Weekly Blog - October 20th

[john]

The blog took a holiday last week, mainly due to the fact there was nothing to report. A combination of other activities and family visiting for our Thanksgiving holiday resulted in no woodworking activities.

This week was not much different though I tried to get going on a couple of projects. First I bought some mineral oil to finish the cutting boards I made recently, but, then I decided I should spruce them up a bit with plugs of a contrasting wood. So far I am still thinking of a pattern that would add to the appearance.

Then I tried to start a wine rack based on some pictures and instructions that a fellow member sent to me. The plans called for 3" holes to hold the wine bottles so I went out and bought a 3" hole saw and mandrel, only to find that most of the bottles I have would not fit. Some would say maybe I should have measured first but as many of you know, that has not been my strong point. Today I went out and purchased a 3 1/2" hole saw that will do the job. I checked first!

The wife of my friend who passed away earlier this year found a small turned container that he had started and asked if I could finish it so she could use it. I started trying to sand it by hand but got nowhere so I arttached it to the SS lathe faceplate and am trying to sand it that way. A bit rough going as I obviouly don't have it centered. It is not his best effort which I attribute to his condition at the time but I will try to salvage as best I can, given that I am not a turner.

Earlier I had mentioned a garden bench repair that would be a project for next year. Well that was confirmed on our holiday weekend. My wife and grandson decided that the best place to enjoy an afternoon snack was on the bench while catching the last rays of the afternoon sun. Fortunately, that went OK. When I tried to move the bench about one hour later to cut the grass, it literally fell apart. I guess it couldn't wait until spring.

Have a Safe and Fun week!

John

[kalynzoo]

Who would know that the original plans were made by someone who collected small thin wine bottles. I would enlarge the holes with a scroll saw. But then, the scroll saw is my favorite tool, so my opinion is weighted. Sounds like you have a busy week of projects planned. My time is filled trying to finish projects I have promised. Worked at a daughter's home last weekend, getting the bedroom ready for twins. I have to finish the Christmas yard decorations I promised everyone. I also want to make matching rocking-horses for the twins. I have a knee replacement scheduled for mid November, so I'd like the projects finished before I'm couch bound for recovery. Enjoy. Gary

[judaspre1982]

======================

[kalynzoo]

I really hope I will be able to do things I have trouble doing now....like make those really close fingerjoints.. Thanks for the support.

[charlese]

John - I also would not have known about the diameter of wine bottles. Good thing you didn't get a plan for a bottle rack for those booze bottles coming from hotel mini-bars and the kind found on airliners. A while ago when I was frustrated about making various sized holes, I bought one of these. http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/ge ... tml?ref=42 It works very well in the Mark V drill press. Can't remember where I found mine, but noticed there are quite a few variations of adjustable circle/hole cutters out there.

Sounds like your bench is in need of a complete re-build from scratch. Oh boy! a busy winter and spring!

Gary - I also wish you well with your coming knee surgery! I also wish I had small grand children to make toys for. Lacking those, the substitute so far, for me has been the blocks made for my daughter-in-law's school kids. After enjoying your story about you and your granddaughter in the shop recently - and your story about teaching kids about wood - the least I can do is to post a photo of kids using the blocks and scrap wood from my shop.
[ATTACH]2202[/ATTACH]

It was a slow week in my shop. One day I turned small knobs for my new tool chest. (no photo yet) The rest of the time did other maintenance stuff around the house and motor home - as well as sorting/storing and throwing scraps away. The throwing away part is the hardest!

We took a road trip to Bakersfield and back to rescue our stranded kids. Their camping vehicle broke down and wound up in a garage. They needed to get home. On the way we ran into a sight that we can not classify as pleasing. While going over the beautiful Tehachapi mountains, we passed by (seemed more like going through) literally thousands of those large white electric generating windmills. We know this makes "green electricity" however at the expense of completely ruining the beauty of otherwise pristine landscape. At 55 MPH, had to keep my eyes glued to the road as the effect of those whirling blades would cause dis-orientation. That part was really not fun!

[john]

Gary:

I thought of using my scroll saw but with only a 16 inch throat, didn't feel I could do it as the pieces are too big. The sides of the wine rack will be about 9 1/2" wide by 24" long with a total of nine holes.

Once again, Good Luck with the surgery.

Chuck:

I also thought of that type of hole cutter but wondered about safety. I had looked at them before and the recommmended speed was a maximium of 500rpm. The slowest on th SS is 700. When purchasing my 3 1/2" saw. I looked at them again and there was no posted speed but the price was $35.00 in the store I was in, vs $25 for the saw, so cost won out. Too bad I didn't report my problem earlier, and had your input. It would have saved money in the long run to have a multi-use cutter rather than separate expensive ones.

That picture is a great reward for your effort with the building blocks.

I know what you mean about the windmills I might have mentioned earlier that when at the cottage this summer, and looking out over the lake we could see this row of silver things in the distance. Turns out it was windmills and even at a distance of about twenty miles it spoiled the view of the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. I understand they are "murder" on birds too, but that's progress.

John

[judaspre1982]

=====================

[fjimp]

Gary,

good luck with the knee replacement. Mine was four years ago. I love being able to walk even if I look funny doing so. The secret to making that knee work is keeping it moving. When I finished my post surgery therapy the therapist commented to me that they see two mindsets from patients. One group says what do I need to do to walk again? The others folks want to know why the threapists aren't doing the work for them. If you work the knee exactly as told all day every day, you will be thrilled at your decision to replace it. fjimp

[dusty]

Gary;

Good luck with your knee surgery. I believe that you will never regret getting it done. The only regret may be that you didn't do it sooner. I have had both knees replaced and feel like I am doing great.

Pay attention to the therapist. Grit your teeth and do everything they recommend for the duration of your therapy session. It won't all come back immediately but it will come back.

Charlese; I have looked and looked in that photo of the kids in the classroom and I just do not see any scrap wood. I do see a whole bunch of really neat wooden educational objects around the room but no scrap wood.

Great Job Man!

[charlese]

[quote="dusty"]
Charlese]
The rectangular and square pieces are all scrap cuttoffs. They were squared up a bit and defects removed before giving them to the school. Except for the shaped pieces - it was all scrap! I have lots of this stuff! Too much for the shop. One of these days, I'll show you a photo of the good scrap that's still taking over my shop.