For our first meeting back we had two great presentations by members.
Our first presentation was by Mick, who shared his experience how his dust control project grew after talking to fellow Tritoners.
Mick’s next presentation aims to share his further experience in progressing his project referencing ‘Dust Control Made Simple’ by Sandor Nagyszalanczy.
Click on the picture below for a bit more information about the book.
John W then presented the results of his investigative work on building a Biesemyer style rip fence for the Triton 2000. He believes it can also apply to an MK3.
Chris started our March meeting with an excellent video on handsaws by Anne Briggs, covering types, body position, practice, vices and much more!
Anne showed the benefits of a Moxon Vice. Check out the following video on how to build one for yourself.
Anne also shows her Glen-Drake joinery saw – check out the following video where Kevin Glen Drake compares traditional Western and Japanese saws, and the reason for developing his own saw – fascinating!
After a lamingtons, tea and a chat we listened to Peter Sellers’ introduction to his desktop organiser – a great project to take on.
This led to some discussion on correctly centering a drill bit for attaching hinges – especially for small projects. Brian informed us of the centering bits that are available for this purpose. Click on the picture below for a bit more information.
Chris then showed members his 3 in 1 drill press upgrade – click on the picture from Woodsmith below if you are interested in building your own.
We finished the evening with Scott’s visit to the Sturt School For Wood open day in Mittagong.
If you are interested in being notified of events at the School, you can sign up for their Newsletter.
Scott had also just received a book recommended at the School on Veneering – click on the book below for a bit more information.
Another great night – looking forward to our April meeting!
“The More You Know, The More You Realise How Much You Don’t Know”
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
A lovely night to finish off the year – great food, great friends and great woodwork.
Many Thanks to our cooks Brian and Peter – and of course the lovely Carolan.
An interesting mix of woodworking projects were offered for the contest this year:-
Thanks so much to our judges – Ben & Phil from the Woodcraft Guild – their understanding, feedback and anecdotes made for a wonderful night.
And the winners are:-
Outdoor Furniture
Possum Box – John
Workshop
Bit Organiser – Hugh
Toys
1st – Train – Bruce
2nd – Dolls Bed – Trevor
3rd – Long Snake – Bruce
Prize Winner – Games Table – Scott
Indoor Furniture
1st – Glass Top Table – Chris
2nd – Nick-Nack Table – Mick
3rd- Gift Wrapping Table – Hugh
Boxes & Ornamentals
1st – Treasure Box – Chris
2nd – Folding Chess Set – John
3rd – Cutting Board – Chris
Prize Winner – Bandsaw Box – Hugh
Phil finished off the night with his experience and recommendation of Organoil products – and he showed us his lovely little stool made from American White Oak.
For those interested in the polishing process Phil mentioned, check out this video on Wet Sanding Technique.
Have a great Christmas – and start thinking of your woodworking projects for the New Year!
A nice and peaceful AGM thanks to our great executive – Chris, John & Carolan
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!
Chris & Brian gave members a great presentation and demonstration on routing small pieces.
Click on the pictures below for Chris’s original presentation and some further background from one of his sources.
As part of the demonstration, Chris showed us a great jig for pattern routing small pieces – click on the picture or video below for more information
After cake, tea and a good chat, Chris then gave a presentation on making workshop equipment mobile – click on the first page below for the full presentation.
Chris also sent out a link to the following video on an amazing flip top mobile workbench – at the end of the video, note the castors mentioned in Chris’s presentation above.
A little bit of trouble with Chris’s last video on bevel cutting (we’ll get that fixed), but to finish off a great night we had quite a bit of discussion by members. Mick came up with a very good idea for not being surprised in the the workshop by the kids – get a safety mirror!
This one is quite reasonably priced, and safe for the workshop.
Scott began a great night with a presentation on a portable Festool style workbench that he and Stephen are building.
Festool Basic Multifunction Table. Click on picture to get further information.
Looking forward to Stephen’s follow up presentation next month!
Hugh also gave us a presentation on his new fold-up Workbench, plus his amazing glue-up table and innovative approach to achieving a fully functional Workshop in very limited space.
Hugh’s Workbench
Hugh’s Glue-up Table
Hugh’s Workshop
Click on any picture above to see the full set of Hugh’s photos
Chris sent members a link to the following video by Timbecon on Designing Your 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
Craig then showed us a simple idea for a plant stand
And Chris finished an action packed night with a list of his favourite websites
(click on the picture to see the full list and actionable links)
We had a great night looking at that essential component of any workshop – the woodworking bench.
A number of members gave presentations on their benches, and why they liked them –
functionality, accessibility, stability, suitability, affordability and how good they looked!
Click on any of the photos below to see the full presentation
Bob’s Bench
Chris’s Bench
Craig’s Benches
John’s Benches
Trevor’s Bench
John finished the night with a great presentation on the variety of workbenches available to members – click on the title page below to see his full presentation.
And here is the article Chris sent us on the most common workbench questions from Christopher Schwarz’s book Workbenches – from Design & Theory to Construction & Use – just click on the book cover below.
