NEWS
- ATTENDANCE: 47 members, 0 guests, and 1 new member, Mark Boucher, joined.
- Welcome: Guild President Roy Wall welcomed everyone to the February 2025 meeting and introduced Mark Boucher.
- Tools for Teens Fundraiser: Roy opened the floor for tool sales, with all proceeds benefiting the Tools for Teens fund. Several members contributed tools.
- Upcoming Challenges (March & April): Vice President Phil Morgan briefed the membership on upcoming challenges:
- March: 2×4 Showdown: Members are challenged to create a project using only one 8-foot 2×4. No other wood is permitted.
- April: Buddy Build: Members are encouraged to partner with another guild member to learn a new skill and build a project together.
- Dues: A reminder was given that 2025 dues ($20.00) are still being collected.
- Member Photos: The guild is still missing photos for approximately 30 members in the online directory. Photos help members recognize each other.
PHIL”S FINDS
Syringes for Stain: Phil demonstrated using syringes to extract stain from cans, minimizing mess. He also recommended using small, lidded plastic cups for storing and preserving stains.
How To in Two
Phil showed how to create scratch pads from scrap paper and build holders from scrap wood. You can see the video here.
PROGRAM
Shop Safety and Wood Toxicity (Ted Stanfield)
Ted Stanfield presented on shop safety and wood toxicity, emphasizing the importance of considering wood toxicity alongside color, finish, and workability.
Examples of Toxic Woods:
Yew Tree: All parts contain taxine, a toxic alkaloid. Contact or ingestion can cause severe health issues, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, heart irregularities, and potentially death.
Rosewood: Can cause irritation and sensitization, affecting the eyes, skin, and lungs.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ted stressed the importance of using high-quality dust masks and other PPE to protect against wood dust.
Types of Toxicity:
Irritation: Dust can irritate the skin, respiratory tract, and mucous membranes. The level of irritation is proportional to exposure. Even seemingly benign woods like walnut and rosewood can cause long-term problems with high exposure.
Sensitization: Repeated exposure to certain woods can lead to allergic reactions. Individuals may react differently. Precautions should be taken even with initial lack of reaction.
Poisoning: While rare in commercially available woods, some woods and treated lumber contain poisonous chemicals.
Allergies: Individuals with aspirin allergies should avoid birch and willow, which contain salicylic acid.
SHOW AND TELL
The craftsmanship displayed in the February meeting can be seen here.