Author: Mike Koster

RECAP OF DWC MEETING DEC 8, 2025

INTRO: Gene H; Safety exits reviewed, Defib unit upstairs. The small flip phone on the sign-in table can ONLY BE USED for EMERGENCY 911 calls!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. PYROGRAPHY 4 U. Interested in Pyrography class in January 2026 by Vicky The Real Artist.

The cost is $35 and will include all materials, patterns and use of wood burning equipment. A 14 inch paddle included.

If you want to attend please email mail to: donmcfarland6@gmail.com

We will send out final sign up when dates and times determined. Please specify if you only do days or nights or both. If you have your own Razertip type burner and want to bring it let us know.

• COURSES: ongoing…TURNING 101 WITH Chris started Tues eve Dec 2nd. With Kade started Thurs Dec 4th. See Kade kadedwc@gmail.com to get on ‘the list’ for either instructor/session.
• Dec 15TH MEETING will be ORNAMENT PRODUCTION on scroll saws, lathes, etc… DON’T MISS IT!!! and maybe kubkar building…
• FREE earlybird membership was won by DALE C.!
• Our Annual General Meeting will occur ON JANUARY 12. It is REALLY important that we get a good turnout to the AGM, so PLEASE MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDARS to ATTEND. The AGM usually includes a review of the past year, plans for the future of the club, elections for members to help out on the executive, and any other business that is properly brought to the attention of the executive team! YOU can read the club’s constitution and bylaws by going to this page of our club website and scrolling down: https://durhamwoodworkingclub.com/about/
• 50-50 DRAWS… winners were Ron A., Annie F and Annie F !!!
• DEC 22nd will be ‘Informal meeting’ chat and assist Gene with finishing up some memory boxes…
• Past member Al Lanteigne will be selling some tools in the coming weeks or months. We will advise you of items, dates, contact info. Stay tuned for details.
• Reminder for members to renew your membership $80 before December 31st.

Money can be sent by etransfer to treasurer@durhamwoodworkingclub.com

1. SHOP CLEAN-UP is this coming Saturday, Dec 13th at 10:00 a.m. Lend a hand… work with other friendly woodworkers!
2. 2by4 CHALLENGE is being run again in 2026 … YOU should participate!,,,sign up sheet is with Gene H. (communityrelations@durhamwoodworkingclub.com ), Showing and Judging of handiwork would be in 2026, date to be announced.
3. KUBKARS: will be done again by the members of the club this coming year Build our own and compete for huge prizes and international(?) recognition? It was fun last year.
4. PLEASE WEAR your name badge at meetings... it helps newer members get to know people, and it really helps older members too!!!

SHOW AND TELL:

1. Gene H: A composite photo of the recent FLATWORK 101 group was shown… a DAZZLING bunch of woodworkers.
2. Doug R: Library review: our online catalog is at LIBRARYTHING.com. One of the good books in our collection is Jim Tolpin’s “Woodworking Wit and Wisdom”

Contact Doug if you have any questions about the library.

• Chris L: peppermills turned from various glue-ups, side grain and end grain challenges.
• Mike B: whittled Christmas spirits and book-marks done from butternut and basswood
• Gene H: 3D scrolled ornament!
• Santa Doug R: 3 display boxes of bandsawn cherry and walnut with slide in plexiglass tops and baltic birch inserts to display toy cars or other items. Construction made use of the planer, table saw, Mitre jig (thanks Dale)and bandsaw. Minimal hand sanding only. 3 different finishes used for comparison: water based varathane brush on gloss; wipe-on satin poly, t-shirt ragged on; Grand finishing oil with Osmo polyx oil gloss, ragged on rubbed off with t-shirt rag. Best results?? that is in the eye and opinion of the beholder! IF YOU WOULD LIKE A HANDS ON WALK THROUGH OR ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THESE, CONTACT DOUG.

PRESENTATION – PYROGRAHY WITH “VICKY THE REAL ARTIST!!”

Several amazing paddles were displayed with ‘woodburning’ art on them. Vicki has displayed at art galleries and given classes at several school boards. SHE IS WILLING TO GIVE A CLASS AT OUR SHOP – SEE NOTICE IN RED AT TOP OF THIS EMAIL.

