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“The best part of one’s life is the working part, the creative part. Believe me, I love to succeed… However, the real spiritual and emotional excitement is in the doing.”  –Garson Kanin

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The folks at Popular Woodworking magazine have announced two 2012 dates for Woodworking in America (WIA);

                        October 12-14 at the Pasadena (CA) Convention Center

                        November 2-4 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center (Cincinnati)

As of this writing, we are certain to be at the Pasadena venue. Our attendance at the Cincinnati event depends upon, well…you!

We are expanding the “Silent Woodworking Academy” this year to include not only the Jointmaker Pro line of saws (and our new fence system) but the DJ-1 Drilling Jig and the HP-6 Planes.  And we will be making a new project to help raise scholarship funds—last year’s Earthquake After Detector was a blast.

Our “little experiment” last year of staffing our booths with customers was just plain fun for all and we hope to repeat the experience.

If you happen to enjoy being part of the Drivel Starved Nation and are either a Jointmaker Pro owner (including those waiting for the 2012 production run), or a DJ-1 owner, or an HP-6 user, we are offering airfare, lodging and some great evening meals for your enthusiasm, willingness to “talk shop” and help make our little fund raising project a reality.  You will also have ample time to visit the Marketplace.  We need at minimum, 5 volunteers per venue, but will fill the Pasadena slots first.

Typically you will fly in on Thursday and be home on Sunday.  It really is much fun.

If this sounds like something that you want to be part of, we would like to hear from you;

john@bridgecitytools.com.

Please include a brief, one or two sentence statement as to why you would want to slave away in the Bridge City Silent Woodworking Academy, and your city preferences. We will do the rest.  Lastly, please enter “WIA” in the subject line of your email to help me sort the thousands of applicants…

–John

 
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“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” –Henry Ford

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Some deals just need to be shared!
 
CAVEAT: Neither myself, or anyone associated with Bridge City Tool Works has an interest in the product/company which is the subject of this post, we are simply passing on a limited-time opportunity. We are however intimately familiar with the capabilities.
 
When you discuss the use of CAD amongst woodoworkers, the conversation almost always centers around Google’s SketchUp–afterall it is free (the non-Pro version).
 
The biggest advantage to SketchUp from my perspective (I have been using CAD exclusively since 1988) is the relative user friendliness. And by that I mean the initial learning curve is not as intimidating as other CAD alternatives. It also may be the only CAD software you will ever need, particularly if you have made an investment in yourself and use it regularly.
 
For those of you who have yet to venture into the amazing possibilities of employing CAD in your workflow, take a peek at CAD image below of the new JMP Precision Fence system;

 
There are over 250 modeled components in this file and this entire assembly can be re-created exactly as we made it, using the exact same tools with ViaCad 2D/3D v8, a brand new release that contains about 90% of the functionality that the pros require.
 
If you are looking to take the next step and make your projects on the computer first as a prototype, as opposed to making “finished prototypes” in the shop… I assure you the quality of your work will not only improve, but you will become more productive. Yes, there is a learning curve, but learning should be fun. And to assist you, there is an avid user forum for this software and plenty of hand-holding tutorials. We think it is a great tool and a great deal.
 
Down the road, if there is enough interest, we will consider offering classes, but first you need to decide if this fits your plans, it certainly is budget friendly. You can learn all about ViaCAD 2d/3D here.
 
Have fun!
 
–John
 
PS: For those of you who purchase Shark v7 when it went on sale, you are sitting pretty. Ignore this post.
 

 
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“Fullness of knowledge always means some understanding of the depths of our ignorance; and that is always conducive to humility and reverence.–Robert Millikan

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Today has to be the most anticipated day in our woodworking kingdom. Today we celebrate the regrets and angst that come from building primitive things out of wood without considering the basic tenants of design. Today we announce the 2011 Sh!t Bunny Award!
 

 
Our annual Sh!t Bunny Award is a didactic award… it is easy to learn from — and remember — the mistakes of others. And yes, some mistakes are bigger than others, and if the mistake has caused years of regret, as in this year’s winner, well… we need to celebrate it!
 
