Mark's Musings
Mark Bronkalla
Meeting:
It was nice to have John Petrovic come back for his hand plane
demonstration. You can tell he has taught various aspects of the plane
use and tuning numerous times. While hand plane use may seem basic,
efficient and repeatable hand plane use is not. John had quite a number
of useful tips and techniques. The one that I filed away in the “I wish
I had thought of it category” was the beveled and painted winding
sticks. More than once I have stared and squinted truing to figure out
what I was looking at. His tip will be a big help in the future.
We will be going back to starting the announcements at
6:45. It seems that they are taking longer each time and I am starting
to cut into our presenter‚s time.
Demonstration workbench:
Does anyone have a workbench that they can bring for use at meetings
that have demonstrations? Bruce Bogust used to bring his when needed.
Unfortunately he has moved to a warmer climate and we need someone else
to pitch in.
Mine is a bit heavy to bring very often. Hauling it up and
down the stairs is a bit hard. Whether you can do it on a regular basis
or want to offer its use for a specific meeting, any help will be
appreciated. Especially if you have a home made bench, it is a chance
to show off your workmanship and also share the likes / dislikes of the
design. Let Ken Bahr or Kevin Seigworth (or others on the Program /
Workshop Committee) know if you can help out.
Committees:
Jeff Nebel has added the job of Facilities Chairman to his other
duties. He will be organizing the setup and tear down of the
meetings. If you can come a bit early or stay a bit late to help
out, let Jeff know. We have had a good number of folks helping out and
hopefully his role is more of a „organizer / traffic cop‰ than a
hauler.
By popular request, we are gearing more of our meetings to
demonstration type topics. As such, we...will need some more help in
getting them set-up and cleaned up.
In the shop work continues on the dresser / wardrobe that I am
building. This was the first time I had applied cockbeading to the
openings. The cockbead is 3/16 in. thick and has a round bead profile
on the front edge. The bead strips are ripped and then rounded on the
router table. Using a feather board to hold the pieces down is the key
to getting a nice even edge. It also helps to keep my fingers away from
the cutter when feeding these small pieces. The pieces are cut to fit
in the openings and have mitered corners. To help ensure a nice gap
free corner joint the sides are cut first and set in place and the top
and bottom pieces are ‘sprung’ in. They are cut just slightly
long so that there is about a 1/8 1/4in.bow when initially
fit in. When the bow is pressed out this closes the joint nicely.
The drawers are all made and fitted. The door is complete
as well. It was made as a frame and panel piece with 4 panels. The door
panels are resawn to provide a book-matched look. The first piece
I cut was a bit uneven and as I was taking it down to thickness in the
planer, it shattered (yes, I should have used the drum sander). The
second piece tried turned out to be surprisingly spectacular. It is ash
and I chose the piece for the curl figure around a knot. It also has a
nearly birds-eye type figure mixed in as well. ing week . A few good
articles on building your own phase converter are:
The knot was cut out as it landed where the horizontal divider is
located. It is interesting as this also gives the door a look of almost
having a 4 way match.
I am also in the first phase of rebuilding my shaper. My
shaper is a home built unit. It originally had a salvaged 1.5 HP DC
motor. This was never quite enough power for my liking on the shaper.
That motor was taken off and used on my new lathe (also home built).
This left the shaper without a motor. New 3-5HP reversible motors are
expensive. I have a 5HP TEFC 3 phase motor that was laying
around. I decided to make a phase converter for it from scratch. The
start and run capacitors are from www.surplus center.com. This is where
I also had purchased the variable speed control assembly for the lathe.
Hopefully this will get completed in the coming week . A few good
articles on building your own phase converter are:
<http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/projects/phconv/phconv.html>
and <http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/ph-conv/ph-conv.html>
As one improvement always seems to beget another, I also
partially rewired the shop. The new motor requires 220v and I did
not have any 220 connections on that side of the shop. Both existing
breaker panels were full and I had 2 rather ugly single breaker
disconnects for the band saw and jointer. So, it was time to go and
replace them with a new 12 space sub-panel and clean things up. Now I
have some expansion capacity for a few more tools.
