Design and Development

 I often see a project on the net or in a magazine, file it away as a book mark or tear the photo out and keep it in a folder and come back to it later.

 Recently I saw a note pad holder project, on the net, but I don't remember where, apologies to the other wood worker for not giving his basic design credit.

 This is a small project that I made from looking at a video so I didn't begin with measured drawings, just a general size and shape. As I have matured I have discovered that the wealth of my acquired experience means that the data management department in my brain sometimes becomes overwhelmed with the vast quantity of data for which it is responsible.  The manifestation of this state of being overwhelmed, is the appearance that I have forgotten.  We do not forget things, it is our data management department failing to correctly file, or retrieve the given information. The information is there, just not available at all times.  Proof of my thesis is the fact that I can remember the item days later, when it is not useful.(sadly)

  To deal with this problem of data management I write myself notes.  I generally carry a small note book and pen with me and in my shop I have a place where I write down a list of supplies that need to be renewed, or note a plan/pattern that needs to be researched for a coming project.

  The small project I is a note pad holder.  The original  plan appeared to be sized to fit a purchased note pad. I changed the design so I could re-use paper.  My holder is sized to use one third of a 8.5x10in sheet of paper.

Opus One

4in. by 12 in.

 Here is the prototype. I followed the design ideas from the net and used clear plastic to hold the marbles in place.  The marbles allow you to slide the papers in but provide friction to keep the papers in.  As I worked on this version of the project I made a couple of decisions.

1. I didn't have plexiglass of the correct thickness. I had a piece used to make a router base so It was much thicker than was needed.

2.I decided I wanted the piece to be wider than this version, and not as long.

  Even though I decided I didn't like the details I finished the project off with a bit of Milk Paint . It became a practise project for using milk paint as much as a wood working project.

  Opus Two:

4.5 by 10 in

  In Opus Two I used wood skewers to trap the marbles rather than plexiglass and drilled the hole on top large enough for a screw head to fit as well as tie a pencil to the holder. 

  The wood skewers are very nearly 1/8 inch and knocking them through a dowel plate sized then easily.  I sanded the pieces before assembly and put it all together with glue .  It is actually not as twisted as it appears in this photo, I guess it is just wonky perspective in the photo. (I was lazy and used my phone for the photo rather than a real camera)

 

  
 There is the pad hanging on the wall near the door, awaiting data.

 I like Opus Two's design enough that I think I will make a couple of more to give away.  Lots of my friends are experiencing data management issues.

cheers, ianw

Repairs Required, drill bits needed.

  I returned from a day with the Grandchildren with a small bag of wooden toys needing repair. The helicopter's prop assembly got broken, probably not a crash landing since Kieran is pretty careful with his toys. The boats needed dry dock time; you know the standard peeling paint and loose fittings all busy working boats require.  Secretly I am hoping that he will learn that maintenance and taking care is an important part of ownership.

   I have no doubt that the repairs could have been done by his parents but the division of labour has worked out that wood is my responsibility and baking falls mostly to Oma. (These are two areas in which we revel.)

  I was able to fix all the problems in a very short time,

  

  The only woodworking task was the helicopter where I had to make a small piece and drill a couple of fine holes. Everything else is paint.

Gray Tools 29-pr bit set

     I have a full set of drill bits similar to this that I have used for years, and my Father for a few years before me, and I think the set came from my Grandfathers shop even before that.  No, I don't expect that any of the original drill bits exist but the holder for the bits does, and I keep it filled all the time.  

   Having bits of various sizes in important for doing repair work.  When you begin a job from scratch you can match drill bits and fasteners, when you are making a repair to something you often have to accommodate existing fasteners, (which are sometimes metric or just odd).  I've found having all of the imperial sizes available means I have all my bases covered, there is always an imperial size close enough for wood working purposes.

diamond grit needle files

  Another tool that comes in handy when doing repairs is a needle file.  Files like this can be used to make a fine adjustment to wood, patching compound, or to clear away hardened glue.  I repair wood products for 10,000 Villages and regularly use needle files to clear away glue and wood filler before I can make the necessary repair to save a piece from being nothing but fire wood. 

     If you look closely you can see a crack in this panel that I just finished repairing. The panel was cracked through and wide enough that you could see through.  I had to first stuff the crack with jute twine and glue to close the gap enough that I could begin to fill with gab with wood filler.

  I made a paste of Weldbond, water paint and saw dust and used it as a filler paste to complete the repair.  The repair is in no way invisible but.. it will make the cabinet saleable at a discount where before is wasn't saleable at all.  Without being able to take the door panel apart I don't know how I could have made an invisible repair.  Given the degree of damage the fastest and best option would have been to make a new door, but I don't have access to the species of wood used originally and a match would have been impossible.

   cheers, ianw