TENNESSEE VALLEY WOODWORKERS

The October meeting will be held October 20 7:00,at the Duck River Electric Building ( across from Wendys ). Visitors are always welcome to our meetings. Come and join us!

ANOTHER ACTIVE MONTH

Tennesee Valley Woodworkers had a particularly active month. Here’s a brief recap:

September meeting – Tom Baskin set us up with another excellent video tape session -- shop techniques and jigs from the editor of “Fine Woodworking”...lots of good ideas. Phil Bishop showed off his new tool - for “Biscuit” joinery. Silly me, I always thought Pillsbury had a corner on the biscuit market. A very special thanks to Henry and Judy Davis for the “Tennessee Valley Woodworkers” sign. We’ve already put it to work twice. Henry also gave us another show and tell with his beautiful Bandsawn Boxes. All in all it was another great meeting.

Decherd Arts and Craft Show —Add seven more names to the registry of millionaires.

Gina Bishop, Mayford Clayton, Bill Knight. Jack Townsend, Davis, Tom Cowan, and Susan Church all hawked their wares and represented TVW at the show. Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and opportunity to sell -- in spite of a rainy start. Thank you all for the participation.

Winchester Old Timey Days—We welcomed “October’s Bright Blue Weather” on the square in Winchester. Phil Bishop provided us with his eye catching display of local and imported lumber. Winfield Bennett attracted a good crowd with his carving -- he even threw in a little magic. Other fine examples of our skills were provided by Bill Knight; Tom Cowan, Henry Davis and Jack Townsend. We managed to talk with around twenty people interested in receiving our newsletter. An excellent outing.

OCTOBER MEETING TUESDAY THE 20^TH 7:00

The agenda includes:

Words of encouragement about our Second Annual Toys for Tots project by Joe Pawlick. Everyone is encouraged to bring samples of toys and favorite plans. More from Joe to follow.

Show and Tell——bring any show and tell items, projects. digs, favorite tools. Demonstrations of techniques are encouraged for this one.

We have a few TVW hats left for $3.00. If interest warrants, we’ll place another order. Club business cards with a space for your name are available for $3.00 per 100 cards.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Bill Knight and Rick and Gina Bishop have graciously consented to serving as our nominating committee. If you have any interest in serving next year; please make your interest known to any member of the nominating committee. They promised not to look for sawdust under the carpeting. The offices are President, Vice President (Programs), secretary, Treasurer, and Publicity Chairman

NOTES

Pete Lara is looking for a good used bandsaw.

Phil Bishop will have some news on a carvinq seminar.

Now some wards of wisdom from Joe Pawlick (Editor and Chief of Splinters for 2 years——Thank s’ Joe.)

TOYS FOR TOTS

Our toys for tots project should be great this year. Our membership is up and I’ve seen a lot of imaginative projects at show and tell during the year. I’ve included a couple of designs to give everyone an idea of the type of project we’re talking about. I’ve had a difficult time finding plans for toys that would be of interest to little girls, if any of you out there in “club member land” have a small doll house plan or anything else that a little girl might enjoy getting for Christmas, please let me (Joe Pawlick) know.

This is a great time to get started on some special Christmas gifts too. Last year I made up a few extra toys and included them in some packages for my nephews. This year I get to make some for my grandson also!!

Just a couple of reminders when you pick out or work on your project:

Try to eliminate sharp edges or pointed objects.

Use latex or other non—toxic paints.

Glue all small objects in place so they can’t come loose in a tiny mouth.

Make as many or as few of any projects you like. We rarely have duplications and, even if we do, there are lots of needy little ones out there.

Get started soon so you can bring them to show and tell over the next couple of months.

Terry Penn has agreed to co-chair the project with me again. Give either of us a call if we can be of any help. If you have finished any projects, bring them to the next meetings so we all can get an idea of what your doing. Above all, there’s no need to try to compete with the commercial toy companies, don’t strive for perfection, go for fun!

RAW MATERIALS

With daylight savings time running out and the temperatures getting into the 30’s and 40’s at night, it’s time to start looking for materials to use on those projects you cut out of magazines this summer. Don’t overlook your woodpile, it may have just what you want. Provided it’s not been cut down this year, the pile may have a lot of usable wood, particularly for turning. Dry blocks of cedar, knurled hickory or cherry may all by waiting for you to rescue them from the fire. A bit of chain sawing to get them to the proper size, some trimming to get them to balance properly on the lathe, and away you go! I’d heed some of Phil Bishop’s advice carefully, make sure the wood is completely dry before chucking it up. Some green wood just doesn’t turn worth a darn and, when it dries it may have more cracks than the Grand Canyon.

Barn wood picture frames are always a great gift and, unless you take the wood from your neighbors functioning barn, it’s a relatively inexpensive material. For those who think ahead, you can always lay some boards out in the elements in the spring and by the holiday season, they will be sufficiently weathered. Beat them with, chains, hammers, and drive nai Is into them when you set them out and they’ll start to look authentic in a couple of months. Watch them for warping though, it’s tough to get glass to fit into a twisted frame.

CHRISTMAS LIST TIME

Last year we ran a questionnaire to get an idea of what our club members liked and didn’t like about there tools. It seemed like a good way to get some Christmas list ideas for Santa. This year we’re going to do something similar but with some different “body english”. How about answering some questions and we’ll publish the results in the December issue of Splinter;?

1. The three power tools I use most in my woodworking are:

2. The three hand tools (other than hammer & screwdriver) I use most in my woodworking are:

3. The most useful two tools in my workshop that only a few people probably use are:

4. If a newcomer to woodworking asked me, I’d suggest that the first three hand held, portable tools he buys should be (include brand name if you have a preference):

5. If someone wanted to buy a good, general book on woodworking, I’d suggest they buy:

6. If a somewhat advanced woodworker asked me what two non— portable power tools I suggest they look into (other than a saw), I’d suggest (include brand name if you have a preference):

BRING. OR SEND YOUR RESPONSE WITH SOMEONE TO THE OCT. 20TH OR

NOV. 17TH MEETING!! RESULTS WILL BE IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE.