TW

Tom Watson

27/11/2009 10:08 AM

This Years Boy Scout Auction Items

The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.



http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg



Regards,

Tom Watson
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/


This topic has 35 replies

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

29/11/2009 6:04 PM

dpb <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:

*snip*

>
> If you have ideas, I'm all ears; while OT for the rec the auction is the
> annual largest fund-raiser event and any ideas at all that might improve
> it would be most appreciated...
>

What would happen if you had a video or a few snap shots of a hand made
item actually being constructed? It doesn't have to be a how-to video like
NYW, but just a "here's what we did" in 2-3 minutes like most of those
"transformation" TV shows.

Puckdropper
--

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

29/11/2009 4:32 PM


"dpb" wrote:

> That is a good suggestion...one thing we did new this year that
> seemed to help for the live auction was to set up large-screen TVs
> on either side to display the current bit item...
>
> Even a few still shots might well help quite a lot w/ the
> presentation to flash thru w/ the overall view. One thing again
> here is most know most everybody else; seeing them in action might
> be incentive...

Including an "as built" video with the item should provide something
unique to a craft project being auctioned.

Should be worth at least $100 extra for the item.

Lew


JH

"Jim Hall"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

02/12/2009 10:29 AM

You're a very generous man, Tom and a good father.. Your children will
remember you for that.. Beautiful work.. Now did you leave room for
expansion on the chess board panel.. Kidding.. I'm sure you did.. Many
probably wouldn't.. -Jim

"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>
>
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom Watson
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/

JH

"Jim Hall"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

02/12/2009 10:35 AM

Then again maybe those are just veneer squares attached to ply or mdf base..
How did you put those squares together, if you don't mind me asking? Glue a
row of blocks, cut thin and reverse each row? A bit of a gluing challenge
to get them to fit so perfectly together..

"Jim Hall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You're a very generous man, Tom and a good father.. Your children will
> remember you for that.. Beautiful work.. Now did you leave room for
> expansion on the chess board panel.. Kidding.. I'm sure you did.. Many
> probably wouldn't.. -Jim
>
> "Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>>
>>
>>
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>>
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>>
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>>
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Tom Watson
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
>

JH

"Jim Hall"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

02/12/2009 2:20 PM

Wow, Tom.. great design..

Have you ever used those "spaceballs". I know several people who do and
like them. They claim it makes centering the panel easy and prevents future
panel rattle. I'm going to try some on my next frame and panel project..
Seems like they would be useful on your chessboard too.. Don't know.. just
a thought.. Maybe it would put too much pressure on the miter joints. -
Jim

http://www.spaceballs.com/faq.html

http://www.blackbridgeonline.com/usamore.htm

"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 2 Dec 2009 10:35:45 -0800, "Jim Hall"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Then again maybe those are just veneer squares attached to ply or mdf
>>base..
>>How did you put those squares together, if you don't mind me asking? Glue
>>a
>>row of blocks, cut thin and reverse each row? A bit of a gluing challenge
>>to get them to fit so perfectly together..
>>
>>"Jim Hall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> You're a very generous man, Tom and a good father.. Your children will
>>> remember you for that.. Beautiful work.. Now did you leave room for
>>> expansion on the chess board panel.. Kidding.. I'm sure you did..
>>> Many
>>> probably wouldn't.. -Jim
>>>
>>> "Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>>>>
>>>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>>>>
>>>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>>>>
>>>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg
>
>
> Thanks for the kind words in the other post.
>
> The squares are solid stock about 7/8" thick. I glue up the strips
> one block length (2 1/2") longer plus kerf (1") plus trimming space
> (1/2") so that I don't have to flip them over. This gives a better
> look, in my opinion, if the grain and color match has been nicely
> done.
>
> I used a couple of biscuits in this prototype to help with alignment
> and to help with the joints but the production run will use a glue
> line joint profile made on the shaper - riding close to the bottom so
> that it isn't seen where the squares stand proud of the frame.
>
> The expansion and maintaining planarity are handled via interlocking
> tongue and groove joints. The field of squares has a groove set 5/16"
> from the top face and deep enough to allow for wood movement. This
> groove wraps around the tongue that is formed in the top frame by
> making a similar groove on the inside edge of the frame as in this
> simplified drawing:
>
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/tjwatson11/ChessboardJoint#5410734467525258114
>
>
> I put a dab of glue on the centerline of the endgrain edge and rely on
> the snugness of the joint to hold the field of squares planar.
>
>
> This is an experiment. Time will tell.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom Watson
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/

