SDFWA

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association

Author: Isaac Smith

Navy Chief Petty Officer Project Inbox

SDFWA has volunteered to support several local Navy commands with their Chief Petty Officer Initiation. We are building keepsake boxes, called a Charge Box Vessel, to hold documents recording their journey to becoming a Chief.

Lou Cortellini is assigned to be the coordinator for this effort. Please contact him directly with any questions or to sign up as a volunteer. He can be reached at: louis.cortellini@gmail.com

Local Tour: Taylor Guitars

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Taylor Guitars
1980 Gillespie Way, El Cajon, CA 92020

Taylor acoustic guitars are widely considered among the best in the world. Renowned for blending modern, innovative manufacturing techniques with a master craftsman’s attention to detail, the company is a pioneer in the use of computer mills, lasers and other high-tech tools and proprietary machinery.

This is a unique opportunity, hope to see you there!

SDFWA 4.0 Expansion

We have leased the bay (“D”) that’s adjacent to the existing Member Shop.  This gives us an additional 5,000 sq ft of space, essentially doubling the size of the current Shop.

There’s lots to do, and help is appreciated. Join us on Tuesdays from 9am – 3pm.

More info: Rick VanHatten at rvanhatten@gmail.com

Eye Opener: Meet the Craftsmen, July 26

Join us at this month’s Eye Opener where three of the award winning craftsmen from this year’s Design in Wood Exhibition will showcase their work. They will be sharing their inspiration as well as challenges and insights.

Refurbishing the La Mesa Train Cabin

We’re helping the La Mesa Pacific Southwest Railway Museum refurbish the wooden cabin of their Mohave Northern Rail Road steam engine, originally built in 1915/1916.

Eye Opener: Puzzle Boxes, Rio Chilson

Eye Opener: June 28 The presenter at June’s Eye Opener event has a puzzling demeanor. That is to say he likes puzzles, specifically, puzzle boxes. Rio Chilson is a 32 year old mechanical engineer working for the DoD. As he was seeking a way to stay entertained during the 2020 lockdown, he wandered into a rabbit […]

Eye Opener: Secret Compartments, Werner Pyka

Saturday, April 26, 20258:00 AM Doors open, social time9:00 AM Presentations10:30 AM Digital SIG Secret or hidden compartments can add a layer of interest and intrigue to any project. At the April Eye Opener event Werner Pyka will share his approach to hidden compartments and show some fascinating examples. Werner Pyka is a retired engineer […]

Eye Opener: Maloof Foundation

Eye Opener:Maloof Foundation Saturday, March 29, 20258:00 AM Doors open, social time9:00 AM Presentations10:30 AM Digital SIG We are excited to welcome a member of the Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts to our March Eye Opener. The Maloof Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate excellence in craftsmanship, encourage artists, and […]

Craftsman Referral Terms

BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

PROCEDURE
After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.

Agree
Disagree