CJWA News and UpdatesNews and Updateshttp://cjwa.org/journal/2026-06-04T00:55:54ZSquarespaceJune 10th Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2026/6/3/june-10th-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2026-06-04T00:53:17Z2026-06-04T00:53:17ZJune is our annual member exhibition.  Please bring something in to share with the group. This is always a fun meeting ,seeing the variety of different projects.
We also have the 4bd ft Poplar challenge. The members will be voting on which build they like the best and that will determine the Rockler gift card awards. 
Hope to see everyone there.

 

]]>May 13th Meeting- Reproduction John Townsend Document Chesthttp://cjwa.org/journal/2026/5/7/may-13th-meeting-reproduction-john-townsend-document-chest.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2026-05-07T20:21:47Z2026-05-07T20:21:47Z Ray Spitz-Becker a professional Violin maker and restorer will be rescheduled for September.

 

Marc going to talk about the reproduction John Townsend Document Chest that is now completed. This was probably the most complicated piece he has built, since there were over 250 dovetails with the majority half blind. Much of the work had to be done with hand tools to duplicate the moldings  and the carved elements. It still amazes Marc that the original was built around 1760 in Newport RI.


 

 


]]>April 8th Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2026/4/3/april-8th-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2026-04-03T20:26:11Z2026-04-03T20:26:11Z

This month’s meeting will start with Carl Anderson discussing and demonstrating a Shooting Board. This process is a very effective way to precisely fit parts together.
Steve Altman will follow with a talk on Accuracy in Joinery and the clamps and glue type chosen for precise glue ups. He will bring one of his recent boxes to show specific joinery that’s used. He will also talk about the 4 miter planes that he uses in hand tool joinery. Steve is always an interesting and entertaining presenter, so this talk shouldn’t be missed.

 

Marc Gaertner will finish with a build in process, of an 18 century reproduction Document Chest that was originally built by John Townsend in Newport RI around 1760. Although this piece is small it is very complicated and he’s been working on it for the past 3 months.
This meeting is open to all, members and guests are most welcome!

 

]]>March 11 Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2026/3/8/march-11-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2026-03-09T01:32:10Z2026-03-09T01:32:10ZSondra Flite will host and lead a discussion on Sculptural Carving.  
Many of us have witnessed Sondra use her creative abilities and vision to take an unassuming stick and turn it into a unique piece of art.  She will share some history and techniques used.  Anyone that has done any of this type of work is encouraged to bring it in to share to make our presentation a most interesting experience.

Club member Jerry Seid befriended the late Robert Whitley, a Bucks County Studio Furniture Maker.  Before Robert passed, he gave Jerry a box of parts to one of his famous rocking chairs.  Most of these parts were milled, some were near complete, and one spindle was missing to complete the chair.  Well, I accepted the challenge  of assembling the chair and finishing it.  Marc Gaertner came over and we spent some time working on this together.  As I write this was, the last parts of the chair were assembled yesterday.  Now I have to detail and finish.  This chair and a brief story of Robert Whitley will be on display on Wednesday.

 

The Tool of the Month will be the Japanese Hand Saw.  Robert Hess predominately uses  these saws in his shop when making his musical instruments.  Robert has quite a few and will introduce us to the world of a saw that cuts on the pull stroke.

]]>February 11th Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2026/1/31/february-11th-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2026-01-31T14:45:50Z2026-01-31T14:45:50ZOur next meeting on Wednesday, February 11, will welcome guest presenter William Robbins
and his work. William has been involved with the custom and studio furniture craft in our
local region for years now, and is a continued presence at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Craft Show as well as other shows in the area.
William has a unique line of work that is highly creative, drawing from traditional methods of
construction while exploring new envisioned designs from within. Just a visit to his website at
https://www.williamrobbinsfurniture.com and you will find a varied assortment of builds from
traditional americana to contemporary studio pieces.

Our next meeting on Wednesday, February 11, will welcome guest presenter William Robbinsand his work. William has been involved with the custom and studio furniture craft in ourlocal region for years now, and is a continued presence at the Philadelphia Museum of ArtCraft Show as well as other shows in the area.William has a unique line of work that is highly creative, drawing from traditional methods ofconstruction while exploring new envisioned designs from within. Just a visit to his website athttps://www.williamrobbinsfurniture.com and you will find a varied assortment of builds fromtraditional americana to contemporary studio pieces.

