Eva's Keepsake Box

about 5 x 5 inches square

 In spite of Google's efforts to make this blog software totally user unfriendly I soldier onward.  The long running keepsake box is now finished.  I was going to line the inside but the oak bottom has such a cool grain I am leaving it visible.

   The back shows the very fussy hinges that I installed.  I needed a fancy style but they were a bit tricky to attach to the box.  I needed to drill very fine holes for the brass (ish) brads and ultimately  both the hinges and latch are attached as much by super glue as by the brads. Driving tiny, soft metal, brads into hard maple is not easy for big fingers.

 

  I am pleased with the final result and will work on the jig that cut the corners to make a box like this again.

  May favourite project in the shop this week was:

  These are two dividers for Clara's new desk drawers.  These are my favourite because, she measured, sawed, sanded, glued and nailed them all by herself.  All I did was provide the materials, tools and some supervision. I believe that being a 'maker' is something that is learned early and will then last a lifetime.  Clara is already a good baker and is becoming skilled  at crochet, she will soon be making heirloom items.

  Good for her.

   

 

There Be Dragons

 

Our Grandson arrived for a week long visit and he brought his Crested Gecko with him.  It is an interesting sort of pet, not a kitten but...less trouble.   Last visit Clara and I built a small house for her Gerbils so this time the project was a castle, fit for a dragon. 

This was Kieran's largest project to date.  Also the one in which I was the least  hands on. He used the band saw to cut the top of the wall and the drill press to make the holes. Importantly, he made the plan and set up the tools. That meant that he figured out how to put the drill bit in the chuck and align the holes etc.  This also was the project that got the most careful sanding so that the Gecko would not risk injury crawling around. A small drum sander was used to smooth all the windows, with files and rasps used on the top of the wall. 

 In the back are three levels, connected by ramps all cut and assembled by the young apprentice.  As part of the design there is a catapult on the top rampart. It is a castle after all.

  The whole project is made from 3/4 plywood.  We both agreed that it was heavier than necessary but it was what was on hand.  He and I are not quite at the point where we need to shop for the exact material for the project, but that day is coming.  

  We are having another heat wave.  The shop is a cool spot to hang out, I've got a couple of small things to fill my time as I hide from the heat.

  

 

 

Chair Repair

 My parents owed a cottage, my Father had a friend that made rough lumber patio furniture.  He made them a very robust rocking chair, that sat out for years at the cottage and has sat out for over ten years at our house.

The tenon on the left arm has rotted away.  To replace it would involve much disassembly of the chair.  Instead I used my brace and one inch bit to drill out the rotten tenon and drill down into the supporting piece.

The brace cleared out the dead wood and drilled into solid wood easily.  While I love power tools I find I use the brace when I want a large hole and speed control.

The next step was to create a replacement tenon in the shape of a long plug. I turned it easily on my lathe. 

6 1/2 inches long, 1 1/2 inches diameter, it can be left rough.

  I smeared the peg with glue and drove it into the hole in the arm.  To add to water resistance I filled the cracks around the plug too.

  Maybe it is time to give the old chair a serious soak in deck sealer.  I don't remember that last time it got any love from me so it deserves some this summer. By the way, it is very comfortable to sit. 

FOOT NOTE:

the Google people, if indeed they are people have messed with the format of the blog tools.

 ( for no good reason, as is always the case) so this was slow to do and I don't know what the result is going to look like. 

 

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