Design and Development

 I often see a project on the net or in a magazine, file it away as a book mark or tear the photo out and keep it in a folder and come back to it later.

 Recently I saw a note pad holder project, on the net, but I don't remember where, apologies to the other wood worker for not giving his basic design credit.

 This is a small project that I made from looking at a video so I didn't begin with measured drawings, just a general size and shape. As I have matured I have discovered that the wealth of my acquired experience means that the data management department in my brain sometimes becomes overwhelmed with the vast quantity of data for which it is responsible.  The manifestation of this state of being overwhelmed, is the appearance that I have forgotten.  We do not forget things, it is our data management department failing to correctly file, or retrieve the given information. The information is there, just not available at all times.  Proof of my thesis is the fact that I can remember the item days later, when it is not useful.(sadly)

  To deal with this problem of data management I write myself notes.  I generally carry a small note book and pen with me and in my shop I have a place where I write down a list of supplies that need to be renewed, or note a plan/pattern that needs to be researched for a coming project.

  The small project I is a note pad holder.  The original  plan appeared to be sized to fit a purchased note pad. I changed the design so I could re-use paper.  My holder is sized to use one third of a 8.5x10in sheet of paper.

Opus One

4in. by 12 in.

 Here is the prototype. I followed the design ideas from the net and used clear plastic to hold the marbles in place.  The marbles allow you to slide the papers in but provide friction to keep the papers in.  As I worked on this version of the project I made a couple of decisions.

1. I didn't have plexiglass of the correct thickness. I had a piece used to make a router base so It was much thicker than was needed.

2.I decided I wanted the piece to be wider than this version, and not as long.

  Even though I decided I didn't like the details I finished the project off with a bit of Milk Paint . It became a practise project for using milk paint as much as a wood working project.

  Opus Two:

4.5 by 10 in

  In Opus Two I used wood skewers to trap the marbles rather than plexiglass and drilled the hole on top large enough for a screw head to fit as well as tie a pencil to the holder. 

  The wood skewers are very nearly 1/8 inch and knocking them through a dowel plate sized then easily.  I sanded the pieces before assembly and put it all together with glue .  It is actually not as twisted as it appears in this photo, I guess it is just wonky perspective in the photo. (I was lazy and used my phone for the photo rather than a real camera)

 

  
 There is the pad hanging on the wall near the door, awaiting data.

 I like Opus Two's design enough that I think I will make a couple of more to give away.  Lots of my friends are experiencing data management issues.

cheers, ianw

Fencing on the Mosel River

  As we cycled along the bike path from Koblenz going east beside the Mosel we saw lovely countryside, beautiful vineyards and in one of the small towns we saw this fence around their wee yard.

  I noticed that the properties were small by Canadian standards and usually sturdily fenced, no doubt for good reason.  This fence, while effective seems fun and friendly. Probably it takes tonnes of up keep to have it look this cheerful and bright all the time.

   When I am looking for fun colours I often turn to Milk paint because it lasts well, is easy to apply and I can mix up small amounts at a time rather than having a bunch of half full cans of used paint sitting around in the basement.

   I also suggest you look in on the Village Carpenter, her quick video about honing carving gouges may proof helpful.

Barn Red with Hemp Oil

four of the magazine boxes.

the shelf full of boxes

   I made nine boxes in total, this last batch and plan to make at least as many again. They provide really good solid storage for my collection of idea books.
  I put two quick coats of Barn Red milk paint on the most recent box, sanded it carefully. Cleaned it well with my tack cloth (the milk paint really raises the grain) and then rubbed a very light coat of Hemp Oil onto the paint. I am very pleased with the result, I would call it a semi-gloss finish.  Easy to achieve and easy to clean up after.
  Hemp oil is a new product that at Thetoolstore.ca, part of their new line of products from Homestead House Paints.  I really like working with the Hemp oil and am even more pleased to learn that it is a made in Ontario Canada product.  The hemp oil is also become my go to finish for my cutting boards. I  strongly believe that we should encourage the domestic  economy and when ever I can find a Canadian product I will but it first.

Magazine Storage box

Magazine box in  St. Laurent blue milk paint from the Toolstore.ca

 

 

   A couple of weeks ago I made nine magazine storage boxes and then decided that I would finish them each with a different finish. These boxes would become a resource for me when I was trying to remember what each finished looked like.   I have written the name, colour and other important information on the bottom of the box.

   Above is a box finished with two coats of Homestead House milk paint from  thetoolstore.ca.  Thetoolstore.ca has recently added a new line of paints and finishes.
  
   Let me tell you about my milk paint experience. 
   
  It was great!
  
  Beginning with the obvious I really like the colour.  It was super easy to put on and ultra easy to clean up.  Both very important to a non-finish specialist like me.  The milk paint also does not smell at all when it is drying and since it comes in powder form I only mixed up 1/4 cup of paint, there is no mostly empty container of paint left sitting on a shelf in my shop.


   I have a small sample of red paint which I will paint another box with and then coat with a thin layer of Hemp Oil, as per Homestead House instructions to see what the semi-gloss effect is like.  Without the oil treatment the paint is brightly toned but a flat finish.