February 1, 2024

Welcome at 7:05 PM

Attendees: 28

  1. Rockler

    1. Resetting guild membership in February for 10% on Rockler items (may not apply to specific vendors or special items)

    2. Note, you cannot double dip -- e.g., if on sale for 20% off, you won’t get an extra 10%.

    3. Store has worked up a deal with a saw blade sharpener, so if someone wants their blades sharpened, store can help

  2. Discussion of last meeting -- no new items

  3. Mention of free table. Will start having a table at each meeting where members can come and leave free items for guild members. Just come and pick up what is available

  4. New Members: No new attendees at meeting

  5. Treasurer Guild info -- brief (Brad)

    1. Number of members: 39 paying members in 2023, 28 paying members so far in 2024

    2. Financial Report: $3,100 in account

  6. Members forum:

    1. Mark discussed Colonial Williamsburg event

      1. Several speakers were approached, and we may be able to get them to speak in meetings this year

      2. Theme was woodworking books. Chris Schwarz has "The Anarchist’s Design Book" for free, online

      3. A lot of talks/presentations on 18th century woodwork. Well worth a trip

      4. Chris Schwarz was editor at Popular Woodworking. One of his other loves is the Roman Workbench and he has an excellent article at Fine Woodworking "Tools and Shops" edition in 2023.

    2. Potential for speakers from Store

    3. Survey for meeting results

    4. Is there any technique or issue that you are having issues with that you want to discuss? Something you need help with? (Nobody had one)

    5. Some discussion of Woodworking show in Edison on Fri-Sun, Feb 9-11. Address 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ, right off exit 10 of NJ turnpike

      1. Steve asked if folks were interested in getting a van/bus. Significant number of people said yes

      2. For 2025 show

      3. Also consider the Hearne Hardwood in Sep 2024. Some 6-10 vendors, demos of sawmill, lots of lumber

    6. Craft of New Jersey has their annual auction in Flemington, Saturday, April 20th. Auction starts at 9:30 AM, plus tailgate sales. Pretty much hand tools. Machinist tools also.

  7. Discussion of SawStop issue. Guild members came to try and help

    1. SawStop had problems

    2. Had to take out bolts to reset the top. Looked like whole thing had shifted

    3. Used dial indicators, etc., to try and fix it

    4. Company is going to replace it because it was passed our guild member

  8. Kevin’s DeWalt 735 planer stopped working

    1. Replaced the circuit breaker -- no go

    2. Traced power from plug to switches to motor, getting power

    3. Saw YouTube video saying strike motor with mallet, hard, several times. Kevin did this and it started working

    4. Probable issue is the brushes are going bad and may need to be replaced.

  9. Brad showed a Syrian tabletop that had water damage

    1. Pieces missing, Pieces black

    2. Maybe try oxalic acid to see if clear it up

    3. Group suggested talking to Steve Latta, Don Williams or Patrick Evans

  10. Demonstrations/Speaker. Member demonstrating/explaining something

    1. Members brought in a variety of mallets

    2. Discussion of variety of woods used

    3. Carver’s Mallet, round, often used by carvers. William suggests using hornbeam for this, as you are striking on the long beam.

    4. Carpenter’s mallet you are striking on the end grain

    5. Design issues for mallet

      1. End of it should be a little hollow, so you can set it on end

      2. Don’t put decorative bands in it, wood as it is hit could split out

      3. Knob at end helps keep you from having it drop through your hand

      4. Much prefers the rough mallet, both for carving and for chopping dovetails/mortises/etc.

    6. Open discussion by group on their mallet choices, materials, etc.

  11. Sign being reworked. The wood Jim donated was fairly unstable, and "potato chipped" (extremely warped), so Steve will work on a new one

  12. Suggestions for field trip (see above)

    1. Woodworking Show Edison (Feb 2025)

    2. Winterthur (TBD)

    3. Hearne Hardwood (October 2024)

    4. Craft Auction (April 2024)

  13. Wrap-up. Next meeting will be on Thursday, March 7th