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Welcome to the February 2008 issue of the LumberJocks eMag:
From the Editor
This issue of our LJ-eMag has been delayed a week so that we can share with you the results of our Woodworking Awards Winter 2008 event. It has been a very exciting month as the entries for the two categories were submitted. It has been inspiring, to say the least.
January has also been a great month for the site as we've watched it grow by over 500 members in just the one month - that's almost 20 new members each and every day! We also have new companies advertising on the site and several new features added by our site founder, Martin Sojka.
From site achievements to woodworking challenges and achievements, this has definitely been a grand entry into 2008. I can't wait to see what comes along in the rest of the year!
The LumberJocks
- LumberJocks' Interviews
- An Honour Indeed
- Bring Out The Popcorn
LumberJocks' Interviews
David has taken the initiative to do some "cyber interviews". His first guest is Todd A. Clippinger and it is a pleasure to "meet" Todd and learn a little bit about his woodworking past.
Watch the video interview here.
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An Honour Indeed
On behalf of all the LumberJocks I would like to say "Congratulations" to Schwingding, who has a photo of his carved spoons on the cover of the latest catalogue from Lee Valley Tools. This is indeed quite an honour, a well-deserved honour!
(See all of Schwingding's projects here.)
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Bring Out The Popcorn
LumberJocks.com is probably the friendliest and most supportive online community there is. However, on occasion we will get off track and a semi-heated debate will fire up and the atmosphere changes.
We have recently lost a member due to the less-than-pleasant discussions that have taken place over the past year. Although we cannot expect that it won't happen again, we hope that the healthy debates don't get out of control as some have in the past.
I think it is important that people not only have strong beliefs on subjects but also share their thoughts even if it may be controversial. Sometimes, however, the discussions get a little "heated" and it has been suggested that participants in such debates be asked to continue their discussion in private. So, if you find yourself caught up in a hot topic, don't be surprised or hurt if someone pulls out the popcorn and you get a message to continue it using the private messaging option.
Let's all work together to keep the discussions helpful and supportive - the true nature of LumberJocks.com
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LJ Awards & Challenges
- Woodworking Awards Winter 2008
- Tool Reviews
The LumberJocks' Woodworking Awards Winter 2008
The LumberJocks' Woodworking Awards, Winter 2008 has officially come to a close. It has been exciting, to say the least. This has been our best event yet with 50 entries in the "Not Just Any Box" category and 34 entries in the "Multipurposed 2x4" category!
We congratulate every member who submitted an entry into the two categories and, also, those who were able to select a "top 5" for each of the sections. Voting was almost as difficult as the building!
And now, a special congratulations to our Awards Recipients:
Not Just Any Box
Top Woodworker Honor: GaryK
2nd Place Honor: Ryan Shervill
(Category results can be seen here.)
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The Multi-Purposed 2x4
Top Woodworker Honor: Ryan Shervill
2nd Place Honor: YorkshireStewart
(Category results can be seen here.)
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"Top Overall Woodworking Honor" (recipient of the much anticipated band saw from Steel City Tools) is:
GARYK.
(Category results can be seen here.)
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(See all of GaryK's
Work here.)
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Thank you, again, to everyone who participated and to our sponsors Steel City Tool Works, Freud, Microplane, Canadian Woodworking, and Grex.
(To see the list of prizes, see our event page.)
Tool Reviews
A new feature at LumberJocks.com is the Reviews Section, where woodworkers provide their personal review of a tool that is or has been in their shop. For the kick-off of this new feature Martin, on behalf of LumberJocks.com, and Marc Spagnuolo, The Wood Whisperer, each donated two t-shirts, which were given to random "winners" from the list of reviews submitted by the end of January.
Out of the 99 reviews submitted in just 19 days, the following names were drawn for the t-shirts:
Congratulations to the winners and we look forward to reading even more reviews!
Other LJ Events
Memorial Event for Oscorner
Most of you are aware of the passing of our fellow LumberJock, Oscorner. Many of us were first greeted by Mark when we joined the site and we were blessed by his kind words of support when we posted a project.
