Found Wood Project

 The other day I picked up wood on the side of the road.  Usually the wood lays around until a project comes along.  This time I was inspired to use some of the wood right away.

  I decided to make a corner flower box to sit on our deck.    Preparing the the wood did require some edge trimming but not much else.  

Several of the boards had 45 degree ends and so I decided to use the already cut wood.  I used a combination of Kreg Pocket Holes and screws to put it together.  The were a few rotten spots  I had to work around but I like the result.

  I cut the mitre using my sliding mitre saw and measured the lengths I needed  once I fit the corners.  This found lumber is cedar and nice to work with.  In the fore front of the photo is my try square.  This try square is from my late Grandfather's wood shop. I'm not sentimental but....I could never replace Grampa's square.

   I think I will paint or stain the project, after it gets a little bit of sanding.  It will look nice on the corner of the deck with flowers next summer.

 cheers, ianw

    

summer flowers

Found Wood

 Yesterday a neighbour threw out wood left from repairing their deck.  I can't pass up free wood.  This heavily weathered wood will be used for flower boxes and other rustic projects.

  

  A collection of cedar boards  with some rotten sections. Happily all the nails had been removed, my guess is the deck was screwed together.

three bundles,

 cleaned out and ready to be stored until....

 Three bundles of wood secured with string made from soda bottles.  I tie the string and then heat it with my heat gun which shrinks the plastic  and tightens the knots.

  I brought the wood to my shop and with my sliding mitre saw cut off the rotten ends.  In truth I didn't have to cut off much. To use the wood the edges of the boards will need to be planed or trimmed on the table saw, but I will leave that part of the process until an actual project. 

  By the time I was done I had 18, 1x6 boards, between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 feet long. That will make several projects for the back yard, and all for free.

  Today was the first cool ish day in a while and so I was over come with ambition.  I cleaned and organised the garage this morning, before the heat rose to roasting.  That was one of the jobs on my "To Do" list, one down ??? more to go.

cheers, ianw

Updates from the Shop

   First, the effort to repair the plastic chairs was not successful.  I tried the glues I know and...wood reinforcement too with no luck. The glues will not stick to the plastic and screwing the plastic to the wood means there are screw/bolt heads that can't be inset enough to keep them out of the way.  

  Second, the turtle is actually done.

  Once the outside plants come in for the winter something will find a home on the back of a turtle.

  A tip for dealing with round projects like this turtle.

  I screwed a small piece of 2x4 to the bottom as a cleat that was held by my bench vise. I was able to power plane, sand, and paint the top while it was held firmly, with the clamping out of the way.

  

  I asked to borrowed a punch from a friends shop recently. The next time I saw him he presented me with my own set of 12 punches, 1/4 to 1 inch.  It is great to have generous friends.  I threw away the plastic packaging and made this stand for my new punches.  I finished it with my Home Blend Finish, 1 part varnish, 1 part linseed oil, 1 part turpentine. The finish is slow to dry in this high heat and humidity but is good.

  We are in another heat wave, and so things are slow in the shop, but nice for motorcycling.

cheers ianw

my bike.

What takes time in the Shop

 First thing to remember, it is summer and summer is about being outside.  This is motorcycle and bicycle riding weather and so the shop is of secondary interest.  As my wife noted last evening however I do like to putter around in my shop.

 So, what am I puttering at? I have three/four sort of on going projects currently.  One is trying to save chairs from the church's Sunday School room.  

  These plastic chairs crack over time from being bent back so much. As you can see this one has been glued, unsuccessfully.

  I am going to try a combination of glue and re-enforcing wood.  I hope the wood will reduce the flex and get a season or two out of the chairs, before they go to hand fill.  Clamping was a challenge since none of the surfaces are flat.  Anyway, that is why you always need more clamps. If this works it will save our church a few bucks, since there are many of these chairs that need to be fixed or replaced.

  Another thing I am working on is another box top.  This one features an oak lid that was a glue up of off cuts.  After the lid was glued and squared I hand cut the rabbets.

  Hand cutting rabbets uses a bunch of tools.  I made the original marking/layout with my marking gauge.  It is easier with a marking gauge than with a ruler and pencil. I then cut the rabbets with a small cross cut and rip set saw and cleaned the cuts up with my 1/2 inch rabbet plane. The rabbets could have been cut on the table saw or router table, I just felt like a quiet time.

  I am working on a carved top with an inset knob to complete the lid.  I don't have a use for the box right now, but....it at least has a lid.  I think I have finished all the box that were setting on the shelf at the back.

  Also:

I was given a really good book of children's wooden toys a few years ago and finally am getting around to using it, thanks Rich and Jenn.  I am making a rolling hippo whose jaws opens and closes as it rolls.  

  These are most of the parts, the sides of the hippo's jaw remains and I need to buy (or make) so 3/8 dowel for axles etc. 

  I am not seriously applying myself in the shop currently but fiddling with one thing or another helps fill my days.  It would have been an especially tough year without the available distractions of wood working and water colour painting.  

 

cheers ianw