She has a booth at the ‘Oshawa Flea Market’ on Simcoe St just N of 401. Vicki uses ‘Razortip’ from Lee Valley…they will repair/replace any broken unit within a year!

Various themes and techniques were explained/displayed: ‘Bear on a Branch’, The Future is Indigenous’, ‘Grandmother’s Legacy’ were some of Vicky’s beautiful examples.

Design opportunities, which we have all experienced, were discussed!

Consider signing up for a ‘learn and create’ session with Vicki… contact Don Mc. at donmcfarland6@gmail.comSEE YOU NEXT MONDAY DEC 15th AT OUR DWC ORNAMENT CONSTRUCTION NIGHT!!!

RECAP OF DWC MEETING DEC 1, 2025

INTRO: Gene H; Safety exits reviewed, Defib unit upstairs. Members shared some stories of safety incidents. The small flip phone on the sign-in table can ONLY BE USED for EMERGENCY 911 calls!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. DWC Lotto group is ready to win the big one soon! $85 is being invested in this weeks big draw on Dec 2nd. Please contact Paul Kidson.
2. COURSES: FLATWORK 101 just completed its Nov run, thanks to all participants and instructors Wayne, Dale, Noel and Paul. 6 more beautiful step-stools are in the world!

TURNING 101 WITH Chris starts Tues eve Dec 2nd and 7 following Tuesdays (shop reserved).   With Kade starts Thurs Dec 4th (SHOP reserved for the turners on Dec 4, 11, 18th.)  Thanks to you both for running these courses for us all!

3. 2by4 CHALLENGE is being run again in 2026 … YOU should participate!,,,sign up sheet is with Gene H.
4. Showing and Judging of handiwork would be in 2026, date to be announced, rules are AT END OF THIS POST. Stay tuned!
5. 50-50 draws will take place next week times 3!!!
6. KUBKARS: will be done again by the club this coming year Build own and compete? It was fun last year.
7. Our Annual General Meeting will occur in JANUARY. Morte details below.
8. Reminder for members to renew their memberships $80 before December 31st.   If they want to be included in an early bird draw for a free membership in 2026 they must have their renewal paid by Dec. 7th. Money can be sent by etransfer to the treasurer Terry H.
9. SHOP CLEAN-UP is Saturday, Dec 13th at 10:00 a.m. Lend a hand..
10. New Members Matimba and Mike C were welcomed to the club!

SHOW AND TELL:

1. Gene H: A binder of club photos is being kept.
2. Jeff B: A completed memory box of pine was shown, with a custom grooved knob – “just the way I wanted it!” Also, 4 turned wine stoppers, maple with ‘Mirawax’ finish.
3. Andy B: Scrolled segmentation of the GRINCH (no that’s not Andy), and Santa on a sleigh, dremmelled and sanded, painted.
4. Gordon D: Santa painted on an old branch!
5. Paul K: Woven board for a bookcase, various woods, various glue and clamp techniques, a link to this technique is worth watching: https://youtu.be/u1bVVpAxF7k?si=TzOpUHLKMdgGx_AM control click to follow the link.
6. Don Mc: Scroll saw book ‘Ornaments for Charity’, and several scrolled ornaments with paint and glitter… notes, gnome, bells, sleigh…
7. Aaron A: Antique draw-knife, antique plane
8. Mike B: whittled christmas figures, spoons, book-marks done with a hook-knife and spokeshave.
9. Annie F: carved birds from poplar

PRESENTATION-Discussion: The DWC Annual General Meeting will take place in January this year. ALL MEMBERS are strongly encouraged to consider taking a role on the executive. We do need people to keep things running. Many have stepped up to help as volunteers during these past 12 months – thank you! All members are capable of contributing to the executive! The Executive roles are being re-designed so that no one position has too much of a burden… we will share the responsibilities. Exec meetings only happen every month or two, for an hour or so usually after a Monday meeting night. It will be important for MANY to attend our AGM in January so that we can meet ‘quorum’ (1/3 of the club’s members does constitute a quorum) and review our bylaws, constitution, and direction moving forward. YOU can find the bylaws and constitution on the club’s website on the ‘ABOUT’ page! We do need a couple volunteers to ‘Learn the AV stuff’ from Aaron (it is easy, he’ll teach you!) so that we are not totally dependent on Aaron and Chris all the time!