Now, with the initiative of Dusty and Karson, a Memorial event has been set up in his honour. One of Mark's requests for his funeral was that people didn't spend money on flowers but donated them to a cause that would help others. Dusty and Karson are doing just that.
Together, they have created "Mark's Heavenly Flight", a framed stained glass piece of art that symbolizes Oscorner's faith and his final journey. LumberJocks are encouraged to make a $10 donation to LumberJocks.com in Oscorner's memory (which will ensure that the site is funded for some time, keeping it available to help others). Everyone who makes a donation will have their name "put in a hat" and a random selection will be made on February 21th. Arrangements will then be made for this person to receive the one-of-a-kind memorial piece.
The blog on this memorial begins with Dusty, moves on to Karson's work, and then back to Dusty again. The series starts here:
http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/Dusty/blog/3081
To participate in this tribute, make your $10 donation in Oscorner's name. Donations for the memorial can be made here:
http://lumberjocks.com/donate
A big thank-you to Dusty and Karson for their tribute and all the work that they have put into this.
"Thinking of you, Oscorner"
~ the LumberJocks
LumberJocks Picnics
Throughout the year many LumberJocks get together for what have become known as "LumberJock Picnics". The following are in the plans. If you'd like to arrange a picnic in your area, just let me know and I'll post the information in the eMag. (The more notice you can give, the more opportunities people have to make arrangements.)
- Arlington, Texas: (POSTPONED. No date set yet.)
- Brant County, Ontario: July 13, 2008. Host: MsDebbieP
- Washington State: June 14 or 21, 2008. Host: chamoruboy
- your picnic listed here
GardenTenders (Our Sister Site)
Congratulations to "GardenTenders" which already has over 100 members!
If you are interested in gardening (or knows someone who is), visit the site at http://gardentenders.com.
Feature Article: The Scroll Saw
The Scroll Saw
| One of the tools that can be found in many shops is the scroll saw. The tool is primarily used for cutting intricate designs into wood and other materials. Such designs have been used for centuries, being found on Egyption, Roman and Greek furniture. These works of art, however, were most likely done with just a knife. |
 Project by Splinter42 |
| In the 1500's a craftsman designed a very fine blade which opened the door to specialized tools for doing fretwork. In the 1860's the hand tools turned into mechanical tools and the progression began towards our modern tools used today. |
Project by Allison
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Today, the scroll saw has features such as a quick release for blades; ability to use pin blades and pinless ones, for even finer cuts, variable speeds, blowers, lights, and tilting tables.
Our LumberJocks have recently posted a number of scroll saw projects, demonstrating fretwork and intarsia techniques that can be done with the tool. Projects include boxes, clocks, pictures, and sculptures. |
(Project by Lee)
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Have you tried your hand at scroll work? Do you have a scroll saw tucked away in the corner? Check out the LumberJocks' projects. They'll be sure to inspire you to create and share something of your own!
Reviews of Scroll Saws
Projects tagged with scroll saw
(other projects tagged with scroll, scrollsaw, scrollworking)
Forum Discussions tagged with scroll saw
(other forum discussions tagged with scroll, scrollsaw, scrollworking )
Where in the World Is MsDebbieP?
Tour Manager, Writer, Designer: Douglas Bordner
Host: MsDebbieP
Shop Tours
Company Tours
Tutorials and Other How-To's
Cyber Skill Share Videos
We are always looking for more video tutorials.
To make your own CSS Video for sharing, download the CSS video "intro" here.
Tutorials tagged with "video"
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Unanswered Forum Questions
The list of forum posts that have gone unanswered is getting quite long. Take some time to scan through them to see if you can help in anyway. |
Unanswered
Forum Posts |
Tutorial Request
The LumberJocks are looking for someone to create a tutorial on doing inlays. Are you up for the challenge?
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Request:
Inlay Tutorial
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Blending Light & Dark
ErrsatzTom asked about blending light and dark poplar and maple. The LumberJocks responded with their usual bag of tips, tricks, and possibilities. |
Blending
Light & Dark
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Sharpening Irons & Chisels
Looking for some tips regarding sharpening you plane irons and chisels? Look no further. Lots of ideas posted here.
