Skip to main content

Posts

Lee Valley/OWA Hand Tool Event Aug.15-16, 2025

A big thank you to everyone who volunteered and attended the 2025 OWA/Lee Valley Hand Tool Event this past Friday/Saturday Aug. 15-16, 2025. Ideal weather conditions brought a steady stream of visitors to the OWA booth. Other vendors lined the path and drew many more visitors to the LV Hand Tool Event. Hand tool demonstrations were provided by Norman Pirollo, Don Duchesne and Charles Robideau. Norman created intricate bridle joints using only hand tools, Don Duchesne provided excellent dovetail making demonstrations with visitor participation. Joe Federer, demonstrated his hand made violin and 3-D parts. Charles Robineau presented and demonstrated his sharpening skills using an elaborate water stone setup. Engagement with visitors to the OWA booth was encouraged and many woodworking related questions were answered. Bob Testa provided intricate turnings and carving pieces. Tim Booth provided several live edge tables of assorted sizes. Don Duchesne discussing his dovetail making The l...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

Lee Valley/OWA Hand Tools Event, August 16 & 17, 2024

A Weekend of Woodworking Goodness. A big thank you to everyone who volunteered and attended the inaugural OWA/Lee Valley Hand Tool Event held on Friday and Saturday last week, August 16-17.  We had superb weather on Friday which allowed us to set up, as planned, in the demonstration tent next to Veritas Tools.  Presenters included: Jack Forsberg, who showed up with his old-timey, custom made, tool boxes replete with a traditional hand tools; Joe Federer, who demonstrated violin neck and head carving; George Fouriezos, with his box glue ups along with his 3 D printed corner clamping jigs; and Norman Pirollo, who employed a traditional miter jack and Japanese hand saws to create precision tenons. Jack Forsberg background,  Ryan Walsh on right. Jack’s dovetail tool boxes. Note drawer on right. 2nd from left:  Charles Anderson,  Jocelyn Plourde.  Far right: Norman Pirollo. Joe Federer  carving a violin  head and neck. Saturday’s weather was...
Read more

Lee Valley & Ottawa Woodworkers Upcoming Event

Save these dates: August 16th and 17th, 2024.  Why?  Lee Valley Tools and the Ottawa Woodworkers Association are hosting a free, two-day gettogether in the parking lot of the Lee Valley Tools store that will be of interest to new and experienced woodworkers alike.  Prizes, wood-objects contests, and free demonstrations all day are some of the activities that will take place. Click "Read More" below to obtain access to Lee Valley's detailed descriptions in English or in French .
1 comment
Read more

Now Online:  January '24 and December '23 OWA Meeting Videos.

The video of OWA's January 2024 meeting is now online, posted on the 23rd.  It features a presentation by Charles Anderson, Joint VP and Program Director.  Its title is Big Project, Small Shop.   In it, Charles describes how his CNC controlled router aided in the construction of 160 whiskey sampler boxes.  The video from the meeting in December 2023 has been on line for a few weeks now.  It was split into two parts: Part 1 contained Show-and-Tell segments from members of the OWA while Part 2 was an invited presentation of the products and services available from Clarence Creek Wood Select, a hardwood supplier a little East of Ottawa.  Clicky links?  Sure.  Here's one for January's meeting (Big Project, Small Shop) , another for Part 1 of December's meeting (member Show-and-Tell) and a third for Part 2 of December's meeting (Clarence Creek Wood Select) .
Post a Comment
Read more

A Video of November's OWA Meeting

In the November 2023 meeting of the OWA, Kevin Gordon recounts his adventures with a very large cabinet installation in his basement rec room.  If you appreciate precision, you'll be a fan of Mr. Gordon's work.  A theme of the presentation is how to create beautiful work while keeping cost down.  Lots of tips and tricks here, chief among them is the virtue of the 32 mm system employed for European concealed hinges.  Click the Read-More button to gain access to the actual post where you can click through to the video itself .
Post a Comment
Read more

A Video of Saturday's OWA Meeting

For years, the OWA has not met face-to-face.  We held a 2023-24 season opener as an in-person meeting on Saturday, October 14th.  Rob Suarez demonstrated the use of Lee Valley's combination plane, while Don Duchesne briefed us on the history of the Stanley 45, 50, and 55.  And there was a special surprise for the members.  On a lark we recorded the meeting.  The footage -- Should we say bittage? -- was then edited, blended with Don's slides, and uploaded to YouTube.  If you would like to view the video -- it's about an hour -- just stomp here .  (You may have to click READ MORE first.)
Post a Comment
Read more