michigan woodworker september 2010 michigan woodworkermiwoodguild.webs.com/september 2010 newsletter...

Michigan Woodworker September 2010

Michigan Woodworkers’ Guild (est. 1981) September 2010 Vol. 31 No.7

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MICHIGANWOODWORKER

ROYAL OAK SENIORCENTER

13 Mile

Main

MAP TO ROYAL OAK SENIOR CENTER

3500 MaraisC

rooks

Woodw

ard

The October 10th meetingat the Livonia SeniorCenter will be our popular Jigsand Fixtures program featuringGuild member presentations.

The Oct. Luncheon will be atJimi’s on the 28th at 1:16 pm

Bill Rigstad will coordinate aprogram on INLAYING at theNovember 14th meeting atthe Royal Oak SeniorCenter. The presenters will beBob Mills, John Sanchez, and BillRigstad.

The Nov. Luncheon will be atJimi’s on the 18th at 1:16 pm

In December we will be at theLivonia Senior Center onthe 12th for our annualcompetit ion (TOYS). OurProgram will be a presentationof Lamp Building by Jack Secordand James Howard.

The Dec. Luncheon will be atJimi’s on the 16th at 1:16 pm

The tentative topic for theJanuary 9, 2011 meeting atthe Royal Oak SeniorCenter is HVLP FinishingTechniques chaired by Dr. GaryAssarian.

The Jan. Luncheon will be atJimi’s on the 27th at 1:16 pm

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010At the Royal Oak Senior Center from 2-4 pm

Library and other activities from 1-2 pm

Tom Kearns will demonstrate router usage. Hewill share with us some new techniques he hasdeveloped along with a couple of surprises.

The September luncheon will be at Jimi’s on the23rd at 1:16 pm (See page 3 for map)

www.miwoodguild.webs.com

2010 ANNUAL GUILD PICNIC AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!


For membership information contact BillGayde at 25575 York; Royal Oak, MI48067 or by phone at 248-543-3487 ore-mail at: [email protected].

For name tags, sign up with Ed Stuckeyat a regular meeting.

President’sCornerBy Ken Wolf

As summer draws to a close, I hope every memberhad an enjoyable break from their routines andgot recharged for some fall woodworking projectsto expand their knowledge and expand theircreativity. I enjoyed seeing many of you andyour spouses at our August picnic. The weatherwas exceptionally nice, the food great, and theswap meet fun which made for a very enjoyableday.I was sad to hear that member Norbert Rapppassed away in August after a long battle with avariety of health problems. He always broughtenthusiasm to our meetings despite thelimitations imposed by his failing health. Manyof you may remember the video visit to hisextensive shop facilities that was presented aspart of our meeting on member shops. I willmiss his smiling face at our meetings.Since September marks the start of our annualGuild project to make toys and boxes forChildren’s Hospital, I will bring some toy plansand example toys to our September meeting. Ihope several of you have thought about myrequest for members willing to host smallworkshops to facilitate building of toys or boxesfor the hospital and are ready to volunteer to aBoard Member this month. For members whoprefer to build by themselves, that is also veryhelpful. Please determine the toys you will buildand let me know the number of wheels/axles/washers you need the Guild to provide.Remember the new requirement to getcertifications from the manufacturer of finishes/glues you use on your toys/boxes (see therevised guidelines sheet at the Septembermeeting).Get ready to be blown (routed?) away at ourSeptember meeting as Tom Kearns unleashesthe capabilities and techniques to optimize theperformance of routers. Tom’s presentations are