Editorially Speaking
Si Farmer
We’ve got a start into the new year, with grand plans on
the table for enlightening program topics and challenging workshops. If
you look at the Trifolds that project the venue for the year 2000, it
will be apparent to you that a lot of details go into such an ambitious
undertaking. If one person tries to do everything required to bring
these programs/workshops into fruition, he/she will be burned out
before the end of the year. To the contrary, if all these minutiae are
shared with all of the volunteers that have indicated their
willingness, it will not be such a formidable task.
I speak of this ‘sharing’ from experience. Inasmuch as I
was editor of the RIPSAW for 13 + years, I would have been ‘drained’
long years before had it not been for the willing and capable members
of the Publications Committee. Each volunteered to share the
responsibility of getting out each edition of the newsletter and did
his/her task, depending upon the tasks at hand and their talents and/or
equipment. The committee met monthly and had before us a list of items
that had to be considered. Before the meeting was adjourned, each had
chosen an assignment that would eventually lead us to a completed
edition. Some would record the the meeting and write up a ‘Reflection’.
Others would photograph an event. Some would take their turn at
typesetting the edition. And others would get the newsletter printed,
folded, membership roster updated, labeled, stapled, stamped and
mailed. And finally, someone would put the ‘essence’ of the newsletter
on our Web Page. No one — No one, left the meeting without an
assignment!
Such an undertaking would have be depressing and would have led
to burn-out if one individual tried to do all of the work alone. But
when each one did his/her share, it was/is very enjoyable, and each
month an edition got/gets printed and distributed.
Each committee should function in similar fashion. There is
a lot of programs and workshops planned for this year. There are a lot
of details that are required for each of these events. If those members
that have indicated a willingness to share in the work of this
committee does his/her part, this year’s experience will pass without
undue stress on any one individual.
Similarly, there are many details concerned with each of
the committees, i.e. facilities, membership, audiovisual, library,
workshop registration, exhibit/publicity, toys, party, etc.
We now have chairpersons for each of the committees with
the exception of Toys, which was so ably chaired by Ron Hinderman for
quite a few years.
It is the hope of the Board of Directors, and the listed
Chairpersons of the various committees, that those individuals who have
indicated their willingness to serve, as listed on their renewal forms,
will indeed do so and make this good Guild an excellent Guild.
If this Guild does not meet our expectations, we need to
ask ourselves, what could I have done, personally, to help the Guild
meet our expectations.
Board Briefs
FEBRUARY BOARD BRIEFS
Si Farmer
President:
Mark Bronkalla reported that numerous complaints were lodged about
people holding discussions in the back of the room while the Guild
meeting was in session at the last meeting. Jeff Nebel has agreed to
become Facilities Committee Chairman. Logistics of room set up were
discussed. A binder will be put together showing meeting floor layout,
sound system hook-up, library and sign-up stations and other pertinent
information on facilities and meeting set-up The nametag station
will be near the entrance; an opening will be located near the soda
break area. Dick Yezek will secure a new easel for workshop sign
up.
VicePresident:
Dick Yezek reported that when he and Kathie Yezek arrived shortly
before the Guild meetings at the last meeting, no space was available
for the workshop sign-up station A dedicated sign up
station area will be located at the back of the room for future
meetings. He reported nine sign ups for the Bill Hull workshop, with
several more on a “waiting list,” i.e. not yet paid. There are
also 10 so far for the Flexner workshop, with a maximum of 30 expected.
Secretary:
Jeff Nebel reported that the Guild’s insurance, was due March 8th; the
board approved renewal. The Guild’s Non-stock Corporation Report
and filing fee is due March 31st. Jeff will request checks from
Treasurer, Liz Rohde, for both of these items. Two new membership
applications and checks will be mailed to Membership Chairman, Mary
Anderson. Newsletters from other Guilds and Women’s’ Shelters
will be set out at the Guild meetings and then discarded.
