January 14th Meeting

Our first meeting of the year 2026 will be on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:00PM.  Our annual dues are collected by Doug each year.  Please bring cash or a check (made out to CJWA) in the amount of $50 to the meeting, or you can use your phone and Zelle.   Alternatively, you can pay from home by mailing a check or using the zelle code; the mailing address and code are on the first page of our website, cjwa.org. 

 

Our agenda for this month will have a variety of interests for all.  The tool of the month presented by Bill Woodard will be the card scraper, something that should have a place in every one’s shop, so simple but yet so effective.

 

Bob Emmons will share his finished sideboard, “Rhapsody” as part two of the build.  Last year Bob presented the top half, now he will share the stand assembly.  This features brick-layed substrate construction with veneer, cabriole leg design, and applied carvings.  If you recall, Bob had challenges with the finish on this project, and with much experimentation, a solution of toned shellacs and finishers glaze was the answer.  The complete sideboard will be on display for your perusal.

Jim Braun will school us on the use of a router plane.  Jim operates out of a relatively small space with minimal woodworking machinery.  He has built beautiful pieces with the use of hand tools, and the router plane is an important piece of inexpensive equipment that many could benefit from.  

 

Also up is our annual Officer Elections.  Each year we ask for members to help run this fine organization; the following posts are listed:

 

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Librarian

Meeting Program Chair

Media Technology

Membership Chair

 

If you can find the time to help fill one of these slots, we appreciate it.  The success of any organization is built upon each member giving their part to make it work.  More on this at the meeting.  

 

Marc Gaertner will discuss the upcoming Makers Challenge.  Open to all members, one small board will be given out to participants.  Rules given, and the membership will determine the winner at a future meeting.  

 

We should have a very informative and enjoyable meeting, just the remedy for cabin fever! 

November 12th Meeting

This month’s meeting will cover a variety of different topics.

• We are going to start a new recurring monthly short talk of a specific hand tool and featured wood review of the month.
• John Tomaino will demonstrate the larger Festool Domino joinery tool.
• Robert Hemsen will do a presentation on a Tool Tote he recently completed, that has a unique cord wrapped handle. This was a project from Fine Woodworking.
• Bob Emmons will talk about the uses of a framing square during glue ups and how to check and adjust for accuracy. 
• Marc Gaertner will talk about Poplar as an important stable wood for many applications and will give a short presentation on ideas for Holiday Gifts that everyone can make.

October 8th Meeting

For the October meeting, long time club member Paul Weber will discuss in detail his latest project, which is an expansion - remodel of his Kitchen. This included the use and benefits of sketchup to design as well as help him track the materials and build process. This should be a very interesting and informative presentation.

We Hope to see everyone there,

September 10 Meeting

We are back again next Wednesday, to start the fall meeting schedule.

First off is the steadfast Marc Gaernter, who will show off shop Jigs that can both save time and make processes repeatable and accurate. Most are things he has figured out over a long time while working on various projects.

Our second presenter will be Rob Hess. The topic will be, His current Guitar project- Design and Planning process, Neck Construction and Side Laminating.

June 11th Meeting

 The June meeting will be our traditional members exhibition. This is a great way to see what your fellow club members have  been working on. It has been a success , since almost everyone that attends brings a project to share. It can be anything made of wood from a simple project to more complicated or even a work in progress.