2018-06-12 Monthly Meeting

June 12, 2018 – North Woodside Community Center, 230 Pleasant, Dartmouth

19 members + 3 guests in attendance

Call to order by chair, Stephen Parsons, at 6:50

Gene Nurse opened meeting by speaking about having a chance to be part of presenting toys to Salvation Army groups and the reaction of kids. Also identified additional volunteer projects fro Salvation Arm – Tom, Stan and Gene made 36 14×14 plaques and Gene made 3 ring toss games to share. Gene is now looking for all volunteers who would be willing to be called for requests for these small projects. If you would be willing, contact Gene at next meeting
Welcomed 3 new members – Stewart – background with DNR doing forestry work and sustainable forestry, Cory – hobbyist and new woodworker, Callum – member of the nova woodturners — glad to have visitors join us for the meeting

Review of agenda. Review of Minutes

MOTION: Move to accept agenda as presented

MOVED: Phil Carter SECONDED: Gary Dumas MOTION CARRIED

Phil gave financial summary – balance of $1695 down slightly from same time last year
Mary Elizabeth announced that challenges are set for the coming year and are posted on website so members can look ahead and prepare challenge pieces as they have time: http://atlanticwoodworkers.ca/events/meetings/challenges/
Stephen wants to arrange Board/committee meeting before mid summer – we have one free meeting night as one meeting had to be cancelled due to rain. Stephen will arrange and notice will be sent through mailing list
There has been some interest expressed in another member shop tour and has been suggested maybe Eastern Shore – Stephen / Guy both willing to have shops open and there are other members in the area who might be willing to participate
Another tour suggestion is to head to Fall River area with where members have recommendations – Phil suggests Chris Ettingner and Stephen has visited Bill Hart and suggests it as a good designation
Our BBQ date has been set as Aug 18 with a rain date of Aug 19. This year, we have a sponsor: Stephen LeBlanc has offered to contribute up to $200 for food/drink

New Business

Wildlife carvers event in May was a great show and chance to showcase – are there opportunities for AWA to have similar show display? Discussion tabled but perhaps committee possibility — Should AWA have a show?
Discussion – Stephen described is experiences with ebonizing (using acetate so it will react with the tannins in the wood
- Tried using vinegar with steel wool to create iron acetate
- Tips – modern steel wool has wax so use denatured alcohol to remove the wax – or use iron filings with vinegar
- Doug described option of fuming -exposure to ammonia then plastic tent around project with a pie plate full of heavy strengthen ammonia (not household ammonia) NOTE: fuming can be done before or after finishing
- Guy mentioned that this approach is more for ageing and that for ebonizing, India ink is a good option
- Darrell added that you can use fuming to make new brass look like old brass
- Sasco has industrial strength ammonia
- Bebbingtons industrial cleaning probably has ammonia strong enough for fuming
Discussion – what would members like to see more or less of in meetings
- Show and tell remains very popular
- Members like hands-on demons (spokeshaves, chopsticks…)
- Appreciate opportunity to share
- Suggestions
  - Portion of energy to making new things directed to members who might need some support with home repair etc
  - More opportunities to mentor/ share
  - Tom appreciated being able to get support from Brad after injured in his shop using joiner
  - Could make more use of social media for discussions / help / problem solving
  - Build up member profiles with skillse interests
  - Catalogue member expertise
  - Perhaps a wood library to help with identification

Presentation

This month, Brad revisited his Dutch Tool Chest based on plan from Chris Schwartz, customized for his own collections and approaches 12” d c 27’ w

It was designed to be relatively lightweight and portable so it would be easy to carry around tools as required. Used pine and put on casters for easier moving with the addition of lower level. It is customized to the specific tools that Brad uses most often. The lower door does not have a handle.

Thanks to Brad for sharing this flexible tool chest and giving others ideas for how to customize their own project.

Show and Share

We started this month with general sharing

Tony had an Achilles heel injury that meant he required some walking support, which prompted him to make a cane. He use spalted birch from Cape Breton and made use of a spokeshave and ebony inlay
Brad used jakoba and maple to make 12 beer tables for Brightwood Brewery – inspired by the smokestacks at Tufts Cove

This month, our challenge was our annual 2×4 contest. All entries eligible for a draw for a Lee Valley gift card

Bill had a paddle which he said he started for the 2017 2×4 challenge. He used ¼ piece for full length than added pieces with water proof gloe. He worked almost entirely with spokeshave and drawknife
Dave shared a 2.4 snake – he wanted to use piece that looked like 2×4 – used complex angles
Brad had a practice using kane tsugi, a different type of mitre joint used for a decorative frame
Tony shared climbing supports for a child’s ladder at home – shaped then flattened on a grinder
Stephen made a model farm truck that he resawed, marked and let sit for several weeks before planning. He stained with American walnut
Mike made a train – wheels were very labour intensive – made a jig and stacked and cut for sander
Gary stared to make a lamp but decide it was too ugly so he plans to turn it into a garden obelisk. Ebonized rockers and used wood dye and built a form for shaping. Finished with a shellac mixed at 50/50 strength