Weekly Blog -September 22nd

[john]

This has been another slow week for woodworking as much of my time was spent on hockey. The gent who started our league almost six years ago decided that at 75, he should start to slow down a bit so "volunteered" me as President. I'm sure many of you know how that works.

Not all was lost though as Mr. & Mrs Frosty were finally finished and ready for a new home. Also, the wood I had bought recently was in my garage and with the cooler, damper weather, I decided to bring it in to aclimatize to the basement air. Today I started planing some of it, outside, down to pre-project (is that a word?) thickness. I figure it will still move so I will give it a final planing, inside, when I am ready to use it.

I also found some thin oak that had been resawn last year so planed that down to 1/4" and laminated it with some paduck to make a bread knife blank.

Tonight it will be back to hockey tasks trying to ensure full teams for our first games tomorrow.

Have a Safe and Fun week!

John

[charlese]

Who knows, John? being president of your hockey league may qualify you for some type of Public office. Just kidding! A few years ago I got similarly pushed into being pres. of our home owner's assoc. down in TX. What a learning experience.

Back to woodworking - After searching for a project to use up the rest of my poplar, I found a curved lid toolbox in an issue of Shop Notes. Many pieces, 5 drawers, curved lid, and and lots of 1/4" box joints. Mostly 1/2" boards, some 1/4" and 1/2" particle board scrap that I substituted for plywood.

So spent the week making 1/2" boards and marking out the pieces. This is a little frightening while trying to understand the instructions and where the parts all go. Parts are lettered A thru Z (some with multiples) and then there's some AA's thru FF's. I messed up by making up the entire sides prior to sawing an angle, but managed to save the sides with my wonderful SS band saw. Also cut the front too short, but did some end grain glueing and fixed that. Now that the fingers are cut thru that joint, even I can't tell.

Wouldn't be surprised if this project lasts 2 to 3 more weeks. My sweet wife is waiting for a phone bench for her kitchen, but I convinced her she didn't want that made from poplar. Whew! Haven't even designed that or found plans yet.

[judaspre1982]

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[a1gutterman]

charlese, I found this gossip bench plan and thought it was a possible choice for Mrs charlese.http://woodprojects.com/MH-W2191.htm. Dave

Ohh! Another chance to see charlese's very good work. Is this what you had in mind Chuck?

[kalynzoo]

I was president of the local high school booster club "highlanders booster club" for a few year, now that I stepped down, they elected my wife as president. She is now in her 3rd term. Yup, it's football season at the high school, and that keeps me away from the woodchips for a while. But I have a list of things to start, as the grand twins are due the end of Jan.

[charlese]

Dave - Thanks! Might just do something like that. I'd have to reverse the sides for the stand and drawer and shorten it a bit, but it would work. I think Mrs. charlese would love it. I loved the old phone on the bench! The plan must have been around for a while.

Tim - Yep!

Gary! Sawdust is fun, but I have to agree, High School Football is fun too!

[Ed in Tampa]

Dave - Thanks! Might just do something like that. I'd have to reverse the sides for the stand and drawer and shorten it a bit, but it would work. I think Mrs. charlese would love it. I loved the old phone on the bench! The plan must have been around for a while.

Tim - Yep!

Gary! Sawdust is fun, but I have to agree, High School Football is fun too!

Chuck
Go into the phone store those old phones are now the rage. I saw one with a rotary dial that was actually electronic. The dial turned but instead of mechanical clicker it used the electronics of the push button phone.
Ed

[john]

Chuck:

Your mention of a round top box reminded me that I wanted to do something like that. Every time I go into a craft store I see some ready to paint and think that would be a good idea for a toy box. Of course by the time I get home I have forgotten what it was I wanted to build. I can tell you though that mine, if it is ever made, will not have nice finger joints!

Fortunately our house has no room for a phone bench!:D

Have fun.

John

[a1gutterman]

...Every time I go into a craft store I see some ready to paint and think that would be a good idea for a toy box. Of course by the time I get home I have forgotten what it was I wanted to build....

That is what cameras are for, John! Even the one built into your cell phone wood work.

[john]

Tim:

I hate to say it but I am one of those that has resisted a cell phone up to now. I had considered one for emergency purposes only, but you may have just given me another GOOD reason to reconsider.

John