kk

krw

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 10:39 AM

On Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:12:53 -0500, "John Grossbohlin"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"krw" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:47:49 -0500, "John Grossbohlin"
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>> Tom Watson wrote:
>>>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>>>> ...
>>>> Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...
>>>>
>>>> Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
>>>> college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft
>>>> as
>>>> items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of
>>>> which
>>>> does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next year--donated
>>>> couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much less effort
>>>> particularly since auction timing was such could leave them in field
>>>> until
>>>> pickup! :)
>>>
>>>My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my request,
>>>donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
>>>Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid for
>>>any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain prices.
>>>The
>>>single biggest problem is people cannot seem to differentiate between one
>>>of
>>>a kind hand made items and mass produced Chinese imports... Comments and
>>>bids reflected Chinese import prices as the benchmark for worth--the fact
>>>that it was a fund raiser didn't seem to have any impact on bids. I've
>>>come
>>>to accept that "general public" auctions are not going to pull the same
>>>kinds of sale prices as garnered at an arts and craft fair such as
>>>Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair http://www.quailhollow.com/. This as
>>>people just don't get it...
>>
>> Do you really expect many to "get it"? They're not buying art,
>> they're buying function. Maybe.
>
>Historically, and this year was no different, there are a lot of contrived
>collectables in the auction (e.g., mass produced sports "paintings" and
>prints,
>9-11 memorials, etc. ), services (e.g., hair cuts, massages, rounds of golf,
>meals), costume jewelry, and a small number of quality hand made items
>(quilts, afghans, cutting boards). With the donations from NWA members we
>had very nice turnings (natural edge, stone inlays), a handcut dovetailed
>jewelry box, pens, and some solid white oak beverage trays. Bidders "over
>paid" for golf and meals and universally "under paid" for the hand made
>items while the "collectables" garnered "about retail" in many cases. It's
>what people value in that is out of whack.... I think Doug Stowe is right
>that as a society we've lost the sense of value and the sense for what it
>takes to make something. See the archives on his Wisdom of the Hands
>blog...

I won't disagree that many have a misplaced sense of value (witness
all the junk sold at "hobby" stores), but in this case I think the
venue was all wrong. People weren't expecting to buy heirlooms,
rather junk. While those items looked to be fine workmanship, they
aren't something I'd buy on the spur of the moment. Heirloom quality
stuff I want to be *exactly* what I want because I intend to keep it
until I can no longer keep anything.

Rr

RonB

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

29/11/2009 6:01 AM

Nice job and a very good cause. Bet it makes you feel good too.

I have donated a couple of hardwood rocking sources for our church's
fall bazaar raffle and its pretty neat.



RonB

JG

"John Grossbohlin"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 9:12 AM


"krw" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:47:49 -0500, "John Grossbohlin"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> Tom Watson wrote:
>>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>>> ...
>>> Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...
>>>
>>> Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
>>> college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft
>>> as
>>> items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of
>>> which
>>> does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next year--donated
>>> couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much less effort
>>> particularly since auction timing was such could leave them in field
>>> until
>>> pickup! :)
>>
>>My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my request,
>>donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
>>Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid for
>>any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain prices.
>>The
>>single biggest problem is people cannot seem to differentiate between one
>>of
>>a kind hand made items and mass produced Chinese imports... Comments and
>>bids reflected Chinese import prices as the benchmark for worth--the fact
>>that it was a fund raiser didn't seem to have any impact on bids. I've
>>come
>>to accept that "general public" auctions are not going to pull the same
>>kinds of sale prices as garnered at an arts and craft fair such as
>>Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair http://www.quailhollow.com/. This as
>>people just don't get it...
>
> Do you really expect many to "get it"? They're not buying art,
> they're buying function. Maybe.

Historically, and this year was no different, there are a lot of contrived
collectables in the auction (e.g., mass produced sports "paintings" and
prints,
9-11 memorials, etc. ), services (e.g., hair cuts, massages, rounds of golf,
meals), costume jewelry, and a small number of quality hand made items
(quilts, afghans, cutting boards). With the donations from NWA members we
had very nice turnings (natural edge, stone inlays), a handcut dovetailed
jewelry box, pens, and some solid white oak beverage trays. Bidders "over
paid" for golf and meals and universally "under paid" for the hand made
items while the "collectables" garnered "about retail" in many cases. It's
what people value in that is out of whack.... I think Doug Stowe is right
that as a society we've lost the sense of value and the sense for what it
takes to make something. See the archives on his Wisdom of the Hands
blog...