]]>January 14th Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2026/1/6/january-14th-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2026-01-07T02:01:30Z2026-01-07T02:01:30ZOur first meeting of the year 2026 will be on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:00PM.  Our annual dues are collected by Doug each year.  Please bring cash or a check (made out to CJWA) in the amount of $50 to the meeting, or you can use your phone and Zelle.   Alternatively, you can pay from home by mailing a check or using the zelle code; the mailing address and code are on the first page of our website, cjwa.org. 

 

Our agenda for this month will have a variety of interests for all.  The tool of the month presented by Bill Woodard will be the card scraper, something that should have a place in every one’s shop, so simple but yet so effective.

 

Bob Emmons will share his finished sideboard, “Rhapsody” as part two of the build.  Last year Bob presented the top half, now he will share the stand assembly.  This features brick-layed substrate construction with veneer, cabriole leg design, and applied carvings.  If you recall, Bob had challenges with the finish on this project, and with much experimentation, a solution of toned shellacs and finishers glaze was the answer.  The complete sideboard will be on display for your perusal.

 

Jim Braun will school us on the use of a router plane.  Jim operates out of a relatively small space with minimal woodworking machinery.  He has built beautiful pieces with the use of hand tools, and the router plane is an important piece of inexpensive equipment that many could benefit from.  

 

Also up is our annual Officer Elections.  Each year we ask for members to help run this fine organization; the following posts are listed:

 

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Librarian

Meeting Program Chair

Media Technology

Membership Chair

 

If you can find the time to help fill one of these slots, we appreciate it.  The success of any organization is built upon each member giving their part to make it work.  More on this at the meeting.  

 

Marc Gaertner will discuss the upcoming Makers Challenge.  Open to all members, one small board will be given out to participants.  Rules given, and the membership will determine the winner at a future meeting.  

 

We should have a very informative and enjoyable meeting, just the remedy for cabin fever! 

]]>November 12th Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2025/11/8/november-12th-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2025-11-08T11:48:54Z2025-11-08T11:48:54ZThis month’s meeting will cover a variety of different topics.
  • We are going to start a new recurring monthly short talk of a specific hand tool and featured wood review of the month.
  • John Tomaino will demonstrate the larger Festool Domino joinery tool.
  • Robert Hemsen will do a presentation on a Tool Tote he recently completed, that has a unique cord wrapped handle. This was a project from Fine Woodworking.
  • Bob Emmons will talk about the uses of a framing square during glue ups and how to check and adjust for accuracy. 
  • Marc Gaertner will talk about Poplar as an important stable wood for many applications and will give a short presentation on ideas for Holiday Gifts that everyone can make.

 

]]>October 8th Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2025/10/4/october-8th-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2025-10-04T18:43:12Z2025-10-04T18:43:12ZFor the October meeting, long time club member Paul Weber will discuss in detail his latest project, which is an expansion - remodel of his Kitchen. This included the use and benefits of sketchup to design as well as help him track the materials and build process. This should be a very interesting and informative presentation.

We Hope to see everyone there,

 

]]>September 10 Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2025/9/4/september-10-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2025-09-04T12:49:33Z2025-09-04T12:49:33ZWe are back again next Wednesday, to start the fall meeting schedule.
First off is the steadfast Marc Gaernter, who will show off shop Jigs that can both save time and make processes repeatable and accurate. Most are things he has figured out over a long time while working on various projects.
Our second presenter will be Rob Hess. The topic will be, His current Guitar project- Design and Planning process, Neck Construction and Side Laminating.

 

]]>June 11th Meetinghttp://cjwa.org/journal/2025/6/8/june-11th-meeting.htmlCentral Jersey Woodworkers Association2025-06-09T00:38:15Z2025-06-09T00:38:15Z The June meeting will be our traditional members exhibition. This is a great way to see what your fellow club members have  been working on. It has been a success , since almost everyone that attends brings a project to share. It can be anything made of wood from a simple project to more complicated or even a work in progress.

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