Programs / Workshops:
Ken Bahr reported that the next Guild meeting, featuring Bill Hull, is
confirmed to be scheduled for Friday, March 12th (Not the week before,
as published previously). Don Berger is considering another Gilding
workshop at his studio. A workshop may be considered for Old
World Wisconsin on the topic of Old vs Modern Methods of
Woodworking. The Quilt Rack Workshop is still not defined.
A program on Turning was proposed for one of the open months, August or
September. Ken will put together a lists of upcoming programs and
workshops for the woodworking show.
Publications:
Leila Crandall-Frink distributed lists of volunteers by category and
potential program/workshop topics as collected from the latest
membership renewal forms. A write up on the upcoming Bill Hull
program/workshop is needed for the newsletter. The Guild’s
‘business cards’ need to be updated and reprinted.
Promotions:
Mark Ruminski reported local libraries have bulletin boards/enclosed
cases available that make excellent opportunities to promote the
Guild. Currently, three libraries have Guild displays in
process. He distributed a sample letter to be published in the
newsletter to promote finding additional library locations. Small
items are needed for display in the cases. A discussion was held
regarding George Henderson’s 4H woodworking workshops. Liability
concerns have been resolved by using members who have completed the
ROPES training program.
Program
March 2004
Note Day/Date Change !
Event: Regular Membership Meeting, Friday, March 12
Program: Veneering Techniques
Presenter: Bill Hull from Norman, Oklahoma
Place: Faith United Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall
Location: 4240 North 78th Street, Milwaukee
Time: 6:45 - 9:30 pm
Fee: Included in your annual dues.
Comments:
Bill Hull found woodworking as a child through his father’s
woodworking shop. In the early 1980s, he started his own business that
specialized in furniture making and veneering. Hull began teaching
furniture making in the early 1990s, which led him to start a business
with two other woodworkers building furniture for the designer market.
In 1999, he left this business to co-found Patternwork Veneering Inc.,
which specializes in high-end pattern and inlay veneered panels.
Bill will be discussing several veneering methods, such as
matching grains, doing borders, using burls, and other high end
veneering techniques. Bill is a very knowledgeable and interesting
individual, and the program promises a wonderful learning experience as
well as a great time for all.
Event: Workshop (Hands On)
Topic: Veneering
Presenter:Bill Hull from Norman, Oklahoma–
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, March 13 & 14, 2004
Location: Scott Stanwyck’s Studio
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fees: $225.00, (Members only)
Comments: The workshop is a real hands on session. You will be shown
how to fit and apply the veneer and then you will do it. We will be
making a radial match top/field and a mariners star as well as learning
other techniques, including how to work with burls. Emphasis will be on
learning techniques to accurately fit the veneer, create the radial
match, etc.
Registrants will be informed which tools to bring to the
workshop.
Event: Demonstration Workshop
Topic: Rails and Stiles
Presenter: Mark Bronkalla
Date: Tuesday, March 16
Location: Mark Bronkalla’s Studio
Time: 6:30 - 10:00 pm
Maximum Enrollment: 8 (Members only)
Fee: $25.00
Comments: Topics include: machine cut rails and stiles; Plain (square)
rails and stiles on the table saw; Coped rails and stiles on the router
table; Using the natural coped mortise tenons for joints; Making
floating tenons (goof-proofing construction); Use of feather boards. If
time permits: Using long mortise and tenons and ‘Cheater’mortises.
April 2004
Event: General Membership Meeting
Program: Solving Finish Application Problems
Presenter: Bob Flexner, from Norman, Oklahoma
Sponsor: Kevin Seigworth
Date: Friday, April 2, 2004
Location: Faith United Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall, 4240 N. 78th
Street, Milwaukee, WI
Time: 6:45 - 9:30 pm
Fee: None. First time guests welcome.
Comments:
Bob Flexner has written the authoritative and best-selling
finishing book, Understanding Wood Finishing and made two award-winning
videos, Repairing Furniture and Refinishing Furniture. He has
written hundreds of articles on finishing and restoration, including
authoring columns in Woodshop News for the past eleven years and
Popular Woodworking for the past five years. He has also taught several
hundred workshops and seminars, and hosted his own radio call-in show,
The Furniture Workshop.
