We held our third Toy Workshop (TWS) for 2024 on Saturday February 10, 2024, from 8:30 to 11:00 am. This was held at the Wood Shop at 910 Wood Ave in Rapid City. The shop is in the basement of the annex to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. The February General Meeting was held from 11:00 am to noon.
The attendees at today's workshop (14) included Nick, Harley, Bob, Kathie, Rick, Lon, Tony, Ed, Julian, Dee, Roy, Keith, Don and Al. Dave Maude joined us for the General Meeting.
Today we continued tracing toys, mostly on 1" stock. Prior to the workshop, Bob pre-cut several boxes of poplar down to sizes needed for specific patterns. We finished tracing on 1" poplar stock today. The toys left to be traced will be on 2" stock, except for critters which are done on 3/4" pine. Lon started cutting some toys to shape today on the bandsaw. Ed took three boxes of traced blanks home to cut to shape, and Don took two boxes home to cut to shape. Rick has been working at home cutting helicopters, airplanes, and tractors to shape. Keith has been tracing and cutting "Set 1" of Critters to shape. He took home two more sets of Critters templates today to cut to size and sand. Prior to today's workshop, Rick cut out xx templates for the new Critters sets.
Our goal for 2024 is to build about 3,500 toys to donate to organizations who work with kids in South Dakota.
Results of Today's Toymaking Efforts:
Patterns traced: 22
Toys traced: 439
Total Patterns traced to date: 61/89
Total toys traced to date: 1,659
Total Traceable Toy Patterns left to trace: 23 (plus Critters)
(All using 2x stock.)
More to come: we will be tracing toy templates for at least one more workshop, but will also start the cutting, drilling, and milling. We will be well into phase 2 - 3 - 4 on many toys for next time.
Here are photos from today's event:
GENERAL MEETING
The General Meeting was held from 11 am to 12:30 pm upstairs in the annex. Dave Maude joined us for the meeting.
The current slate of officers was re-elected for the 2024 term. This included:
President:
Bob Buchanan
Vice
President: Rick Weisbeck
Secretary:
Stu Kellogg
Treasurer:
Tony Verchio
Dave Maude volunteered to help with the Wood Recovery Function.
Meeting Minutes were taken by Nick, as Stu was out of town.
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RCWA Meeting Minutes
Date: February 10, 2024 Meeting Start: 11:00 Meeting Finish: 12:40
Attendees: Keith Brink, Bob Buchanan, Kathy Buchanan, Lon Gose, Dave Maude, Al Oines, Harley Schmadeke, Nick Spano, Tony Verchio, Rick Weisbeck, Julian Wigen
Introductions/ New Members:
No new members or guests attended today's meeting.
Treasurers Report:
RCWA collected $225.00 in dues and $800.00 in donations for January 2024. Keith Brink made a $775.00 donation and John Wolf made a $25.00 donation. Keith Brink makes and sells toys at his Keystone, SD business, Powder House Restaurant and donates the profits to local charities. This year RCWA was the recipient.
An expense for building usage fees of $125.00 was paid. Interest on checking for January totaled $0.68. Interest for the savings account was $0.02. Current balances are:
Checking $5850.58
Workshop $1548.76
Savings $ 331.87
Total $7731.21
Bob Buchannan reported that purchase of wheels and axels is pending in the amount of approximately $2300.00.
Election of 2024 officers
All of the current officers agreed to continue their position for another year. Bob Buchanan, president, called for a vote to re-elect the current officers. Al Oines made first motion; Nick Spano made second motion, and the vote was unanimous to re-elect all current officers. A list of all positions is available from Bob Buchanan.
Shop Tours
Al Oines reported no shop tours or events are schedule at this time. Bob Buchanan referred to a list of prior events and suggestions were made by the Group for future events.
Nick Spano told the Group that Toni Gerlach enjoyed giving the demo at her Mind Blown Studio because of the interest and enthusiasm we showed her. Bob Buchanan mentioned picture and recap of demo available on our Blog. There is a link in the Newsletter.
Special Interest Groups
Next Scroll Saw SIG is scheduled for February 15 at Rick Weisbecks home (6704 Kimberly Drive, Blackhawk) from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Will be working on compound cut for nativity scene.
Turning SIG is scheduled for February 28 1:00-3:00 at Browns home (2878 Spotted Fawn Lane, Rapid City).
General Meeting
Next general meeting will be March 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in conjunction with the Toy Workshop.
Other Topics
Cori Weisbeck has set up a feedback mechanism for community requests to connect members with community members’ making requests for assistance, etc. Please contact Cori to provide skill sets. A column has been added to the member rosters to include skill sets as well.
Wood Show
The Wood Show is tentatively set for the third Saturday in April (April 20). The theme is Christmas in April. Set up is scheduled after 4:00 p.m. on Friday April 19. Bob will be leaving town the end of February and will be back April 1.
Rick Weisbeck reported he is making approx. 50 racing sleighs and Keith Brink is making a Santa driver to be installed in each one.
Suggestions for new signage at a cost of approx. $300.00 was made by Rick Weisbeck.
Suggestions for multiple Donation Boxes to be made and placed around the wood show was made by Nick Spano.
Discussion for better management of the Silent Auction was held. In the past, more items were brought than originally planned, which is a good thing, but planning in advance would make management easier.
Discussion on the Lathe demo was held. Dave Maude suggested that a focused approach to items being turned would make the set-up process easier. It was also suggested, since only one lathe is on site, that a schedule is made for the turning demos and the person demonstrating.
Toy program
Next Toy Workshop will be Saturday, February 24, 2024.
We have added new toys this year to take advantage of the 1-inch wood that we have in abundance. Keith Brink has been working with 3/4 " pine; he took this to a new level, exceeding all expectations for this task.
Jerry Hood is working on a new toy motor boat while in Florida.
Tracing is almost complete, 1" stock is done and only a few hundred of 2" stock remains to be traced.
Fluorescent Green will be 2024 peg color, with the leftover orange pegs being used on Love Bugs.
Cutting will start at next meeting and depending on weather, cutting, routing and sanding can begin outside.
If you know someone who wants toys for 2024, we have an application for toys on the RCWA website.
Shop Projects
Bob Buchanan brought some "drawer handles" that will be mounted in the shop, and used for tape measure holders.
Wood Recovery Project
A brief discussion on wood recovery and lumber not suitable for toys but valuable to members for other projects.
Show and Tell
Dave Maude showed an antique Stanley no.78 plane he purchased after seeing it in a email Bob Buchanan sent to all members.
Al Oines showed a unique Hickory “Emerging Bowl” he recently turned, a wonderful example of his turning skills and craftsmanship.
Minutes taken by Nick Spano
For more information, go to www.rapidcitywoodworkers.com.
