📣 News & Updates
The January 2026 meeting opened with a strong turnout of 72 members. We were pleased to welcome one new member, bringing our total membership to 165.
Our new Guild President, George Gleckler, kicked off the meeting by welcoming visitors and new members. George opened the floor for announcements and tool sales before handing the meeting over to Vice President Phil Morgan.
Tool Sale: Rex Brown informed the membership that he has a radial arm saw in excellent working condition available. He invites interested members to make an offer; all offers will be considered
Technology Splinter Group: Randy Stone, who leads the Technology in Woodworking splinter group, addressed concerns regarding communication. There may be a discrepancy between the primary guild email list and the photo directory list used for splinter group invites. If you have requested to join but haven’t received an invitation, please see Randy during the break or after the meeting.
🗓️ Looking Ahead
- May Guest Speaker: Phil has secured a presentation from Micro-Jig. They will demonstrate how to create various custom jigs using their specialized system.
- June: Our annual Picnic in the Park!
💰 2026 Dues Collection
A friendly reminder: 2026 Guild Dues are currently being collected. Leadership is proud to announce that the annual fee remains just $20, offering incredible value for the many benefits the Guild provides.
🛠️ Upcoming Events & Presentations
| Month | Theme / Event |
| March | 2×4 Challenge: Members are challenged to create a project using a single 2”x4”x8’ pine board. |
| April | Buddy Build: Ever wanted to try a project a fellow craftsman has mastered? Partner up! Ask a “buddy” to teach you their process and learn a new skill together. |
| May | Jigs & Fixtures: Bring in your shop-made jigs and fixtures to show them off and help others improve their workflow. |
🔍 Phil’s Finds: Rockler Glue Bottle Buddy
Contributed by Rex Brown
This month’s “Find” is the Rockler Glue Bottle Buddy. This tool allows you to dispense glue with a quick squeeze—no waiting, no dripping, and no clogging. Traditional glue bottles require you to invert the bottle and wait for the glue to reach the spout, which can be frustrating during a complex glue-up. The Glue Bottle Buddy features a two-chamber design with an inverted 12 oz. bottle and an elongated reservoir. This keeps the glue primed and ready to go. When you release pressure, the vacuum draws the glue back into the reservoir to prevent drips. They are only $10.99 at Rockler, and you can purchase one HERE.
🧠 Program: “Miter Magic” by Mike Chapman
Mike Chapman presented his methods for using specialized jigs to create perfect miter cuts and spline inserts for boxes and picture frames.
Key Highlights:
- The 90° Miter Jig: Mike showcased a jig that allows him to cut perfect miters for box sides without ever tilting his table saw blade. By keeping the blade at a vertical 90° and using a precision-built 45° jig, he achieves unparalleled accuracy.
- Dual Spline Jig: Another ingenious jig allows Mike to cut spline slots into box corners or two sides of a picture frame simultaneously, ensuring the splines line up perfectly every time.
📺 Watch the Demo: Members can view the full video of Mike’s presentation HERE.
✨ Show and Tell
The meeting concluded with our popular Show and Tell session, featuring an impressive array of projects ranging from fine furniture to small crafts. We look forward to seeing your latest creations at the next meeting! The Gallery of all the Show and Tell items can be found HERE.
