Show and Tell

When the leaves start to turn color and the weather begins to cool off during mid-October, what better time of year to carve some leaves?  Thank you to the Woodworkers Guild of Georgia for help that made it possible for me to participate in a power carving class taught by Sammy Long.  The class was a four-day workshop that was arranged by the Atlanta Woodturners Guild and was held at Woodcraft.

The focus of the class was using a micromotor to power carve a disk so that it looked like a slightly domed circle of leaves.  For those not familiar, a micromotor is a rotary cutting device similar to a Dremel rotary tool.  Where a Dremel typically turns at about 15,000 rpm, a micromotor runs at a range of 20,000 to 50,000 rpm, has variable speed, and quick change of the cutting bits, called burs.

The class started with handing out a kit of tools that Sammy had prepared for each student which included Sharpie markers, an X-ACTO knife, a brass bristle brush, pen and pencil, and a chip brush to remove dust.  While this might not seem significant, several of these items turned out to be specific to the process and important that each student had available for use.  Next step was the process of making a leaf patterned template from heavy rubber shower liner material.  Students then used that leaf template to layout multiple overlapping leaves across the whole disk.  Sammy’s experienced guidance helped us avoid design choices that would make carving very difficult later.  From that point through to the finished object, Sammy had prepared a series of seven disks that represented different stages of the process.  These along with some handouts outlining the process were tremendously helpful with visualization and as references as Sammy demonstrated the process steps and students needed to refresh their understanding of where they were in the process.

I would not describe the classroom at Woodcraft as an ideal venue for eleven students to do power carving, which produces enough dust to create a hazardous environment in a short time.  Fortunately, Sammy’s experience with teaching this class and most of the students having some experience with power carving combined to overcome the facility challenge and resulted in an outstanding experience.  Students were encouraged to bring their own small table, and a comfortable height-adjustable chair so that they would not have to work uncomfortably at the taller work benches.  In addition, most of the students brought their own tabletop dust collection systems that helped tremendously with the air quality in the room.  With eleven students in the class, and it was very cozy.  However, the small personal tables enabled small workstations.  While the setting was cozy, everyone had enough room to work without feeling cramped.

Sammy’s knowledge of the process and techniques were critical to everyone’s success.  His flexible and easy-going teaching style helped build confidence.  His experience in teaching the class was invaluable to preparing for us to have a successful experience.  I would strongly recommend that if you are interested in power carving and you have an opportunity to take a class with Sammy Long, don’t hesitate to sign up. You’ll enjoy the experience!  Thanks again to the Woodworkers Guild of Georgia.

I have often admired end grain cutting boards that I have seen at farmers markets and craft shows. The depth of color and variation is mesmerizing. Even though I could likely figure out how to make one on my own, I decided to take a class. The class was offered by Woodcraft of Atlanta and taught by Milton Miller. This was a 2-evening class om 6:00 to 9:00 PM. All materials and supplies were included. 

The class started with some fundamentals of end-grain vs face grain as well as shop safety. The steps to making the cutting board were discussed along with need to use precisely milled lumber. Pieces of maple cherry and walnut were pre-milled to approximately 1”x2”x24”. Each student selected 7 pieces of wood. I selected 2 walnut, 2 maple and 3 cherry bords. The next step was to glue the boards together to make a single striped plank that was about 12” wide by 24” long (Figure 1). This was left to cure for approximately 30 minutes. The evening continued with scraping off any glue squeeze out and running the plank through the drum sander to ensure that the surfaces were smooth and parallel. The next step was to cut strips off of the plank that were about 1 ½”, the desired thickness of the cutting board. Once these pieces were cut, they were laid out with the end grain facing up (Figure 2). This was followed by rotating every second piece by 180 degrees to create the final pattern of the cutting board. From there it was back into the clamps for the second and final glue up. This concluded the first evening. 

The second evening started with removing the clamps and getting the first good look at the cutting board. The board was flat but needed extensive sanding. This started with the drum sander and continued with a random orbit sander and ended with hand sanding. We used a router to round over all of the corners. We finished the evening with Aquacoat grain filler and Osmo hard wax oil to the cutting board. The sanding and finishing process was very time-consuming but the final product was absolutely stunning. 