John


JG

"John Grossbohlin"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 9:50 AM


"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks for the kind words.
>
> The box was in the live auction. The chess board was in the silent
> auction. There was a minimum on both but the box was set too low. I
> agree that many people do not understand that it is a fund raiser
> first and that you get to take something home is a secondary
> consideration. Also agree that many people do not understand the
> value of hand made items. It's because we grow up surrounded by items
> whose manufacturing cost is exceeded by the marketing and advertising
> cost. Regardless of what we'd like to believe - excellence does not
> sell itself but I wish the cost of selling was more in balance with
> the cost of producing.
>
> The chess board was one prototype for a run of several different
> designs that I'll be making after the first of the year. I expect to
> spend a great deal of time selling them and as little time possible in
> making them...sigh.
>

Tom,

Interesting that you donated prototypes... I did too. ;~) It's not that the
items were inferior in any way but rather that I was working out design and
production issues that would speed up production of future items. In the
long run I'm going to use pattern cutting on the bandsaw and shaper to make
the items but getting the design into a machine friendly format takes
prototypes... There is no room for hand tool tweaking in items that might
"retail" for $40-50... unless one is doing this as a weight loss and fitness
program, i.e., starvation combined with physical exertion. ;~)

John


JG

"John Grossbohlin"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 3:25 PM


"LDosser" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> Tom Watson wrote:
>>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>>> ...
>>> Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...
>>>
>>> Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
>>> college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft
>>> as items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of
>>> which does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next
>>> year--donated couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much
>>> less effort particularly since auction timing was such could leave them
>>> in field until pickup! :)
>>
>> My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my
>> request, donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
>> Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid for
>> any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain prices.
>> The single biggest problem is people cannot seem to differentiate between
>> one of a kind hand made items and mass produced Chinese imports...
>> Comments and bids reflected Chinese import prices as the benchmark for
>> worth--the fact that it was a fund raiser didn't seem to have any impact
>> on bids.
>
> Then it is an education problem. The MC/Auctioneer needs to be educated as
> to the value of the items and he or she then needs to educate the bidders.
> The bidders also need to be educated as to the value to the beneficiary
> organization. I have seen a charity auction sell a Bridge City square for
> five times its retail value. Somebody needs to get the bidders pumped and
> work their way up to the big stuff.
>
> If there is no MC/Auctioneer and Silent, it is a complete crap shoot.
> Might as well set up a booth.
>
> People like to be wooed. People like to compete. People like to be known
> for their largesse.

It's a silent auction...

Wc

"WW"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 8:25 AM


"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>
>
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom Watson
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/

Beautiful work Tom. Don't let Oboma know, he will put a tax on this. Warren

Hn

Han

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 4:56 PM

Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>
>
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom Watson
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/

Congratulations from me too. (Turning green).

--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

kk

krw

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 4:05 PM

On Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:47:49 -0500, "John Grossbohlin"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Tom Watson wrote:
>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>> ...
>> Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...
>>
>> Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
>> college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft as
>> items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of which
>> does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next year--donated
>> couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much less effort
>> particularly since auction timing was such could leave them in field until
>> pickup! :)
>
>My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my request,
>donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
>Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid for
>any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain prices. The
>single biggest problem is people cannot seem to differentiate between one of
>a kind hand made items and mass produced Chinese imports... Comments and
>bids reflected Chinese import prices as the benchmark for worth--the fact
>that it was a fund raiser didn't seem to have any impact on bids. I've come
>to accept that "general public" auctions are not going to pull the same
>kinds of sale prices as garnered at an arts and craft fair such as
>Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair http://www.quailhollow.com/. This as
>people just don't get it...

Do you really expect many to "get it"? They're not buying art,
they're buying function. Maybe.

Rc

Robatoy

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 9:25 AM

On Nov 27, 10:08=A0am, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> The chessboard went for $300.00. =A0The box went for $525.00. =A0A small
> jewelry box went for $50.00. =A0I won't bother making the big box next
> year - ROI is poor. =A0The auction raised $21,000.00.
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom Watsonhttp://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/

Very nice, Tom. Your rep remains intact.

JG

"John Grossbohlin"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 4:47 PM


"dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Tom Watson wrote:
>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
> ...
> Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...
>
> Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
> college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft as
> items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of which
> does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next year--donated
> couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much less effort
> particularly since auction timing was such could leave them in field until
> pickup! :)

My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my request,
donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid for
any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain prices. The
single biggest problem is people cannot seem to differentiate between one of
a kind hand made items and mass produced Chinese imports... Comments and
bids reflected Chinese import prices as the benchmark for worth--the fact
that it was a fund raiser didn't seem to have any impact on bids. I've come
to accept that "general public" auctions are not going to pull the same
kinds of sale prices as garnered at an arts and craft fair such as
Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair http://www.quailhollow.com/. This as
people just don't get it...

John

dn

dpb

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 10:01 AM

Tom Watson wrote:
> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
...
Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...

Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft
as items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of
which does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next
year--donated couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much
less effort particularly since auction timing was such could leave them
in field until pickup! :)

--

kk

krw

in reply to dpb on 27/11/2009 10:01 AM

29/11/2009 12:37 PM

On Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:33:44 -0600, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:

>krw wrote:
>> On Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:11:35 -0600, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> krw wrote:
>>> ...
>>>> If I want to donate I'll give money. I don't want to buy something I
>>>> don't even want.
>>> Then you're not the right target for attending a benefit auction... :)
>>
>> Likely. I don't like junque. I have far too much stored away now and
>> we've done two interstate moves in the past two years. I do
>> appreciate nice things though. ...
>
>Our auctions have a wide range of items depending on what merchants are
>willing to contribute as well as individuals. Our experience has been
>that most of the the higher-end furniture items do not bring retail but
>do sell for moderately good absolute $$ values so that they are
>significant contributors to the overall bottom line. This is a very
>small community by most standards so we get something from all of them
>every year.

Right. The reason they don't bring retail is that they're not exactly
what the buyer wanted. Most likely the reason they sell at all is
because it is a charity. The odds of bringing a real buyer for one
piece is small. Two is exceedingly small.

>We have a few local artisans who do donate annually -- the success of
>those depends on whether their particular whimsy of the year catches
>somebody's fancy. In a couple of cases one can count on it being of
>excellent work like Tom's but does it catch somebody to bid it up or not
>is a toss-up.

That's not surprising. Again, an auction where art is known to be
sold and the proceeds donated would likely bring far more to the
charity. Not as fun, perhaps, but reality.

>All the low-cost items do go to the silent auction tables; many
>merchants just do the certificates for lube-job's or something similar.
> In a lot of ways we'd prefer to "just say no", but one has the problem
>particularly in such a small community of not wanting to do that,
>either. :(

Perfectly understandable. However, money is still money. I've seen
such auctions where some never had a bid. Embarrasing.

>>> Nothing wrong w/ that; different strokes etc., ...
>>
>> Sure, but my point is that such auctions are likely not the best place
>> to sell such things. It may not attract *enough* people who
>> appreciate fine woodworking and that actually want a certain item. The
>> chess board may be a counter-example, though.
>>
>>>> ... I think the WW items are the wrong sorts of items
>>>> for the auction. The buyer and merchandise/seller aren't matched. I
>>>> like the idea of the craft fair (and donate the proceeds) better.
>>>> There is a much better chance that a buyer will appreciate the nice
>>>> work. Perhaps even the same buyer.
>
>Perhaps; I was thinking of the single-item sort of thing. I just saw on
>local news (local to the "big city" of Wichita, anyway, which is as
>"local" as our TV gets even tho it's 200+ miles :) ) the annual crafts
>show didn't do particularly well this year yesterday...

Also understandable. People are reigning in their purchases. The
good news, at least for the long term, is that consumer debt seems to
be going down.

>>> Hard to tell, I think. How do you know a priori what _would_ be
>>> appropriate articles for the charity auction, then?
>>
>> From my experience the things that go well are just what was reported
>> here: A night in a nice hotel. A round of golf. Free lunch ;-).
>
>Indeed, that seems universal. The highest item last couple of years has
>been the invitation for a mystery dinner hosted by the college president
>and his wife (it's the college Foundation, after all).

That is a good one. Not my cup of tea, but I imagine it is for a
large number of people, SWMBO included. ;-)

>> Thinking about it some more, perhaps the chess board was a good one. A
>> lot of people like such things (as do I) and they're generic enough to
>> go with anyone's decor. I like the granite coasters that, IIRC, were
>> discussed a while back here in the wreck. Perhaps with an oiled
>> Walnut case. I may not buy a set but that's the sort of thing that
>> would go. The boxes shown looked to me to be something of almost
>> heirloom quality, something I'd never throw out, whether I grew tired
>> of them or not. They're not something I'd commit to in such an
>> auction.
>...
>
>That last is an interesting viewpoint I'd not thought of previously --
>thanks. Have to consider how/whether the philosophy/mindset/psychology
>it represents could possibly be exploited??? :)
>
>Thanks for the thoughts/feedback...now back to our regularly-scheduled
>broadcast...

I hope I haven't been too negative, just reporting what goes through
my mind at such things. Even when I'm browsing in stores I think
about whether I'd like the item in a year, or ten. Some things are
never tiring. Those I'm willing to pay dearly for (like $1600 for a
quilt), but not without a lot of thought.

BB

"Bill"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 5:06 PM


"John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Tom Watson wrote:
>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>> ...
>> Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...
>>
>> Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
>> college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft as
>> items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of
>> which does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next
>> year--donated couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much less
>> effort particularly since auction timing was such could leave them in
>> field until pickup! :)
>
> My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my request,
> donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
> Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid for
> any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain prices.
> The single biggest problem is people cannot seem to differentiate between
> one of a kind hand made items and mass produced Chinese imports...
> Comments and bids reflected Chinese import prices as the benchmark for
> worth--the fact that it was a fund raiser didn't seem to have any impact
> on bids. I've come to accept that "general public" auctions are not going
> to pull the same kinds of sale prices as garnered at an arts and craft
> fair such as Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair
> http://www.quailhollow.com/. This as people just don't get it...
>
> John

John

I'm sorry more money was not generated for BSA. Your idea of selling at the
A & C
fair sounds like a very good idea (of a way of finding already-informed
shoppers)!
IMHO, the mass-media/marketing in this country puts hand-made items at a
relative
disadvantage in the competition for the consumers dollar--probably best to
stay
out of the "fast lane".

