CJWA Group Builds

  Why join CJWA? The Central Jersey Woodworker’s Association is the largest general woodworking club in New Jersey, and is the home to some incredibly talented woodworkers. Members get many benefits, as can be seen here on our website. But one of the new initiatives we’ve started over the past several months are the CJWA Group Builds. These are not exactly like a traditional woodworking class, but instead are a way for CJWA members to take advantage of the experience and talents of other CJWA members who lead these Group Builds.

The way that these builds are structured is that each small group of people meet on a regular basis at the leader’s shop to go over each step of the project, and then go home to their shop to work on the project.  Each project is designed to take a relatively short period of time, and it doesn’t take a huge amount of experience to complete a project.

How effective are these classes? Here’s an example of what can be learned and accomplished. This Arts and Crafts table was made by Linda Keleigh. Jerry Fishlin was the leader of this Group Build project. This was the first woodworking project Linda has ever made.

January Meeting: Chippendale chair by Robert Hemsen

Our January meeting is chock full of great information and presentations. Bob Emmons will show a pair of inlay memory boxes that he made.  Matt Greco will be talking about a work in progress.  Robert Hemsen will show a Chippendale chair that he recently completed. And we get two shop tours for the price of one from Al Failla and John Aniano.

The January meeting will also be our election for all of the CJWA officer positions. As usual, everyone is invited to run for a position, as all positions are open.  This is your chance to participate and contribute to your club.

See you there!

December Meeting: Annual CJWA Holiday Potluck Dinner

Knowing that the first thing woodworkers want to think about after having eaten way too much over Thanksgiving, here’s information on our annual Holiday Potluck dinner. The December meeting will be held on Wed., December 14 at 6:30pm. Please note the earlier start time.

As in past years, members are asked to bring either a main dish, a side dish or a dessert to feed 6-8 people. CJWA will provide beverages and paper products. Please contact Marc Gartner @ marcleslieg@gmail.com to indicate what food you are bringing to avoid a situation where we have all desserts. Not that there’s a problem with all desserts, of course.

UPDATE: We will also have a presentation by the always entertaining and delightful Steve Altman, who will be talking about a set of six boxes that he has recently made, along with tips on what to think about when making batches and duplicates of a project, and making your own veneers.

Great source for wood

A number of CJWA members have recently bought lumber for their projects from George Unfries, and his contact information is being posted for reference. George only operates by phone, and his number is 908-399-8904. He's located in Ringoes, and from member reports he has great wood and great prices.

November Meeting: Projects by Simon Stark and Matt Greco, and Harvey Wallach's shop tour

Our November meeting will be chock full of member projects. Matt Greco will talk about his walnut and cherry table with a floating top. Simon Stark will discuss a bed he built for his daughter, and Harvey Wallach is up for shop of the month.

Add in updates from the CJWA build projects, and you’ll get a great cross sections of the things that CJWA members have been up to as we head into the fall and winter months, which has traditionally meant more shop time.

Hope to see you there!