Mark's Musings

Mark Bronkalla

Administrative details

This month I was hit with lots of questions regarding guild practices and policies. While I have been a member for the last two years there were lots of questions that I had either shoved aside personally or did not even think to ask. So, here are a number questions an answers in no particular order:
Spouse membership – Spouses are welcome at meetings without needing to be members or being restricted to one meeting per year as are regular guests. The general thought is, we want to encourage this as a family activity. For workshops, the space is generally limited, so if spouses want to come for these they will generally be charged for attending. So bring your spouse. They will see that you are not the only one saying things like “Every project requires a tool”, “You can never have too many clamps”, “He who dies with the most lumber wins”, “I need just one more plane..”, “ I just need you to help for a few minutes” (also known as the “human out-feed table” or “clamping helper” story), etc.

Log fest

This is still in the planning stages. It will be a full day session this fall. Bringing logs to donate or to have sawn. The idea is to be able to rent a portable sawmill and operator for the day and see how much we can get sawn up. Donations of logs to the guild will get auctioned off. From what I hear, this is a great way to get lumber cheap. Start thinking of what logs you can bring and also look at them critically. Embedded metal is hard on blades and the individual will be responsible for the cost of re-sharpening if the blade is damaged. Maximum log size / weight is currently unknown.
Keeping with this being a group activity I am hoping that we can get people lined up for the whole day. There will be plenty to do with hauling, selecting, stacking and loading / unloading. It should be a picnic lunch or maybe we can line up a couple of grills for hot food (volunteers needed).
Help and items needed: Trucks, logs, log cants and other tools for moving / lifting, metal detectors (wand type), moisture meter(s), grill(s) and more. If you can think of more items to bring or wish to sign up for a specific duty, we will be compiling lists over the summer.

Q&A (Question and Answer) Sessions.

This is a new meeting feature (at least as a formal topic). There are really two parts. First is during the set-up / gathering part of the meeting. Bring in your questions / or project with questions and ask for answers. For project related items we will try to come up with answers from the group present. If the answers are not forthcoming or if the broader group needs to hear the questions, then we will present them to the group during the meeting. This will usually be done after the board notices, reports, etc. Come see me or any of the board members (red shirts) with your question for the group. Also let us know if you want to come up to ask / present the question. Having you come up with your question is recommended since there are usually more questions about specifics from the group as we search for answers.
The answers to last meeting’s question of: “Where to buy 12000 (yes, twelve thousand ) grit sanding disks” included suggestions to look into auto body finishing supply, lapidary supply and metal finishing / polishing. I did a web search and it turned up: http://www.cometobuy.com/elitefin/Micro_Mesh.asp?number=30 in addition to others among model building and luthier (stringed instrument builder) suppliers.

Current projects (a.k.a. Brag Table)

Everyone is invited to bring in examples of current work, either completed or mid-way through. The brag table is a chance to exchange ideas and have everyone ooh and aah over your handiwork. There are lots of interesting items ranging in size from hand held puzzles up to significant pieces of furniture. This is great for the ego plus helps find others in the group with common interests.
(In addition, if you bring something to the Brag Table, you will get one free raffle ticket for each ticket bought. Ed)
Once you have fun with bringing in items for the brag table, you may very well want to move up to doing a short presentation at the annual “show and tell” meeting. Show and tell is every July. Projects range from jigs and techniques up through showing your project in the parking lot (boats don’t fit inside). Show and tell is a normally a 10-15 minute verbal presentation.

Tool swap.

We are bringing this one back this year. It will be the first part of the July meeting and we will start a bit “early”. Emphasis is to be on hand and portable power tools.

Donations

We have had several generous inquiries about donations. This is very welcome, however, while we are a non-profit organization, therefore for tax purposes, we are not charitable. This means that donations to the guild are not tax deductible. Take a look at the write-ups for the upcoming meetings and workshops / classes. We have some very good topics coming up. Sign up early, as space is often limited.

String inlay class

Scott Stanwyck and I will be teaching a string inlay class on April 12th. This is primarily for those who took either of the two veneering workshops and have not yet finished the tables. Others will be welcome on a space available basis. Class limit is 10 people. Cost is $45. Location is Scott’s shop.
I will also be teaching an epoxy inlay class this fall, so there will be more chances to learn inlay techniques.

Board Briefs

Jeffrey M. Nebel

Secretary:

Minutes of the January 16th board meeting were accepted as written. The board approved renewal of the Guild’s insurance with Rural Mutual due March 8th. The President requested a copy of the policy to review.