Bob is probably best known for defining the products used
in wood finishing and organizing them into categories that make them
easily understandable. In the process of doing this, he exposes the
mislabeling practiced by many manufacturers and the misinformation
published in many woodworking books and magazines that are responsible
for making finishing so confusing to many woodworkers.
Event: Workshop
Topic: Finishing Demonstration
Presenter: Bob Flexner from Norman, Oklahoma
Sponsor: Kevin Seigworth
Date: Saturday, April 3, 2004
Location: Sylvan Studio
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Maximum enrollment: 30 (Members Only)
Fee: $50
Materials included in fee: Demo. material and supplies
Equipment to be brought to workshop: None
Comments:
In this workshop Bob will demonstrate the
following
finishing techniques: Apply Oil Finish; Apply Wiping Varnish; Brush
Polyurethane and Clean Brush Spray; Water-Based Finish and Clean Spray
Gun; French Polish; Mix and Apply Water-Soluble Dye Stain; Deal With
Blotching; Fill Pores and finally, Rub Out a Finish
Workshop Name: Bob Flexner Finishing Demonstration
Sponsor: Kevin Seigworth (262-392-5529)
Date: Saturday, April 3, 2004
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Maximum enrollment: 30 members
Fee: $50
Location:Sylvan Studio
Presenter: Bob Flexner
Materials included in fee: Demo. material and supplies
Equipment to be brought to workshop: None
Comments:
Bob Flexner has written the authoritative and best-selling
finishing book, Understanding Wood Finishing and made two award-winning
videos, Repairing Furniture and Refinishing Furniture. He has
written hundreds of articles on finishing and restoration, including
authoring columns in Woodshop News for the past eleven years and
Popular Woodworking for the past five years. He has also taught several
hundred workshops and seminars, and hosted his own radio call-in show,
The Furniture Workshop.
Bob is probably best known for defining the products used
in wood finishing and organizing them into categories that make them
easily understandable. In the process of doing this, he exposes the
mislabeling practiced by many manufacturers and the misinformation
published in many woodworking books and magazines that are responsible
for making finishing so confusing to many woodworkers.
In this workshop Bob will demonstrate the following
finishing techniques: Apply Oil Finish; Apply Wiping Varnish; Brush
Polyurethane and Clean Brush Spray; Water-Based Finish and Clean Spray
Gun; French Polish; Mix and Apply Water-Soluble Dye Stain; Deal With
Blotching; Fill Pores and finally, Rub Out a Finish
Planing Techniques
Liz Rohde
The topic for our February meeting was Planing Techniques.
Our speaker was John Petrovic, a longtime member as well as past
president, workshop presenter and instructor. John has one problem. We
can speak of it openly because John admits to it and his wife is aware.
He has an on going love affair with hand planes. Allow me to elaborate.
John discovered the joy of hand planes when he tried one on
a board and found he could get a beautifully smooth finish. Then
he learned the advantages over the conventional jointers and thickness
planers of today. Hand planes take up less room, are definitely less
noisy and create less dust. You can work on much wider pieces of
wood.
Hand planes are used for truing up a board, thickness
planning, making joints, shaping and finishing. He briefly touched on
the 3 major body types.
Wooden body: They were the first planes made possibly as early as the
15th century. Cast iron: They came into being in the late 19th
century. Leonard Bailey patented most of these, and then Stanley
bought him out. Transitional Body— a combination of wooden body
with a cast iron mechanism.
The three planes John uses to prepare a board are a long
bodied plane, a medium bodied plane and a short-bodied plane. He felt
that the number system used on planes isn’t that relevant.
Long bodied planes are usually called Jointer planes. They are used to
truing the edges for joining and making the surface flat. Scrub planes.
are not in general use today. Previously, they were used to take down
wood quickly. They ‘hog’ the wood. This work is currently performed by
thickness planers. In New England, they are used to put ‘plane marks’
on furniture to give the illusion that the item was ‘hand-made’. Medium
bodied planes or jack planes are used to cut down the high spots.
