Weekly Blog - August 31st

john · Post by **john** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:06 pm

I hope most of you are enjoying the Labour Day weekend, and that the folks in the way of Gustaf(?) don't get hit as hard as expected and injuries and damage are limited. I'll take a snowstorm over a hurricane any day.

Not much to report in the way of any project progress. I got a coat of primer on the Mr & Mrs Frosty, and then we decided to take a few days to visit our daughter and family in Niagara Falls. This did have two positive effects on my woodworking though.

First, I was able to stop off at the Canadian Shopsmith distributor on the way up and pick up a couple of things. One being the power coupler I forgot to order in July, and another being a second replacement tire for the bandsaw. I also purchased the 4" lathe tool support so I could try making the bottle stoppers that I failed to complete earlier. All-in-all, I walked out $130 poorer.

I also inquired as to access to Shopsmith sales in Canada and found that due to his arrangement with SS, and high shipping fees into Canada, most sales are not available up here. Guess I'll have to keep hoping for the right sale when I spend time in Vermont in the summer.

Secondly, I got to take pictures of the charging station that I mentioned last week. They are attached but as can be seen, the gromet that is supposed to cover the hole in the top shelf has already been lost. Oh well!:rolleyes:

Got to go and move the sprinkler, the garden took a real beating from the heat while we were gone.

Have a Safe and Fun week!

John

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:41 am

John,

That's a super charging station. Something nice to blend high-tech and old-time craftsmanship. Good job!

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:35 pm

Beautiful John I agree the craftmanship compliments technology. Well done. fjimp

perryobear · Post by **perryobear** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:50 pm

A great project John!

In my house there are three diffferent cell phones, a couple of iPods, handheld video games ... I think my version might need to be bigger!:o

I did no wood working this holiday weekend but did enjoy another trip down to Colonial Williamsburg, VA. I got to spend some time at the wheelwright and the cabinet maker shops. The gunsmith was hand fitting the musket barrel to a slot he was forming in the roughed out wood stock. Seemed every place I looked there was something of interest related to woodworking of one sort or another.

An outstanding way to spend the holiday weekend.

Have a great week everyone,

Dennis

john · Post by **john** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:28 pm

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Since I used mainly scraps, there is quite a difference in the colour and grain of the maple that was used. Fortunately the pictures dont show the differences. If I was making one for sale, I would try to make all parts from one board to get a better looking piece.

The sizing is a bit small though that is what the plans call for. As mentioned in my earlier posts, finding a power bar small enough to fit was almost impossible. Also I think most chargers use transformers and a regular power bar has little room for these so an extra two inches in length (12.5") would be better if it doesn't detract too much from the looks.

Cost is another factor. As is, it cost about $18 to make. The ball catches purchased from Rockler would add another $15 and then a power bar more again. Not too bad for personal use, but I think a little too expensive to make for sale at a craft show.

Dennis:

Our house is not that far advanced in the technology department, but my daughter and family are. Which is why it now resides at their place.

Have fun.

John

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:43 pm

Hi folks! Glad to see John's finished charging station. Nice one John! I know it will be well used with family pride.

This has been an interesting if not frustrating week and weekend for this bunch. The hard drive on my computer went out just before the weekend. At least I got the last of the shutters up over the weekend.

Did I say, "I hate computers!"? First one of the car's computers goes haywire - then this laptop! Got the car repaired last week and the got the computer back last night. Oh well! It's just money!

Now that I have an old laptop with a brand new hard drive (haven't been able to reclaim anything from the old hard drive)- I had forgotten just how trying it is to get back to Internet connection, re-establish virus protection, get e-mail, and get a new password for the Forum. Meanwhile, all of the programs want to download the newest and best improved features. Wow! How soon I have forgotten the details of computing.

Anyway, up and running now (almost) and ready to start on a new project. Am going to try to make magazine holders from an idea in Wood Mag. These are assembled with 1/4" box joints. So far I am adjusting my box joint fence. I can get a real good fit for a joint extending about 6 inches. So far I've not been successful in getting a side of 11 1/2" to fit together. The adjustment I need is minuscule.

john · Post by **john** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:17 pm

Chuck:

Glad to see that you are back up and running. I think your sentiments about computers is pretty widespread even though we all seem to use them for "fun" like this.

A couple of years ago when my computer was acting up and my son-in-law declared it should be euthanized, I got an external hard drive to back up my files before the funeral. Today it is set to automatically back up all files and pictures every second day so I feel a lot more comfortable when my pc gives a little burp.

Have fun.

John

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:12 pm

[quote="john"]... I got an external hard drive to back up my files before the funeral. Today it is set to automatically back up all files and pictures every second day so I feel a lot more comfortable when my pc gives a little burp.]
Yeah! The shame of it all, rests squarely on my shoulders. I even have an external hard drive, but hadn't backed up anything other than tax records. Live and learn! How come we get so soon old, and so late smart?