Newsletter Under Construction

(Hardhats required while onsite)

Well, It’s 10 pm New Year’s Day and I thought I should get this newsletter thing going.

It’s just now dawning on me that I might be in over my head. it feels so natural. On with the show.

Ghost of Programs Past

I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a program as much as “How To Make Your Own Water Wheel”. How many went home and started a wheel? Really, we’re lucky to have John in our number. I appreciate his and Janie’s work in restoring and preserving the old ways.

Show and tell was great as usual. Everything from a great big computer desk to a little-bitty plane. How do we keep up this mad pace month after month?

Ghost of Programs Future

It’s only by the most intensive investigative reporting that brings you this late breaking news, This months program will feature Jess Betschart, a native of Washington State, As a boy growing up on the Yakima Indian reservation, he studied woodworking, silversmithing and jewelry making. In1978 Jess and his wife Betty opened a studio-shop in Monteagle (Sculptures in Wood) and has become known worldwide for primitive yet elegant woodcarvings and turned and carved bowls. January 16 - Be there or be [].

Tens Years Ago This Month

This portion of our newsletter is a suggestion from Henry Davis. In keeping with our tenth anniversary celebration we’ll be looking back at what Splinters was reporting Ten Years Ago This Month.

January 86’s program featured Show-N-Tell and membership had soared to eleven. Splinters offered to run For Sale items at the ridiculously low price of half-a-buck for two lines.

To prove that a good deal can still be found, I will be running For Sale and Wanted ads for FREE!! (Providing we have room, of course) You have to watch the small print folks.

News From The Net

As a newly addicted computer user (I wouldn’t recommend it, it cuts into shop time and costs even more than woodworking), I do a good bit of Internet surfing. I will attempt to share some of the items that might be of interest to club members. This months entree is a finish for woodcarvings developed by W. F. Judt. He calls it the Sanding Sealer/Wax method. I shortened the article to this:

Procedure:

1. Apply the sanding sealer evenly over the carving, back first, then sides, then the front.

2. Let the finish dry overnight

3. Next day, “steel-wool” the carving, taking care to be vigorous enough to remove imperfections like dust particles and runs, but not so vigorous as to remove wood or erode the crisp toolmarking you worked so hard at.

4. Then, vacuum and wipe the carving thoroughly, so there is no trace of dust, steel-wool particles or grit remaining.

5. Then apply an even (not thick) coat of paste wax (suitable for hardwood floors: NOT liquid wax) over the areas that you previously had “scuffed’ with the steel wool. Use a soft cloth to apply the wax.

6.Now, use a pure, soft, bristle brush to buff the wax, removing any excess wax from cracks and corners. Finally, get a clean, soft cloth (like a clean baby diaper) and polish the carving til it shines.

7. The result will be a soft, even, smooth-to-the-touch finish that will be the envy of your carving colleagues. This finish will invite touching, but don’t worry, because the top-coat of wax resists finger prints. So let people feel how smooth the surface of your carving is.

8. To clean your carving in the years ahead, simply vacuum the carving with a soft vacuum brush, and wipe with a soft, dry cloth. Do NOT re-apply wax, especially spray waxes. Do NOT use a damp cloth.

Wrapping It Up

Well, I probably shouldn’t use all my good stuff the first month so I’ll try to tie this one up.

- I hope the Claus was good to you all and I expect to see lots of new goodies at Show-N-Tell.

- The New Year brings with it many opportunities - take advantage of all you can (and share a few with friends). New responsibilities also rear their heads, the least of which is probably your annual club dues. The best money you’ll spend all year.

- Jack sent me this goodie— The only difference between a rut and a groove is your frame of mind.

-Well, it’s Jan. 7 now and, no, I haven’t been working on this newsletter for six solid days. I was all finished when I received this article from Henry Davis. This is from the editorial in this months SHOPNOTES. Enjoy!

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I’ve always bad a problem calling my shop “workshop”. The dictionary defines a workshop as “an area, room, or establishment in which manual or industrial work is done. Well, they’re not talking about my shop - I can’t remember the last time I worked when I was there. It’s just too enjoyable to call it work. Sure, I can accomplishment a lot in a day. Maybe a project or two. But work? I don’t think so.

A THEORY. I have a theory about this. I think it’s an unspoken agreement between woodworkers. We call it a workshop so it sounds like it’s a place that’s all work and no play. After all, if our friends or family realized what a good time we were having, they’d want to join us. And this could disturb the solitude so many of us look forward to.

That’s not to say an occasional visitor isn’t welcome. It’s always a pleasure to talk to a fellow enthusiast about “working” with wood. But for me, the best time in the shop is when I’m alone. There’s nothing quite as comforting as the quiet “shushing” of a plane as it glides across a panel. Or that satisfying feel of a tight joint as it snaps together.

Excerpt (from editorial b Rick Peters

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Thanks for the article Henry.

I hope to see all of you January 16 at 7:00 pm. Till then, make a few shavings and watch out for SPLINTERS.

Happy New Year!