Our guest speaker for November and WWCH Vice President, Tom Blanco, described and demonstrated the proper technique for sharpening a scraper and took us through the steps to sharpen and use a cabinet scraper. He used various visual aids to show what was happening to the scraper’s edge at the microscopic level.

Rick Spacek- Medallion and Military Cubes

Rick Spacek described how he used a number two-ought spiral blade to craft his Veteran’s day cubes in 3D.  The fancy pattern, mounted on a plexiglass backer, took a long time to create but turned out very nice.

Jack Bailie - Cutting Board

Jack Bailie made several different cutting boards to give away to family and friends.  The one in the photo was made from three glue ups then finished with mineral oil.  The legs came from Home depot. 

Tom Paulley - Moxon Vise

Tom Paulley described the usefulness of a Moxon vise that he made from ash, particularly getting your work higher off the bench.

David Janowitz - Cutting Boards, Serving Trays, Lazy Susan, and Wall Hangings

David Janowitz explained how he “accidentally” made a fish then glued up more scraps to make a bird.  David used Osage orange, water oak, and cedar elm for his cutting boards and other items.  He used mineral oil on cutting boards and water borne finish for others. 

Ron Matherly - Hat Rack

Ron Matherly, continuing with his 3D CNC² work, found that it was challenging to get all the pieces to fit without seeing gaps in his hat rack of bird’s eye maple, lacewood, and walnut.

Using mostly scraps of Wink¹ wood, Lon Kelley made a lazy Susan for his daughter and one for him and his wife.  Lon described how he had to insert a wedge to close a gap.

Hat racks in the Greene and Greene style were crafted by Bob Wink from quarter sawn red oak.  If you ever visit Pasadena, CA, Bob recommended that you visit the Gamble House, an example of American Arts and Craft style architecture.

Steve Wavro - Intarsia Cornucupia

From a Judy Gale Roberts pattern and 110 pieces of 12 different woods, Steve Wavro crafted this exquisite cornucopia. Steve explained how he judiciously used a propane torch to return the purpleheart to its natural color.

Jim Hiles - Christmas Ornaments 

Jim Hiles described how he made his Christmas ornaments mostly from cedar and walnut. 

Based on a Woodcraft pattern, Earl Touchstone crafted a rocking horse of red oak for his grandchild which was “tested” by his adult children. Bannisters were used for the handles. Earl also spoke about how he made the splayed legs.

George Graves showed club members turnings in mahogany and maple woods.

Denis Muras showed one of 24 jeeps that he crafted from black walnut, cherry, and maple. Wheels are next.  Denis also said he would take scrap wood for his toys projects.

When Gary Rowen learned that he and wife were to be Great Grandparents, Gary set out to craft a dragon-themed cradle because his granddaughter loves dragons and is a Game of Thrones fan.  The wood is red oak and the panels, made with Gary’s new CNC² router, are created from Wink¹ wood plywood.  Gary said that he “fell off” the CNC learning curve many times during the process.

Mike Hardy, showing several photos, described how he designed and crafted different style podiums for churches, universities and other performance venues.

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¹Wink Wood: Bob Wink lives near a commercial woodworking facility that gives away what they consider to be scrap pieces of commercial grade plywood and misc hard woods.  Bob rescues this wood before a Grinch comes and takes the scrap for firewood.  Many woodworkers in WWCH have made good use of these excess pieces by making jigs, toys, and incorporating them into their projects as you’ve seen in many Show n Tell projects. This source of wood is what has become known as “Wink” wood
²CNC - Computer Numerical Control

Photos:  Gary Rowen, Podiums: Mike Hardy