We really enjoyed meeting many of you at our open house on August 15. It is always fun hanging out and talking shop. We had members available to demonstrate and explain each piece of equipment in the shop. For example, we have a number of saws that many people are confused about.
The table saw is used mostly to rip or cut with the grain on long boards. The miter saw is used to cut across the grain to cut a board to length. The band saw is used to make curved cuts. The panel saw is used to cut large sheets of plywood down to size. The scroll saw is used to make small radius cuts for things like jig saw puzzles.
Several people wanted to know how much wood working experience was necessary to get involved with the wood shop. The answer, really, is none. We have had many people over the years join that have never done any woodworking before, and some of them are excellent woodworkers now. We explained that we run training classes on each piece of equipment in the shop, and whenever the shop is open, there is a foreman and a monitor on duty to watch that everyone is working safely. They also are available to help and consult with members on the best way to do a project.
The shop is open for members for six, four-hours sessions each week. Classes and training are held at the shop at times when the shop is not open.
We have a meeting once a month at which we usually have a presentation on some aspect of woodworking. At our next meeting, we will have a demonstration on making wooden pens on the wood lathe. This is a project anyone can learn to make in a short period of time. All residents are invited to attend this meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 in the Oak/Elm room at the Meadow View Lodge.
Question: I am trying to help a neighbor repair his doorbell. We have installed a new chime and checked the doorbell button. It appears that we are not getting any power to the chimes. I believe that the transformer is bad. Can you give me an idea as to where the transformer might be located? He has a club home, Potomac model.
Answer: I asked this question in the shop last week and got a range of answers. The transformers for the doorbell are located in a number of locations depending on the configuration of the house, where the furnace is located, and when it was built.
The doorbell operates on 12 volts, while the house current is 120 volts. A transformer is used to drop the voltage from 120V to 12V. If your house has a basement, the transformer is probably near the furnace. If you have a utility room on the main floor with the furnace and water heater, the doorbell transformer is probably in this room. Some houses have this transformer in the attic. There is also a transformer to drop the voltage for the lighted house numbers, so make sure you have found the right one. Happy hunting.
If the problem proves not to be the transformer, you should check the continuity of the wiring, as a broken wire will cause the same problem.
• If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home, submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com
