Mark's Musings
Mark Bronkalla
December meeting and toy drive
The December meeting was a lot of fun. There was a wide array of toys
both in quantity and in types of toys. I really enjoyed the more social
meeting, having a chance to talk with more members in depth. With the start
of the “woodworking season” for many of us, a number of folks seemed to be
excited about new and upcoming projects.
I delivered some of the toys to Elkhorn and they are extremely appreciative
of the toys.
New Publicity Committee Chairperson
Jerry Kachmerick is our new publicity chairman. His new year will start
off with a bang as the Wood Working Show is coming to town in February
and we should be exhibiting there as usual.
Toy chairpersons needed
We are still looking to successors for Ron Hinderman as our toy chair.
This really should be split into two parts. I envision that one half gathers
parts, toys, donations and the other half does the announcements, sets
up the workshops, etc. These roles are still available for tweaking to
fit the skills of the new chairpersons.
March veneering presentation and workshop
Bill Hull is coming again. Not only are his workshops incredibly educational
and fun, but we are also adding him to the March Guild meeting. This WILL
be a lot of fun and educational as well. Look for the new calendar of meetings
and activities. I mention this one specifically since it is one of my favorites
and the workshop is our most expensive one. This helps allow some time
for budgeting.
In the shop
Well, I got the doll cradles done in time for the meeting. Contrary to
popular belief, I even had some time to spare (last coat touch ups sprayed
Monday morning). This year I used Danish oil and Shellac for the finish.
The oil can be applied in the morning and the shellac can go on that same
night. A light sanding at 320 grit and then a final spray coat and they
were done.
In the process of doing the doll cradles, several minor issues on the
shop got resolved. Doing this small amount of production showed up some issues
as well as unfinished projects.
Contrary to last month’s news letter, I did finally decide to get the
jointer running before doing the cradles. With the 3rd motor on and running,
and the cutter head shimmed into alignment, and the power feeder mounted,
and dust collector hooked up, I was ready for fresh lumber. The wood for
the cradles was almost all rough sawn and some of it was “interesting” with
wild grain, knots and warping. The new (100 year old) jointer made short
work of it. This old cast iron monster now works great and has more capacity
than I could have afforded in a new machine (16” wide cut, 88” bed, 3
HP).
My old circle cutting jig had gotten chewed up with the cradle rockers
last year (rockers are a 10” radius and ht ends are 12”). I made a new
adjustable jig using some T slot extrusions that I bought last year at
the woodworker’s show and had not gotten around to using. The bottom piece
of the jig slides on the band saw miter slot and holds the cross slide
for the adjustment. A couple of top pieces were made out of MDF scraps to
hold the cradle parts. The top pieces pivot on a 5/16 aluminum stand-off
(check the little bins at the hardware store).
After band sawing the parts, they need to be sanded. This normally had
been done by clamping several pieces together and then running them on
the belt sander. There would still be some piece to piece inconsistencies
with this method. Looking at the back of my Delta belt sander, I saw a
number of tapped holes. I then mounted a piece of plywood on the sander
with one of the spacers at the right height to act as the pivot for the
circle cutting jig. Now the circle cutting jigs can hold the pieces for
sanding as well! Just be sure to feed the piece against the rotation of
the belt. Feeding with the belt results in over feeding and flinging the
stock (no major damage). To hold the pieces more securely, sandpaper and
DeStaCo clamps are a worthwhile addition. I have a couple that I just move
from jig to jig.
Now I have a much more repeatable process. It is pretty goof proof as
well. My son David was much happier sanding this way.
I have a Record #60 _ low angle block plane that I used for trimming
and edge round over. It works well at times, but always seemed to go out
of adjustment. The problem is that the blade is significantly narrower than
the mouth opening. The gap totals over 1/8” . I borrowed a trick from the
Lee Valley Veritas planes. On each side of the mouth, about _” in, I drilled
and tapped for a 4-40 set screw. These are inserted and adjusted for a sliding
fid with on each side of the blade. The blade now stays centered and is much
easier to adjust laterally.
The next thing was that I finally finished my router table fence. It
had lacked the clamps to hold it to the table top. I had just used large
bar clamps, but they were a real pain to adjust and would sometimes slip.
I also fitted the dust collection port.
Board Briefs
No Board meeting.
Program
January Program
Date: January 7, 2004
Event: Regular Monthly Guild Meeting
Topic: Finishes
Presenter: Tom Monahan
Location: Faith United Church of Christ
4240 North 78th Street, Milwaukee, WI
Time: 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Sponsor: Kevin Seigworth
Fee: None – First time guests welcome
Comments:
This program includes a general discussion about finishes. This is a
wide open session with Tom and your questions will shape the discussion.
