December 18, 2002

To:                Dick Morano

From:             Dan Smullen

Attendees:      We had 31 people for this meeting; it was a bit snowy, but quite a few of us still showed up out at Jon Rouleau’s place in Geneseo.

Next meeting:   There is currently no host for the January 9 meeting.   

RWS news:  

• One reminder – call ahead [to Jim Altemus] to advise him of pre-meeting display items you plan to bring, especially if large.

Other news:

§         §         Jim Altemus visited Irion Lumber Company south of Wellsboro, PA . They have lots of great figured wood;  it’s worth a trip down.  Their website has lots of information and pictures – see From Bloomfield to Lou’s place just south of Wellsboro is about 100 miles, and a pretty drive.  Best way down is 390 South to Rt. I5, then PA 287 S. between Lawrenceville and Mansfield. If you’re looking for some great wood for furniture or other projects, a trip would be worthwhile.  Lou was very congenial and helped me a lot in selecting boards and how to best cut for the desk.  He really wants to have folks leave with the right wood.

• His website is www.irionlumber.com.  If you plan to go, it would be best to give him a call ahead to set a day – (570) 724 1895 – and get directions to the mill.
• Craig Smith is working on a web site for our SIG, with links to the RWS site, and places for furniture related items of all sorts, old meeting minutes, etc. 

Program

Jon, our host for the meeting, had attended the big tool show in Atlanta, and he showed us some interesting “finds” he had seen there.  The show is held on East and West coasts in alternate years; it will be in Anaheim in 2003. Jon showed us:

• a sanding system from Abranet, which uses pads which resemble typical 5” discs, but are completely free flow for air to be sucked through them and into a vacuum system.  [The discs look like sharp fiberglass screening]
• a fairly powerful white glue, which he had tried on a miter joint – it seemed incredibly strong – with no joinery  [Jowat # 800-322]
• a sprayable powder which can be applied to wood – the resultant surface looks like plated metal

Jon has constructed a functional clone of a Hoffman machine which cuts the dovetails used to miter picture frames and the like.  He used salvaged linear bearing slides and air valves salvaged from discarded machinery.  The device, using a Porter Cable trim router,  can replicate the slots which the plastic tapered dovetail locks locate into, just as the Hoffman machine does.  The device isn’t fully developed, according to Jon.  I think he just wants to tinker some more….

Jon also showed us his new Oneida cyclone dust collection system, which he has up and running. He advised us of a lower cost alternative for the sheet metal piping, blast gates, etc.  They can be bought for about 1/3 the price of Oneida at A1 Sheet Metal in Batavia. The sheet metal components, blast gates, etc, can cost double the price of the cyclone system itself – these parts add up very quickly, and thin piping from Home Depot just won’t cut it!  That material is usually thinner gauge, and can be collapsed completely with the pressures these systems can generate!

Jon also is a proponent of foot switches, the heavy, industrial strength kind.  They do make it easier to control equipment, using both momentary on and on-off-on varieties.

Until next month,

Happy woodworking,

Dan