We’re on the go, organizing and taking classes, diving deep with Special Interest Groups, touring local shops, making things, helping with community projects and so much more. Here’s what we’re currently up to.
Events Coming Up
It's almost here, our annual Holiday Gift Sale!!!
From our hands to your home
Friday
Nov 21 2025
9AM-5PM
Saturday
Nov 22, 2025
9AM-1PM
SDFWA Member Shop
5360 Eastgate Mall, Suite E
San Diego, CA 92121
858-230-7593
Old Tool Swap Meet: Nov 2
If you need tools or if you just love to see what is available, you won’t want to miss the Old Tool Swap Meet hosted by Rockler.
Be sure to get there early for the best selection.Sunday, November 2, 6 AM – 12 PM
Rockler Woodworking parking lot
8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Wood: A Furniture Show: Submit by Dec 13
It’s time to get your submissions ready for Wood: A Furniture Show XVI, presented by Escondido Arts Partnership and sponsored by Murphy’s Fine Woodworking, due by Dec 13, 2025 for the exhibit from Jan 10th – February 27, 2026.
Classes
Sign up for a class!
We offer classes all year long. They’re short, give you experience, and you’ll go home with a useful piece that you made.
Our intro classes are a great way to get started. You’ll get hands on experience while learning to use the equipment safely. The first intro class builds a cutting board and step stool. The second intro class builds this awesome table.
Or try one of our many other courses. Here’s more information.
The carousel shows pics from an intro class making a cutting board.
Spotlights
Spotlight: Proper Posture Reduces Stress
The best posture for woodworking involves a stable, balanced stance. Here are the key elements to proper posture when woodworking.
Tool Spotlight: Avoiding tablesaw kickback
Table saws are a common source of serious injuries, often resulting in lacerations and amputations, particularly to fingers and hands. Kickback is a major cause of these injuries, understanding and avoiding kickback makes us all safer.
New Preferred Partner: Murphy’s Surplus Warehouse, 30% off!
Murphy’s Surplus Warehouse is joining the Preferred Partner Program and will be offering a 30% discount to SDFWA Members.
Alan Murphy specializes in buying closeout merchandise and offering it to his customers at very attractive prices. Alan’s pricing is about ⅓ of what you would pay at other retailers…and now it’s an extra 30% off this low price! So, remember your membership card.
401 N. Johnson Ave in El Cajon
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, time tbd
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