Bill

dn

dpb

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 10:14 PM

John Grossbohlin wrote:
...
> My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my
> request, donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
> Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid
> for any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain
> prices. The single biggest problem is people cannot seem to
> differentiate between one of a kind hand made items and mass produced
> Chinese imports... Comments and bids reflected Chinese import prices as
> the benchmark for worth--the fact that it was a fund raiser didn't seem
> to have any impact on bids. I've come to accept that "general public"
> auctions are not going to pull the same kinds of sale prices as garnered
> at an arts and craft fair such as Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair
> http://www.quailhollow.com/. This as people just don't get it...

It's a general problem, agreed...we've been doing the Foundation Auction
event for nearly 20 years now and still are having difficulty w/
generating the "it's a fundraiser" mentality throughout the audience.
Many still come looking for bargains as if it were an estate auction.

OTOH, a neighboring community college and at least one four-year school
that have been at it for 30 or more years have seemed to actually begun
to win that battle by persistence.

I think it _can_ be done but persistence is the key...

--

LL

"LDosser"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 9:29 PM

"John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Tom Watson wrote:
>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>> ...
>> Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...
>>
>> Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
>> college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft as
>> items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of
>> which does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next
>> year--donated couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much less
>> effort particularly since auction timing was such could leave them in
>> field until pickup! :)
>
> My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my request,
> donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
> Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid for
> any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain prices.
> The single biggest problem is people cannot seem to differentiate between
> one of a kind hand made items and mass produced Chinese imports...
> Comments and bids reflected Chinese import prices as the benchmark for
> worth--the fact that it was a fund raiser didn't seem to have any impact
> on bids.

Then it is an education problem. The MC/Auctioneer needs to be educated as
to the value of the items and he or she then needs to educate the bidders.
The bidders also need to be educated as to the value to the beneficiary
organization. I have seen a charity auction sell a Bridge City square for
five times its retail value. Somebody needs to get the bidders pumped and
work their way up to the big stuff.

If there is no MC/Auctioneer and Silent, it is a complete crap shoot. Might
as well set up a booth.

People like to be wooed. People like to compete. People like to be known for
their largesse.

MD

Morris Dovey

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 10:28 AM

Tom Watson wrote:
> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg

Beautiful wood and work - The box is clean and simple enough to
highlight the handles and hinges (I especially like the hinges!)

I agree with your comments downthread, and will offer that this has been
a difficult year for fundraisers just about everywhere, and that for
many it's probably easier to find a "show-off" spot in home or office
for a chess board than for the larger box...

...and these are definitely "show-off" pieces! :)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

dn

dpb

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 11:37 AM

krw wrote:
...

> I won't disagree that many have a misplaced sense of value (witness
> all the junk sold at "hobby" stores), but in this case I think the
> venue was all wrong. People weren't expecting to buy heirlooms,
> rather junk. While those items looked to be fine workmanship, they
> aren't something I'd buy on the spur of the moment. Heirloom quality
> stuff I want to be *exactly* what I want because I intend to keep it
> until I can no longer keep anything.

If people attend a benefit/fund-raising auction w/ the intent of
"buying" anything, then their the ones of whom I was speaking that are
going for the wrong purpose/mindset. The expenditure should be viewed
as a donation, what comes with it just happens to be the carrot.

--

dn

dpb

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 11:41 AM

Morris Dovey wrote:
...
> I agree with your comments downthread, and will offer that this has been
> a difficult year for fundraisers just about everywhere, and that for
> many it's probably easier to find a "show-off" spot in home or office
> for a chess board than for the larger box...
>
> ...and these are definitely "show-off" pieces! :)
>

OTOH, we had second-best auction year yet and at least one Foundation
(albeit four-year as opposed to two) has effectively seized upon and
used the needs generated to raise immediate funds to make up for
available funds that normally would be expected from endowment earnings
to beat their previous campaign successes by wide margins.

--

dn

dpb

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 7:11 PM

krw wrote:
...
> If I want to donate I'll give money. I don't want to buy something I
> don't even want.

Then you're not the right target for attending a benefit auction... :)

Nothing wrong w/ that; different strokes etc., ...

