This is some of the typical seasonal stuff that I make in my shop. Many people I know like wood grain and slightly rustic decor items. The only special tool that you need for this sort of thing is a Forstner bit of the correct size. It is nice to have a drill press too when drilling those big holes. I buy my candles at the $ Store and drill the holes to fit.
A quick project for our basement bathroom. I used scraps and left overs to make the bathroom tissue holder. I doubt that there are many bathrooms with elm paper holders. Glue and dowels, so when the floor is flooded by a grand kid nothing will rust.
The joy of doing a project like the paper holder was working the wood with my planes. I have a scrub plane, a plane I recommend for all shops and two smoothing planes. The plane at the bottom of the picture is a A 33 Stanley, copy by Anant from India. I have been happy with my Anant planes for the price, very happy. The top plane in the photo is my low angle smoother from Veritas. It was a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. Properly set up and sharpened those planes are wonderful to use.
I am still working on the wheel barrow. Once I got the handles glued and shaped I discovered I was not going to be able to undue most of the nuts and bolts without serious violence. Also I was pretty sure that I would need to do more metal work than I like or have the proper tools for. It is always good to have a plan "B".
Tomorrow sees more of plan"B" in action.
IMO this is a great year for personal, homemade gifts. We all need some extra encouragement this year.
cheers, ianw