We whittled the 2011 entries down to three finalists (don’t worry if your submission didn’t win, your images are stored in a zip drive and will be considered again in 2012. The pic below captures our judges sealing the zip drive in a jar that will be buried in our parking lot…)

 
Pictured below is a detail shot from the 2011 winning entry;

 
There are many good points to this entry. For example, look at all those books.
 

 
Prior to sharing the identity of Fred West‘s next new best friend, let’s see what the maker has to say regarding this effort…
 
“I constructed this sad set of bookshelves in 1998 when I was sorely in need of furniture–I had no woodworking or design skills, and no money to buy something that was well built and looked nice. So, I headed to the big box store, grabbed a couple packets of L-brackets, some screws, a can of stain and then headed for the racks of pine.
 
All the cross cuts were made on my grandfather’s ShopSmith, then I went to town with the L-brackets and screws. After an hour or so of work (plus drying time for the stain), I had a serviceable set of shelves that held a lot of books – I subsequently made two more of these monstrosities.
 
When I was hired by Popular Woodworking Magazine in 2005, I had yet to acquire design skills and nowhere in my job description did it say I was supposed to build stuff–I was an English major. I quickly realized that I’d be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity to learn. It soon became obvious that my L-bracket shelves were…ugly, and not as structurally sound as they could be.
 
I now realize that “looking good” is just as important as “well-built” – who wants to build things that look bad? Might as well just use L-brackets.”
 
Our 2011 Sh!t Bunny Award recipient is none other than Megan Fitzpatrick and helping her celebrate is Robert Lang…

 
When asked “why” she decided to enter our little contest, Megan offered the following;
 
“Really, I just wanted the bunny. I was fairly certain that my 1989 bookshelves constructed with L-brackets, merited consideration for the ShIt Bunny Award.
 
You see, I’m the managing editor of Popular Woodworking Magazine, and one of my responsibilities is to weed the great from the OK and bad, and help decide what projects we should print in the magazine. I also design and build projects for the magazine. In other words, 22 years after making that first horrid-looking set of bookshelves, I’m now one of the folks who helps guide other woodworkers toward what to make and how to make it.
 
So I entered my L-bracket shelves in the contest in part as an inspiration – I now know that if I’ve a need for a piece of furniture, I can design and build custom work perfectly suited to my needs, space and taste – and it will be better built than anything ready-made that I could afford. And it is going to take WAY longer than two hours. Plus, I really wanted that bunny.
 
So why have I kept the L-bracket monstrosity for 22 years? I haven’t yet gotten around to designing the perfect blend of form and function to suit that little cubby. As soon as I do, those shelves will be relegated to the basement to hold cans of paint. For now, they’re the ideal place to display my new bunny.”
 
It is important to note that sitting right next to Megan’s “bookshelf” (insert coughing noise here), is this polar opposite effort;

 
So Megan, on behalf of the Drivel Starved Nation, THANK YOU for honestly sharing your woodworking progression, AND your candid admittance that you just wanted a Sh!t Bunny.
 
Now it is my turn.
 
You won not because your bookshelf is primitive and hard on the eyes, it is all that and more/or less. You won because you share the same initials as Megan Fox.
 
-John

 
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“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher regard those who think alike than those who think differently.” –Nietzsche

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Twenty-one years ago, while seeking hallucinogenic mushrooms in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, I discovered what is surely the rarest wood in the world.
 
I did not know what it was, but knew it must be extremely rare. Maybe even really rare. So rare in fact, the next day I signed up for botany courses (at an online University based somewhere in Europe) and within three weeks I had my Ph.D. Amazing isn’t it?
 
What you are about to see is officially known as “Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco Measles”, and because I discovered it, I got to name it! You are likely struggling with all the syllables and extra vowels I added, so use the layman name: “Spotted Dowel”. Aren’t you grateful for layman terms?
 
