May 2018
Advancing the art and understanding of fine woodworking!
Members Day at Peach State Lumber & Rockler Tool Swap
Saturday May 19th
The Woodworkers' Guild of Georgia will hold "Member Day" at Peach State Lumber
on Saturday May 19th from 9:00 AM - Noon.
Address is 4000 Moon Station Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144
There will, of course, be Coffee and Donuts for all.
Take advantage of Special
deals
on Lumber and Blowout Specials that morning only!
A Trivia Quiz from Fine Woodworking magazine will be held at 10:00 AM for all members in attendance, with the Winner receiving domestic Lumber, courtesy of Peach State Lumber.
Also, Rockler's 1st Annual "Old Tool Swap Meet" at their Kennesaw Store will also be held
Saturday May 19th from 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
(Store will be open at 7:00 AM. Swap will be in back parking lot).
You can arrive and set-up as early as 6:00 AM.
Address is 425 Ernest Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw, GA 30144, not far from Peach State.
Email Jeff at [email protected]
to reserve a table, if you don’t there may not be space.
You can sell anything woodworking related.
Rockler will also have in-store Tool Swap Specials!
Woodworking Workbenches
at the April Guild Meeting
John Jones
led a panel of Guild members Bill Bowser, Ken Kraft, Tom Melcher, Jim Milam,
and Roger Moister for a excellent discussion of the many uses for and types of workbenches.
They all shared photos and the features of their bench, most of which they designed and constructed. It was a nice array of great benches, with the consensus that the workbench, in combination with the variety of vises and their holding ability, is simply indispensable.
From homemade to a high-end manufactured bench with a thick maple top, the importance of the workbench and its usefulness cannot be denied.
Once again, Tom Melcher generously composed and provided a great Booklet "Woodworking Workbenches" which is available
HERE for download. (file is 1.5 mb)
Many Thanks to Tom, as well as John Jones, Bill Bowser, Ken Kraft, Jim Milam, and Roger Moister
for their contributions and a great meeting !
President’s Message
Gary Fader
We’ve been busy! The Spring symposium and the challenges of planning it are now behind us and all worked out very well. If you were not able to attend, I encourage you to read the summary in the Newsletter. Rollie Johnson provided his usual plethora of of useful information and entertainment.
We are looking forward to Members’ Day
at Peach State Lumber
in Kennesaw on the morning of May 19. Come and take advantage of reduced lumber prices for Guild members, and enjoy the donuts, coffee, and camaraderie.
Our efforts at updating the Board of Directors’ position descriptions are nearing completion. This has been a very worthwhile activity in my view. It has allowed the Board members to really reflect on and document our procedures, which will be especially useful for each director’s successor. Now, according to Policy #3, the Board must approve each position description.
The Programs Committee under Ken Gregg has defined many interesting programs for the balance of 2018, including several “outside” speakers. Check the website to keep apprised.
Speaking of the website, those members and guests in attendance at the last Guild meeting provided some eye-opening critical feedback on the functionality and currency of information on our website. In response, we have established a committee under John Champion to take a comprehensive look at the website and correct the deficiencies. The scope of changes remains to be defined, but at the very least, we need to better manage the currency of information and make the message board more useful. A potential frontier is also the use of social media. Another objective, under John Jones, is to have an easily accessible repository for all of our documents, such as policies, position descriptions, meeting minutes, insurance policies, and legal documents.
As you may be aware, our membership has declined to just over 120 members. Unfortunately, people move away and our group is aging so some find it difficult to attend nighttime meetings. The drawing we conducted at the Woodworking Show provided many names of people interested in woodworking. Several of those have already become new members and others came to the April meeting as guests. John Nielsen, our membership director, is establishing a committee to define and implement methods of recruiting new members. We want to continue to provide quality programs and other activities, all of which depend on a solid membership dues base. Invite your woodworking friends to check us out!
In the shop, remember to move slowly and keep thinking about what you’re doing when working with power and sharp tools!
Guild Spring Symposium with Rollie Johnson a Success
Renowned woodworker, author (including articles in Fine Woodworking
magazine), and teacher Roland (Rollie) Johnson highlighted the Guild's Annual Spring Symposium April 28 and 29 at Woodcraft.
Rollie covered the following four topics over the course of the two days:
Bandsaw set-up and use, Handplanes and Card Scrapers, Basic Sharpening, and Finishing.
Beginning with Bandsaws, he emphasized the importance of purchasing/owning a saw that has a rigid upper guide post, especially to ensure successful resawing. Fortunately, most bandsaws meet this requirement but be aware. He also emphasized the importance of proper saw set-up, such as squaring the blade to front of the table, squaring the fence to the table, proper adjustments of the guide bearings (especially the thrust bearings), and centering the blade on the upper wheel's tire. Blade types, styles and their appropriate usages and applications were also detailed.
