Hardware Suppliers from our Members

First off, I'd like to thank those of you that brought information about local and internet sources for the group.  Those members were:

• Lupe Nielsen
• Jamie Yocono
• Rich Dougherty
• Ken Martin
• Ron Seipel
• Jerald Welsh
• John Eugster

I hope I didn't forget someone, if I did my apologies in advance and let me know so I can add you to this listing.  I've been trying to figure out the best way to organize this so it'll be a help as we pursue our passion with woodworking.  I've decided to make it a separate blog so that, if you'd like; you can bookmark it somewhere in your computer and have it available when needed rather than trying to search through all of the Sin City Woodworkers Blogs.  There's no particular order to the way I've listed them and check out addresses and phone numbers before you visit -- I guess that's my disclaimer, I'll be as accurate in relaying the information from the meeting to you as I can.  Most of them are specific to hardware items but there are also sources for tools, casters, machine parts, project parts, and so on.  Some have websites you can research as well.

Local Sources

1. Woodworkers Emporium  5461 Arville Street  702-871-0722
2. Wurth/Lewis & Company  6125 S Valley View Blvd  800-472-7755
3. McFadden Dale  5580 S. Decatur Blvd #114  702-251-8059
4. Meads Hardware  4438 E. Lake Mead Blvd  702-452-1560
5. Commercial Hardware  3725 W. Russell Rd  702-736-0007
6. Nevada Bolt  2625 E. Craig Rd  702-649-4759
7. Source Four (bearings & casters)  4436 N. Lawrence St  702-734-8848
8. Nevada Packaging Solutions (packing materials for shipping)  7440 S. Dean Martin Drive  702-795-7455

Internet Sources

Again, these are not in any particular order but I will begin with the most diverse sources and list the more specialized ones at the end.  I will annotate the best I can from the notes I took during the meeting and my own experience.  Links are included if possible as well, it'll be obvious since the listing will be underlined and in blue.

• Lee Valley Hardware   Note that this is the link for their woodworking section, they have additional sections for gardening, hardware, and gifts (Veritas tools, cabinet knobs & pulls, project supplies, finishing, etc.)
• Rockler Hardware and Rockler Pro  I've given both sites for Rockler (hardware, tools, shop supplies, etc.) but let me clarify and you can investigate which one to use.  Rockler Pro is designed for business and schools and you need to set up an account.  As Jamie mentioned, they don't seem to check whether or not you're a legitimate business.  From my experience, the Pro side of Rockler is less expensive for most items but you cannot use any internet discounts, shipping, or special promotions on that site.  Woodworkers Emporium is a Rockler distributor with a pretty limited inventory.  You can call them (702-871-0722) with the part number from the Rockler catalog to see if they may have it in stock.
• Woodworkers Supply  Sometimes called Woodworkers Supply of New Mexico or Wyoming but same outfit (tools, hardware, supplies, etc.)
• Woodcraft  (tools, hardware, project supplies, shop supplies, etc.)
• Constantine's  This is a company that has been around for a long time  (inlays, hardware, finishing supplies, caning, hand tools, resins, etc.)
• Small Box Hardware  Located in Canada but no problems with shipping (latches, clasps, hinges, etc. available in finishes such as brass, black, nickel, and antique  they specialize in binder parts too)
• House of Antique Hardware  and VanDykes Restorers  (mostly large scale hardware for the house but also cabinet knobs, hinges, refrigerator hardware and nameplates, etc.)
• Architecturals.net   (antique hardware, clavos, radio parts, bathroom fixtures, caning, etc.)
• Cherry Tree Toys  (toy parts, wheels, axles, plans, figures, hinges, etc.  Plus many other wood related items)
• Klockit  (clock movements, faces, hands, plans, plus weather station instruments and more)
• Horton Brasses  (Arguably the finest quality brass hinges and hardware you can find -- and the prices reflect that!)
• Meisel Hardware  (hardware, project parts and plans, toys and birdhouse plans)
• McMaster-Carr  A huge (1320 page) source of virtually everything -- including the kitchen sink! (over-night shipping standard from California, check out website to see catalog)
• Micro-Mark  (small tool specialists and hardware)
• PaperMart   (if you do any shipping, good source for boxes and packing materials)

     If you've searched the web you know that we've only "scratched the surface" with the above listings.  These were ones that our members shared and have used in the past.  Someone gave me a paper from Woodworkers Journal that listed many other specialized hardware and project parts resources.  Unfortunately,  I was unable to open it but it; probably because you need a subscription to access that info.  That reminded me though; most of the magazines will list suppliers and resources in their print and on-line subscriptions.  

