Florida West Coast Woodworkers

June General Meeting – Richard Platt – The New Industrial Revolution

There were 25 members in attendance at the meeting and seven guests ( Dane Slezcek, Alex Hoplers, Pat Kerr, Cooper Ross, Hatcer Ross, Craig Spottswood and Mary Lou Spottswood ).  Total attendance – 32.

This evening’s presentation was by Richard Platt who leads the International Baccalaureate Program in engineering at Southeast High School in Manatee County. His presentation, called “Making Revolutionaries for the 3rd Industrial Revolution,” described the projects and accomplishments of his students. Their projects have taken them to national and international competitions where they won high honors, one of which was racing wooden cars designed and built by the students.

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Mr. Platt said two books have had an influence on what he is teaching his students. They are – The New industrial Revolution by Chris Anderson and The Maker Movement Manifesto by Mark Hatch.

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You can also find some of his training presentations on YouTube. Some websites he suggested that deal with designs are –

  • opendesk.cc/furniture – Opendesk is a global platform for local making. You can use it to download, make and buy work space furniture. Free plans.

·     www.Wikihouse.cc/ – WikiHouse is an open source building system. Many designers, collaborating to make it simple for everyone to design, print and assemble beautiful, low-energy homes, customised to their needs. Free plans.

  • https://inscape.org – Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor similar to Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Freehand, or Xara X. Free download.
  • http://www.vectric.com/products/aspire.html – Aspire is built on the same platform as Vectric’s VCarve Pro software, sharing the intuitive interface and ease of use for production design and routing. Another Aspire product is called Cut2D. Not free.
Some of the things made by students using CNC (computer controlled machines)

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Business Meeting

June Demonstration Meet (June 13 at 7:00 p.m.) is at John Philips’ place – 660 Percheron Circle, Nokomis, Florida. John will demonstrate his new bandsaw attachment that turns logs into planks. (Bring a chair)

June Shop Meet (June 20 at 7:00 p.m.) is at Larry Simmon’s multi-level shop, bistro and bar. 1215 Manasota Beach Road, Englewood, FL (Bring a chair)

Show & Tell

 Art Stadlin – Orange colored box

John Slezak  – In my spare time

Dennis Daudelin – Bowl ladle

Terry Bair – Scroll work

George Norton – urn

Thelma Proctor – plant holder

Larry Simmons – panel gauge and window frame

John Philips – bees wax press, antique box and mini saw

Cooper Ross – Tree

Hatcer Ross – Turtle

Fred Damianos – Jewelry box (1959), shoe rack and bird house

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Raffle winners – Craig Spottswood ($25 certificate) and Terry Bair (Brazilian cherry)

Door Prize winners – Sid Mann, Richard Platt, Art Stadlin, Steve Kandel and Fred Damianos

Next Month’s Meeting – July 13, 2016 at Advantage Lumber.