Rollie also wrote the book Complete Illustrated Guide to Bandsaws which is a great source of information on this important shop machine.
Secondly was the discussion and demonstration of his sharpening technique "Scary Sharp on a Budget". A dead-flat surface (granite is better than plate glass) utilized sandpaper glued to the flat surface with 3M #77 spray adhesive. Begin with 400 grit (240 if the chisel or plane iron is extremely rough or following grinding) and move up through 600, 800, 1200, and 1500 grits. 1500 usually works fine for successful results in working with domestic woods, but if need be, higher grits such as 2,4,6, and even 8 Thousand
grits can be utilized.
Rollie could not overemphasize the use of camellia oil for lubricating the tool and sandpaper. Not only is it effective, it will also greatly increase the life of the sandpaper. He recommended polishing the back of the tool to a mirror finish, before proceeding to the tool's front. which he then will hone to 25 degrees. To remove sandpaper, work up a corner with a hair dryer, peel off and then clean the surface with naptha or lacquer thinner (not mineral spirits).
The Sunday session began with detailed education on Hand Planes, followed by Scrapers.
His brief history of hand planes included the popular Bailey style and the fact that those made from
1911 - 1941 were of the highest quality. Buying used planes (Bailey types 11 - 16 and especially 11 & 12 are the most sought after) as well as restoring and the proper tuning of any plane were discussed and shown. He also discussed another excellent plane, the Stanley Bedrock, in addition to the popular Lie-Nielsen and Veritas planes of our era.
Next, he shared his knowledge and technique on the use and sharpening of Card Scrapers. Again, Camellia Oil is his lubricant of choice, and he showed and demonstrated his holder for the mill bastard single-cut file, to ensure a 90 degree edge in the first step of the process of "turning the burr".
Finally, he presented his recommendations and information on finishing techniques.
Lacquer, shellac, and oil-based varnishes (such as Waterlox ) in his opinion are the best choices and they cover the various visual and protection needs for any given project. For example, varnish will best protect and endure the daily usages on a dining table.
Following are a few highlights on finishing:
- Waterlox cut with 10% Naptha creates an excellent wipe-on varnish
- Pure Tung Oil cut with Naptha makes an excellent wipe-on oil
- He doesn't care for water based topcoats, but acknowledged the environmental implications
- Lacquer is ideally applied by spraying and is excellent
- Mix your own Shellac: Use unwaxed. Cut with pure grain alcohol (Everclear in liquor stores).
- www.shellac.net is a good site for shellac # mixing and other details
- Golden Taklon brushes best for shellac, but padding Shellac is an excellent technique, especially for French Polishing
- After sanding/scraping check for scratches, dings, & dents with mineral spirits before finishing
- Mix dyes with water, then scrape raised grain
- Yellow glue cleans off wood best. Use waterproof glues like Titebond II or III only for exterior projects or cutting boards
- Hand sand with block to remove random orbit sander swirl marks, then vacuum (don't blow) dust
Rollie's entertaining style, delivery, and knowledge certainly resulted in a plethora of information, techniques, and tips & tricks on these topics.
Those of us in attendance were greatly rewarded with Rollie's presentation, and a special
Thank You goes to Jim Milam for his efforts in coordinating this very successful event !
Taming of the Skew
At the April 9 Guild meeting, I won the raffle offering a free course at Highland Hardware. I chose “Taming of the Skew” which was offered on April 18. It was a 3 hour course taught by Hal Simmons. There were only two students that night. I chose this course because I had never learned how to use a skew chisel in lathe work. Every time I tried to use it, the chisel would get caught in the wood and make a large spiral gash. Therefore, I usually avoided even trying.
Hal started out showing us four different kinds of skew chisels (flat, oval, round and radius chisels). Then we sharpened our chisels on a grinder and honed them on stones. The first kind of cut we practiced was a planing cut. This was defined as a ‘process’ which involves allowing the bevel to first rub on the turning wood at a 45 degree angle. Then with a twist of the wrist, the lower point of the chisel cuts a line into the wood. The handle is then lifted and the bottom 1/3 of the chisel begins to shave the wood. You then move your body and let the tool do the slicing. No pushing necessary. After multiple tries, this worked well and felt good. Next we learned how to do a V cut using the upper tip. This involved entering the wood at a slight angle with the chisel turned upside down. The groove is formed just by raising the handle of the chisel. Finally we learned how to cut a bead using the lower point. This involved rubbing the bevel, engaging the cutting point, then lifting and rolling until one side of the bead is formed. It worked nicely — no gouging. Now I need lots of practice to form the muscle memory. Hal recommended cutting 4 beads a day for 30 days to get good at it.