Treasurer:

Liz Rohde distributed a check register report showing a treasury balance of $8,358.11 on 2/10/03. She also distributed a summary report on workshop income versus expenses for the past year or so.

Programs/Workshops:

Liz Rohde and Mary Anderson have been searching for a location for the holiday party, since Panos has a 100 person minimum and the Guild’s smaller membership than in the past foretells that number is unlikely to be met. Dick Yezek reported no sign-ups for the cane footstool workshop and four members for the Finish and Touchup workshop. It was agreed Finish and Touchup needs to be promoted as we have an out-of-town person scheduled for it. There are also four sign-ups so far for the follow-up workshop to finish the last Bill Hull table. It is set for April 12th at a price of $45.00, but a sign-up sheet is needed for the next meeting. Mark Bronkalla’s suggestion about having a tool sale in conjunction with the Show and Tell meeting was approved.

Exhibits:

Don Berger provided a copy of a contract draft to the president for the Lutheran College event. So far there are 60 pieces committed by 28 members for this event. There are 38 members signed up to help at the Woodworking Show. Letters will be sent out this week to them outlining details and work schedule. A placard with Guild information will be displayed. The Guild will have a double booth with six tables. Ron Hinderman is constructing shelving for the displays and showed a sample to the board. Si Farmer suggested the pictures of Guild activities to be displayed at the show should encompass more than just toys like last year. He will provide pictures of other Guild activities from his collection.

Publications:

Si Farmer asked if there should be pictures of the board members on the web. It was decided to not do that. Si reported the trifolds are done, as is the 2003 membership directory which includes 158 members. The 2003 Calendar is also done and will be distributed at the next meeting. It does not include a program for September, which is still not determined. Si has the latest Guilded Tongue certificates done. This led to a discussion about appropriate rewards for Guild members giving a program. The decision for now is to offer a certificate of appreciation. Si reported that James Pozorski donated books to the Guild with a specified monetary value. It was agreed “someone” should help the librarian determine which ones should be incorporated into the library. Si will write an article in the next newsletter reminding members they need to have their membership card with them to receive a discount from the Friends of the Guild vendors; apparently there have been a lot of former members still trying to claim the discount. Si distributed lists of program suggestions and volunteers for 2003. He also distributed comments from the 2002 renewals, since there were only two comments on the 2003 renewals.

Toys:

Ron Hinderman reported a donation of wood was received for the toy program. He has purchased 250 two-inch wheels.

Old Business:

Ron Hinderman reported Bruce Bogust needed a check for $450 to move ahead with 30 aprons at a cost of $15.00 each. They will be sold for $28.00 and their availability for the Woodworking Show was uncertain.

New Business:

Ken Raasch requested the Board consider purchasing a $25.00 advertisement in a local school basketball tournament. The board agreed to try this to see of there was any value. This type of ad purchase will be limited to one per calendar quarter to prevent any potential cost runaways. Si will get a copy-ready ad to Ken by the deadline of 2/14/03.

Board Meeting:

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be on Thursday, March 13th, 7:00 pm. It will be in the library of Faith United Church of Christ, 4240 N 78th Street, Milwaukee. The library is located on the north side of the building, next to the parking lot.

Program

March Program

Deck Construction, Materials and Finishingdeck

Wednesday, March 5, will be our regular monthly meeting. The featured presentation on that evening will be the topic of Deck Construction, Materials and Finishing. It will be presented by one of our knowledgeable members, Carl Widder.
Carl will be discussing deck construction, including footings, fastners, and bracing techniques to use. He will talk about the various types of materials that can be used for decking, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. He will also address finishing products and maintenance to keep your investment sound and looking good year after year with the least amount of work to do this properly. Just in time to start planning your summer project.

Guild Calender

March


Raffle

Alan Clapp


David Schramke and Lenard Mumm were the winners of the woodworking clamps last month. Ray Terry and Jeff Zimmer took home the consolation prizes.
The March raffle prize has been donated by Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. The prize is a Rockler Sure-Loc Miter Gauge. This miter gauge has a number of unique features including a set of interlocking teeth that provide a positive lock in 11/2 degree increments. As many of us know, Rockler offers a full line of hardware, tools, wood, plans and finishing supplies as well as a knowledgeable staff to help you with your next woodworking project.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is located at 845 North Mayfair Road Milwaukee, WI 774-1882.


