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CHIP CHATTER NEWSLETTERROCK RIVER VALLEY Blackhawk Woodcarvers at Kenrock Community Center 3218 11th Street, Rockford, IL Vol. No. 14 Issue No. 11, November, 2007
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MEETING TIMES We meet twice a month at Kenrock Community Center on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. The third Tuesday night gathering is the business meeting generally with a guest speaker. Next meeting is November 20th. We also meet every Wednesday mornings at Kenrock Community Center for open carving for members and non-members, which is from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. |
OCTOBER MEETING NOTES
We continue to be in contact with Klehm Arboretum about next year's carving show. To be safe we will check into alternate sights. There are some good possible sites. Meanwhile there is a general feeling that we must a make a decision by December 13th based on advertising and show announcements.
A nominating committee was established by President, Elaine Terrell, which is made up of Bob Hallstrom, Larry Christensen, and Don Stansfield. The open positions are President, Vice President, and Secretary.
Gordon Moscinski reported that there are 14 students in his Rock Valley carving class; and have an interest in our club. Various suggestions were made on ways to get these students to become a member of our club. Basically Gordon will take care of this.
Our guest speaker was Jeff Lightcamp who held everyone's attention with many well-spoken words of wisdom. His presentation was excellent whereby late into the evening he discussed his novel method finishing his wood products. On a 1:1 ratio he mixes raw linseed oil with a varnish and rubs this mixture into the wood several times. Between coats there will be several days for the coat to be completely dry. He also showed a rocking chair and three small wooden cabinets, It was interesting to observe a person with so much passion for wood working.
NOVEMBER MEETING SHOW & TELL
Tom Backer---still life relief, chipped carved flowers, and a chipped carved plaque.
Tony Valdez---his original carving of a cube in a cube and a cube in a cube
Bob Matthews---life size Saw-Whet Owl mounted on a wood pedestal
Marshall Field---several miniature pendants; four finished, and six a WIP
Richard Andersen---working railroad rail workmen car that he built for his young children many years ago. A bird of years ago that sat on a bird feeder, and two men with hammers on an anvil
Lloyd Durest---from deceased Dave Hoffman's collection hand held crosses that the wood needed to be identified. There were many suggestions, but not a consensus.
CLEARING OFF THE BENCH
Nearly every wood worker generally describes maple (Acer) wood as hard or soft maple. I discovered upon some research that maple wood is not generally classified in this manner. According to a book titled "Identifying Wood" by R. Bruce Hoadley there were various maple trees defined, but not specifically with hard or soft maple nomenclature. Additional maple descriptions were found on the Internet. A surprise was that Boxelder and a British sycamore are in the maple family.
In terms of hardness the specific gravity of the various maple species was observed, and are shown below. As noted by the following table the hardness from highest to lowest is shown (also denoted are principal locations of the trees):
Sugar (rock) maple (Northeastern and upper Midwest) .63
Black maple (Midwest) .57
British sycamore (most common maple in Europe)* .56
Red maple (Eastern and Midwest) .54
Big leaf maple (Pacific Northwest) .48
Silver maple (Eastern and Midwest---rivers & streams) .47
Boxelder--ash leaf maple-- (nearly all of USA) .46
Others
Note *: Also common in New England and Pacific Northwest
All maples can have curl and bird's-eye. The red and silver are marketed as soft maples. While the black and sugar go as hard maples. Sugar maples are your maple syrup producers. Hard maples have smooth bark, and soft maples have rugged bark. Hard maples grow slower, and have tighter growth rings.
Keep your tools sharp,
Roger benedict
CALENDAR EVENTS
November 20th---Robert Kerwin will present his unique designs of boxes having many secrets.
December 28th---Swap night and Christmas Party
January 15th---Richard Andersen will present a lighthouse photo presentation
February 19th---Orville Roan will present an interesting topic of "Intarsia"
March 18th---Roger Benedict will present a slide show of the old and forgotten farm silos of IL and WI.
MISC WOOD CHIPS
NOVEMBER SPEAKER
Our gust speaker is Robert Kerwin who will present his unique designs of boxes with drawers and perhaps having secrets. Like most of us, Robert is a Rockford native who has a passion with wood. He will speak on his construction and finishing methods. Please plan to attend for a very interesting evening on November 20th, business meeting at 7:00 pm.
2008 SHOW SITE
The bad news from Klehm Arboretum is that they have raised their fees beyond our means. Thus, there have been significant discussions of searching for another site. Thanks for one member, John Wacker; he has recommended the Tebala Shrine Center on Newburg Road. From an inspection of the site it appears to meet our requirements. However, more input is needed from other members. It is encourage that everyone takes some time to physically review this site. At our next business meeting, on Tuesday November 20th, this important subject will be presented and decided upon.
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Beginning January 1st the membership dues will be $20.00, and are due the end of January 2008. Treasurer John Wacker will be happy to collect your dues. Make checks out to Blackhawk Woodcarvers. The dues' increase was approved by the membership during the September business meeting.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Looking ahead to the December meeting we will have the annual Christmas party with food and beverages to share. At this same meeting is the swap night of your "odds and sods" having no use to you, but could be a high interest to someone else. Anything goes----wood, hand tools, power tools, broken tools, unfinished carvings, ruff-outs, paint, brushes, magazines & books, bag of wood chips, etc.
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A LIMERICK from_____Doug LarsonIf your fortunes have gone in reverse just take a job as driving a hearse. A quick glance behind will surely remind that things could be very much worst
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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION BLACKHAWK WOODCARVERS Meets at Kenrock Community Center 3218 11TH Street Rockford, IL NAME_____________________________________________________ ADDRESS__________________________________________________ PHONE NO.____________________ E-MAIL______________________ Annual membership dues are $20.00 Make checks payable to Blackhawk Woodcarvers MAIL TO: John Wacker 1412 Comanche Drive, Rockford, IL 61107 |
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The Blackhawk Woodcarvers was founded in 1993 and has a goal of preserving and encouraging the art of woodcarving. Membership is open to anyone having any skill level of carving, including those who have never carved and want to learn about carving.
Blackhawk Woodcarvers
1921 Boscobel Court
Rockford, IL 61107