Stay tuned for further AGM notices.

Durham Woodworking Club  Rules and Regulations 2026  2×4 Challenge

● Participation in the 2026 – 2×4 Challenge is open to 2026 members of the Durham Working Club.

● An eligible entry is an item completed within the previous 12 calendar months.

● Each participant can submit multiple entries – entries remain the property of the participant.

● For all categories, the entry must be made from a single, 8-foot length of wood, no more than 3 1/2” wide by 1 1/2” deep

● The entry can be fastened using any glue, screws, nails and or dowels and finished using any substance commonly understood to be a wood finish or paint.

● The use of functional hardware ie hinges and decorative knob allowed

● Any project big or small is acceptable but preference be given to those using more of the 2 x 4.

● Each participant will show their item and describe the project details including woods and finished used and any challenges with project.

● Judges will rate originality, craftsmanship, effectiveness and best use of 2 x 4.

Announcements:

1. SIGN UP with the Community Relations director Gene for DWC members build and compete kubkars event, date to be confirmed,  and also sign up for ‘2 by 4’ challenge in categories turning or flatwork or scrolling… dates to be confirmed also.
2. The club will be selling off surplus machines in 2026.  These include 2 Lee Valley sharpening systems,  a craftsman benchtop sander,  a jepson chopsticks, and a busy bee shaper.  Further details to come later. 
3. Chad Shaw is  selling the following:  10 inch table saw,  delta shaper table. 16 inch scroll saw. See email last week from Chad/ Gene for details. 
4. 8 plus boxes were constructed last week at the box build meeting, fantastic!
5. 50 50 draw will be held next week. 
6. Flatwork  101 went well on Nov 22,  they are in the shop again on Nov 29th. 
7. New member Catherine was welcomed to the club.
8. Turning 101 with Kade will run dec 4th 11th and 18th.
9. Turning 101 with Chris will run for the next 8 Tuesdays evenings starting Dec  2nd.                          
10. SHOP CLOSED, RESTRICTED for the above 101 course dates

SHOW AND TELL

1. Gordon D.  Broken glass pieces in rectangular  boxes, golden ratio.
2. Andy B.  Scrolled 3D snowflakes 
3. Kade B.  Various turned ornaments and boxes.  Maple turned cowboy hats. One for his son. One for cat.!
4. Rod.  Moxon vice home-made., for dovetailing
5. Noel G.  Mystery log branch to be identified. 

SWAP NIGHT ACTIVITY.

Great turnout of members with a wide variety of items to be re-homed, traded, sold.  Lots of happy members picked up some new to them stuff, others got rid of don’t need it anymore stuff!  Thanks to all for attending and participating.   Some stuff may be getting dropped off to the re-store on John Street for re-selling.

See you next Monday. DEC 1st.

RECAP OF DWC MEETING NOV 10, 2025

INTRO: Gene H; Safety exits reviewed, Defib unit upstairs._ We will try to have a hands on lesson about using the defib unit at a future meeting

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. DWC Lotto group is waiting to win the big one soon! $85 from the last set of players is being held until the next big 50M jackpot comes up. Please contact Paul Kidson.
2. COURSES: FLATWORK 101 Set for saturdays Nov 22 and 29! QUIET SHOP those dates – shop reserved for the course!
3. 2by4 CHALLENGE is being considered again this year…we NEED participants,,,sign up sheet will be sent around, Showing and Judging of handiwork would be in late Jan or Feb. Stay tuned!
4. 50-50 draws took place…WINNERS Gene H and Rick K were the lucky winners. You can’t win it if you’re not in it! Get in by emailing the treasurer Terry before Friday Nov 21st   The first draw for the new group will be Monday November 24th.   $30 – name entered once on the wheel, $50 – name entered 3 times on the wheel
5. CUB-CARS: should we do that again within the club? Build own and compete? It was fun last year.       Cub packs have been contacted about working with us again – some requests are in for Feb – March dates. Stay Tuned.
6. DWC SWAP-Night is set for Monday Nov 24th upstairs at the club. Bring in anything remotely connected to woodworking that you might want to trade, sell, or give away. Further details upcoming. Email Doug Ricketts if you want your goods to be ‘advertised’ in advance.
7. Our Annual General Meeting will occur in the coming months – stay tuned for details
8. Reminder for members to renew their memberships $80 before December 31st.   If they want to be included in an early bird draw for a free membership in 2026 they must have their renewal paid by Nov 30th. Money can be sent by etransfer to the treasurer Terry H (you must indicate in notes what the money is for -ie – 50/50 or membership renewal or both) or by cash at a meeting,  or paid by Visa on the clubs website but that adds an additional fee.