always enlightening and entertaining, so don’tmiss it.An upcoming event to add to your calendar isthe annual Wood Expo at L. L. Johnson inCharlotte, MI on September 10 and 11. Thereare lots of free presentations both days as wellas deals on wood and equipment. Scott Phillipsfrom PBS TV will make 4 free presentations onSaturday and John Wilson (who demonstratedshaker boxes to the guild) will have $30 classeson shaker boxes and serving trays. Pay specialattention to Mike Belzowski’s free presentations5 times each day on laminate bending,veneering, marquetry, card scrapers and steambending. Mike has confirmed he will presentsteam bending at our Guild meeting next Mayin Livonia. George Malley of Freud who gavesuch a great session to us on saw blades in Aprilwill be there as well. This is an enjoyable outingfor a woodworker to help you get back in thewoodworking frame of mind.Another calendar addition is the WoodworkingShows at Taylor’s Gibraltar Trade CenterDecember 17 (12:00-6:00), December 18 (10:00-6:00) and December 19 (10:00-4:00). TheGuild’s role will need to be determined by ourBoard and the shows management. Details willbe provided as they become available. Theirwebsite www.woodworkingshows.com has detailson currently committed commercial exhibitorsand a floor plan if you want more detail. Thetiming is better this time for Christmas shoppers,so get busy on your wish lists.This is shaping up to be a great fall for MWGmembers. I hope to see you at our meetingsand other woodworking events.


IN MEMORY OF NORBERT RAPP

Long time member, Norbert Rapp 72, passedaway August 6, 2010. In addition to his love ofwoodworking, Norbert was the owner of Rapp’sRose Haven Orchards in Armada, and of KingFisher Manufacturing. He was an Army Veteran,a graduate of Michigan State University, and amember of the Armada School Board as well asbeing a member of many fishing, hunting, andgardening clubs. In addition to the Guild,Norbert was a member of the Detroit AreaTurners.

Several of us who were involved in preparing fora Guild program a few years ago, travelled toNorbert’s shop to review it and share ourexperience with the membership. We wereamazed at the size of his shop (it included abalcony area about a third the size of the shopthat was full of wood and other materials thatwould be the envy of any one.) His shop floorwas full of almost every kind of wood and metalworking equipment available. Norbert sharedhis love of shop work and the plans he had for avariety of projects that he was never able tocomplete.

In spite of his physical limitations, Norbert wasone of the most happy-go-lucky men you wouldever want to meet. To learn more about whatothers thought of him go to:www.wujekcalcaterra.com and click on “ourvisitations”, scroll down to RAPP, NORBERT, andclick on “view guestbook”.

Executive Board MembersKen Wolf............ President....................734-981-3423Bob Mills.............Vice-President..............248-540-8658Ed Stuckey...........Treasurer....................313-345-3671John Dolinsky........Secretary...................734-945-6461Gary Assarian ..... Officer at Large ......... 248-332-0816Bob Compton.......Officer at Large............248-650-3797Richard Fryer........Officer at Large............248-649-6359Mike Holden ....... Officer at Large ..........586-286-3883Ann Ivory............Officer at Large............248-442-1311Scott Jacobs.........Officer at Large.............248-585-0750Tom Kearns......... Officer at Large.............248-356-5529Pete Padden........ Officer at Large.............586-226-0797Greg Smith ......... Officer at Large ......... 248-649-3565STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRSGale Oosterhart......Head Librarian.............517-552-2777Jule Ann Clough.......Library.......................248-559-2388Bob Krauter............Library......................248-477-7050Bill Gayde..............Membership&Editor.....248-543-3487Bill Rigstad.............Co-Editor...................734-459-3374Matt Baran.............Programs..................586-293-9257John Sanchez..........Publicity.....................313-278-2150SPECIAL COMMITTEE CHAIRSKen Wolf...............Toy Project.................734-981-3423Jim Kudej.............Special Projects...........734-591-0843Bill Gayde..............Web Site..................248-543-3487


WoodTypes

By Ed Stuckey

THE WANT ADS

AFZELIAGrowth: Sold as a single commercial timber,Afzelia africana, A.bipindenis, and A.pachyloba,from West Africa, are known as Doussie.A.quanzensis, from Mozambique and Tanzania,is known as Chamfuta and marketed separately.Other names include Apa and Aligna (Nigeria);Mkora and Mbembakofi (Tanzania); andMussacossa (Mozambique). Trees from the moistdeciduous forests reach a maximum height ofabout 100ft (30m), and east African trees growto 70-80ft (21-24m). The diameter averages 5ft(1.2m).

