Hello All.

Firstly, once again, I’d like to welcome all of those who have recently signed up to the newsletter. We thank you for your interest.

The countdown continues for the arrival of Peter Galbert – Master Chairmaker in December. Although the ‘Continuous Arm Rocking Chair’ course is now fully booked, there are still four positions available for his January course – the ‘Fan Back Side Chair‘ course. If you’re interested, please follow this link which will take you to the registration page attached to the Melbourne Guild website.

For those who are unfamiliar with Peter Galbert, the best thing I can suggest is that you take a look at his website. You’ll soon agree that he is one of America’s best chair makers - www.petergalbertchairmaker.com

Continuous Arm Windsor Chair

We recently completed a six day intensive ‘Continuous Arm Rocking Chair’ course. The course went brilliantly! Three people from this class have booked into the Peter Galbert courses. Spiro, Ian, George, Paul, Bernard and Darryl (from Tasmania) all completed their chairs comfortably by the end of the sixth day.

Spriro says of the course:

Well, my 20 year dream of making my own Windsor chair has come and gone! If only life were always that interesting. A week after the intensive 6 day Windsor chair making course was completed it now truly feels like it never really happened. But of course when I sit in that chair I know that I am not dreaming.

There are 2 aspects to Windsor chairs that I have always admired (particularly after developing a bad back). Form and comfort. If you have never sat in a well made Windsor you do not know what comfort is. Sit in one and you will be bewitched! The form (and construction) generally ensured that most of us weekend woodworkers do not have the skills to build one on our own.

So, enough musing. Many thanks to Alastair and Glen for running a great course, and in the process, offering other like minded individuals an opportunity to develop their skills, appreciate the use of beautifully crafted hand tools and finally inflame their desire and passion for further development. The boys are a fount of knowledge, and in building the Windsor chair, you take away a lot more general information than you would imagine. For example, something as silly as that great sandpaper they use that seems to last forever (which we were strictly not allowed to use on our chairs!!!!) and those wonderful Dragon rasps, not to mention the Lie Nielson tools! I could go on and on but it is chairs I am supposed to be discussing right?

In summary, the course was much more physically demanding than I had anticipated (the first few days where you seem to be make no progress can be a little frustrating). But it was also much more fulfilling in many different ways. Since finishing the course I recommenced working on a couple of small bookcases that called for reeded tapered legs (I am extending an existing French bookcase so it sits wall to wall). Normally I would never have had the patience for this and would have turned the legs but not reeded them. Well, after sitting on a shaving horse for hours and hours and hours, I reckoned that I could knock this one over. I did and it cost me about 16 hrs of turning, reeding and sanding (8 legs). A stack of time that I could not normally justify. But attention to detail is what it is all about and after 6 days of playing around with hand tools in the chair course I had built up the confidence, and patience, to have a go. The legs look great and I am almost as pleased with these as I am with my chair.

Lastly, I am very pleased that MGFWood is able to offer courses of this quality. It is something that is sorely lacking in this country. I will be back in January to do another chair course and would encourage anyone interested in developing their skills to consider taking up one of the courses on offer.

Well done again guys. It was a truly inspiring week! I can not wait for the comb-back to be offered!!!!

Spiro Dossis

2012 Tool Chest Master Class

I have great pleasure in announcing our new Master Class for 2012. A Christopher Schwarz Tool Chest. The class will be conducted on Thursday nights throughout the year, from 7pm to 10pm. There will be a total of 40 classes – 10 classes per term for four terms. For those going to the Timber and Working with Wood Show, there will be a nearly finished example of the project on display.

The cost has yet to be determined but will probably hover just over the $3000 mark and include all materials except hardware.

Glen Rundell, who has been teaching the Windsor Chair classes with me will be conducting this class. Good teachers demonstrate, great teachers inspire! Glen does both! Get in early and reserve a place now, as this class will fill quickly.

‘May the Schwarz be with you’

Glen and I also have great pride in announcing that Christopher Schwarz (the man himself!) has agreed to honour us with a trip down under sometime in 2013. Christopher teaches classes around the U.S and a few in Europe. All of us here at the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking are wrapped that he has expressed an interest in coming over. Please, nobody tell him how long the flight is!! Below is a brief biography on Christopher Schwarz for those who are not familiar with him.

Christopher Schwarz has been a long term editor of ‘Popular Woodworking’, which is unfortunately difficult to get here in Australia. He is the author of some of the best selling woodworking books like, ‘The Anarchist’s Tool Chest’ and ‘Work Benches’. He is one of America’s best authorities of traditional wood working tools and most recognisable faces amongst the fine wood working community.

He is the co-founder of ‘Lost Art Press’ – A publishing house dedicated to traditional wood working. They are also in the middle of a massive undertaking to translate Roubo’s epic 18th century manifesto on fine furniture making. This is the first time that it’s ever been translated.

Up Coming Events

Last but not least, there are three events coming up which are worth everybody’s attention – the first being the ‘Timber Working With Wood Show’.

The Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking will have a large booth there displaying student’s work and conducting demonstrations throughout the show. We would love to see you there!

The dates of the TWWW Show are:
- Friday 21st October, , 10am to 5pm.
- Saturday 22nd October, 10am to 5pm.
- Sunday 23rd October, 10am to 5pm.
Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale, Victoria.

The second event is one a lot of people would not be familiar with. It’s the Colac Otway Wood Design Exhibition. Colac Woodturners & Woodcrafters Guild Inc. in conjunction with Karacsay Furnishings Present the Colac Otway Wood Design Exhibition 2011.
- Saturday 29th October 2011, 10am - 5pm.
- Sunday 30th October 2011, 10am - 4pm.
- Meet the makers: 3pm - 4pm Saturday and Sunday
Copacc Colac, Gellibrand Street, Colac, Victoria.

Featuring items from the Colac Woodturners and Woodcrafters Guild Inc. plus local and regional craftsmen. Share this rare opportunity to view beautiful crafted woodwork’s by talented artists. A diverse range of items will be on display, with selected pieces for sale.

For more information please contact Norm McGeary - 52312368, Carl Karacsay - 0418 526 232, Neville Davey - 52338528.

I went to this exhibition last year and felt that it was on par if not better than anything I had seen in Melbourne for a number of years. Well worth the trip! Looking forward to seeing you there!

2012 Open Day

One more thing…we will run an Open Day on Sunday 6th November from 10am to 2pm. There will BBQ’d sausages and drinks available. It’s a great opportunity for those who have not seen the school to have a close look and see some of the work that’s produced.

And a reminder to those who are contemplating a visit that it’s also a professional workshop producing very high end one off furniture pieces on commission. Some of these items will be on display. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!!

Warmest regards!

Alastair Boell
Director - Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking