WELCOME
To The
We members of the Association of Woodcrafters are pleased that you have discovered our Section of the Riderwood Life Website. We are not like many clubs where members gather frequently for reasons associated with their particular interests. We do meet four times a year to conduct business dealing with the WOOD SHOP. But Mainly, we are users of an unbelievably well-equipped facility for working and playing with all kinds and types of wood to accomplish the projects we have chosen to pursue. When our various power tools and Dust Collection Devices are operating our environment is VERY NOISY, so socializing within the Wood Shop is almost impossible. However we do chat and engage in some lively banter when machines are not running. Though we currently have more than 60 members, there are seldom as many as ten members working in the shop at a given time.
WE ARE JUST FOLKS:
- Who Enjoy Making Useful Objects from all kinds of Wood
- Who Enjoy Creating Artful Objects
- Who Enjoy working with others
- Who enjoy working independently
- Who are Beginning Woodworkers (Just Learning)
- Who are Experienced Woodworkers (Still Learning)
- Our Projects are both Personal and Charitable
- From Helping Fellow Residents with Furniture Repairs to
- Local and Worldwide Charitable Groups
WOODCRAFTER CONTENTS
JOIN US: MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORMS
RECENT INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS IN ACTION
01- Mike’s Wooden Toy Loader in Action
02- John’s Wind Spinner moving in the Wind
WAYS TO LEARN SOME BASICS OF WOODWORKING
CONTACT US
To Contact us about Consideration of Furniture Repairs, or Other Matters, send an email by clicking on our email address woodcrafters@riderwoodlife.com
SAFETY
Since the Wood Shop was opened on November 17, 2001, there has been an awareness by members that there are many potential Hazards, Dangers, and Risks to shop users. Therefore, quite Literally SAFETY HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE OUR #1 PRIORITY.
Recognizing that Wood Dust is a potential hazard to our breathing and to long term respiratory disorders. Wood Dust Collectors and Air Filters to remove microparticulate matter were installed. These systems have subsequently become more and more refined to the point where the systems AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON when a dust producing machine is turned on.
Members have placed TRASH CONTAINERS strategically throughout the shop to prevent debris from causing SLIPS, STRIPS or FALLS.
A QUOTE ABOUT ACCIDENT PREVENTION
“There are literally hundreds of ways for shop accidents to occur. Woodworking clubs are full of members who have had close calls or serious accidents. So, how do you avoid becoming an accident statistic? BE CAREFUL ! ! ! THIS PROBABLY SOUNDS SIMPLISTIC, BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE SAFETY TOOL THAT YOU POSSESS IS THE SIX INCHES BETWEEN YOUR EARS. THINK! THINK! THINK! and when you find yourself not thinking, then take a break or maybe end your session. I am not a safety expert. but I have been around the construction trades most of my life and most of the injuries that I have investigated were due either to poor judgment, lack of concentration, fatigue, failure to use personal protection equipment, or more commonly, a combination of all four. Rarely is it the equipment’s fault.” A Quotation: by Malcolm Tibbetts, a Master Woodturner in his book: “The Art of Woodturning.”
The WOOD SHOP IS A VERY COMPLEX PLACE
The WOOD SHOP includes 4 separate AREAS (Rooms)
- Main Work Room
- Lathe & Hand Tool Work Room
- Dust Free Paint Storage & Finishing Room
- ANNEX: Storage for Tool, supplies & Projects in Process
In these four areas are 25 Bench and Floor Mounted POWER TOOLS. Each of these Power Tools have many parts. Each tool must be properly maintained {AND PROPERLY ADJUSTED} in order for the tool to operate safely and properly. The maintenance and adjustments of tools are performed by Members of the Association of Woodcrafters in an orderly manner supervised by the appointed Shop Manager under the supervision of the Chairperson.
Below the reader will find a Link to the Power Tools within the WOOD SHOP which is currently being revised and updated to reflect the tools in the Shop Accurately. On each Power Tool Page there are links to the OWNER’S OR INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL (as found on its website) and when appropriate are Links to Videos about the proper use of the tool.
LINKS TO POWER TOOL MANUALS
COMMUNICATIONS
Newsletter: TOYS FOR GOD’S KIDS