Reflections

Liz Rohde

Jerry Our February meeting was special for me because one of our own was the speaker. And he was the one who taught me how to do open segment turning. Jerry Tackes is one of the founding fathers of the guild and a true craftsman. And he has displayed many of his beautiful projects at our meetings.
Jerry has been woodworking for 25 years in his basement shop. He also enjoys intarsia and scroll sawing. He built his kitchen cabinets and made his own wainscot. All this talent with no formal training! Jerry’s presentation was on open segment turning. He made a breath-taking Leaky Urn just for our meeting. This allowed him to give a step-by-step explanation of how it was constructed. (The full presentation is on our web page.) The major tools he uses for segment turning are a table saw, jointer, thickness planer, lathe and a CAD program on his PC. Jerry stressed the importance of accuracy in the details and a light, delicate touch when turning.

Design Considerations

A BIG thanks to Jerry for a wonderful and very informative evening. And a personal thank you for getting me started in segmented turning.

bowl small walnut bowl










Special Features

W W G Exhibit

May 30 - June 28, 2003
Wisconsin Lutheran College Art Gallery
8815 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Wauwatosa, WI

All members are invited to participate. The Grand Opening is scheduled for Friday evening, May 30, 2003. Sign-up for the show will be still be available at the regular Guild meeting in March. Sign-up by mail will be accepted anytime before March 15th, 2003. Please send a photo of each piece to be submitted to Don Berger, N65 W35097 Road J, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. Photos must be received by April 1, 2003. The photos will be returned after the show. Show pieces should be delivered to the Gallery Building on Saturday, May 24th. The after-show pick-up date is Saturday, June 28th. (Please indicate the monetary value of each piece that you submit so the College can arrange for proper insurance coverage for the show. Ed.)


Book Donation


It was recently brought to the attention of the editor that one of our members, James Pozorski, had donated 29 books to the Guild library. We express our thanks to him for the gift of books. A recent decision of the Board of Directors was to not purchase any books that cost less than $40. The reasoning behind this action was that individual members could afford to buy the less expensive books, but would be less likely to buy one that cost much more. The library exists to enable the members to further their knowledge about all aspects of woodworking. Some members in the past have donated $$ to enable the Guild to make more expensive reference books. In addition, the Guild has spent thousands of dollars (of your money) to stock the Guild library!
The librarian, Pat Kashmerick, and her committee will be reviewing the usage of current books/videos with the intent to remove those items that are not being withdrawn from the library and replace them with more recent selections.
Please remember to promptly return the items you have borrowed from the Library. Another person is perhaps waiting for that selection(s).

toys toys toys

Ron Hinderman


Let’s start collecting dolls, teddy bears , Etc NOW so as we have an abundance at the Holiday Season Dinner Party. Try Goodwill, St. Vincent’s, garage sales, and rummage sales for good clean dolls, & Teddy Bears. Let’s get started on those toys since the weather is bad outside, this way you’ll have a head start for the fall and it won’t be a rush job to get the toys done, then, in the spring you can work on your garden, go camping, or go to a Brewers game, If you wish, you’ll have time to play golf with your buddies too!
If you need, wood, wheels plans or advice, please feel free to ask me or or email < ronhw@milwpc.com>
Thank you


‘Friends of the Guild’ Purchases

We are fortunate to have several vendors extending our Guild members a courtesy discount on purchases. They have been informed that any of our currently registered members will have a current registration card. Please have your card ready if you expect to make a purchase from any of them. Don’t expect any vendor to take your word that you are a current member of the Guild.

20 Reasons to Buy Wood

(From San Diego Fine Woodworking Association Newsletter)


1. Because it’s on sale.
2. Somebody else might get it.
3. The economy - think of al the lumbermen, mills, yards, and haulers depending on you.
4. It’s pretty.
5.Whoever dies with the best (largest, rarest, most exotic) collection wins.
6. Because you deserve it.
7. The Big One might hit and swallow up all the yards.
8. It smells good. Usually.
9. An attack of some horrid pest might kill all the trees at any moment.
10. It’s cheaper and more fun than a shrink.
11. A couple hundred pounds of turning block in the trunk is a prudent measure in case roads turn icy.
12. It isn’t illegal, immoral, or fattening.
13. It’s a good investment. No mater what it costs. No matter if your survivors will probably sell it for a buck a board after you’re gone.
14. It’s a good insulation for the shop wall.
15. It gives you a good excuse to move the washer, dryer, storage boxes, and any and all other non-wood processing items out of the garage.
16. To get even with our wife for____________.
17. You don’t have any of that kind yet.
18. It doesn’t need refrigeration, cooking, feeding, walking, wiping, watering, mowing or tuning.
19. It gives you a feeling of worth and power when you
survey your stash all collected in your shop, even if you’re completely befuddled trying to think of anything to build with it.
20. You Need it ! ! !