Another great evening at our 2017 annual barbeque and competition – thank you to our great chefs Tom & Mike and to Carolan for all her hard work (and for the delightful Christmas cakes).

Getting ready to cook!

After a steak sandwich, Christmas cake and ginger beer, members had a good chat and discussed options for next year’s meetings on Workshops while our judges made their determinations.

 
(If you didn’t fill your form in on the night, it can be downloaded from Workshop Topic questionnaire and emailed to Chris – or bring it along to the next meeting!)

There was a wide selection of entries in this year’s competition –

Workshop

1st – Chris – Mortise Jig

2nd – Chris – Panel Clamps

3rd – Hugh – Push Block

Indoor Furniture

1st – Scott – Butler’s Unit

2nd – Peter – Hall Table

3rd – John – Side Table

Boxes & Ornamentals

1st – Scott – Cheese Board

2nd – Mick – Redgum Boards (with a lovely commentary attached)

3rd – John – Document Box

Toys

1st – Craig – Llama Rocker

2nd – Bruce – Stegasaurus

3rd – Bruce – Cradle

 
Many thanks to our judges – Dan Steiner, Phil Coleman and Carol-Anne Karas for their time, expert opinion and constructive feedback – we’re always learning!

Chris gave club members a fascinating and informative evening looking at woodworking mistakes, how to avoid them, how to fix them, and a comprehensive range of books, articles and videos to help.

If you didn’t get the handout, make sure you see Chris at the next club meeting.

Meanwhile, these are some of the books Chris made reference too – just in case you want to get them for your own library!

Taunton’s Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking

The Woodworker’s Problem Solver

Joinery – Fine Woodworking

Foundations of Better Woodworking

Understanding Wood Finishing – Bob Flexner

And these are the videos Chris made reference to –

Bob van Dyke – Glue Squeeze Out

Thanks Chris for a great evening.

Members were impressed and enthused by the presentation of guest speaker Robin Cromer on timber identification using only a magnifying lens (and years of experience!)

Robin’s extensive career included working with the CSIRO, and he made reference to the CSIRO Macro Key for Hardwood Identification. The book is out of print, but copies can be borrowed from local libraries.

 
Members might also be interested in the The Australian Timber Database which gives a comprehensive list of timber species used in Australia.

We had a great night of demonstrations, enthusiasm and inspiration.

Thanks so much to Scott and Briony. Scott’s demonstration of the Dremel range had many of us ready to rush out and buy this versatile tool, and Briony’s scroll saw demonstration and her beautiful art works were an inspiration.

 
Hugh completed a great night with a slide show of some of his great wood working projects from around the house – many thanks Hugh.

 
Don’t forget the plank competition at our next meeting in May – happy woodworking!