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 Foresberg, who showed up with his old-timey, custom made, tool boxes replete with a traditional hand tools; Joe Federerer, 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 Pirolo, 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, well … not so good.  Fortunately, we had a contingency plan so everything was moved indoors to the Lee Valley retail store showroom where the same demonstrations were repeated throughout the day.  The live demonstrations attracted casual observers, novice and seasoned woodworkers amongst many with diverse backgrounds in the discipline.


 Norman Pirollo
 and a traditional
 mitre jack at the right.


George Fouriezos
gluing boxes,
little boxes.

The event finale included an awards presentation for woodworking project submissions based on the following three categories:
  • The LeeValley Trophy which recognizes an outstanding project by a student woodworker;
  • The Fuji Spray Trophy which is awarded for best project in an open category. This category is open to anyone wishing to submit a project; and
  • The Ottawa Woodworkers Association Trophy which is the people’s choice award. Ballots will be available for any attendee to vote on their favorite project.
The Lee Valley, Fuji Spray and OWA Trophies were awarded to Ryan Walsh, Charles Anderson and Bob Testa respectively. All three had outstanding submissions, amongst other incredible woodworking projects. The awards were presented by none other than Robin Lee, President and CEO of Lee Valley Tools!
The Lee Valley Trophy for an outstanding project by a student woodworker.



Ryan Walsh on the left, Winner of the Lee Valley Trophy, with Presenter Robin Lee, President and CEO of Lee Valley.  Ryan built his prize winning butternut cabinet (photo right) while studying at Rosewood Studio in Perth.
The Fuji Spray Trophy for the best project in an open category.



Left to Right:  Charles Anderson, Winner of the Fuji Spray Trophy; Presenter Robin Lee, President and CEO of Lee Valley; and Don Duchesne, President of the OWA.  (photo right) It's a shop stool, people.  Yeah.  A shop stool.
The Ottawa Woodworkers Association Trophy awarded by people's choice.
Left to Right:  Bob Testa, Winner of the OWA People's Choice Award; Presenter Robin Lee, President and CEO of Lee Valley; and Don Duchesne, President of the OWA.  The winning piece is of maple burl, embellished with coloured epoxy.  Dimensions: 16" tall by 13-1/2" wide by 3" deep.  Finished with four coats of Danish oil and buffed with Beall buffing system.

Raffle Winners of Lee Valley OWA Memberships

In addition, Lee Valley and the OWA held an open raffle for five year-long memberships to the OWA, each valued at $50.  Lee Valley generously sponsored the raffle.  Names were drawn randomly from a ballot box by Violetta, a Lee Valley employee.  Congratulations to the following winners: Ron Jasperse; Felix Boulerice; Shane Farley; Steven Moffat; and Pat Gosson!

Thank You!

A big thank you to volunteers Art Boni, Jack Forsberg, Norman Pirollo, Ryan Walsh, Joe Federer, Jocelyn Plourde, George Fouriezos, Greg Fox and Rob Suarez who helped make this event an enjoyable and fun diversion for all involved.  We are grateful to Nic Vowels, store manager, at The Wood Source for the generous donation of material for our woodworking demonstrations.  Nic and his Wood Source crew were present rain and shine over the two days and were an invaluable resource for attendees seeking answers to any wood related questions.

We are grateful to Robin Lee and Brian Greene who first conceived of, proposed, and supported a collaborative hand tool event.  May there be many more!  Lastly, thank you to Lee Valley employees: Brian Greene, Richard Wile, Murray McLeod, Violetta Lewandowksi, and Mark Verberk, who were involved in planning, promoting, and executing the plan on the days when it counted! We could not have enjoyed such success without you.

Don Duchesne
OWA President

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