Small-bodied planes are used for smoothing out the board.
John briefly mentioned the uses for block planes, which are
great on end grain because of the low angle pitch (personally I found
it works great on the face of soft cedar. When I used a jack plane
going with the grain, the grain would rise. But the block plane kept
this in check). He also talked about the shoulder plane, which is used
for fitting tenons and other places where you need to clean up a
shoulder.
John also discussed the use of winding sticks. These are to
two straight sticks, which are laid at each end of the board. Then you
sight down the top of the sticks to see where the twists and turns are.
It helps to see better if one is painted black. He then demonstrated
how to prepare a board. It didn’t take long and it was as smooth as a
baby’s bottom.
John stressed the importance of sharpening the blades. This
takes ‘practice, practice and more practice’ but once you acquire the
feel for it, it’s a snap.
He talked about buying old planes versus new planes.
The old planes are better quality but may need a good clean up and
tuning. They may have parts broken or missing. This can be a problem
because you may not be able to find the proper parts or if you do it
will cost you a lot. New planes for the most part don’t have the
quality unless you buy a Lie-Nielsen. But then you’re talking BIG BUCKS.
John closed the evening by answering questions from
the audience.
Thank you John for a great meeting. Oh by the way, since
the meeting I bought a Shelton #4. My husband wants to thank you, John.
(Private joke?, Ed.)
THANK YOUs
Dear Bob and Woodworkers,
Thank you so much for your donation of beautiful wooden toys.
The effort and dedication of those involved in your organization is
truly remarkable. These are fabulous gifts and works of art. This is
truly a blessing for al involved! Your kindness and generosity are
appreciated by the individuals who utilize our services.
We are grateful for your care and concern for victims of
domestic and sexual violence and your willingness to reach out to help.
Your support encourages them as they work to build brighter futures for
themselves and their families. It is so important for all involved to
know that there are members of the community committed to helping the
people who seek our assistance. They are able to accomplish many goals
knowing that here are people, like yourself, who truly care.
Thank you again for your generous donation, and we look forward
to your continued support. Please extend our appreciation to all those
involved in this wonderful effort. We wish you a peaceful holiday
season.
The toys were simply beautiful!:)
Fai DeMark, Exec. Director
Advocates of Ozaukee
Dear Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild,
Thank you very much for your generous donation of toys. Many of
the toys were enjoyed by the kids in the children’s group for their
holiday party. They love that the toys were made by hand with such
kindness. Your toys bring such joy to the children in our program.
Thank you for all your time and hard work.
Sincerely,
Lindsay Peterson
Child, Adult Advocate
Association for the Prevention of Family Violence
Elkhorn, WI
Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild
Dear Mr. Hinderman and Friends,
Thank you so much for your recent in-kind gift of wooden
toys and dolls valued at $2,500 to the Women’s Center. As you know our
organization relies on you to continue our work. Your donation will go
a long way in helping us to continue our mission to provide safety to
women and their families and to facilitate their development.
....Our goal is to continue to provide high-quality
programs and services with a strong emphasis on prevention and breaking
the cycle of violence, until violence is no longer prevalent in our
society. With your gift, we are able to continue this important work.
Again, on behalf of the Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, and
especially the clients of The Women’s Center, thank you for your
donation and dedication to our mission.
Gratefully yours,
Marie F Kingsbury, Exec. Dir.
The Women’s Center
Mr. John Breckenridge
Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild
Dear John,
Thank you for our thoughtful donation of wooden toys to
Sojourner Trust House. You have touched the victims of domestic
violence and their children, bringing them hope. Please be assured that
your gifts are needed and will be put to good use by the families we
serve
We are grateful for our compassionate concern and spirit of
kindness. Wishing you peace this holiday season,
Kathie Stolpman, Exec. Dir.
Sojourner Trust House
CLASSIFIED
For Sale
Delta 16" bandsaw with extra blades and accessories. $225 Brian
Halligan