Well, we certainly learnt a lot of new techniques at our first meeting for 2020. Members had indicated an interest in how some of the entries in our Christmas contest had been designed and built, and Hugh and Chris kindly showed us some lovely designs and very useful techniques.

Hugh started the evening with a description of his bit holder, necessitated by the loss of his original plastic container. The inclusion of cup hooks allowing for storage on a peg board was a great component of his original design

Chris then showed us an amazing range of designs and techniques used in his prize winning pieces.

First, his beautiful coffee table. Chris covered a range of techniques including aprons, haunched tenons and adding “ears” to aid clamping. Click on either the Milescraft CircleGuide picture or the video for further information on circle cutting.

Chris then showed us his lovely trinkets box made from Sydney Blue Gum and Jacaranda. Chris’s box was a modification of original plans that can still be bought from Wood Magazine, and for those interested in Chris’ method for drawing curves, check out the following video for making a simple drawing bow.

And then we learnt some great techniques in building Chris’s endgrain cutting board, including his router flattening jig (using either a straight or dish bit)

Check out the Wood Whisperer video below for Chris’ original inspiration and reasons for using endgrain.

For Chris’s full presentation click on the first page below.

Over a cup of tea we watched some great woodwork from the Australian Woodturning Exhibition – AWTEX

We then had our monthly raffle draw followed by Brian’s description of the club’s latest woodworking magazines. Check out the contents on our library page – and don’t forget you can borrow any of the club’s magazines!

Ron then gave a presentation on some beautiful and functional desks he has built, and Chris finished the night with an original Triton video on bevel ripping

Learnt so much – A great night!

AGM 2019 Executive

Many thanks to our outgoing committee member Peter and a big welcome to Rob – and a big thank you to all our members for a great year – and many to come!

Mick rounded up the night with a presentation on his trip to Japan – the most amazing scenery, history, castles and woodwork!

For those of us who can’t quite get over there at the moment, click on the picture below for a bit more information on the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum.

Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

And, for those wondering about our resident expert on screws – check out the following recent article from the Australian.

Hope you’re all finishing up your entries for the Christmas contest – not long now!

Stephen began a great evening with a follow up of Scott’s presentation last month on their portable Festool style workbench.

Stephen used the PARF Guide System supplied by Carbatec to create his portable workbench. Click on the picture or video below for more information.

Stephen and Scott also showed us the dogs and bench stands 3D printed by Yellowbox Shed.

Click on the pictures below to see the products available and also the Stanton Bench (a trusted partner of Yellowbox Shed) that Stephen mentioned.

Yellowbox Shed bench dog sets

the Stanton Bench

After tea and cake, Brian gave us a demonstration on how to fine tune the workcentre – including adjusting the circular saw for precision cutting.

 
And Nick finished off the night with a fascinating presentation on the Kenyan Top Bar Beehive that he his currently building.

Click on the picture below to learn a bit more about Beekeeping Naturally – the next Beekeeping Naturally course in Canberra is coming up soon!

We had a preview of Chris’s beautiful workbench last month, and this month Chris showed us where he got his inspiration from – Robert Lang’s 21st Century Workbench.

Click on the pictures below to see a video on how versatile the workbench is and how to buy the plans at a very reasonable price.

And then – another excellent workbench from Brian! Click on the pictures below for the original plans or Brian’s economic modifications (with a costing of various options – excellent value!)

Brian’s Modified Workbench with Costing

Members were then given practical demonstrations of 2 different methods for cutting tapers on the Workcentre. Brian used a Taper Jig from Carbatec, and Chris used his L-Jig coupled with an electronic angle finder.

Brian’s Method – the Carbatec Taper Jig

Chris’ Method – L-jig and electronic angle finder