September: the time when children go back to school, the weather starts to change, and many summer vacationers head back to their woodworking shops for their break from work and for a little relaxation.

Also, for many of us, the old tools are "spit and polished" as we gear up for another exciting season of project creation, and Lj.com is also gearing up for a new season of woodworking challenges and events. (Check out the LJ Events for more information.)

Not only am I looking forward to seeing the projects that are going to be created in the next little while, but I am also sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next installments of our "Cyber Skill Share" videos. Who will be next and what will be the topic? I can't wait to find out!

Over the past month we have had an extraordinary amount of skill sharing done in our online shop, not only through the videos, but in blogs, forums and project discussions.  It is exciting to watch our woodworking community become stronger and more diverse!

What will the next month bring? I have no idea, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing it all!

LJ Picnic at Mark DeCou's 

This summer has seen a number of LumberJocks picnics being held around the world and the latest one was the biggest yet!

On August 10th, a number of LumberJocks (8 to be exact) got together at Mark DeCou's house for a "LJ family" picnic. I'm sure everyone who was not able to attend is extremely envious of the opportunity to meet and to see Mark's shop and creations.

Check out Karson's blog and Mark's blog or more information on this "!st Annual" event and to see photos from the picnic. 

Picnic at LJ's the LJ

A picnic is being held at Lee Jesberger's home / shop in Sewell, N.J, across the river from Philadelphia PA., a few miles into New Jersey. The planned start time is 10:00 AM on September 29, 2007 but show up when you can.

There will be ample opportunity for Show-n-Tell so please bring a project that can fit in your car, truck, Semi.

Contact Karson Morrison at karson_morrison@bigfoot.com or Lee via LumberJock messages.

Please send your phone numbers and private e-mail addresses to Karson so that contacts can be made to you directly if any plans change.

TV Appearance

Did you know.... that Dusty was on TV again? Yes, according to Mark Decou, "I saw "Dusty" on tv. [...] He was on a show called "Look What I Did" which airs on HGTV. His Mission work was shown, as well as his stained glass work."

Congratulations Dusty on this well-deserved recognition.
(For those of you who happened to miss it, Dusty shared his woodworking journey with us, through his 48-part blog series called "This Old Crack House". You don't want to miss it: Start the mini-book here.)

1. Summer Woodworking Awards
2. Fall Philanthropy Event
3. Virtual Dining Table Challenge

Summer Woodworking Awards Recipients

Our Summer Awards event has come and gone and the Awards Recipients are already (or soon shall be) admiring their gifts, acknowledging their skills and contributions to LumberJocks.com

In the Garden Project Category we have the following Awards:

1. Bob Babock
2. Chet Kloss
3. Karson
4. John
5. Splinters

In the Wood Joinery Category, we have the following:

1. Karson
2. Joel Tille
3. Don
4. GaryK
5. Daniel Graff

We congratulate everyone who took up the challenge and entered their name (and projects) into the running for the Awards.

The  Wood Joinery category seemed to be as much of a challenge to interpret the rules as it was to build something without glue and mechanical fasteners, but in the end it has inspired many to challenge themselves beyond their current skill level and to try new woodworking techniques.

We look forward to upcoming challenges and to the magnificent results that we will be blessed with.

A big thank you to all of our sponsors for their generous donations and support of our Summer Awards. Thanks to: DowelMax, Lee Valley, Fine Woodworking, Woodworkers Workshop.com, The Woodworkers Edge, Furnitology, and Canadian Woodworking.

Fall Philanthropy Event

With yet another woodworking challenge completed, it’s time to start planning our next event and what better time to think of helping others than right now.

Not only is the change of seasons heading us towards the time of year that many children look forward to (Christmas) but many children are also being threatened right now, by the effects of natural disasters as well as the travesties of war.

With these events in mind we have approached Save the Children about doing a fundraising event around the world to raise money to help children in need. 

To support this worthy cause, we will build something (big or small) to auction/raffle/sell in order to raise money for the charity. The funds raised will then be given to the "Save The Children" organization to distribute as needed.

Read more about this exciting LJ event and join us in this challenge of giving.

In order to continue challenging us to develop our creativity and woodworking skills another challenge has been presented to the LumberJocks, with the support of Popular Woodworking.

To enter, LumberJocks simply use SketchUp to design a dining table based on some inspiration (see complete challenge rules for more details), post the process in a blog, along with a picture of the inspiration, and tag it with "challenge03".

Then what happens? Well, one random winner will receive the PRO version of the SketchUp program (donated by Google); three entries, selected by the editors of Popular Woodworking,  will each receive 4 prizes, donated by the editors; and three random winners will receive a LumberJock t-shirt! How exciting.

So if you have been putting off trying your hand at SketchUp, now is the time to give it a try! A free version of SketchUp is available here.

For more information on this challenge, check out the announcement.

