With respect to woodworking, woodworkers are a classic group of biased individuals. Ask a question about how the best way to do something and it's likely you will get as many different responses as there are individuals being asked.
Andrew Davis raises a question that we all generally visit when purchasing a new tool - is it worth the money? When it comes to choosing a combination square most woodworkers may respond with the de facto standard - the Starrett combination square. But the controversy doesn't end there. Not only is the cost pricey compared to other combination squares, there are different Starrett models.
In a remarkable twist for a woodworker, Andrew does not offer an answer. But in the March Bevel Cut article you will have to choose for yourself - if you haven't already.
The Perpetual Novice returns to provide a public service. Previous Perpetual Novice articles have attempted to look at the trials and errors of learning the woodworking craft with a bit of humor. This one is different in that it is serious. I’ve been surprised of late to see the “wrong” alcohols in a number of people’s shops. I’ve known about this for a long time and assumed it was general knowledge, but since it doesn’t seem to be, allow me this one time to slip into lecture mode.
Meetings of the Guild's Furniture Interest Group (FIG) are held every third Monday of the month. All members are welcome. Ordinarily, members meet at a different member's house every month where they attend to discuss all things furniture building, including designs, jigs, wood species, joinery, tools, etc. During the COVID -19 pandemic members are issued a Zoom link to meet virtually.
Either way, members have a chance to seek advice from a varied, friendly, and experienced assembly of woodworkers or add to this body of collective knowledge. Keep an eye on FIG meetings for time and place in the Upcoming Guild Events at the top of the page.
Featured Piece of the Month
Jackson's Crib
by Dave McCormick
When you're good, you're good and you have continual requests for work pieces. This column has seen several superb pieces by Dave McCormick. (Visit the Resources > Featured Pieces of the Month for previous submissions.) Dave continues to produce marvelous pieces but some are more special than others.
The piece featured here is a gift to Dave's first grandchild, Jackson. So you get the idea why the request from his son and daughter-in-law for a crib would occupy a special connection. Dave had about two and a half months to finish it because he needed to complete a desk piece already occupying space in his workshop. Without cutting any corners Dave finished the crib (expandable to a bed when needed) by delivery time - Thanksgiving Day, 2020. Jackson is in a happy place. Read about it here.
You can send your congratulations and appreciation to the proud woodworking grandfather here.
Mentoring in the EMGW
Mentoring in the Guild takes many forms. Everything from a brief conversation or email on a particular technique to a full-blown cooperative effort to build an entire piece. Most mentoring occurs informally among members. However, the Mentor Program provides an easy way, especially for new members, to get involved in mentoring. Members listed on the Mentor Program page of this website have expressed a willingness to help other members in a variety of ways.
To read more about the Mentor Program, click here or navigate to About Us then Mentor Program. To see the list of Mentor members with their interests and contact information, click here or navigate to Members then Mentors.
Board of Directors 2020 - 2021
At the June, 2020 monthly meeting the following were elected to the Board of Directors:
The Perpetual Novice returns to provide a public service. Previous Perpetual Novice articles have attempted to look at the trials and errors of learning the woodworking craft with a bit of humor. This one is different in that it is serious. I’ve been surprised of late to see the “wrong” alcohols in a number of people’s shops. I’ve known about this for a long time and assumed it was general knowledge, but since it doesn’t seem to be, allow me this one time to slip into lecture mode.
Mentoring in the Guild takes many forms. Everything from a brief conversation or email on a particular technique to a full-blown cooperative effort to build an entire piece. Most mentoring occurs informally among members. However, the Mentor Program provides an easy way, especially for new members, to get involved in mentoring. Members listed on the Mentor Program page of this website have expressed a willingness to help other members in a variety of ways. 