Since taking the class, I have made 2 additional end grain cutting boards out of oak (Figure 4) and I have 3 more in progress for Christmas presents. This was a very good class and I would highly recommend it.

Providing fine woodworking tools and project supplies since 1978, Highland defines itself as a learning community. The store has attracted nationally known teachers and authors including Tage Frid, Sam Maloof, Michael Dunbar, Rude Osolnik, Toshio Odate, Dale Nish, Mark Duginske, and many others in Highland’s ongoing program of seminars and workshops. They have some great woodworking class opportunities coming up with classes and seminars every week that include basic sharpening techniques, turning, finishing, project builds, and much more! Visit their website to see their class schedule. Their catalog of fine woodworking tools and workshops is available online at highlandwoodworking.comor visit their fully stocked store at: 

1045 North Highland Avenue NE 

Atlanta, Georgia 30306

Telephone 404-872-4466, or 800-241-6748

Our Atlanta retail store is open

     Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 12:30-4:30

Peachtree is a producer and retailer of high-quality woodworking products with a goal of providing the woodworker with the hard-to-find tools and accessories. They stock over 6,000 different woodworking items. Those items include a wide selection of abrasives, books, DVD’s, clamps, router bits, glue, T-track, dust collection, and much more. Peachtree also carries the major brands. Visit them at:

6684 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Suite 100

Peachtree Corners, Ga 30071

Telephone 888-512-9069 or 770 458-5539

https://ptreeusa.com/m

Sunday, Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday:       9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 

Thursday:     9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday:         9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday:      8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Specializes in new and used woodworking and metal working machinery in a 25,000 square foot showroom. They stock machinery, accessories, and supplies from top-name manufacturers. Bargain hunters check out their large inventory of used and scratch and dent machinery and accessories. They are a source for older American made Powermatic and Delta parts. Guild members are invited to stop by and visit:

WM J. REDMOND & SON, INC.

58 Weldon Road

Palmetto, GA US 30268 

redmondmachinery.com

Telephone 800-428-9898 or770-683-7297

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday / Sunday:  CLOSED

Directions From Atlanta:

Get on I-75 S/I-85 S, continue on I-85 S. Take exit 56 from I-85 S Turn right onto Collinsworth Road. Continue straight onto Weldon Road Destination will be on the right. 

Rockler began as a mail order woodworking supply company and today the retail chain stretches across the United States. Their magazine, Woodworker’s Journal, is dedicated to offering plans, techniques, product reviews and tips to woodworkers. Their goal is to be your go-to woodworking resource. Please mention you are a Guild member BEFORE your purchase to receive 10% OFF every day (normal exclusions apply). Services Available: Cut to length and rip-to-width cutting and thickness planing. Call their store for details. 

New Services Available: Cut to length and rip-to-width cutting and thickness planing. Call store for  details, Visit their website rockler.com or either of two Atlanta store locations:

425 Ernest W Barrett Parkway NW

425 Ernest W Barrett Parkway NW

Suite 1120

Kennesaw, GA 30144

Telephone 678-383-0087

Mon–Fri: 9 AM – 7 PM

Sat: 9 AM – 6 PM

Sun: 11 AM – 4 PM

6690 Roswell Road, Suite 450 

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Telephone 404-460-1000

Mon–Fri: 9 AM – 7 PM 

Sat: 9 AM – 6 PM

Sun: 11 AM – 4 PM

We are a specialty hardwood supplier for custom cabinet and furniture makers as well as the general public. Suwanee features hardwood lumber with matching plywood and other materials to make every project a work of art. Please show your Guild membership card when shopping to receive Level 4 pricing (1,000 b.f. pricing). Visit them at:suwaneelumber.com .

540 Satellite Blvd NE 

Suwanee, GA 30024

Telephone 770-945-2102 or 800-330-8087 

Mon - Fri: 8 AM - 4:30 PM

Sat: 8 AM - 1:00 PM

Closed Sunday