Now, for the first time in this Totally Awesome and Worthless Blog, I present Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco Measles:

 
Although I have kept “Spotted Dowel” secret for 21 years, I tell everybody about all my degrees. Why? There is an enormous burden when you discover something previously unknown–numerous degrees seems to help. Mainly, folks think you are crazy.
 
Now YOU, the privileged class, aka; Drivel Starved Nation, can also be considered crazy by entering our first contest of 2012. Oh, I forgot, valuable free prizes are at stake.
 
How you say?
 
By following these 10 “RAREST WOOD IN THE WORLD” ENTRY RULES:
 
1. Construct a base from gallery quality eastern maple (no cracks, knots, nails or substitutes) with the following dimensions; 4″W, 4″L, 1.75″T.
 
2. Bevel one edge ALONG THE GRAIN at 45 degrees until the bevel is .25″ from the bottom of the base.
 
3. Plane/Sand all SEVEN sides–this is going into a gallery. No visible sanding marks.
 
4. Obtain a 6″ long by 3/16″ diameter brass rod and polish it so it is shiny. No Visible sanding marks. Do NOT substitute a different diameter.
 
5. Drill a 3/16″ diameter hole in the top of the base that is located 2″ x 2″ from a non-beveled corner.
 
6. Do NOT put any finish on the base.
 
7. The overall height of your mounted rare wood example cannot exceed 6.5″. That means from the bottom of the base to the top of your sample. Cut the brass rod accordingly and mount to your sample. DO NOT MOUNT the rod and rare wood into the base.
 
8. Type out on a piece of paper the scientific name of your discovery, location, date and a very brief description.
 
9. Carefully package your entry, and ON MARCH 1, 2012, and not a day before, send us your discovery.
  Bridge City Tool Works, Wood Sample Division, 2545 SW Spring Garden St., Portland, OR 97219
 
10) If you would like your sample back, send us two complete samples. One is going into the RAREST WOODS OF THE WORLD MUSEUM.
 
What will happen in March? We are going to laser etch your base with the info you provided. The RAREST WOODS OF THE WORLD MUSEUM is very strict about the samples complying with their mounting rules. Once etched, it will be photographed for posterity and judging.
 
The top three entries will receive BCTW Gift Certificates, $500, $250 and $100. We will award other prizes too–mainly crap in our warehouse that we lost our shirt on.
 
And if you haven’t figured it out by now, this is a creativity contest. If you are confused about the entry rules, look at my PERFECT SPECIMEN below to ascertain your word count, hole location, bevel, etc. …
 
–John

 
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“The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” –Albert Einstein

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Yikes! I just realized this is my first post of 2012…well, I have been a busy boy.
 
First, the 2012 pre-order window for the Jointmaker Pro opens tomorrow. And for those of you who are currently JMP owners and have pre-ordered the Precision Fence System for your JMP, here is an image of the fence base system you will need to order to use your JMP fence system on your table saw sled;

 
The retail price for the fence base kit is $259, the Founder’s Circle price is less. This kit is needed if you want your fences to pivot like this;

 
Here is an image of the Jointmaker Pro complete with our new fence. I cannot wait to get my saws upgraded!

 
When Will the CT-18 be Introduced Dept.

In two weeks I leave for my annual work retreat and if all goes well, I will put the finishing touches on the CT-18 and hopefully find enough solitude to proceed further on a couple other crazy notions.  This year I will find myself in San Diego.  Fellow DSN member, Dr. Peter Franks, esteemed Biological Oceanographer, has promised to haul me to his favorite sushi restaurant which is an intriguing choice considering his credentials…
 
When Will We Know Who Won the 2011 Sh!t Bunny Award Dept.

Next week. And it is a shocker.  Fred West’s lonely perch at the top of living with awfulness is about to be shared by somebody you likely know!
 
When is the Next BCTW Creativity Contest Dept.

The lure of valuable FREE STUFF is irresistible. Next week we launch an awesome new contest. This will be our best contest yet and should attract thousands if not millions of entries.
 
Till then…
 
–John