 

     Last but certainly not least, how do we work with all of these hardware items?  Jamie brought out this particular book from Taunton press.  I use this and I'm willing to be that many of you do too.  I checked and it is available from Taunton Press as a PDF instant download for $13.99.   It may be my personal bias but I much prefer having a hard cover that I can take out to the shop rather than having to search through a PDF file then print it out.  I checked on Ebay as well and currently there are two hardcover books listed (one at $8.00, the other at $20.00).

May 2015 Meeting

Getting Started --- Did you notice the Graphic?

     With about 32 members, several of whom were first timers, the meeting began with our customary round robin introductions.  As usual there were some funny moments with the theme starting out with military and grandkids -- guess you had to be there!  The focus of this months meeting was hardware and there was a lot of participation and information shared.  I'm in the process of writing that up as a separate blog so you can bookmark it for reference but it'll take some time trying to get all of the links for you.

Business Portion

     Just in case you haven't made your plans yet for the upcoming AWFS which will be held July 22-26 here is a LINK to it.  It's held here every other year and is the largest trade show of its kind.  Since we live here it be a shame not to invest $25.00 to see the latest tools and related items in woodworking.  Jamie is able to get a limited number of people into the show as students for no charge so check with her if that interests you.

     Jamie sends out hundreds of emails monthly and (can you believe it!) is using AOL.  She has put out an SOS for anyone that is familiar with MailChimp to please contact her and help her get started with this program.

     Lie-Nielsen is coming back to Wood It Is for another outstanding show of their tools.  They are interested in having any local tool makers participate during their time here.  If you're aware of any local, wood related tool makers contact Jamie at the studio.

     Last of all, it has finally been decided that the end of the year contest will focus on toys this year.  After discussion and a show of hands that was the consensus of the group.  We'll work out the details soon, this will give us all plenty of time to participate.  At the end of the contest toys can either be donated to charity or given to your own  kids/grandkids.

Show & Tell Portion

Lamp with Inlaid Design

This very interesting turned lamp was brought in by Beth.  Seems as if turning is getting to be a very popular aspect of our members and many of them are taking classes with Jimmy Clewes.  What makes this lamp so interesting is a technique she used to inlay wood into the blank.  Then as she began turning the form, the inlay was exposed in this cool pattern.

Ed brought in two different turned items, one was this lidded box made out of some Peach tree harvested from a neighbors yard.  The other piece is a laminated and segmented bowl.

Peach Tree Lidded Box

Laminated & Segmented Bowl

John also has been working with turnings and seems to have the Lathe Bug too!  He shared these greenwood turnings with us made of Peppertree.  He also showed a huge handle for one of his lathe tools that he made from curly Maple.  It was finished with black, red, and yellow spirit stain.

Live edge and greenwood turnings 

Ken showed us a few items this week starting with the Incra jig designed to make wooden hinges.  Here is a LINK to it from Rockler.  Along with the jig he brought in a box where he used that jig to make the hinges.

What you see sitting on top of the box is a trick he shared with us!  That is a bottle of air that is available at any office supply used to blow the dust from your keyboard.  He discovered that it does the exact same thing that Bloxygen does for one third the price!  If you're not familiar with that product it is used to preserve your finishes during storage.  It's creates a seal between the finish and the empty space of the can preventing oxidation/evaporation/contamination!

     Allen brought in a stand he made for computer tablets and probably readers as well.  His son had created a program that created as much interest as the woodwork did!  It showed the Sin City Woodworkers logo being cut out of a piece of wood, pretty neat!  His son wrote the program for it.

Finally, Jamie who we know does more than her share of fantastic work, brought out a chair which will be one of a set of eight.  Since she claims to get bored doing the same thing over and over she has decided to make four different styles so she has eight similar but somewhat different chairs to go with her table.  The wood is Ash.  She used the technique Lupe showed many meetings ago where the table saw is used to sculpt the seat.

Jamie's Chair

     By the way, we kidded Ed a bit regarding his discovery of the YouTube video's and finding a wealth of information there.  Many of you may not be aware of it but Lupe has uploaded a number of video's to the Sin City Woodworker channel on YouTube.  If you go to YouTube and do a search you'll find them.  It's a good way to refresh your memory or learn about events from previous meetings.  My computer savvy isn't' the greatest but here is a LINK to one of the video's she did last April.  I went to YouTube and put in Sin City Woodworkers and all of them come up but that may occur because I've subscribed to the channel.  They may also be listed under Nielsen Magic or Lupe Nielsen.  In any case, it's a good resource to see what has been done in the past.
     As I mentioned at the beginning, the Hardware Blog is in progress and I'll get it to you as soon as it's done.  Here's to all of you having a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day as we celebrate our great country.  Remember the men and women that fought and sacrificed so we can enjoy the abundance and freedom of living in the USA!

