adding Profile

Completed Cutter in Holder


To see the cutter in action, Lupe also took these videos which have been posted on YouTube, here are the links:








Last of all, I showed you the beading tool that Vince DeMarco gave me for helping him move from the east coast.  It's a beauty and I love using it!  Many of you remarked on the picture frame corner sample I made using this tool so here's a LINK to my blogs on the making of this frame.
Lie-Nielsen Bronze Beading Tool

Corner Sample of Frame made with Beading Tool

Drawer Pull made with Beading Tool
I think this may be one of the longest blogs I've made after a meeting!  Maybe it's because I'm sitting in the Portland airport waiting for a connecting flight.  Hope you enjoyed it and the demo, feel free to contact me if you want any information or help in making your own scratch stock.


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