Bill has been a member of NCWA since 2006 and likes to try new woodworking projects. Several years ago, he built a dog sled and gave a great presentation on that project at one of our meetings. Now he’s into making mandolins and guitars! On May 5th, Bill will demonstrate an interesting technique he’s mastered to bend the thin material for instrument sides using a silicone heat blanket. The process goes fairly quickly and sounds easy. There are probably lots of other applications for this kind of wood bending. Now all he needs to do is learn how to play his new mandolins and guitars! Remember, we’re back at the Hillcrest Lodge this month.

This year’s version of Bring & Brag on steroids (how a project evolved from start to finish) is brought to you by Jim Gleeson, Geoff Peterson, and Andy Rudy. We always do bring and brag as part of our meeting, and this month is no exception – anyone can bring a project to show. But our April program will actually highlight special projects from three of our members. Jim has two; a “river table” that combines colored glass with beautiful wood (similar to Greg Klassen‘s designs); and an arts and crafts nightstand. Geoff will show his side table which involved some unique features and construction techniques. Andy always has a surprise for us, and this time it’s a scale replica Civil War Gatling gun made from oak, steel and brass. Remember, this month we meet at the Burlington Library!

We could still use more display items and help manning our booths. You can bring display items to our April 7th meeting, and we’ll make sure they get there and back safely. WoodFest is an annual celebration of woodworking to recognize high school student wood shop achievements and is normally held at Sedro-Woolley High School. This year, it will be held at Cascade Middle School due to a conflict. NCWA has participated in this event for many years by helping judge the competition and displaying member projects. Student awards will be presented at about 2 p.m. on Sunday and NCWA will award a Lee Valley block plane to the student project that we judge “Best in Show.” Contact Jerry Couchman at (360) 255-1984 or sofa01@hotmail.com to sign up for displaying and manning shifts at our booths.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Driving East through Sedro Woolley on Highway 20 turn left on Highway 9. Cascade Middle School will be on your right, but continue past the school and turn right on McGarigle Rd to reach school parking.

SET UP: 7-9 a.m. April 11th, SHOW HOURS: 9-4 Saturday, 10-3 Sunday.

The March meeting is on Tuesday the 10th, not Tuesday the 3rd!

This month, we’re visiting FastCap just north of Bellingham, a company founded by Paul Akers, a woodworker and cabinet maker. Paul’s company is founded on making innovative woodworking products that make jobs easier and save time. Paul will give us a short history of how he got started, introduce us to his cool product line and give us a tour of his facility. The name of his company is basically the first product that he developed, small peal and stick adhesive covers to cover screws in cabinets. For more on FastCap, check out their website at www.fastcap.com. There are some amazing videos there! We will be doing Bring and Brag and have the new library books and DVDs available for checkout at this meeting.