Basswood for Sale & Carving Club

Basswood Tree

I'm guessing that most of us haven't seen too many Basswood trees, at least not around here!  If you were at last nights meeting you may remember that there is someone that the Woodcarving Club is bringing to town that has a truckload of Basswood to sell for all of your carving needs.  I hear that there will be all different sizes from 1" slabs to 4" thick pieces and more!

He will be at the northwest corner of the parking lot at the Town Center, located off of  Las Vegas Blvd. south near the 215.  Approximate time will around 10:15 tomorrow (Friday) morning.  I know I won't have the regular blog ready by then so thought I'd send this reminder out for those of you that are interested.

Contact for more info:
Dennis Patchett: 702-782-3519
Randy Glau 630-308-7422

Also, if you're interested in carving, the Woodcarving Club meets at Woodworkers Emporium this Saturday from 9:30 - 11:00 am.  Dennis and Randy are the leaders of that group so again, contact them if you need further information.

Here is a LINK to their blog for your reading pleasure!

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend -- John

May Meeting Reminder

     Something most of us have in common when it comes to our woodworking is needing some type of hardware to complete our projects.  Some of the more common items are available at the local big box store, Woodworkers Emporium, Sears, or Ace but do you have a special source where you find what you're looking for right here in Las Vegas? Especially that quality stuff that makes the differences in your project?  How about those hidden internet sources that you use to find what you need?  Quality hardware, specialized items, unique finishes, etc. we want to know!

     Our monthly meeting (7:00 pm) will be a bit different this time.  It will be a round table discussion which Jamie has coined: "all you've ever wanted to know about hardware and more …..!"  We can combine this with another aspect of our meetings, the Show and Tell segment too.  Here's what I'd ask you to do:

• If you have a source you'd like to share please write it down on a piece of paper for me.  Include company name, address, and website info.  If you'll give me that paper before you share the information I can take notes while you explain it.  
• I'll take the info about the hardware plus the links and put that in my next blog so everyone can have that information.
• If you have a project and can bring that in to enhance your info with a show and tell that would be great as well!

    This should be a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn about various hardware sources local and internet that we can all use.  Sharing information is what the group is all about so please bring in what you can and we'll all be better for it!

     As always, the meeting is open to the public so invite a fellow woodworker to attend.  You know the drill about the limited seating so bring your chair if you'd like.  The address is 2267 West Gowan, unit 106 in North Las Vegas.  Call Jamie at 702-631-1870 if you have any questions or need directions.

See you tomorrow -- John

     

Don't Forget --- Next Meeting 2 Weeks

And Now Some Homework!!

Our next meeting we will feature a different type of format.  In almost everything we do there is some type of hardware we need.  Some is easy to find but most of it isn't available locally or readily.  Jamie's plan is for us to extend the round robin introductions to a full, round robin discussion.  Think of the "stuff" you use -- locks, specialty screws or fasteners, hinges, closing mechanism, etc.  These are things many of us use as well so if you would bring in an example if possible and tell us your source for it that would be great.  If you have the time, maybe you can make a handout slip of paper citing the part and source.  Also, local sources of these types of items beyond Ace Hardware, Lowe's, Sear's, or Home Depot.  Try to keep that in mind as you go through the month and bring it next month to share with the group.

Just to remind us the WE ALL ARE the featured presenter for the May meeting.  I've copied the last paragraph of our April blog that explains it all above. Unlike other metropolitan areas (SF Bay, LA, New York, Chicago, etc.)  if it's not in Las Vegas we can't go to the next little town to find what we need.  

John Says: "Please"

Share your sources, bring in an example if possible, and most of all if you write it down on a card or slip of paper I'll be able to put it in the blog for all to have.  Two weeks from now -- jeez, I feel like I'm back in the classroom!

April Meeting

We don't look too lively yet!

Looking at the picture above you'd think that the meeting got off to a slow start this month!  People did trickle in and by the time we began I counted 26 SCWW's in attendance.  As per tradition, we did our round robin introductions and there were a number of first timers, matter of fact; three more people signed up for this blog.  Then it was time for the business portion of our meeting.

