mg_dreyer
Member
In general it has been a lot of fun working with this group to get the Chicago chapter started. I think we had a great year. A lot of great demos and my favorite part is that I think the meetings are very interactive. I enjoy seeing the comments and encouragement from everyone to everyone else. Ask a question – get a real live answer. The comments have been encouraging and to see how far many of the group comes to get to the meetings is incredible. And as JohnU and I can attest to – it is not uncommon to see people at the store until 4 or 4:30 (from 9:30 am). It has been a blast and I thank everyone who has helped out / done a demo / donated to the prizes / ran an activity / and attended. Thanks.
December Meeting Recap (December 16):
Another great meeting and great attendance. We have been averaging over 40 people, but with the line-ups we have had I can see why. This month was a man who needs no introduction when it comes to pen turning - "Father" Dick Sing. As Ed Brown said - "Dick brought a cigar box full of goodies. Because he was a machinist for many years (for GM I found out today), listening to Dick is a study in precision. The line drawing on the whiteboard was to explain that the pen nib is not machined square, there is a slight slope--Dick proceeded to tell us how he adapted his blanks to accommodate that slope. In 20 years of penmaking, I had never thought of this---but Dick is a machinist, measures with micrometers and no detail is too minute to consider." Thanks - Dick.
Year End Recap Of Demos and "Thank You"s:
Ed Brown
Mark James
John Underhill
Don McCloskey
Disk Sing
Rockler (Mark Hubl) – For the facility
Thank you for all the great door prizes this month:
John Underhill (a full bag of feathers / snakeskins / Cardistry)
Dick Sing
Greg Bonier
Terry's Serpentine
Don McCloskey
Mark Dreyer
If I forgot someone – I am so sorry
February Meeting (Feb 17):
Don McCloskey will demo Cholla Cactus with a turquoise inlay.
The List For 2018
We will meet the third Saturday of every even month.
February 17 – Don (Cholla Cactus)
April 21 – Chris (Beal Pen Wizard)
June 23 – Greg (Casting and Stabilization)
August 18 – Terry (Serpentine)
October 20 – TBD
December 15
All meetings are from 10 am - 1 pm
Location:
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
139 South Weber Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60490
December (2018) Christmas Challenge:
A total of $25 (kit and blank). Make the best pen you can, and the winner gets the glory (and the prizes). I encourge to use some technique you either learned or were inspiried to try. We will vote as a group. This year's winner was a nice watch parts pen.
Demo Challenge (change due to the Christmas challenge):
Each month we will have a new challenge. This month there is a change. Since October was chevron - you need to try it – but not until February. We also had Dick Sing's adding style to a pen. Best pen wins the "big" prize again - which includes at least getting your name mentioned in this email.
Blank Exchange (thanks Sarah for running it):
Is back - so bring a few to trade.
Tips and Tricks:
Please bring your tips and tricks for all of us to share and learn. Last month we had a few but always looking for more. Even if small – it might be something someone else is struggling with.
Show and Tell:
Please bring any pens you either loved making and just want to show off / are having trouble with a techniques and want help / want feedback on / or just want to put on a table. This will be an open forum to help each other. You will find two things out – one helping others is fun and two you know more than you think you do and others will benefit.
Looking for demonstrators and / or topics. If you have any interest in doing a demo email me. Also if you have suggestions for a demo you would like to see email me back.
Thanks,
Mark
We had a few people I need to thank for the last meeting:
Rockler – thanks for donating the facility and the gift cards
December Meeting Recap (December 16):
Another great meeting and great attendance. We have been averaging over 40 people, but with the line-ups we have had I can see why. This month was a man who needs no introduction when it comes to pen turning - "Father" Dick Sing. As Ed Brown said - "Dick brought a cigar box full of goodies. Because he was a machinist for many years (for GM I found out today), listening to Dick is a study in precision. The line drawing on the whiteboard was to explain that the pen nib is not machined square, there is a slight slope--Dick proceeded to tell us how he adapted his blanks to accommodate that slope. In 20 years of penmaking, I had never thought of this---but Dick is a machinist, measures with micrometers and no detail is too minute to consider." Thanks - Dick.
Year End Recap Of Demos and "Thank You"s:
Ed Brown
Mark James
John Underhill
Don McCloskey
Disk Sing
Rockler (Mark Hubl) – For the facility
Thank you for all the great door prizes this month:
John Underhill (a full bag of feathers / snakeskins / Cardistry)
Dick Sing
Greg Bonier
Terry's Serpentine
Don McCloskey
Mark Dreyer
If I forgot someone – I am so sorry
February Meeting (Feb 17):
Don McCloskey will demo Cholla Cactus with a turquoise inlay.
The List For 2018
We will meet the third Saturday of every even month.
February 17 – Don (Cholla Cactus)
April 21 – Chris (Beal Pen Wizard)
June 23 – Greg (Casting and Stabilization)
August 18 – Terry (Serpentine)
October 20 – TBD
December 15
All meetings are from 10 am - 1 pm
Location:
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
139 South Weber Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60490
December (2018) Christmas Challenge:
A total of $25 (kit and blank). Make the best pen you can, and the winner gets the glory (and the prizes). I encourge to use some technique you either learned or were inspiried to try. We will vote as a group. This year's winner was a nice watch parts pen.
Demo Challenge (change due to the Christmas challenge):
Each month we will have a new challenge. This month there is a change. Since October was chevron - you need to try it – but not until February. We also had Dick Sing's adding style to a pen. Best pen wins the "big" prize again - which includes at least getting your name mentioned in this email.
Blank Exchange (thanks Sarah for running it):
Is back - so bring a few to trade.
Tips and Tricks:
Please bring your tips and tricks for all of us to share and learn. Last month we had a few but always looking for more. Even if small – it might be something someone else is struggling with.
Show and Tell:
Please bring any pens you either loved making and just want to show off / are having trouble with a techniques and want help / want feedback on / or just want to put on a table. This will be an open forum to help each other. You will find two things out – one helping others is fun and two you know more than you think you do and others will benefit.
Looking for demonstrators and / or topics. If you have any interest in doing a demo email me. Also if you have suggestions for a demo you would like to see email me back.
Thanks,
Mark
We had a few people I need to thank for the last meeting:
Rockler – thanks for donating the facility and the gift cards
