Advancing the art and understanding of fine woodworking!
Workbench Options and Design
at April Guild Meeting
After several comments from members of the Guild last year, I stopped raising vegetables in my pickup truck. Truck gardening has many benefits, but the suggestion of building my shop in my truck was irresistible. The tailgate makes an OK workbench. I can kneel down and rip long boards with my circular saw as long as my wife holds the other end.
I am looking for some ideas for improvements, however, since there will be a panel discussion and slide show about workbenches for woodworking at our meeting at our April 9th meeting. John Jones will moderate the discussion, with participation from members Ken Kraft, Bill Bowser, and Jim Milam. Questions will deal with why we need a workbench, pros and cons of different kinds of workbench construction, dimensions, hold-downs, vises, assembly tables, costs of workbenches and questions from the attending members.
Ken Gregg
We will have a segment on workbench types, from plywood and 2 x 4s; to custom-built benches; to benches available for sale at woodworking retailers. Also, we will have a detailed review of vises, workbench accessories and methods for holding stock on a bench. Presenters include Guild members using a plywood & 2 x 4 bench, one that has custom built his workbench, a commercial bench user and someone trying to decide whether to buy, build or continue to use their current bench.
John Jones
Important Meeting Detail Changes:
• The meeting will start promptly at 7:00
• There will not be a "shopping-break" during the meeting, so come early, shop and enjoy Woodcraft's discount for Guild members
Measuring & Marking Series by Tom Melcher
Concluded with Marking at March Meeting
Tom Melcher finished his excellent presentation on Measuring and Marking, which began with Measuring
at the February Meeting.
He concluded with a discussion of the tools and techniques for Marking, including pencils, marking knives, knife and wheel-style marking gauges, center finders, offset tools, punches and awls, compasses and trammel points, etc.
The differences between the various types and designs in marking knives and marking gauges were discussed, compared and contrasted. Methods, and tips & tricks on their many usages were discussed, as well as buying information.
Although there are many choices for measuring and marking available in the quest for a successful project, Tom stressed the importance of the following to help ensure accuracy:
- Do not precut all the parts of a project first. A few at a time ensures a better fit.
- Always start with square stock. Joint & plane to 4-square
- Ensure that your squares are square!
- Indicate the waste side of a line with as X before cutting
- Before cutting to final length always square up the other end first
- When jointing and planing, mark the ends
- Mark the show face with a loop pointing up
- Gang similar parts like legs, rails, aprons, drawer sides, etc. for precision marking
- Always put your pencil or marking knife on the mark before bringing the square to it
We appreciate very much the work and preparation Tom did for these two Guild meetings!
His excellent booklet "Measuring and Marking Tools for Woodworkers" revised with photos,
is available HERE
President’s Message
Gary Fader
I hope you all had a chance to stop by our booth at the Woodworking Show in March.
John Champion, with lots of help from Tom Melcher and many others, did an outstanding job of making all the arrangements and setting up the booth. It was quite impressive with many wonderful projects on display, some submitted for the Craftsman and Masters category contests and some for display only.
Several Guild members demonstrated woodworking techniques, including Ted Baldwin on the miter saw, Tom Melcher cutting dovetails, and Jim Milam & Roger Moister on the shooting board. Kevin May shaped rounded edges with the hollow plane he made at our the SAPFM / Guild event the previous weekend, while John Nielsen cut carved and cut-out puzzles on his scroll saw, along with several other members of our booth team.
The prizes provided by all of our patron sponsors were awesome and produced over almost 300 drawing entries. Also, our booth team did an excellent job of engaging with show visitors and getting them into our contest. Hopefully, this will result in new memberships to further enhance guild activities. John Nielsen and his membership committee will be following up with people who entered the drawing.
The programs committee, under Ken Gregg, has been busy planning upcoming programs, starting with a panel presentation on building workbenches at the April meeting.
We are really looking forward to having Roland Johnson conduct the Spring Symposium on April 28-29 at Woodcraft. I attended one of his sessions on sharpening at the Woodworking Show and I thought it was excellent. In fact, it instigated me to order a new honing guide and buy a package of graded sandpaper on my way back to our booth. You can tell that I’m a sharpening novice, but that presentation was just what I needed.
Once again, be sure to sign up for the Spring Symposium before the seats are gone. Guild and SAPFM members get preferential registration, but the room is limited to 70 people, so don’t get blocked out if you really want to attend.
Work safely and keep the dust out of your lungs!
The Wood Show - 2018
By John Champion
As Gary Fader mentioned in his President's letter, we had a great presence at the Woodworking Show this year. The demonstrations of some select woodworking skills we had going on drew lots of attention to the booth, and our team did an excellent job of engaging people to talk about the Guild. The patron sponsor drawing event was quite popular and thanks to Tom Melcher for all his work in lining up over $3,400 in prizes! Tom also loaned us his large and heavy workbench, which was a great cornerstone to our booth for demonstrations.
Anchoring the other cornerstone of our booth was Ted Baldwin who demonstrated cutting parts on his miter saw and making mats and jewelry items. Ted worked every day of the show and has very generously done this for many years. As usual, there was a steady crowd of people hanging around to watch Ted work.
In between these corners we had our drawing display and the Guild project competition.
We had a total of 20 project items from Guild members on display: 14 of these were for the competition in the Craftsman and Masters categories and six additional items were for display only. Our winners this year were:
Craftsman division:
1st place ribbon - Roger Moister - Federal Side Table
2nd place ribbon - Mark Haugland - Small Box
3rd place ribbon - Gary Fjeld - Toy Excavator
Masters division:
1st place ribbon - Ken Slaughter - Dovetail Box
2nd place ribbon - Gary Fader - Woody Wagon
3rd place ribbon - Ken Slaughter - Vase
Woodworkers' Guild of GA
Annual Spring Symposium
April 28 - 29
Symposium Reminder - Registration opened to the public on April 1st, so if you plan to attend, be sure to register ASAP, as seating is limited.
Well-known Woodworker and teacher Rollie Johnson
will be presenting his woodworking knowledge and numerous techniques at the Guild Annual Spring Symposium to be held on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Woodcraft in Roswell.
Show 'N Tell
Kevin Wood brought three large cherry bowls that he turned from wood from a tree trunk. They were Calabash style bowls. A Calabash bowl features a round bottom and is typically turned from green wood so that it warps slightly, imitating traditional bowls made from gourds in the Pacific Islands.
Nell Rogers made some cutting boards of contrasting woods put together in a wavy pattern of alternating colors. She constructed them
by using double-stick tape to layer two boards of different colors and band sawing them while taped together. She then glued alternating colors of wood together. She warned against sanding the edges. Just glue them together.
Art Sanders made a 17 inch wide pizza peel — to handle pizzas on his Big Green Egg. It was made of alternating strips of tiger maple and walnut. The handle was flat on the bottom in order to be able to lay it flush on a cabinet top
Bring Your Project(s) to share
at the April 9th Meeting.
Turners' Group
The "3rd Monday" Turners' Group will meet on April 16th 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
Monday, April 9
Monthly Meeting Woodcraft - Roswell 7:00 PM
Workbench Options and Design
Monday, April 16
Turners' Group Rockler - Kennesaw 6:30 PM
April 27 - 29
Guild Annual Spring Symposium
featuring Rollie Johnson
Woodcraft - Roswell 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Both Days
Saturday, May 19
Members Day & Tool Swap
Peach State Lumber - Kennesaw
Note: No Monthly Meeting in May
Monday, June 11
Monthly Meeting Woodcraft - Roswell 7:00 PM
Edge Gluing
August 22-25
International Woodworking Fair Convention and Trade Show
World Congress Center - Atlanta (Biennial Visit)
Free Demonstrations
Rockler 6690 Roswell Road / Sandy Springs
&
425 Ernest Barrett Pkwy / Kennesaw
April 7: 11:00 Table Saw Techniques
April 14: 11:00 Bosch Moto Saw Demo
April 21: 11:00 Template Routing
April 28: 11:00 Downdraft Table
Woodcraft 8560 Holcomb Bridge Road / Roswell
April 7: 1:00 Hand Tools
April 14: 1:00 Router Basics
April 21: 1:00 Cutting Boards
April 28: 1:00 Outdoor Finishes
May 5:
1:00 Router Bits and Blades
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
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