Shop Inspections

During the month of August, MsDebbieP, (thanks to the hard work of Douglas Bordner, our shop pixelator), has visited the following shops for an inspection:

• Mot (passed)
• Schroeder (passed)
• Thos. Angle (passed)
• Mark DeCou (passed)
  

Douglas has done a wonderful job of writing a critique of the shops and the contents. Well done, Douglas, and congratulations to our Inspection Certificate recipients!

(Remember to email Douglas if you'd like to be on the list for next month).

Company Interviews

Along with the shop inspections, MsDebbieP has also been busy "visiting" companies (either in person or by the help of Douglas Bordner and his digital photo editing).

MsDebbieP has shared information about the following companies:

• Canadian Woodworking Magazine
• Lee Valley Tools
• Steel City Tool Works
• OMS Tools (DowelMax)
• Roarockit (Veneering Press)
  

Many of our fellow LumberJocks are either in the woodworking "business" or are considering taking the leap from being a hobbyist to turning their passion into profit.

Whether you are thinking about becoming a full-time woodworker or just want to sell a few of your creations as a side-line, the Sweating For Bucks Forum discussions are definitely worth reading!

Also, the following discussions are a must read for anyone thinking about entering or improving their online business.

• the transcript from our chat with Dan Walters, about selling products on ebay
  
• getting started with your website. This is the first of a series initiated by cajunpen and has lots of helpful information added by other members

• when you complete your profile, you have your very own website directly connected to the highly frequented LJ site! Take as much time preparing your profile as you would in setting up any promotional material
  
• your finished projects that you post are like a brochure, showing off your style and your skills
• your blog becomes a personal connection to the reader, as they get to know you through your words, gaining insight into how you work, your integrity, and other character traits
• tags are key to helping customers connect with you. When you post a project be sure to include key words in the description (words that the customer might use to search for what they are after) and then use the "tags" to increase the ease by which people can find your products. Tag it. Tag it. Tag it.

• potential customers will be looking at your profile to learn a little about who you are
• your name that you choose to display on your postings will be the name that they come to recognize (you may want to use your full name instead of a nickname so that people will recognize it)
• questions that you ask indicate that you want to be the best and quality is important
• your signature (editing link is located on your profile page) can include a link to your business website. Be sure to include the "http://" to make it an active link rather than just text. You want people to find your site, as easily as possible

Cyber Skill Share Videos

• Mot has provided us with a video on turning a pen, walking us through the process from beginning to end. He makes it look so easy!
  
• Bob Babcock has started a series for us, helping us use SketchUp to design our projects.
  

For all Cyber Skill Share Videos, check the blog tag "lj-css"

Small Little Boxes

Another of the many tutorials posted by our LumberJocks is Don's series on building small, wooden boxes. As we know, Don LOVES small, wooden boxes and, so, who better to walk us through making one, than "da man" himself! Thank you Don for sharing your expertise. (The series begins here.)

Blogs tagged "box"

Other "How To" Discussions

In the past month, our fellow LumberJocks have continued to share their wealth of knowledge and experience by helping each other with questions about tools and techniques.

As always, the discussions are filled with tidbits and words of wisdom. Here are just some of the discussions on using woodworking tools:

• thickness planer discussion initiated by TomFran
• planer discussion initiated by basementdweller
  
• proper  jointer technique  discussion initiated by hawgnutz
• a radial arm saw discussion initiated by Aubrey

Cutting Board

RJones and The Wood Whisperer are currently working out the details for preparing plans on some of The Wood Whisperer's  pod casts. The first plans made available is from the “Cut Above” podcasts: The Cutting Board

Change Table

Chambj has  provided an detailed plan, using Sketchup, for a change table/dresser. The basic design is from "The Complete Book of Woodworking: Detailed Plans for More Than 40 Fabulous Projects" with some  personal modifications.

• Air Compressors - discussion initiated by JT Thomas
• Rikon Bandsaw - discussions initiated by USCJeff and by Dick Cain
• Jointers - discussion initiated by Aubrey
• Jointers & Biscuit Cutters - discussion initiated by DogbertBH
• Dust Collection - three discussions initiated by granvilletl1, Dick Cain and ToddE
• Work Sharp Sharpening System - discussion initiated by RHH
• Dado Sets - discussion initiated by jstewart
  

Look at us! Just a few days before the end of August and our shop now has 1,461 woodworkers making 63,390 comments on 2,446 projects, 881 forum topics and 1,752 blog entries.

Mason-Dixon Woodworkers Club meeting Sept 20, 2007

VFW Hall Delmar DE / MD

The Shaker Hanging Cabinet that won first prise in the Joinery Challenge will be shown in Show and Tell.

Contact karson Morrison 302-337-0192 for info and directions.

Come and discuss this issue at the dedicated forum topic.

Bosch 5412L 12-Inch Dual Bevel Slide Miter Saw with Laser Tracking
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