The list of books and DVDs available for borrowing by OWA members is now its own page on this site.  We called it "Library".  Thanks to Captain Obvious for the recommended name.

  OWA DVDs & Books Lending Library Director-At-Large Darren Harper is creating a lending library for the active members of the physical Ottawa Woodworkers Association (that is, not the Facebook group, the actual OWA).  The collection depends on donations, for the time being, to Darren.  For details not covered here send email to owalibrarian@gmail.com . Here below is a preliminary guideline on the library's use that Darren has provided: OWA Books and DVDs Library Rules (Version: 4 Apr 2026)  1. Your valid OWA membership card must be presented to borrow an item from the library.  You will request a borrowed item from the Librarian one week in advance of the scheduled meeting.  2. A deposit of $5 CDN will be required to check out material. A sign-out register and deposit book will be maintained by the Librarian. The deposit will be returned when items are returned.  Materials may be checked out for a period of one month, or the time between consecuti...

 This year's February meeting of the OWA is now a video on Youtube.  In it, Past President Don Duchesne describes his five-week course with teacher Ted Brown of Blackwood Guitar (www.blackwoodguitar.ca) in building an acoustic guitar.  And, at the end, he shows us the beautiful instrument that he created.  Here's the URL:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWJw7V_QsoE

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...

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...

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 .