> ... I think the WW items are the wrong sorts of items
> for the auction. The buyer and merchandise/seller aren't matched. I
> like the idea of the craft fair (and donate the proceeds) better.
> There is a much better chance that a buyer will appreciate the nice
> work. Perhaps even the same buyer.

Hard to tell, I think. How do you know a priori what _would_ be
appropriate articles for the charity auction, then?

There are a few items that always do well; others seem to be totally
hit-or-miss from year to year as to whether they do well or not.

If you have ideas, I'm all ears; while OT for the rec the auction is the
annual largest fund-raiser event and any ideas at all that might improve
it would be most appreciated...

--

LL

"LDosser"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

29/11/2009 2:09 AM

"John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "LDosser" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote in
>> message news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> "dpb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> Tom Watson wrote:
>>>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>>>> ...
>>>> Nice work (so what else is new? :) ), Tom...
>>>>
>>>> Live or silent auction(s) (or both)? We do one for the local comm.
>>>> college each year of roughly $30k; not tried the woodworking for craft
>>>> as items, though; don't know why. Get some quilts and art work some of
>>>> which does pretty well. I may have to give it a go for next
>>>> year--donated couple-dozen large rolls of grass hay this year...much
>>>> less effort particularly since auction timing was such could leave them
>>>> in field until pickup! :)
>>>
>>> My woodworking club (Northeastern Woodworkers Association), at my
>>> request, donated items for the local Scout Council silent auction at the
>>> Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. I wouldn't say anyone over paid
>>> for any of the items.... to the contrary, every item sold at bargain
>>> prices. The single biggest problem is people cannot seem to
>>> differentiate between one of a kind hand made items and mass produced
>>> Chinese imports... Comments and bids reflected Chinese import prices as
>>> the benchmark for worth--the fact that it was a fund raiser didn't seem
>>> to have any impact on bids.
>>
>> Then it is an education problem. The MC/Auctioneer needs to be educated
>> as to the value of the items and he or she then needs to educate the
>> bidders. The bidders also need to be educated as to the value to the
>> beneficiary organization. I have seen a charity auction sell a Bridge
>> City square for five times its retail value. Somebody needs to get the
>> bidders pumped and work their way up to the big stuff.
>>
>> If there is no MC/Auctioneer and Silent, it is a complete crap shoot.
>> Might as well set up a booth.
>>
>> People like to be wooed. People like to compete. People like to be known
>> for their largesse.
>
> It's a silent auction...
>
>

hen you are Doomed ...

dn

dpb

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

29/11/2009 11:33 AM

krw wrote:
> On Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:11:35 -0600, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> krw wrote:
>> ...
>>> If I want to donate I'll give money. I don't want to buy something I
>>> don't even want.
>> Then you're not the right target for attending a benefit auction... :)
>
> Likely. I don't like junque. I have far too much stored away now and
> we've done two interstate moves in the past two years. I do
> appreciate nice things though. ...

Our auctions have a wide range of items depending on what merchants are
willing to contribute as well as individuals. Our experience has been
that most of the the higher-end furniture items do not bring retail but
do sell for moderately good absolute $$ values so that they are
significant contributors to the overall bottom line. This is a very
small community by most standards so we get something from all of them
every year.

We have a few local artisans who do donate annually -- the success of
those depends on whether their particular whimsy of the year catches
somebody's fancy. In a couple of cases one can count on it being of
excellent work like Tom's but does it catch somebody to bid it up or not
is a toss-up.

All the low-cost items do go to the silent auction tables; many
merchants just do the certificates for lube-job's or something similar.
In a lot of ways we'd prefer to "just say no", but one has the problem
particularly in such a small community of not wanting to do that,
either. :(

>
>> Nothing wrong w/ that; different strokes etc., ...
>
> Sure, but my point is that such auctions are likely not the best place
> to sell such things. It may not attract *enough* people who
> appreciate fine woodworking and that actually want a certain item. The
> chess board may be a counter-example, though.
>
>>> ... I think the WW items are the wrong sorts of items
>>> for the auction. The buyer and merchandise/seller aren't matched. I
>>> like the idea of the craft fair (and donate the proceeds) better.
>>> There is a much better chance that a buyer will appreciate the nice
>>> work. Perhaps even the same buyer.

Perhaps; I was thinking of the single-item sort of thing. I just saw on
local news (local to the "big city" of Wichita, anyway, which is as
"local" as our TV gets even tho it's 200+ miles :) ) the annual crafts
show didn't do particularly well this year yesterday...

>> Hard to tell, I think. How do you know a priori what _would_ be
>> appropriate articles for the charity auction, then?
>
> From my experience the things that go well are just what was reported
> here: A night in a nice hotel. A round of golf. Free lunch ;-).

Indeed, that seems universal. The highest item last couple of years has
been the invitation for a mystery dinner hosted by the college president
and his wife (it's the college Foundation, after all).

