SPLINTERS

SEP, 1987

 

 

THE TENNESSEE VALLEY WOODWOPKERS

 

 

Some of our friends at the Decherd Arts and Crafts show may not have had a chance to get acquainted with our woodworking club, so here’s a  bit of  introduction. We started  the club in late 1985 for those in our area who shared a common interest in woodworking.  Our goals are to increase fellowship among woodworkers, develop programs which make members aware of successful techniques and products, participate in community activities where our hobby can provide a service, and have fun while we learn more about this very interesting pastime.

 

We have participated in Winchester Olde Timey Days, Arts and Crafts shows, and Toys For Tots programs in both Tullahoma and Winchester. Our ages vary from some young members in Jr. High to quite a few  retired folks. We have members from Normandy, Tullahoma, Huntland, Winchester, and everywhere in between. Membership is not restricted by county or even state! Some of our wives are also very active: Susan Church, our President’s wife recently placed higher than her husband in a club woodworking show (Tom still pouts on occasion)! Our “show and tell” programs bring out the best and worst in us as we show successes as well as some not so successful ventures—we learn from both!!

 

We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at the Duck River Electric building in Decherd at 7:00.  Meetings usually last

about an hour but, depending on the program can sometimes go a bit longer. Please stop in and visit us at a meeting, even if you don’t decide to join, we’d still like to get to know you.

 

 

THE AUGUST MEETING WAS MUSIC TO OUP EARS

 

 

Those members and spouses who attended the August meeting were treated to a great program. Mr. Paul Pyle discussed many of the fine points of building a dulcimer. His description of the heredity of the instrument and the lessons he learned by making more than 1500 of these unique instruments over the past 15 years or so was facinating. For those of us who might be tempted to make a dulcimer or similar instrument, Paul’s success at cutting the curved sides rather than steaming them to shape is a point to remember. He passed out so many tips I can’t possibly relate them. To cap off his great program, Paul played a few tunes on two of the finished dulcimers he brought with him. It was truly great. Thanks a lot Paul. Oh, for those who might want to know more about dulcimers or the re-saw bandsaw Paul has for sale, contact Paul through Jack Townsend. It was great to see all the club members and spouses at the meeting: spouses, children, and other guests are always welcome at our meetings.

 

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

 

 

For the past two months, our jovial President, Tom Church and his faithful companion Susan have put out the newsletter. Many thanks for a terrific job. If anyone else would like to try your hand at an issue or even and article, let me (Joe Pawlick) know. I assure you I won’t be insulted!

 

I did find one note on the computer that must be left over from Tom: “you are not a carpenter until you’ve run one finger through the saw: if you run too many fingers through the saw, you’re not a carpenter.” OUCH!!

 

SUCH A BUSINESS CARD

 

 

At the August meeting our logo design was approved. A hand plane with our club name in block letters was selected. Tom Church is going to get an illustrator to draw it up, Howard Colson will photograph it, and it will be taken to a printer— probably Daniels in Winchester. It was also agreed to put the logo on caps for sale to club and non—club members. They will be available at our September meeting and in time for the Decherd Arts and Crafts show, September 19, & 20th. We also discussed business cards with the club logo. It was decided that anyone who wanted to order cards can contact the printer directly and pick out their own format and color. Tom has given me some more information on the cards and hats: cards will be about $3.00 per 100 and hats will be from $3 to $5 per head. There was no fee for the graphic logo design. The printer was able to do all of the graphics as part of the photo work.

 

Be the first in your neighborhood to give Tom a call and place your order for our very own, collector quality, low fat, no chloresteral, EPA approved, Tennessee Valley Woodworker hats and cards

 

INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT  INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

In the article about beginning woodworkers we published last month was a quick quip about conflicting “helpful” information of the kind we all have received as we grow our woodworking hobby. It reminded me of many similar situations we have all found ourselves in when we tackle a new job or try out a new hobby. I recently found myself installing a new dishwasher for my parents. When I went to hook up the water I found all soldered connections. At one hardware store I was given instructions on how to sweat on the new pipes, at another I was told to use compression fittings, still another suggested flexible plastic pipe, and the place that had all the pieces I needed offered only grunts as instructions.