Come and get your questions on finishes answered.
Tom owned a restoration business in Milton, WI for 9 years. He sold the
business and went to work for a finish manufacturer in Madison. He has been
working in finish manufacturing since 1990. Tom developed water base stains
and numerous other product lines for 3 manufacturers. He has been with General
Finishes since 1994. General Finishes manufactures and sells the SEALACELL
and Arm-R-Seal products in New Berlin, WI.
Reflections
Holiday Party
Dick Butula
This year the Guild Holiday Party changed locations. It was held at
Mykonos Restaurant in West Allis. The 69 members and guests all seemed
to have a good time. Members brought in 1,200 toys, which were proudly
displayed. What a joyous sight to see all the time, talent and effort that
went into making so many different types of toys. They should surely bring
big smiles to many children’s faces this Christmas.
Many thanks go to the members wives and friends that contributed
dolls and made the dolls clothes, blankets and pillows for the cradles.
Some little girls should be made a little bit happier this Christmas.
Liz Rohde, Mary Anderson and their families made the table decorations.
They consisted of a half of saw blade coming through a zero clearance plate
and cutting a piece of wood, and were adorned with other Christmas decorations..
The Woodworker of the Year Award was presented to Don Berger. His
first word was WOW. He had not expected this award but was very proud to
be included in the list of previous recipients.
Awards of appreciation for their help at Logfest were also given
to Ron Hinderman, Jay Pilling, George Henderson, Ken Bahr and Bill Smeaton.
The Awards were very appropriately slices of logs engraved with their name
and the activity.
The members that made toys and were at the party also received awards.
They included Ed Cessna, Gerald Claussen, Jack Whitstone, and Ron Hinderman.
Those that also made toys but were not at the party will receive their
awards at a future Guild meeting.
The raffle prize purchased by the Guild and announced in the October
& November RIPSAW’s was a Black & Decker 16” Variable speed Scroll
Saw. Chris Kraemer from Woodcraft also donated a Porter Cable router kit.
The first raffle ticket drawn had their choice of the two prizes. Sherri
Hinderman chose the router kit. (Guess what Ron is getting for Christmas).
The second winner was Don Berger who got the scroll saw. (Quite a night
for Don.)
At the end of the dinner the toys were gathered and distributed on
seven tables for each one of the women’s shelters that will be receiving
them. As we have heard at previous meetings, these toys are so greatly
appreciated. This should make for many warm hearts, theirs and ours.
Band Saw Jewelry Box Workshop
Leila Crandall-Frink
I was lucky to be able to attend the band saw box workshop held in
November by our Guild. It was taught by guild members Ron Hinderman and
Don Berger. They did a wonderful job of walking the 12 members present
through making the beautiful box. I will report the steps to complete
the box and will give you enough pictures to see the process.
The steps:
1. Glue up a block of wood to be approximately 10 in by 4 in by 6.75
in. We came with this part already complete. (It was interesting to see
the beautiful combinations of wood.)
2. Traced the basic design onto the wooden block. (Some people came
prepared and lightly glued the design on.)
3. Cut the basic shape out of the wood. The bottom side was supposed
to be already squared to the table so we only had to cut the outline of the
box, which was oval.
4. Cut the back 1/4th in off of the basic box shape.
5. Cut the inside shapes of the drawers out and remove them from the
block.
6. Sand the inside and outside of the basic box at this time to make
access for sanding easier.
7. Glue the back of the box onto the box shape. You should only glue
on the outside parts of the shape and not the inside drawer support. It
needs to be kept loose so the drawers slide easily.
8. Cut the back and front of the drawers off. Don had premade jigs to
clamp to the band saw so we got the right dimension to saw off, for the
back 1/4th in and front 3/8th in.
9. Cut out the inside holes of the drawers. Sanding can be done while
it is open, but it is not necessary to sand the inside drawers as they
get covered.
10. Glue the back and front of the drawers back on and clamp while drying.
Sand until smooth.
11. Finish the box with 3 layers of desired finish.
12. Flock the inside of the drawers, or cover with sticky back felt or
velvet. (Available at craft or fabric stores.)
The entire process was not at all too difficult. It did however
require a tuned up band saw and a blade that was perpendicular to the bed
of the saw. Our group members were gracious in assisting the Woodcraft
shop in tuning and setting up the saws we were using. Everyone who attended
left with a beautiful box, nearly finished. And our thanks to Don and Ron
for a great workshop!!
Tuning the Bandsaw
Basic Design
Begining Cut
Cutting Inside
Clamping
Sanding
Finished Box
CLASSIFIED
For Sale
Delta 16" bandsaw with extra blades and accessories. $275 Brian
Halligan