Weekly Blog - September 8th

[john]

Another relatively slow week, maybe because of the heat. We just enjoyed about the hottest week of the summer, that is until Saturday, then reality came from the west in the form of more normal cool temperatures. I think it is a sign of things to come.

Mr & Mrs Frosty received two coats of white paint as a base during the week, and my dear wife started to paint the coloured parts today. That should lead to the usual "discussions" on technique, but, hey, good help is hard to find.

I also started on the bases and for that decided to set-up the table extension brackets that I purchased this summer to support the pieces as I dadoed a slot in them. I liked the extended outfeed table to support pieces after passing over the blade, but sure got frustrated during the set-up. Also needed to be a contortionist to get around the unit in my confined space. I guess my "type A" personality came out once again.

I also paid a visit to my local hardwood lumber supplier to pick up some wood. Got a selection of oak, maple, poplar, and cherry. Normally I don't buy cherry due to cost, but they had a deal on 4/4 thickness at $4.95/bdft instead of $6.75, cheaper than maple. Unfortunately a chap got there before me and after he was through picking a large quantity, the best boards were gone. I don't know what I will make with any of this yet but thought I should get some supplies in beforehand instead of running out looking for wood when I settle on a project as I usually do.

Most of the purchases I had made during the summer were tossed on the workbench and as I was unpacking these and storing them, I found those cutting board blanks that I had given up on earlier this year. I guess I will have to do something with them now that I found them.

I'm beginning to think I will have to start canceling subscriptions to those woodworking mags, that I receive. Too many nice projects to think about and not enough time and money to make them.

Have a Safe and Fun week!

John

[charlese]

Woodworking Magazines were the theme of my past week. No, I don't plan on canceling subscriptions. Just make a longer list of those articles of interest to me. As mentioned, I was trying to perfect a jig to make 1/4" finger joints in order to assemble magazine holders. They are needed to replace some of the old cardboard ones. My wife has changed her mind on the need for more shutters, so that project is over for a while.

John, I'm kinda in the same boat as you, with no shortage of projects.

Well, I finally got my jig to make fingers that would extend over 12 inches. Boy! I was amazed to find the very small adjustment that made all the difference between joints 5" long and 12 inches. Have to admit - thousandths of inches applies here! Cumulative error makes the difference. Also made the trial fingers into the sides of boards. Then I noticed the plans from Wood Mag. made the fingers into the end grain. Then the light dawns! My thought is there has got to be more tear-out or fuzz when cutting across the grain. Haven't tried end grain yet, but the pieces are made to do that. There has to be a reason the tall holders have grain running parallel to the shelf. and after all, you never see a finger jointed box with grain of the sides running vertically.

I really wanted to use the OPR to make the joints. After making a jig for that purpose - (using horizontal mode and lifting the table into the cut) - I gave up, because the table rocked a little when resting on one adjustable stop collar. (It just now dawned on me while typing, to use two stop collars). Duh!
Well, I'm using my wobble dado!

After the 12 inch test was a success, the next job was to begin making the 1/4" boards. Glad I did the test before making the 1/4" panels. That process took the last few days, with jointing, gluing and sizing, but now the grain runs horizontally.

Oh yeah, the computer is almost fully loaded again and I took the lumpy Gates drive belt, trimmed off the bulges with my sharp knife and it is now smoothly running on the Mark V. We'll see how it lasts. Shopsmith has sent me another replacement belt. This one has only one small bulge around the connection splice. It is hanging in a cabinet.