A Publication of the Berrien County Woodworkers Guild
Feb 2009
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JANUARY MEETING “RECAP”

 Thanks to Bob Brown for setting up the meeting.  The 1/16 meeting was held at Terry Hanover’s shop at the “Center of the World” and was attended by 21 members and quests.  Terry was one of the founders of the Guild back in 1976.  Terry says, “If you can’t find it at the center, seek no farther”.  He gave a little history of woodworking for him and how it has changed.

 The topic of the meeting was working “Green” in concert with the environment.  The old practice of clear cutting land for the wood is no longer done.  Company’s such as Johnson’s and others will harvest the land taking out only the trees that are mature and ready.  Forests need to last.  Terry talked about using Bamboo.  This wood is harvestable in 8 to 9 years making the forests very sustainable.  Compare that with Oak which is harvestable in 70 to 90 years.  Bamboo is harder than oak and can be stained with normal stains.

 Finding environmentally friendly finishes is a challenge.  There are some water based finishes that have promise such as Aqualente.  However, when you factor in carbon footprint from shipping this material to the end user, savings to the environment from this product is probably a wash at best.  Terry’s favorite user friendly finish is a pre-catalyzed laquer (Magnamax – a spray on from Pratt and Lambert).  Terry says that oils are nice to use but they don’t hold up well to humidity, water etc.

 Thanks to Terry for a very informative meeting.

Professional Hearing Services is the “Winner of 2005 Audiology Practice of the Year.” The topic of the meeting is hearing protection for the woodworker. This is an opportunity for us to learn about what some of these power tools are doing to our ears and how we can protect them. Even a little damage can have a life long impact.

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

 The project of the month for January was to bring anything you made in the last year.  We had 7 entries, the winner of the $25 “Saw Dust in the Hat” award was John Delapa with a box he made out of a wood other than Catalpa.  Congratulations John!

 The project of the month for February is a “Sign”.  It can be carved, routed out, scroll sawn, anything with a sign.  Consider making a sign trying something you’ve not done before.

NEED A PROJECT HAND SANDED

 Alan Lavanway enjoys hand sanding projects and does a good job at it.  If you would like Alan’s help with a project you are working on, contact Jeff Starke for details.