Appearance: The sapwood is a pale straw colorand quite sharply demarcated from the lightbrown heartwood, which matures to a rich redbrown mahogany color on exposure. Yellow orwhite deposits in the grain may cause staining.The grain is often irregular and interlocked, witha coarse but even texture.

Properties: This dense timber weighs 39-59 1b/ft3 (620-950 kg/m3), averaging 51 Ib/ft3 (820 kg/m3) when seasoned. Afzelia can be kiln driedsatisfactorily but very slowly from green, andthere may be some distortion in the extensionof existing shakes and fine checking. It is anexceptionally stable timber, comparable to teak.The wood has high strength and outstandingdurability and stability. It is fairly hard to workand has a moderate blunting effect on cuttingedges. Gluing can be difficult. Afzelia has amoderate bending classification because itdistorts and exudes resin during steaming, butA.quanzensis can be bent to a small radius. Asatisfactory finish can be obtained when thegrain is filled. The sapwood is liable to attack bypowder post beetle; the heartwood has

outstanding durability, with extreme resistanceto preservation treatment.

Uses: Afzelia is highly valued for interior andexterior joinery, window frames, doors anddoorframes, staircase work, bank and shopcounters, and ships’ rails. It is used for heavyconstruction, dock and harbor work, and bridgebuilding. It is popular for school, office, andgarden furniture, and is especially useful forlaboratory benches as well as vats and pressesfor acids and chemicals. It is used for flooringin public buildings.

Where it grows: Afzelia grows between thesavannah forests of the dry areas of EasternAfrica and the dense deciduous forests of themore humid regions of West Africa.

FOR SALE:- 10” Craftsman tablesaw with sliding mitertable, VGC, $175 OBO- 10” Craftsman compound miter saw, VGC, $50- 10” Craftsman table top bandsaw, $25- 7” Craftsman circular saw, $15- 6” Craftsman bench grinder, $20- Craftsman pad sander, $10If interested, call Chris Floyd @ 517-552-4987(Howell)

MemberNews

By Bill GaydeAs of August 27, 2010 our membership is 360.We have 3 new members. Please welcome:Ronald Knockert --------------------------- FerndaleDick Sumpter ----- Royal Oak, Rockler ManagerJeff Wilmot --- Birmingham, Glenn Wing owner


By Bill Rigstad

FYI

FYI: Perfect Frames Every TimeIf you make a lot of small picture frames, here’san excellent shop-made clamp. Make the cornerblocks from 2-in. x 2-in. x 1-1/2-in-thick stock.Drill holes for the threaded rod and a 10mmhole for the cross dowel (available from ROCKLER— cross dowels, #31823; $2.69 for pack of 8,10mm drill hit, #46771; $5). The four cornerblocks all have the same shape and drillingpattern. The threaded rod is held on one endby the cross dowel and by a wing nut on theother. The wing nut is used to tighten the clampand can he adjusted to pull the frame perfectlysquare.

Another way to make the blocks, rather thanuse cross dowels to hold the ¼ twenty rods, justuse ¼ twenty brass inserts from Home Depot.Just make sure you get them is straight. Also Iwould use longer rods for larger frames.

Below the Lines: Cancer update: Next in myrecovery is radiation and chemo which I start 9/1.They want me to gain weight, so every time Iturn around Sally is standing there with food.Next month I hope to tell you that the radiation/chemo was a walk in the park!!

OPENFORUM

By Ed StuckeySociety of American Period Furniture MakersGreat Lakes Regional Chapter Fall meeting,

October 30-31.The society promotes the following:

To create a forum for the understanding,education, and appreciation of American periodfurniture

To develop and encourage the use of standardsand ethical practices in the reproduction andconservation of period furniture

To offer membership to all with an interest inperiod furniture

The fall meeting is free to members of SAPFM. It will be heldat the Livonia Senior Center on Saturday, October 30, andSunday October 31. There will be presentations on makingshaker boxes, construction of a 17th century English chest, flutingquarter columns, design proportioning, staining and finishingmahogany, and a presentation on different types of glues andtheir application. We usually have about 25 members from theGreat Lakes area attend. If you are interested in period furnituremaking you can join SAPFM by going to their website atwww.sapfm.org. You can contact Ed Stuckey (SAPFM GreatLakes Chapter Coordinator) at 313-345-3671 for information.


