The Sometimes Blog - August 10th

[john]

Well we are back from our three weeks on the shores of Lake Champlain. Lots of nice weather but at the same time it rained at some point 4 days out of 5. So much rain in the area that the lake which usually recedes in July- August rose about 15" in the time we were there.That's a LOT of water! The dock was in danger after one week, and with the help of several older grandkids we were able to move it closer to shore and raise it. Thursday, I was out in the water removing the wooden panels so the waves wouldn't lift them and raised the near end about a foot. I couldn't do the far end myself so the owner will have to deal with it.

Upon arrival home yesterday, we had a card in our door from the local police. Apparently somebody tried to break in on Friday morning. A neighbour noticed and called the police. Meanwhile the intruder must had been scared off and exited in another neighbour's back yard a couple of houses down. When approached he said he was looking for his lost dog. Being suspicous, that neighbour watched him return to his car and took his licence number. When the police arrived a couple of minutes later he gave them the information which they checked out, found his address, and the fact that he had a record for B&E. Thankfully he did not succeed in entering, and with good neighbours in the area he will probably be apprehended. All that even though I/we returned four times during the three weeks including two overnight stays.

As planned, I used the opportunity to order somethings from Shopsmith and Rockler. Unfortunately SS did not have the fence mounted featherboard in stock so I missed out on that. Then my own thoughtlessness, long word for "stupidity", resulted in my only ordering one bandsaw tire. I saw the kit listed, and the individual tire listed, so I orderd the kit not reading that it included "A" tire and glue. Of course the saw has two wheels so I hope it runs better that a bicycle on one flat tire! I also got the brackets to extend the outfeed table, and a blank table insert.

On the rockler side, I ordered the neat fence clamps, and the HVLP sprayer. I wasn't planning on that but at $80 I couldn't resist. I'm still not sure what I will do with it but I will think of something.

While visting various shops etc, I got a couple of ideas for projects. One was a shelf that had a panel between the brackets and had one half of a five car wooden train glued to it. It looks like the craftsperson made the train cars then sawed them down the middle, then glued them to the panel. (Hard to explain, but I am attaching a pic of a shelf I made, instead of the wallpaper panel as in mine, substitute a narrower wood panel with train.) The interesting thing about this project is that one could substitute cars, trucks, etc for the train for different results. This one had no pegs for hanging things but I think I would add some shaker pegs or dowels to hang hats, or medals won, etc.

Someday I must get back to the shop.

Have a Fun and Safe week(s)!

John

[a1gutterman]

Hi John,
I am glad that the burglar was unsuccessful, and that you had a good trip. That train car project sounds interesting.

[charlese]

Hi John! Glad you are back and not all sunburned or something. Wow! Glad to read about your non-break-in! Whew! We really value good neighbors!

I think you will come to love your HVLP! Mine works wonderfully well. I can recommend you get at least one of those Rockler extra jars. Diluted paint can be stored in them for ready use later. Plus they have volume graduations on them... very helpful to avoid measuring cups.

Loved your shelf with the wallpaper back! In fact that wallpaper scene would also look good with a small half truck or train affixed to it!

While you were gone, I'm still pumping out shutters. Ran out of wood, ordered more and just picked it up on Saturday. I have found out that 50 bf fits nicely on my lower wood storage shelf. At present, there is approx. 2 bushels of scrap wood blocks and strips (in cardboard boxes) on the floor of the shop. Can't wait to pawn these off on Daughter-in-law. She really wants them, and I'm getting tired of walking around them.

But did manage to turn another toothpick dispenser for Daughter-in-law that is shaped like the base of the salt and pepper mills, and a salt mill (grinder) for my wife, since we have started using sea salt on the table. Both of these came from cuttoffs.

[john]

Chuck:

Your post praising this tool was a main factor in my purchasing it. I did get one spare jar as well so I am all set for that. Thought of ordering more but that can wait until I know that I will use the sprayer.

As for the shelf, I made several different ones, sports equipment, race cars, space theme, two more are shown in the pics attached. They are easy to make using wallpaper borders as the picture. The size is then taillored to the size of the picture. I was lucky enough to score free samples that included a full pattern. Actually my wife wanted the Village Scene shown yesterday but she didn't offer any money for it. I will make her another..someday.

Have fun.

John

[charlese]

Nifty shelves, John! I am really attracted to them. Never, would I have thought of using various wallpaper scenes for a background decoration. To me, it is really a great idea! Your wife's idea of a village scene is particularly good, as it would support a multitude of foregrounds. - Like the old "Courier and Ives" scenes. It would be fun to try and find scenes of the 4 seasons, then go with horses & sleighs, Halloween & fallen leaves, baseball & bicycles then flowers for Spring time.

[john]

Once again, I cannot take credit for the idea. It seems I like to create, but am not creative. I saw something similar in a craft show in upstate N.Y. and ran with the idea after adding a couple of personal touches.

For anybody interested, the "picture" panel is wallpaper glued to a 1/4" thick piece of mdf. It is held in a rabbet, cut into the sides and top and bottom panels, with little clips that are used to hold photos in a frame. This way the panel can be easily removed for finishing of the wood parts, or can be changed for another picture. The mdf has a tendancy to warp as the wallpaper glue dries so I weight it down with heavy objects until it is dry.

Above the "picture" panel is a shelf that is about 3" - 3.5" deep, attached with screws, to the top wood panel that is also about 3" high. The bottom wood panel can be any hight depending on taste and use. The sides are made to fit the depth of the shelf, and the overall hight.

Have fun.

John

[charlese]

...I saw the kit listed, and the individual tire listed, so I ordered the kit not reading that it included "A" tire and glue. Of course the saw has two wheels so I hope it runs better that a bicycle on one flat tire! ....

Me too John! I never even realized the set had only one tire, until you told us! Just got the set and hung it in a cabinet for whenever (if ever) I would need it. Also, I hadn't realized I might be needing two tires at the same time! Still wondering about that! My rubber tires are still in good shape, in fact they look a lot better than prior to the time I started cleaning them with silicone. When changing blades recently, I noticed the saw was due for a good vacuuming, and was a little amazed that neither tire had more than a few pieces of sawdust on them.

The tire kit will probably go unused for a long time. I hope forever! Should I order a second tire? No! guess I'll wait.

[woodburner]

That's odd. I wonder if they sent out a bad batch of bandsaw tire kits. The kit of original tires I ordered came with two tires and adhesive in one package.

I ordered my set about three years ago (before they came out with the orange poly tires) because my lower saw tire cracked very badly for some reason, even when I always loosened the blade tension. The upper tire remained in great shape. I have always been puzzled by this. I have since changed them both to the orange tires and they work great. I have the others put away for a "just in case" moment.

I do wonder how long the adhesive is good for. Most adhesives and glues expire about a year after manufacture, wonder if this is true for the adhesive in the original-style bandsaw tire kit.

[charlese]

I do wonder how long the adhesive is good for. Most adhesives and glues expire about a year after manufacture, wonder if this is true for the adhesive in the original-style bandsaw tire kit.

I have wondered that too! Maybe I'll never find out the shelf life! I know that titebond II lasts a lot longer than "literature knowledge" I buy it by the gallon, and it usually takes over a year to use it up. The only item I really pay attention to is the 8 year life on motorhome tires.

[woodburner]

YES!! Always make sure the motorhome tires are in great condition. Very important.