SHOW AND TELL:

1. Aaron A – Jointer Plane from Lee Valley, a ‘second’ with a minor cosmetic blemish, and a low angle jack plane. Aaron did a demo on using these planes at the end of the meeting!
2. Watne P – Entertainment unit drawer made using a box joint jig. Ansd a box, rabbeted bottom inset lid. Half inch poplar from Peacock, MDF lid, teak oil finish.
3. Don Mc – 45 days till Christmas. Don again is offering to send any member pdf patterns of ornaments with custom names in them… you print it then glue it on wood and scroll it!
4. Tom M – wood sculpture pieces available from Tom
5. John K – Use of scrap wood… soap dish routed, tea light holder, zebrawood box.
6. Kent – memory box with no glue or fasteners, just friction fit, box joints and mortise and tenon
7. Gene – various boxes shown in prep for next weeks Nov 17th group box build night

PRESENTATION:

Gene H – Promo talk on upcoming DWC Box Build Night

1. BOX BUILDING NIGHTS –IDEA – Promote safe work skills and help woodworkers share and build skills, learn techniques and consider designs. Members present on a box build nights will do group builds in the shop… members can bring in palm sander, paper, clamps. Various box types will be constructed at different work stations. Wood donations for these ongoing DWC community projects can be directed to the Community Relations director Gene.

SEE YOU NEXT MONDAY AT OUR DWC BOX BUILD NIGHT!!!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. DWC Lotto group IS SET with 16 participants. Draws start Nov 4th!!  Paul Kidson
2. COURSES:     FLATWORK 101 is now FULL, with Noel, Paul, Dale, Wayne. Set for Nov 22 and 29QUIET SHOP those dates – shop reserved for the course!
3. WEDNESDAY nights are ‘Turning with Chris’ nights, 6-9 pm. QUIET Shop reserved. Chris to confirm when these nights begin…
4. 50-50 draws took place…WINNERS were Steve H, Kade B and Noel G. Congrats you lucky rats!
5. The treasurer Terry Haight is who you email to get into the weekly club 50-50 draws. The current round ends on Nov 17th. Collection to be entered into the next draw is now ongoing and money must be paid by Friday Nov 21   The first draw for the new group will be Monday November 24th.  

                 $30 – name entered once on the wheel,   $50 – name entered 3 times on the wheel

The collected money will be divided in half with half going to the club and the other half divided by 15 for draws over the next 15 weeks.  

1. 6.  Membership renewal  (Terry Haight)

Reminder for members to renew their memberships $80 before December 31st.   If they want to be included in an early bird draw for a free membership in 2026 they must have their renewal paid by December 1st.

Money can be sent by etransfer to the treasurer Terry, (you must indicate in notes what the money is for -ie – 50/50 or membership renewal or both) or by cash to Terry at a meeting,  or paid by Visa on the clubs website but that adds an additional fee.

7.  The FANTASTIC DWC SWAP NIGHT is coming soon…  Nov. 24^th  right after our usual ‘show and tell’, in the upper room at the club.   Bring your unwanted un-needed, extra stuff… to sell, trade, give away, Bring cash to buy some great deals!   What can you bring in ??  ANYTHING REMOTELY CONNECTED to Woodworking – Wood, Tools, Fasteners, Glue, Finishes, kits, jigs, hardware, projects…   and don’t forget that “One woodworker’s junk is another woodworker’s treasure!”  

RECAP OF DWC MEETING NOV 3, 2025

INTRO: Gene H; Safety exits reviewed, Defib unit upstairs.