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Iron Sharpening
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Finishes, Heat & Fire
Keeping safety in mind at all times, this discussion looks at the safety features for finishes. With winter time turning on the heat in many shops around the world, this is a very important topic.
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Safety With
Finishes
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Is it REALLY Sharp?
Looking at your tools, they appear sharp. But are they? YooperCasey puts his chisels under a metallurgical microscope. Interested in the results? Check out these two blogs.
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Sharp:
Blog 1 |
Sharp:
Blog 2
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Sanding
Shwingding continues his blog series on the sanding process of woodworking. |
Sanding Series |
Keeping the Shop Clean
Let's be honest. Most of us have let the shop organization get out of control at least once or twice. Need some tips on getting it clean and keeping it that way? Check out this discussion.
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Shops;
Clean & Organized |
Setting Up a Dust Collection System
JC provides us with a video tutorial, showing us how he set up his DC system.
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Dust Collection
Set up |
So You Want To Go Pro
Well, if you have been wondering about turning pro and how to make a living with your hobby, Odie's 13-part blog is a good place to start. His informative series walks us through the financial aspect of the business to doing craft shows, and so much more! And, if you have further questions he's open to extending the series even further. |
Tips and Plans
For Becoming A
Professional Woodworker
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Sharpening Router Plane Irons
With the "L" shape of the iron, it takes a little more than usual to get it sharpened. Check out these tips. |
Router Plane
Sharpening
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Jointer Difficulties
Is your jointer creating a ripple effect in the wood? Try these tips to fix the problem...
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Jointer
Problems
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Bandsaw Issues
Is your bandsaw vibrating out of control? Don't give up.. there's help out there! Check out this extensive list of ideas.
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Fixing Up
The Bandsaw |
Surfacing without a Jointer
Not sure how to get a surface flat when it won't fit through your jointer? GaryK provides a tutorial of how he does it, along with photos.
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Surfacing Wood
Without a Jointer |
How Much To Charge?
Here is one discussion at LumberJocks.com regarding how to decide how much to charge for your work. Any more tips out there? Take some time to share your ideas with others.
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And what
do you charge
for your work?
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Bevel Ripping
Check out this discussion for some tips and some safety warnings regarding bevel ripping on a table saw. |
Bevel Ripping Process |
Sharpening Your Saws
Have you checked the teeth on your handsaws lately? Perhaps it's time to give them a little sharpening. Dorje shares information on saw sharpening in his "tool tweaking" blog series. |
A Sharp Saw
is a
Good Saw! |
Eliminating Black Stains
When using a pipe clamp, do you end up with black stains on your wood? Gord Graff shares his tips on how to prevent them. |
Preventing
Pipe Stains
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Homemade Bandsaw Blade Tension Release
Blake provides us with a "how to" along with video support. |
Quick
Release |
Tools In The Small Shop
The Teenagewoodworker shows us his list of tools that every small shop should have.
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Tools
In the Small Shop |
Products in Discussion
Reviews
A new feature of Lj.com are the "Reviews" provided by the members themselves. These reviews are based on personal experiences by woodworkers in their own shops. Please note that these reviews may not represent the results achieved by other woodworkers using the same product.
The following are some of our first Reviews completed. To see all the Reviews and to search for a specific topic, visit our "Review" feature here: http://lumberjocks.com/reviews
Review Request: Mortising Machines
Other Products is Discussion
Woodworking Plans
It's Very STAT-isfying
Promoting LumberJocks.com
Why Promote?
- more activity means more advertising potential
- more advertising = site maintenance fees covered
- more advertising = more "perks" and services for the members
How To Help
- word of mouth: talk about the site with woodworkers and woodworking companies' managers/employees
- distribute press releases, flyers, etc as they are provided, for special events
- place a link to LJ.com on your personal websites/blogs
- use your LJ profile as your business website
- use the badges and widgets provided, on your sites
- let potential advertisers know about our advertising information
- take the time to check out the company interviews posted
- make a personal donation to the site
- purchase items through the LJ Store
- and of course, don't forget to wear your LJ t-shirt!
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