Ken Gregg
Show 'n Tell
John Nielsen showed his Knife made from a railroad spike!
Randy Major showed us his Jewelry Box made primarily with walnut.
Steven Hegyesi brought two model Nautilus Shells constructed from cedar and pine.
Show 'N Tell will not be held at Peach State Lumber on Saturday, May 19.
However, Bring Your Project(s) to share
at the June 11th Meeting!
Turners' Group
The "3rd Monday" Turners' Group will meet on May 21st at Rockler's Kennesaw location, located at 425 Barrett Pkwy.
If you own a Lathe, if you turn, or if you simply have an interest in turning – no matter your skill level – please feel free to join us at 6:30 on the 3rd Monday at Rockler in Kennesaw!
Woodworkers’ Guild of Georgia
Upcoming Events
Saturday, May 19
Members Day & Lumber Specials 9:00 AM - Noon
Peach State Lumber - Kennesaw
Rockler Tool Swap 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Rockler - Kennesaw
Note: No Monthly Meeting at Woodcraft in May
Monday, May 21
Turners' Group Rockler - Kennesaw 6:30 PM
Monday, June 11
Monthly Meeting Woodcraft - Roswell 7:00 PM
Joining and Gluing Boards on Edge
Monday, June 18
Turners' Group Rockler - Kennesaw 6:30 PM
August 22-25
International Woodworking Fair Convention and Trade Show
World Congress Center - Atlanta (Biennial Visit)
www.iwfatlanta.com
Free Demonstrations
Rockler 6690 Roswell Road / Sandy Springs
&
425 Ernest Barrett Pkwy / Kennesaw
May 12: 11:00 Pen Turning
May 19: 11:00 Rockler Dovetail Jig
May 26: 11:00 Spray Finishing
June 2: 11:00 Box Joints
Woodcraft 8560 Holcomb Bridge Road / Roswell
May 12: 1:00 Hand Sharpening
May 19: 1:00 Dust Collection
May 26: 1:00 Spoon Carving
June 2: 1:00 Carbide Turning Tools for Turning
The Guild Board of Directors
Gary Fader President 770-977-7271
Art Sanders Treasurer 678-472-9117
Nuane Neely Community/Charitable Projects 770-922-1933
John Champion Woodworking Show 2018 404-307-0817
Tom Melcher Patron Sponsors 770-851-1098
Jim Milam Spring Symposium 2018 404-255-2314
Tom Risoli Website Administrator I 678-513-0887
Steven Sheppard Website Administrator II 770-316-7160
John Jones Vice-President, Secretary 678-576-7265
Jim Milam Member at Large 404-255-2314
Roger Moister Librarian 404-355-5033
John Nielsen Membership 770-434-3812
Joe Rodriguez Scholarships 224-659-2225
Mark Haugland Newsletter 678-294-8043
Jim Wright Audio Visual/Member at Large 770-973-4692
John Jones Communications 678-576-7265
Ken Gregg Program Committee Chairman 678-799-6157
Support Your Woodworkers’ Guild of Georgia Patron Sponsors
Proof of Guild membership is required by
Patron Sponsors
that offer discounts. Your membership card can be printed from our Guild website. Login and go to Guild Info > Members Only, and click on Membership Card. If you would like to pick up your membership card at the next Guild meeting, email us
with your member name.
CAG Lumber - CAG Lumber is known for the largest selection of live edge slabs and unusual woods from all over the world.
We sell on the net, not the gross, so you take home what you pay for with no added on or hidden fees. We can saw your logs, kiln dry, resaw lumber, plane, straight line, and glue up ready. We are large enough to handle your needs and small enough to give one on one personal service. Guild members show membership card to receive 10% off most items, except items on clearance or discounted. Check out our web site, we stock a lot more than is listed. Website
Fintech Abrasives - For over 25 years, Fintech Technologies has been fabricating belts, sheets, rolls and other abrasives. They also have extensive experience with the application of the newest materials in coated abrasives. Family owned and operated in Belding, MI, Fintech is a highly respected company that takes pride in its excellent product quality, unmatched customer service, and superior technical support. Guild members are welcome to order products, as well as contact them with questions. Call them at 1-888-223-8768. Website
Hardwoods Incorporated
- A division of Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, Hardwoods Inc. has grown to become one of the largest hardwood distributors in the Eastern United States. Hardwoods Inc. stocks more than 100 species of domestic and exotic lumber, plywood, Arborite laminates and turning stock. When you think of wood, think of us. Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday. Guild members receive 10% OFF qualifying purchases.
