small April things.

  It has taken a little while to get back under full steam.  This morning I tested negative for Covid-19 after a couple of weeks interrupted social and personal life.  My nose is still a bit stuffed up, but, that is normal for me in seasonal transition times.

  So, what have I been up to. Nothing big naturally but  an assortment of smaller things.  The soap dish below has been in use for a few years (July 2019) and when I decided to scrape it clean I added some tail detail.  Basic objects used to enjoy a craftsmen's attention in the olden times, I think I like a bit of carving on my projects.

  Aromatic cedar is a lovely and interesting wood, also prone to cracking and splintering. I was asked for some interesting buttons to adorn hand knit slippers. 

  It is easy enough to shape some buttons using needle files and a bit of patience. 

  The last wee thing was a couple of white oak spatulas.   This is the last of a small bundle of 3/8 oak, I don't remember whence it came. I have used this quality wood for small boxes and things over the years.  Many years ago I cut out a spatula from the wood that is used most days in our kitchen and looks to be good for years yet to come.

  Oak is a great wood for kitchen tools.  It is strong and doesn't suffer terribly from being wet and wears  like, like 'oak'.  Plastic melts and metal scratches 'non-stick' surfaces, it is hard to beat wood.

  Currently I am cleaning up and re-shaping a wooden bowl and then, I guess it is time to find an important project to undertake,I guess.

cheers ianw

 

Taking Shape Finally

  July was a holiday and family filled month.  I am hopeful that August will be a workshop filled month.

  I resolved to build this project using glue only.  You can see from the photo below that gluing the top and sides to the bottom involved clamps and ballast, and waiting.

clamps and ballast 

trim for the top

  I decided to put raised trim around the top so that things like pens and coins won't roll off. The trim is from a piece of exotic wood flooring I got at a yard sale.  The wood is very hard, starts out reddish orange and turns to a dark brown over time.

re-enforced bottom drawer

   The drawers are made from 1/8 ply and so I decided to add reinforcement rails in the bottom/largest drawer.  I used a couple of pieces of aromatic cedar, it smells nice, keeps moths at bay and looks good, a triple win.

facing the second shelf

   You can see all the clamps that I used to hold the face of the second drawer on while the glue set.  Working on this type of project reminds me that rushing doesn't do any good. Everything has to be fitted carefully, glued and left to dry.

  It is interesting to note that while this has been going on I have made a plane with my Granddaughter, re-glued my wife's sandals and spent several hours trying to clean and organize my shop.  'Organize the shop' seems to be an ongoing and fairly unsuccessful enterprise.

  We are in for another hot week, that means watering gardens and struggling to keep cool. Ah well, I will remember this fondly in January.

cheers, ianw

*** there has already been lots of hand sanding, and there will be much more.