checkin in

this post is for the 3 people who stop by on a regular basis to see what im doing.
so the camera didn't work very well and i didn't get final pictures of the picture frames. oh well that's the way it goes... my mum bought me some laying hens for easter (thanks mom) and now the big push is for a chicken coop to keep them in. they are currently in residence in the garage and really need to move out. i did get a chance to tweak the end forms for the kayak, im finally happy with the shape, next step is to rout bead and coves on the strips...

Busy Weekend

its been a great weekend, i had to finish up framing some pictures for my mother. why spend thousands for originals when you can go to wall mart and buy a puzzle? then frame them up? thats what im talking about... I also built another treasure box to put on etsy.com and i came up with plans for a couple more. we are visiting my mum for Easter and ill take pictures when we hang up the pictures and post them then...

Catchin up

The weather is finally turning nice and i cant wait to get my kayak out on the water... only I'm not quite done yet.. here you see all of the forms on the strong back. i will attach strips to form the shell. i think it will leak at this point.

here is a picture of the reciently completed work center. i mounted my planer to the fliptop and a router on the other side.

Flip top work center

I built this work center with plans from Wood Magazine. I mounted my plainer on the flip top side and made a router table top on the other.. great work space and a good layout. i also spent another 2 hrs on the kayak, forms are set and ready for strips...

kayak update

just a quick note
i have the strong back ready to go and now need to space the forms correctly... i couldnt find the silly camera last night so pictures will have to wait.

total hours spent so far.....8

Snow Day

I just love it when the weather man predicts 12" of snow and the city just shuts down for the day. the B-man and i spent a great day in the shop, he built a bunch of trestles for the train set and i cut out all of the forms for the kayak and built the boat rack to build the thing on... so let the wind howl and the snow blow, we put on a pot of beans and baked some bread... life is good.

Off Topic

yea i know, to survive in this world you need to have a sense of humor... i think im gunna make it..

Kayak Update

So now it has finally begun, last night i spent a couple of hours drawing out the cross sections for the forms. i believe i have them all in order. never having done this before i did find that the charts in the book were a little confusing. what i ended up doing was inputting all of the offsets and stations in a spreadsheet and let the computer sort out the deck, hull and shear positions. then i transferred them to an autocad script and plotted them out. i still had to spot check the forms by hand. next step - cut out the forms and build the strong back and stands... project hours so far - 2

Island Stool Update

OK here are the stools in action, i think they turned out pretty good. they are solid and haven't fallen apart with lots of use. with the pads a person can sit in them for a long periodic of time before the lead butt syndrome sets in...

Kayak Update

Epoxy and Glass Ordered!

in the works

even though the temperature in down in the ludicrous zone, i still have a couple of things going on in the shop. i am trying to finish up the island stools, paint issues below 50 deg. i have plans for a small bistro table to go along with the chairs, cute but simple design. and of course i can do nothing without pressure.... i need to have both projects done and to the farm show by Monday morning, feb 9th...

It Is Done

After at least a year (2?) of procrastination, the door bell is fixed. I dont think it will stop the neighbors from walking in and yelling to see if we are home, but at least I will know when the UPS man drops off a package.

Island Stools

Had a lot of fun building these. the perfect addition to my outdoor kitchen. I'm also going to use the stools for our booth at the farm show, might even wear Hawaiian shirts all week. I just need to finish the seats, round over all of the edges and do some sanding and painting.

Yack Update

step one, purchase book ------ check!
step two, orginize wood ------- check!
step three, build forms ------- not yet!

Gettin in under the Wire

Been a great weekend, colder than a mother-in-law's kiss, but i finished some presents. something isnt right with the shop heater, every time the wind blows more than 15 mph, the darn thing wont stay running. i think im gunna put in floor heat next year!

But here is some fence to keep the nephews critters in and a shed to keep them warm.

Putting in the overtime!

This one was a tough one to complete, the candle sticks are turned from a couple chunks of oak firewood and finished with a black walnut stain and toung oil. the table runner was completed by my lovely wife with some assistance from my mother. the whole package is a present for my aunt and uncle in Antioch CA. see he gave me the lathe i turned the candle sticks on...

Here is a hot little item

Model # 142

Willow Branch Wand

Eleven and three quarters inches

Griffin Feather Core

Bees Wax Finish

The Willow Wands tend to be the best under pressure,

as they will bend much before breaking.

For best results remember to swish and flick!

Shop Time

Spent the last few days in the shop, finishing some projects and cleaning up and orginizing. its amazing that ive been in there for 5 years and im still changing stuff. someday ill have it so perfect i wont know what to do.

Island Bar Stool

Being a frequent world traveler, I had stoped off for a fruity glass of refreshment at my favorite island hideaway and was impressed with this simple yet elegant stool. So I have recorded it with my camera and have now finished reverse engineering it. I will have to complete the prototype this weekend. My travel companion still has poor taste in travel wear.

Nice weekend to putz in the shop

actually managed to make a pair of matching candle sticks for my mother's b-day. even if they look like a 3rd grader made them, she will love them. Also finished up the tater bin to roll in the pantry closet, gotta keep them taters from spoiling.

Aslo recieved orders from the nephews for 1:64th scale buildings. one machiene shed and a couple of calf barns. of course they want them for christmas...