Located at 5400 Riverview Road, Mableton, 30126. 404.792.0910 Website
Highland Woodworking - Providing fine woodworking tools and project supplies since 1978, Highland defines itself as a learning community. The store has attracted nationally known teachers and authors including Tage Frid, Sam Maloof, Michael Dunbar, Rude Osolnik, Toshio Odate, Dale Nish, Mark Duginske and many others in Highland’s ongoing program of seminars and workshops. We have some great woodworking class opportunities coming up at Highland Woodworking! We have classes and seminars every week that include basic sharpening techniques, turning, finishing, project builds, and much more! Click to see our class schedule.
Their catalog of fine woodworking tools and workshops is available online, or visit its fully-stocked store at 1045 N. Highland Avenue in Atlanta, 30306. 404-872-4466. Website
Peach State Lumber Products - We are dealers of high grade/cabinet quality hardwoods, plywood, softwood, veneer and also carry a full line of cabinet grade plywood and turning blocks. We welcome small quantity orders and have a retail sales area open to the public. We also carry Hettich brand hinges and drawer slides. We have hardware screws and pocket hole screws. We now have live edge slabs in multiple species, great for bar tops, mantels, etc. Show your Guild membership card to receive their 500 b.f. price on any qualifying purchase.
Located at 4000 Moon Station Road, Kennesaw, 30144. 770-428-3622. Website
Peachtree Woodworking Supply -
Peachtree is a producer and retailer of high quality woodworking products with a goal of providing the woodworker with the hard to find tools and accessories. They stock over 6,000 different woodworking items. Those items include a wide selection of abrasives, books, DVD’s, clamps, router bits, glue, t-track, dust collection, and much more. Peachtree also carries the major brands. The store is located at 6684 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Suite 100, Norcross, GA 30071, 770-458-5539. Store Hours: Mon – Fri 9 am.- 5 p.m., Sat 9 am - 3 pm. Website
Redmond Machinery - Specializes in new and used woodworking and metal working machinery in a 25,000 square foot showroom. We stock machinery, accessories, and supplies from top-name manufacturers. Bargain hunters, check out our large inventory of used and scratch and dent machinery and accessories. We are a source for older American made Powermatic and Delta parts. We invite Guild members to stop by to visit us. We are located at 58 Weldon Rd., Palmetto, GA 30268, 770-683-7297 or 800-428-9898 Website
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
- (Two Locations) - Rockler began as a mail order woodworking supply company and today the retail chain stretches across the United States. Our magazine, Woodworker’s Journal, is dedicated to offering plans, techniques, product reviews and tips to woodworkers. Our goal is to be your go-to woodworking resource. Please mention you are a Guild members BEFORE your purchase to receive 10% OFF everyday (normal exclusions apply).
We invite you to visit us at 6690 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs 404-460-1000, OR 425 Ernest W. Barrett Pkwy in Kennesaw 678-383-0087. Hours are Monday-Friday 9 am to 7 pm, Saturday 9 am to 6 pm, and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. On Saturdays we have free demos. Website
Suwanee Lumber Company – Is a specialty hardwood supplier for custom cabinet and furniture makers as well as the general public. Suwanee features hardwood lumber with matching plywood and other materials to make every project a work of art. Please show your Guild membership card when shopping to receive Level 4 pricing (1,000 b.f. pricing).
Their location is 540 Satellite Blvd. in Suwanee, GA 30024. 770-945-2102. Website
Woodcraft - (Two Locations) – Has been a woodworker's favorite source for quality hand and power tools, equipment and supplies (including wood). Cabinet makers, wood turners, carvers and woodworkers in general rely on our friendly, experienced staff that is always available to help with the selection of tools and supplies as well as provide helpful advice on individual projects. We have fully equipped classroom facilities. Guild members receive 10% OFF qualifying purchases during our monthly Guild meeting or Symposiums at the Alpharetta store.
Stop by our store at 8560 Holcomb Bridge Road in Alpharetta, GA 30022, 770-587-3372 OR our West side Store at 351 Thornton Road in Lithia Springs. GA 30122, 770-485-5636. Website
The Woodworkers' Guild of Georgia
Newsletter is published monthly, and is provided to all Guild members.
The Newsletter, and its archived copies, is posted on our website.
It is also available 24/7 on our Newsletter URL wwgga.tlehs.com
If you have questions, wish to contribute an article, place an ad, etc., please use Feedback form below
The Guild welcomes everyone interested in fine woodworking to join. Annual membership dues are $45.00,
which can be paid at the monthly meeting (2nd Mondays) or mailed to:
Woodworkers' Guild of Georgia / P.O. Box 1323 / Woodstock, GA 30188
You may also pay dues using PayPal at wwgofga.com
Enjoy Your Newsletter. We Welcome Your Feedback.