Replies

1. 
   PaulMassachusetts | Dec 17, 2008 03:55am | #1

   I belong to a woodworking center where classes are taught...Love it.  It is like a club. You can learn a great deal from not only the instructor but from other students. There are no pure woodworking clubs in my area possibly because of liability issues. There is a very active woodturning club in my area which I plan to join...Where you have various people using equipment you run into problems. One woodturner ran the endgrain part of a large log on our 12  inch jointer to flatten it for a faceplate. Too bad he broke the fence adjustment mechanism-cracked completely through. Other individuals similarly misused other equipment---wearing blades on the the Laguna bandsaw by misuse, destroying jointer knives, etc.   Having a person monitoring the place helps, but constant maintenance is necessary. 

1. 
   gossamershavings | Dec 17, 2008 04:37am | #2

   I could see that as being a problem. The club near me was seniors only untill last year, and i think they keep a close eye on all the youngsters...well i'm 36 so i guess i am in the middle. the president and most members are older gents and it is a part of a church, or the shop is provided by the church. I think they are fairly careful who they let in, and the big guy is always watching .....i wouldn't run a log over god's jointer.Hope i didn't offend anyone, but i really think it is a great solution.even when i get my shop back up and runnin, i will probably still be a member.it's $125 a year! i'd pay that just to use the planer andshaper...plus they keep the dust..haha.looking forward to all the mix of experience.

1. 
   PaulMassachusetts | Dec 18, 2008 01:12am | #3

   There are a few shops in my area where you can rent space. A few of the people starting out do that.

2. 
   BruceS | Dec 18, 2008 01:42am | #4

   I go to the Lake/Geauga WW Club that meets at Eagle America, in Chardon OH, once a month.  Last night our Guest speaker was Ernie Conover.  Gave us a lecture on the history of dovetails.  He's going to have a new book out on dovetails some time in March?  Much of the content in the lecture and book were gleaned from the Harvard study collection of Colonial and Early American pieces.

   Aside from the occasional guest speakers,  everybody takes a turn demonstrating their best talent.   But go with an open mind to any WW Club!!    Some of the things people do are just dangerous.  But they are politely informed of their poor technique.  So bad techniques are never left untouched.

    

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

3. 
   SawdustSteve | Dec 18, 2008 05:16am | #5

   My first question to you is... Are you a sociable guy??' If you like discussing woodworking with other like-minded guys and gals, then join a club.

   I've had the pleasure to see, hear and talk to Mario Rodriguez, talking about, and demonstrating veneiring and folding table design, Frank Klausz on dovetails, building a workbench and several other topics, and Roger Schroeder on building half scale furniture. I've also learned about tool maintanence and repair from a club member who does that for a living, and lots of other topics, ranging from finishing and miniature work to segmented wood turning and door construction and everything in between.

   I've also had the chance to coach several of the younger club members. But... the most fun I've had is working with a small group of club members, building wooden toys that we donate to various shelters, hospitals, toys-for-tots, etc.

   At each meeting there is a raffle for something wood related. Prizes have been L-N planes, clamps, Krieg jigs, packs of sandpaper, finishing supplies, etc.

   The only possible downside is that the club does not have its own shop, but I now have the greatest bunch of guys that I can call on if I need a quick brush-up on almost any woodworking project.

   SawdustSteve Long Island, NY (E of NYC)