By Will Stanford

ROUGHCUTS

Wood and designFurniture makers who have an affinity forbeautiful and unusual pieces of wood can faceproblems creating designs from these rarewoods. I had a piece of ingrown bark cherrywith radiant color. I only had the one piece,13"x45", just enough for a small coffee table. The design/construction problem was that thecherry, as is often the case with burl, wasdistorted and was very thin in the bark area. Any conventional leg rail construction would fail,causing the leg to sit uneven. Needing somemass to weight the piece down, my design evolvedfrom those practical considerations. I startedlooking for stone and found two pieces oflimestone each having one live edge which wouldcomplement the live bark edge of the cherry. Ineeded a way to draw the pieces together and Idecided on a stretcher. I also wanted the pieceto be easily moved so it needed to be able to betaken apart and put together. I used metalinserts in the cherry and aluminum L bracketsto attach the cherry to the limestone. I made athrough mortise in the limestone. This was themost difficult and time-consuming elementbecause even though limestone is relatively softit is considerable work to square up the cornersof the mortises. I cut a tenon on each end ofthe stretcher and then a mortise for a tusk tenonso it could be easily disassembled. I used 2-1/2" square ash for the stretcher and I was contentwith the contrast between the ingrown barkcherry, the live edge limestone and the ash.

A piece of mostly walnut burl was inspirationfor a hall table. There weren’t any realconstruction problems but it required a designthat would allow the burl to be showcased. Thinash legs and cherry rails were a compliment bothin color and grain to create a harmonious piece.

A display unit that I designed needed somethingto ground it. Constructed of curly maple, cherry,walnut and mahogany with five glass shelves itseemed to float. I attached a nice thick piece ofslate that brought the whole piece together.

I have some large pieces of butternut in my shopthat will make some interesting furniture pieces. It will, however, take special design skills becausethe pieces are long and irregular and don’t fitinto any format or easy to design formula. So itis difficult to know where I will end up, buthopefully I will find a way to bring out theuniqueness and beauty of those slabs. A painterfriend said that when he was painting thatsometimes there was like a click when it seemedlike that everything was working or comingtogether. He said that that must be what it feelslike when you design a piece. And yes, it doesfeel like that sometimes, but for a furnituremaker, from a rough drawing through choosingmaterials or possibly the other way around, tofinal construction, the journey and thus theclick, can take much longer.

Random thoughts--I think part of a best friend’s job should be toimmediately clear your computer history if youdie.--Nothing is worse than that moment during anargument when you realize you’re wrong.--I totally take back all those times I didn’t wantto nap when I was younger.--There is great need for a sarcasm font.--How the heck are you supposed to fold a fittedsheet?--Was learning cursive really necessary?--Map Quest really needs to start their directionson #5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out ofmy neighborhood.--I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at leastkind of tired.--Bad decisions make good stories.--You never know when it will strike, but therecomes a moment when you know that you justaren’t going to do anything productive for therest of the day.


29918 Woodward Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48073(248) 543-5110 Rockler7.comStore hours: M-F 9 am-6 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm Sun 11 am-4 pm

Now Thru October 1


Michigan Woodworkers’ Guild25575 York RoadRoyal Oak, Michigan 48067

The Picture Gallery Raffle winnersLarry Balash (left) and Mike Slupinski(right) (Rockler gift certificates)

Warren Anderson(Woodline routerbit set)

D e n n i sCour t r i gh t(Jig sawdonated byRockler)

Russell Layle (left) and LarryScruggs (right) (Ceramics madeby John Dolinsky)

michigan woodworker september 2010 michigan woodworkermiwoodguild.webs.com/september 2010 newsletter...

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