What do Ordinary People Do??

   OK, this is a blog that wonders how the other half lives, or more to the point what the other half does. 
   You know the "other half" they are the "they" of "they say". Or they are the "them" that does things that we just don't understand.
  Well, this weekend was beautiful, even the thunder storm Saturday morning wasn't a problem.  On a beautiful weekend there is gardening to do and this weekend  Grandson to entertain as well.
  On Saturday my wife and Grandson went flower shopping and came home with a lovely "Golden Chain Tree".  This tree was in a very stout plastic pot that had to be removed before the tree could be planted in front of our house.  Being a DIY and wood working guy I went downstairs to my shop and brought up a super aggressive toothed Japanese style keyhole saw and cut that stout plastic pot to pieces and simply slid the tree, root ball and all out of the pot and into the hole.  No problem, what would the other half do.  If I'd not had such good tool the tree would have to have been dumped out and the root ball may have been damaged.
   Also on Saturday my Grandson, the centre of the universe (just like yours) was building with blocks.  He made a garage for his trunks and wanted a ramp.  While he napped Opa went to the work shop, rummaged in the scrap bin and found a nice piece of plywood (about 36 inches long), and a couple of thin strips to go along the side to keep the trucks on the ramp, glued and assembled the ramp and it was waiting for the trucks and the boy when he got up.  What would the other half do? You know, that half without a scrap bin and brad nailer and carpenters glue and sand paper.
   This was a weekend off so I didn't really work in the shop at all, except on Sunday afternoon when I made a trellis for the Golden Hops that are going in the back yard.  I used some pieces of oak that were left overs from a cutting board that I  made last week.  Oak lasts well in the weather and is certainly tough enough to stand several seasons before I need to re-built.  What would the other half do?
   The other half would have to do without or they would have to go to a store, pick from the stores selection of trillis' and live with what was available.  The ramp, I guess that just wouldn't have happened.  The tree, would have had to take its chances that the root ball was not all torn apart when the tree was dumped out.  Sometimes I think this is why the other half seems mostly to watch television,
  I am glad to be "this half" and not "the other half".

From the Kitchen to the Workshop

    As a general rule I like to use the correct tool for the job.  It was years ago that I stopped using a butter knife for a screw driver, and years ago since I hurt myself doing that. 
   My wife is a super cook and baker and also likes  good tools. Over time some of her tools have proven to be as useful in the wood shop as the kitchen.

   Some of them are obvious, wax paper has reduced the glue-up mess to almost nothing (almost).  Aside from glue on my hands, shirt and pants the wax paper has kept it off my bench and out of the works on the clamps.  The spatula is a great tool for spreading glue, I think better than a putty knife because there is no chance of scratching the surface you are working on and it cleans up very easily, even glue doesn't stick to silicone.


  I started using the cast off egg beater in my chord less drill years ago.  It mixed paint very well and cost "zero". I did buy the tongs.  When I make toys I just dip the whole thing into stain in a large jar and instead of pliers or fingers I retrieve the stained toy with the salad tongs.

    I also bought the last two items in the kitchen supply department.  When I finish with shellac or varnish I usually mix thinner with the product to make it easier to apply.  For years I used various left over jars.  A glass jar is OK but these little stainless steel bowls are less likely to tip and wider at the top than the bottom so it is easier to get the last few drips of the mixture. And of course they are very easy to clean, and stack for storage.  Having them on hand means that I don't have to rummage through the recycling to find a bottle and then clean the last of the pickle juice out of it before I begin my work. Just more efficient and more pleasant.

   It is amazing how much difference a few little things can make when you are involved in a big project.  Small things can aid efficiency and reduce distractions. As you accumulate experience and wisdom more of the short cuts and tricks become part of your everyday method of work. 


   Share a short cut with your fellow readers. Write it into the comments or put it on my Facebook page at
Wood Worker