> Thinking about it some more, perhaps the chess board was a good one. A
> lot of people like such things (as do I) and they're generic enough to
> go with anyone's decor. I like the granite coasters that, IIRC, were
> discussed a while back here in the wreck. Perhaps with an oiled
> Walnut case. I may not buy a set but that's the sort of thing that
> would go. The boxes shown looked to me to be something of almost
> heirloom quality, something I'd never throw out, whether I grew tired
> of them or not. They're not something I'd commit to in such an
> auction.
...

That last is an interesting viewpoint I'd not thought of previously --
thanks. Have to consider how/whether the philosophy/mindset/psychology
it represents could possibly be exploited??? :)

Thanks for the thoughts/feedback...now back to our regularly-scheduled
broadcast...

--

dn

dpb

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

29/11/2009 1:20 PM

Puckdropper wrote:
...
> What would happen if you had a video or a few snap shots of a hand made
> item actually being constructed? It doesn't have to be a how-to video like
> NYW, but just a "here's what we did" in 2-3 minutes like most of those
> "transformation" TV shows.
...
That is a good suggestion...one thing we did new this year that seemed
to help for the live auction was to set up large-screen TVs on either
side to display the current bit item...

Even a few still shots might well help quite a lot w/ the presentation
to flash thru w/ the overall view. One thing again here is most know
most everybody else; seeing them in action might be incentive...

--

kk

krw

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 7:49 PM

On Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:11:35 -0600, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:

>krw wrote:
>...
>> If I want to donate I'll give money. I don't want to buy something I
>> don't even want.
>
>Then you're not the right target for attending a benefit auction... :)

Likely. I don't like junque. I have far too much stored away now and
we've done two interstate moves in the past two years. I do
appreciate nice things though. We bought Amish bedroom and dining
room sets a couple of years ago. The items we're discussing are the
sort of thins I would buy, but not very likely in that venue. An
auction is only successful when you get a number of like-minded people
together (with like items).

>Nothing wrong w/ that; different strokes etc., ...

Sure, but my point is that such auctions are likely not the best place
to sell such things. It may not attract *enough* people who
appreciate fine woodworking and that actually want a certain item. The
chess board may be a counter-example, though.

>> ... I think the WW items are the wrong sorts of items
>> for the auction. The buyer and merchandise/seller aren't matched. I
>> like the idea of the craft fair (and donate the proceeds) better.
>> There is a much better chance that a buyer will appreciate the nice
>> work. Perhaps even the same buyer.
>
>Hard to tell, I think. How do you know a priori what _would_ be
>appropriate articles for the charity auction, then?

From my experience the things that go well are just what was reported
here: A night in a nice hotel. A round of golf. Free lunch ;-).

Thinking about it some more, perhaps the chess board was a good one. A
lot of people like such things (as do I) and they're generic enough to
go with anyone's decor. I like the granite coasters that, IIRC, were
discussed a while back here in the wreck. Perhaps with an oiled
Walnut case. I may not buy a set but that's the sort of thing that
would go. The boxes shown looked to me to be something of almost
heirloom quality, something I'd never throw out, whether I grew tired
of them or not. They're not something I'd commit to in such an
auction.

>There are a few items that always do well; others seem to be totally
>hit-or-miss from year to year as to whether they do well or not.

That makes perfect sense.

>If you have ideas, I'm all ears; while OT for the rec the auction is the
>annual largest fund-raiser event and any ideas at all that might improve
>it would be most appreciated...

It's a tough one, if limited to wood. Turned candlesticks are nice
and could go for decent money. Breadboards. End-grain cutting
boards. It may be a bit over the top, but TV trays are nice and
fairly generic too. I'd have to think a little more about it.

TW

Tom Watson

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 8:27 PM

On Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:28:30 -0600, Morris Dovey <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Beautiful wood and work - The box is clean and simple enough to
>highlight the handles and hinges (I especially like the hinges!)
>
>I agree with your comments downthread, and will offer that this has been
>a difficult year for fundraisers just about everywhere, and that for
>many it's probably easier to find a "show-off" spot in home or office
>for a chess board than for the larger box...
>
>...and these are definitely "show-off" pieces! :)


Thanks Morris. We were happy to have made as much as we did. And I
got to do a little market research on the chessboard price resistance
level.


Regards,

Tom Watson
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/

TW

Tom Watson

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 7:38 AM

Thanks for the kind words.

The box was in the live auction. The chess board was in the silent
auction. There was a minimum on both but the box was set too low. I
agree that many people do not understand that it is a fund raiser
first and that you get to take something home is a secondary
consideration. Also agree that many people do not understand the
value of hand made items. It's because we grow up surrounded by items
whose manufacturing cost is exceeded by the marketing and advertising
cost. Regardless of what we'd like to believe - excellence does not
sell itself but I wish the cost of selling was more in balance with
the cost of producing.