SHOW AND TELL:

1. Gene H.     Wooden painted pigs on a stick for the ‘hog-line’ in Lawn Bowling
2. Gord T.    Elm wood from Parkwood Estate, various grits large sheets sandpaper, free to anyone
3. Tom M.      Unique shaped firewood pieces, free to a good home!
4. Doug R.    Various Christmas ornaments, table saw and bandsaw snowflakes, turned ornaments, links to youtube videos on how to: Wooden Snowflakes on a Table Saw , Wood Turning Inside Out Christmas Ornament
5. Annie F.     Halloween lantern with scroll work, interchangeable inserts for diff holidays.
6. Dale C.      Update on this years pumpkin carving… see on facebook DWC or Dale Coolidge
7. Gene H.    Pics from recent European trip – Bucharest, Danube,…

PRESENTATION:

1. Business Trip to Mauritania, pictures and interesting info from Aaron A.     Tasiast Gold Mine, Kinross Gold Corp.
2. BOX BUILDING NIGHTS – with Gene H and Aaron A…IDEA – Promote safe work work skills and help newer woodworkers build skills, learn techniques and consider designs.A team will demo a box build, then the members present on a given night will do group builds in the shop… this may become a regular meeting feature – third Monday of each month?!! Efforts will be made to find wood for this, memory boxes will be made to be donated to local hospitals for families who have lost a loved one. Team leaders will be needed for each month. Gene and Kent will lead the first such event on Monday Nov 17th, Paul K and Doug R will lead the next such event, likely in January. Other members are encouraged to step forward!! Maybe some lathe-loving ww’rs could work on wig stands on those same nights??!

SEE YOU AT our NEXT MEETING, MONDAY NOV 10^th in the shop!

RECAP OF DWC MEETING OCT 27 2025

INTRO: Kade B; Safety exits reviewed, new members welcomed

GALLERY: Don; scrolled and painted butterflies for his ‘ugly fence’!

Dan: various turned bottle ‘Caps’ for covering an open bottle

Tom: Cherry and maple kitchen board and wine bottle coaster, and a ‘bug hotel’ for a grandson.

Matt: Halloween prop “portal gun”, and a grooved pasta gnocchi board.

Gabby: a bathroom vanity organizer crafted large toothbrush.

YOU really should be here to see these interesting Gallery items from DWC members!

DEMO: Dale: presentation on Pumpkin Carving!!! IF YOU are on Facebook you should search Dale Coolidge to see some absolutely awesome pumpkin creations!!!

Dale has completed 639 pumpkin patterns over the years, at about 3 to 5 hours per. This year he is carving 9 unique pumpkins. Uses cut-thru and ‘relief carving’ techniques. Uses pattern marking wheels and carbon paper. (leather stitching wheels or tracing wheels at lee valley or amazon…) uses a wide variety of carving tools and cutters, some home-made. DALE lives at 16 Pinedale crescent in Oshawa if you want to go see this years handiwork on halloween or a couple days following…

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. DWC Lotto group deadline has been extended to Saturday, Nov. 1st. Get your $30 etransfer in to the treasurer Terry.
2. COURSES: Turning 101 with Kade likely to be in November, with Chris may be in December. Contact Kade or Chris by phone or email (ATTACHED DWC master contact list)FLATWORK 101 with Noel, Paul, Dale, Wayne. Set for Nov 22 and 29, full. QUIET SHOP those dates – reserved for the course!
3. WEDNESDAY nights are ‘Turning with Chris’ nights, 6-9 pm. QUIET Shop reserved. Chris to confirm when these nights begin…
4. Scolling 101course with Don set for Wednesday Nov. 12, 6 to 8/9.
5. Sharpening: need for a learning session, Kade may do one, Dale may also… to be confirmed (DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THOSE PUMPKINS!!)
6. Travels in England and Scotland with Kade: review of a 3 week tour featuring turning demos and classes by Kade

Happy Halloween, and LETS GO BLUE JAYS!!!!!