• Item number one is that we will be collecting the $20.00, voluntary yearly dues that is used for operating costs and our end of the year party/extravaganza/raffle give away.
• Next is a reminder about the AWFS convention coming to the convention center this July.  If you've never gone it's well worth the $25.00 price of admission just to see all of the vendors and manufacturers we see in magazines up close and personal.
• The Christmas challenge came up and we need to decide what it will be this year.  The format is that the project is brought to the Studio and displayed anonymously.  During the party each member votes for the one they feel is the best and winners are announced that night.  Top prize is $100.00 and there are usually 2 more places awarded.  Suggestions so far include making a toy and donating it to a local charity which was suggested by Beth.  Braxton brought in his tree challenge table as an idea.  Be sure to check out the video link he gave me in our show and tell section.  Then at the end of the meeting Richard suggested to me the idea of a box.  This would encompass all areas since a box can be turned on the lathe, cut out on the bandsaw, or jointed with joinery.  Any other ideas please contact me or Jamie so we can finalize soon.
• Wood Magazine has contacted Jamie twice to solicit an article of 400-600 words for an article.  She's strongly considering writing for them but would like suggestions from all of us as to what would be a good topic.
• Last, but not least; was a live demonstration of a new item called the Drillnado.  You can watch their official promo video via the link or watch this one made by Lupe while Denny demonstrated the Lupe = Drillnado.

Show & Tell

Braxton brought in his Guitar Table that he made from an Olive Tree that his neighbor had cut down.  The picture you see is impressive  but he sent me this VIDEO that he posted on YouTube that is very cool!   Besides the beautiful wood, he fashioned a set of bent and welded legs to support this coffee table.

John brought in this excellent idea to give us more lighting in our shops.  Many of us, myself included, are at the season of our life when we need all the light we can get to have continued success while we enjoy our woodwork.  With the addition of a magnetic base and some spacers he was more than happy to turn on his lathe, he turned this $10.00 IKEA task light into something we can probably all find a use for in our shops.

Then, leaving the 21st century behind, Jerald brought in this wooden bodies hand plane that probably dates more to the 19th. century.  It's a traditional European style horn plane that he got on a trip to Romania.  While at a museum there with a friend he admired a similar one.  His friend told him he had one at his house and gave it to Jerald!  Although it has many worm holes and has obviously seen a lot of use it's a great example of woodworking tools.  The blade was taken out during the meeting and after a bit of cleaning was found to have a makers mark of Gustav which someone Googles and discovered originates in Germany/Austria.
Leo brought in a very elegant wine presentation box but we didn't get a picture of it.  It was made out of Oak and Pine which programmed his CNC machine to carve extensively.  What made this so unique is that when you opened the lid, a lever mechanism raised the bottles up out of the case making it easy to not only grab them but also to read the labels.
Last of all, Aaron updated the information he gave on his recent LED presentation.  One problem with LED lighting is the bluish hue it tends to give.  Since this is objectionable to many people they have been working on getting a light that gives out more of the incandescent light we're used to.  It's called a "Neutral Light" and is on the market now.

Feature Presentation:  Pete Hauser

Pete and the Scary Sharp, 3M Sharpening System

Pete talked about the sharpening system he's been using for many years.   It's one referred to as "Scary Sharp" and if you were to do an internet search you'd find some variations of it.  The main one you'll probably find uses float glass and wet/dry sandpaper.  That's were the system Pete shared with us has the greatest advantage -- it uses a pressure sensitive, micron PSA paper which lasts years longer than the wet/dry paper does.  It's available from Tools for Working Wood, check this LINK for full details.
Since he was good enough to make a handout for all of us I won't bother going into the full details.

Close up of Pete's setup

Basically, the 3M micron paper comes in .3, 5,  and 15 micron size and is a thin film that has a self adhesive backing.  You cut it to the size you'd like and adhere it to 1/2" thick float glass which is available from most glass shops.  He made the holder shown so it can be clamped to his bench.  When it comes time to change the paper, which according to Pete is years!, you peel it away and then thoroughly clean any left offer residue from the adhesive off with some alcohol.  Water is used as a lubricant although the hand out said you can use a cutting oil used for oil stones or even mineral oil to keep the swarf from clogging the paper.  As Pete pointed out though, oils are messy and in his experience plain water works just fine.

He brought in this high quality Buck Bros. chisels to demonstrate how this product works.  As with any sharpening procedure it began with flattening the back.  Depending on the quality of the tool this may or may not take you a lot of time but the good news is that you only need to do it once!