The chess board was one prototype for a run of several different
designs that I'll be making after the first of the year. I expect to
spend a great deal of time selling them and as little time possible in
making them...sigh.



Regards,

Tom Watson
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/

kk

krw

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

28/11/2009 6:46 PM

On Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:37:47 -0600, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:

>krw wrote:
>...
>
>> I won't disagree that many have a misplaced sense of value (witness
>> all the junk sold at "hobby" stores), but in this case I think the
>> venue was all wrong. People weren't expecting to buy heirlooms,
>> rather junk. While those items looked to be fine workmanship, they
>> aren't something I'd buy on the spur of the moment. Heirloom quality
>> stuff I want to be *exactly* what I want because I intend to keep it
>> until I can no longer keep anything.
>
>If people attend a benefit/fund-raising auction w/ the intent of
>"buying" anything, then their the ones of whom I was speaking that are
>going for the wrong purpose/mindset. The expenditure should be viewed
>as a donation, what comes with it just happens to be the carrot.

If I want to donate I'll give money. I don't want to buy something I
don't even want. I think the WW items are the wrong sorts of items
for the auction. The buyer and merchandise/seller aren't matched. I
like the idea of the craft fair (and donate the proceeds) better.
There is a much better chance that a buyer will appreciate the nice
work. Perhaps even the same buyer.

Sk

Swingman

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 10:15 AM

Tom Watson wrote:
> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>
>
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg

Beautiful! All items cheap at three times the price!

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

TW

Tom Watson

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

02/12/2009 3:18 PM

On Wed, 2 Dec 2009 10:35:45 -0800, "Jim Hall"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Then again maybe those are just veneer squares attached to ply or mdf base..
>How did you put those squares together, if you don't mind me asking? Glue a
>row of blocks, cut thin and reverse each row? A bit of a gluing challenge
>to get them to fit so perfectly together..
>
>"Jim Hall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> You're a very generous man, Tom and a good father.. Your children will
>> remember you for that.. Beautiful work.. Now did you leave room for
>> expansion on the chess board panel.. Kidding.. I'm sure you did.. Many
>> probably wouldn't.. -Jim
>>
>> "Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>>>
>>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>>>
>>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>>>
>>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg


Thanks for the kind words in the other post.

The squares are solid stock about 7/8" thick. I glue up the strips
one block length (2 1/2") longer plus kerf (1") plus trimming space
(1/2") so that I don't have to flip them over. This gives a better
look, in my opinion, if the grain and color match has been nicely
done.

I used a couple of biscuits in this prototype to help with alignment
and to help with the joints but the production run will use a glue
line joint profile made on the shaper - riding close to the bottom so
that it isn't seen where the squares stand proud of the frame.

The expansion and maintaining planarity are handled via interlocking
tongue and groove joints. The field of squares has a groove set 5/16"
from the top face and deep enough to allow for wood movement. This
groove wraps around the tongue that is formed in the top frame by
making a similar groove on the inside edge of the frame as in this
simplified drawing:


http://picasaweb.google.com/tjwatson11/ChessboardJoint#5410734467525258114


I put a dab of glue on the centerline of the endgrain edge and rely on
the snugness of the joint to hold the field of squares planar.


This is an experiment. Time will tell.










Regards,

Tom Watson
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/

kk

krw

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

29/11/2009 12:39 PM

On 29 Nov 2009 18:04:41 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:

>dpb <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
>*snip*
>
>>
>> If you have ideas, I'm all ears; while OT for the rec the auction is the
>> annual largest fund-raiser event and any ideas at all that might improve
>> it would be most appreciated...
>>
>
>What would happen if you had a video or a few snap shots of a hand made
>item actually being constructed? It doesn't have to be a how-to video like
>NYW, but just a "here's what we did" in 2-3 minutes like most of those
>"transformation" TV shows.

Great idea! It would show that it's not a trivial piece and certainly
not made in China. A video may be a bit tacky, though.

LC

"Larry C"

in reply to Tom Watson on 27/11/2009 10:08 AM

27/11/2009 3:12 PM


"Han" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>> The chessboard went for $300.00. The box went for $525.00. A small
>> jewelry box went for $50.00. I won't bother making the big box next
>> year - ROI is poor. The auction raised $21,000.00.
>>
>>
>>
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box1.jpg
>>
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box2.jpg
>>
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/box3.jpg
>>
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/onlinestorage/chessboard1.jpg
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Tom Watson
>> http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
>
> Congratulations from me too. (Turning green).
>
> --
> Best regards
> Han
> email address is invalid

That is great work. It is times like this I wish I had talent.

I have never seen a chessboard style like that - really cool.

Larry C


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