A passion for woodworking is shared throughout the Rainy River Area Woodworkers chapter
Within minutes, Cory Norgart can turn a block of wood into an ink pen. And all the woodworker needs is a face shield, a lathe, and his talent in the unique art.
A pipefitter by day, Norgart admits he never saw himself becoming involved with woodworking the way he has. He explained after receiving a load of wood for his outdoor furnace one fall, several of the logs had burls, or deformed growths, on them.
“I was a little upset about those burls at first,” Norgart explained.
After a little research, however, he discovered that burls are prized for their beauty by many woodworkers and furniture makers.
“I started selling it and eventually made a side business — Up North Burls — with it,” Norgart said.
Selling the wood wasn’t enough. Norgart had the itch to see what he could do with a burl — or any type of wood.
“I was online at a woodworkers forum when I came across the name Quinn McCarthy,” Norgart recalls. “I saw he was in the Falls and messaged him asking if he would want to get a wood club started.”
With McCarthy’s interest, the pair began calling people they knew and rounded up enough to start a club. Shortly thereafter, paperwork was submitted to the American Association of Woodturners and the Rainy River Area Woodworkers is now one of the newest chapters among about 340 in the U.S.
A learning experience
Since the club became official in 2011, members have been sharing their talents with one another, and the community. Demonstrations were held during last year’s International Falls Bass Championship and other members have since visited with the shop class at Falls High School to offer tips and suggestions.
“I made four pens at the bass tournament,” said Kylee Norgart, the group’s youngest member. “One blew up on me, though.”
Kylee said she is following in her dad’s footsteps of woodworking because she “likes to make stuff.” The 11-year-old added that she is always learning something new.
Cory Norgart echoed his daughter’s enthusiasm by explaining that was the group’s unofficial motto.
“If you show someone how, you, too, will learn,” he said. “That is really the purpose of this group — to get people of the same interest together to share ideas. I’ve learned a ton from being part of this group.”
Different talents
The talent and skill within the group’s nine members varies significantly. Most of them will admit they’ve found a “second home” in their wood shops.
“Between all of us, someone knows something about everything,” Norgart said with a laugh.
Club member Howard Arch said he’s been involved in the art of woodworking for about 25 years.
“It is all about reading books,” Arch said of how he developed his skill. “There is a lot of good literature out there.”
Arch said his specialty is custom-made pieces and tables.
“I really enjoy taking a piece of wood and slabbing it and then taking it and making a table,” he said. “I’ve got stuff I’ve made scattered all over my house.”
Arch said the club is at an advantage with Norgart’s unique burl. “When you put some character into a piece of wood like Cory’s, that is when you can make something really special.”
Other specialties of group members include: custom cabinets, intricate clocks, toy cars, bowls, and wine stoppers.
“When you have the right equipment, there is so much that can be done,” Norgart said. “We’ve got a good mixture in this group and it’s amazing to see what people are capable of doing when their mind is set on it.”