GALLERY:  Noel – bowl;  Bernie – Framed old English carving; Dale – restored no. 3 Stanley plane, Chris – various laser carvings framed;  Doug – ice cream scoop, paddle 

4 NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCED THEMSELVES—–FANTASTIC.  WELCOME TO DWC

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. LOTTO GROUP – won $86 over summer, was re-invested in tickets.  $30 is needed from you if you want to be in the Lotto group, that would cover tickets into January…  that 30 is due to the treasurer Terry no later than Oct 25th.  our next draw will be Oct 28th.
2. FLATWORK 101 course has ONE Opening left!!!  Course runs on NOV 22 and 29.  Contact Paul Kidson or Noel Green to enroll in this fantastic course which introduces you to safe use of all the shop’s machines, except the lathes.
3. SHOP Clean-up  OCT 25 10 a.m.  Many hands make light work!!   THE NOVEMBER 22 date will have to change because the Flatwork 101 group is in the shop that day!
4. Social nights at our regular meetings, on the first Monday of each month.  Club supplies coffee/water?  members bring treats to share.
5. DWC club clothing … is there a desire to purchase DWC caps or shirts again like we did a few years ago?… We would need a volunteer to coordinate this.
6. SWAP NIGHT… last year’s Swap Night was a solid success!  Should we do it again in the coming weeks/months??  Members bring in extra woodworking supplies, equipment, whatever to sell trade or give away…  A show of hands indicated strong support for doing this again!!
7. LIBRARY  is open for members to use.  Cupboards along the end wall past the table saw.  Take a look, Borrow a book, just sign it out in the binder on the ledge there.  on-line catalog at librarything.com

PROCEDURES:

1. VOLUNTEERS are the Lifeblood of DWC!!  EVERYONE should try to volunteer in some capacity through the year…  More Details Below.
2. SAFETY:  YOUR responsibility in a shop.  PROTECT your eyes, ears, lungs, body!  Use that Brain…work smart, ask for help/guidance when needed!!
3. EDUCATION   our ‘101’ courses are so very valuable.  Turning 101 (contact Chris L or Kade B),  Flatwork 101 (contact Paul K or Noel G), Scrollsaw 101 and 102. Contact Don McFarland, Don has tentative dates planned: Nov 12 and 19.
4. SHOP DUTIES:   RED-TAG (found on/near the sign in table) to be put on a machine when it needs maintenance or repair attention, and leave note indicating the issue, and UNPLUG the machine.  also email the details to the DWC repair email address found in your membership list. It is the first email in the list at the bottom of the document. If it isn’t in your copy of the membership list please ask for a new copy of the list. We all share responsibility for things operating safely and well in the shop.
5. DUST COLLECTORS – EMPTY whenever it gets half full (into garbage bags found by the garbage cans near the chop saw),ONLY wood dust and shavings.  Put these bags then into the outside grey metal bins by the entry door at edge of parking lot (KEY for bins is on hook/nail by the sign in book in shop).  Put key back.  Call or Text to NOVAS ARK to tell them when the bins are full of shavings bags or nearly full
6. SCRAP BINS – put only your 12 inch or less scraps of wood into the scrap bin.  Larger than that YOU take it home or cut it up… 
7. MACHINES – GUARDS should be IN PLACE, if you remove a guard for some reason…PUT it back on…   DUST collection – use it, be sure to open appropriate gates!
8. SANDERS… these can get damaged/clogged by improper use or by NOT CLEANING… USE the CREPE block to clean the sanding surface when done your work
9. EQUIPMENT INSTRUCTION:   Special instruction is required before you use the Drum Sander, the Router Table, and Lathes (if you are not experienced and comfortable with) .   IF you are not CONFIDENT and INFORMED about proper and safe use of ANY machine then DO NOT use it!!  ASK for help/advice  (Email or Phone)   Router table lift system has been getting clogged, use the brush to clean the threads.
10. COMMUNITY Projects:  these are very important to our club and to the community at large… Get Involved!   Pens 4 Peacekeepers, Wig Stands 4 Cancer patients, Memory Boxes, Kub Kars, Back Door Mission.  others

VOLUNTEERING at DWC:  Where can you help out…

Meeting set-up and take down

Social Night set-up and cleanup

Maintenance team – learn how and help out with machine repair and maintenance

New Member Orientations

Executive Team

Community Service project coordinators 

101 Course Instructing, shadow, learn, instruct…

Shop Clean-up days

Library maintenance 

Club Clothing 

And more….