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

 

Slowly Returning to my Shop

   So a week ago I began feeling a bit off.  I thought I was having one of those spring time colds. Well, I got somewhat worse and we decided I better test for Covid-19. I tested positive, while continuing to feel worse, heavy chest, stuff sinuses, hot/cold etc.  Now a week later I am feeling  better.  I have a had a couple of decent night's sleep and am ambitious enough to spend some time in my shop, just small things, and sweeping.(there is always sweeping)

   This morning I tested again and am still positive. Since I have an aged Mother in a seniors home I won't be visiting her yet. I have a quiet social life so will stay out of circulation for a few more days.

  My Public Service Announcement:

  Get your shots, boosters and all.  

  I was rotten sick for a few days with this.  Had I not have had all the shots I don't want to imagine how sick I would have been. I don't imagine myself bullet proof any longer and am grateful that I was only totally rotten sick for a couple of days and was lucky enough to have Eva to encourage and look after me.  It would have been very grim had I been alone.

Get your shots, boosters and all.

 I have been mostly sidelined but have been able to add a couple more coats of varnish to the coffee table.

And repair a couple of cheap drawers from Eva's condo kitchen.

  The drawer is cheap particle board but together with staples.  Amazingly only half of them have fallen apart in ten years.

  I took the drawer apart, cleaned out the glue and staples on the end I re-enforced the corners and at the front I put angle brackets. It is an easy job when you have clamps of various sizes to hold it all together while the glue sets.

  A year ago March I had to bring a dresser home from the condo and repair it.  It is nice to save money and reduce waste by repairing house hold goods.

  I am slowly improving and expect to be up to speed by the end of the week.

cheers, ianw

Little Oak Projects

  The first of two oak projects is a floor heating vent.

  I have several small pieces of oak left over from large projects and it has come in handy for both of the projects this week.   I drilled the holes on my drill press but mostly spaced them by eye. I even see a hole that I missed.  Oak is good for this type of thing, it is strong, sands smooth as glass and looks great with a surface finish like garnet shellac.  Shellac is good for this application since it only gets harder with heat and air exposure, and it is super easy to repair when the time comes.

   Eva asked me to make a small display easel.  Again, oak, there was some in the off cuts bin.  A jig saw made the cuts, easy sanding with drums and more shellac as a finish.

  

  It was important that the easel looked nice, wasn't too clumpy and did not distract from the wonderful slumped glass panel.

  These two little projects were fit in around the top.

  The coffee table top sits slam in the middle of my shop, taking up all the work space on my work table. I have leveled it and sanded it and begun to pour two part epoxy resin into the voids and cracks.  Resin and I are on our first date.  It appears as though I am going to like the results, but...the jury is still out.

  cheers ianw