A term we use while sharpening is "scratch pattern", which could be referred to as machining marks when you first get a tool.  Look at this picture, notice those swirls that go from the right side up to the top?  That's an example of a machine mark made at the factory during production.  In a  high quality (i.e. expen$ive) tool you probably won't see them with the naked eye.  Now look at the very top edge --- see that shine begin to develop?  That's the scratch pattern made by the roughest grit used.  The goal is to completely (in the case of a chisel) eliminate all of the machine marks and replace them with that scratch pattern.  As you do that you'll have a burr form at the edge of the blade which needs to be removed.  How far do you go? Depends on you, many will use each grit to achieve a totally flat back and you'll notice that the scratch pattern for each one is different -- just like sanding a piece of wood but at a much higher level.

Technique used to flatten the back of an iron

After the back has been flattened it's time to go over to the bevel edge of the tool.  As Pete explained, the definition of a sharp edge is two surfaces coming together at a perfect angle.  Traditionally, planes and bench chisels are sharpened at a 25 degree angle but different angles can be used to meet your requirements.  Pete uses a hand holding technique which requires locking in your elbow and cradling the handle of the tool securely in your hand.  By doing it this way he uses less of the film than you'd need if you used a typical honing jig.

Establishing Required Angle

The consensus at the end of Pete's presentation was that this is an effective, quick, and relatively inexpensive way to get an edge on our tools.  As I pointed out in the announcement for this meeting; tool sharpening probably has more opinions and info written about it than any other aspect of our craft. Let's face it, dull tools just don't work and result in a lot of effort trying to achieve good results.  Find what works for you, stick with and perfect your method, then enjoy!!  

Thanks Pete for showing your method to us.

And Now Some Homework!!

Our next meeting we will feature different type of format.  In almost everything we do there is some type of hardware we need.  Some is easy to find but most of it isn't available locally or readily.  Jamie's plan is for us to extend the round robin introductions to a full, round robin discussion.  Think of the "stuff" you use -- locks, specialty screws or fasteners, hinges, closing mechanism, etc.  These are things many of us use as well so if you would bring in an example if possible and tell us your source for it that would be great.  If you have the time, maybe you can make a handout slip of paper citing the part and source.  Also, local sources of these types of items beyond Ace Hardware, Lowe's, Sear's, or Home Depot.  Try to keep that in mind as you go through the month and bring it next month to share with the group.

April 15th. Isn't Just Tax Day ---- Meeting Day Too

We're one bunch of people not scared off by signs such as this:

Matter of fact --- we love those SHARP BLADES!!

     To that end, that's what this month's meeting will focus on.  If there's one subject that has more opinions, and more "best ever" how to articles written about it it's the subject of how to sharpen our blades, especially chisel and plane iron.  Common wisdom tells us to take in all the information we can, experiment with some different techniques, and then; once you find one that works STICK WITH IT!  Sounds good in practice but we're probably all guilty of averting our eyes to those articles and methods even if what we're using works well for us.  Always that carrot dangling in front of us tempting us to think that maybe there's even a better way to get that perfect edge.

  

    At our upcoming April meeting,  Pete Hauser will be showing a sharpening system that's been around for quite some time referred to as "Scary Sharp".  Instead of using either oil or water stones, this method utilizes sticky back abrasives sheets (3M brand) that you attach to a piece of 1/2" float glass.  The system was written up in the June 2006 Fine Woodworking Magazine and Pete will demonstrate how he uses it to sharpen all of his edged tools.  If you're looking for a way to sharpen your tools this may be just the ticket so be sure to mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00.

     

     A company called Sharknado sent Jamie a drill press collection device for her evaluation.  It will be hooked up and working so the evaluation can be done by all of us there!  I ran a quickie web search but came up blank so anxious to see what this is all about.

     Regular business will include your 5 minute or less show and tell session.  It's always great to hear and see what our members have been up to during the past month.  I had asked for ideas for our end of the year challenge but only received two  -----  we need suggestions please!

     We'll also be collecting the voluntary yearly dues of $20.00 which we use to operate the club Meetup site but mostly for end of the year drawings, prizes, and raffles.

     As always, bring your seating as you know that chairs can be limited, also feel free to bring a friend or neighbor that may be interested in woodworking as well.  See you there, here's the address in case you need it:  2267 West Gowan Road, Unit 106, in North Las Vegas.  Jamie's phone is 702-631-1870