 

Similarly when I first took up gardening and planted my first fruit trees, the conflicting information was more plentiful than produce! Plant at this time, prune this way was very clear in one “tome” and was completely contradicted in another authoritative book. What does all this have to do with woodworking?  I seem to have run into a lot of conflicting information lately and I’m sure that other newcomers to our hobby have also. Since I’ve messed up more than my fair share of projects, I almost feel like an authority.

 

First, do the instructions really conflict or are they solving one problem while you really have another? Second, since you didn’t have the proper material, did you make some “small” substitutions? Third, was the author carried away with his/her

 own brilliance? I can usually figure which of these reasons fit my failure just about the time I’m feeding my project into the fireplace.

Enough of the problem — oh sage, how about solutions!! How’s this for starters, pick the process and stick with that one until you’re finished. If you decide to try Homer Formbys famous paint removal process, don’t get in the middle of stripping the paint and then opt for a straight formeldihyde solution — if you’re making a table saw jig don’t modify it before you finish the original design ( you may make the same mistake the author made when he developed it)! What I found for fruit trees seems to work in woodworking — find one approach, technique, or process that seems logical to you then stick with it until you finish. One way of attacking a problem will probably work, combining four or five together probably will result in some expensive firewood. On the other hand, when you’ve successfully completed the new approach, you may have added another trick or two to your repetoir.

 

THERE’S A CHILL  IN THE AIR

 

What a time to get in a plug for the second annual Toys For Tots project. For those who weren’t with us last year, our club donated over a hundred handmade, wooden toys to both the Tullahoma and Winchester Christmas programs. We ask each member to make up any kind of toy they wish, decorate it as desired with “kid proof” materials and bring them to a collection point, usually the December meeting. We will publish some plans in later issues for simple, yet functional toys. Just had an idea, I wonder if we could expand this to toys for the kids who find themselves in the local hospitals on Christmas? Any comments, let us hear them at the September meeting. And speaking of the September meeting, go mark your calendar now — the meeting is on the 15th, a bit early but the calendar says the third Tuesday of the month is early — must be because of the alignment of the moon, mars, and checkbook balance — or something like that!!

 

WE STAR AT THE DECHARD FESTIVAL

 

 

Our next club event will be the Decherd Arts and Crafts Festival, Saturday, September 19 from 9:00 to 6:00 and Sunday the

20th   from  12:00  to       5:00.  We’ll do the basic set—up Friday evening. So far we have 6 members signed up to sell their crafts and two gracious volunteers to watch over the booths. Lots more room for club member displays and what a bargain. Instead of paying for a booth by yourself, the club has rented booths and you only need to pay a small portion of the booth

rental. What  a way to add a few $ to the wallet by just displaying your handicrafts.   For those who do sell, you are requested to:      price your wares and make up a list of wares and prices in case a price tag gets lost.  We’ll have a short meeting

after our Tuesday, the 15th meeting for those who are interested in participating in the festival. Henry Davis has agreed to bring some Club price tags for us to use at the festival. If you need more info, give Jack Townsend a call, he’s a real Arts & Crafts wizzard—he’s also in the Estill Springs phone book if you need his number!

 

SEPTEMBER MEETING

 

 

Tom Baskin has ordered a video from Fine Woodworking “Small Shop Tips And Techniques”. It sounds just like what we need as we head into our winter woodworking spree. Be sure not to miss this meeting, bring a friend, family, or anyone who might even be slightly interested in woodworking. Tom Cowan assured me that there are many more chairs available in the meeting room.

 

 

TENNESSEE VALLEY WOODWORKERS

NEXT MEETING

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH, 7:00 PM

DREMC BUILDING, MEETING ROOM

DECHERD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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