Another Reason I Love Wood

This was the view from my bedroom window last Saturday morning.  Eva and I were in Emsdale staying with friends on Bay Lake.  It had snowed a bit the day before and the clean white snow rested heavily on the tree branches.  It was very nice, the view across the lake is to a ridge covered with evergreen trees and the vista reaches to the horizon.  If you could see further you would see the vista reach pretty much to North Bay.  The principle feature of the view is trees, or wood, it is not often that the raw material, in its rawest form is appealing in the way that wood is.  Most building materials are not visually appealing in their raw state.

   The other wood thing that caught my eye on the weekend was this clock.  This clock is from Belfast, the works are English and the case work Irish, and was made sometime between 1780 and 1830.  As you can see it is not as fancy as some large case clocks but the works still run and the case work is still subtle and tasteful.

  There are things are subtle and timeless and then there are small flights of fancy.

  This is a small Christmas tree I made last year for Kieran, a tree, presents and a old fashioned rag rug on the floor.  I didn't really expect to see it again this year, it warms my heart to think that some of my wooden silliness hangs around.

   Speaking of Christmas trees that have hung around for a long time.

Another Christmas Classic

Rules for Workbenches

   I search all over the internet for information on topics that attract my attention. Several times in the past I have written about work benches, recently Chris Schwarz wrote an extended article on the characteristics of a really good work bench.  It would be nice to think that I am smarter and more articulate than Mr. Schwarz, but that would be delusional fantasy, so here is the link to a very good article on what your bench should do for you.

 

   I have built four work benches in my life and assumed ownership of two others.  Those experiences have shown me the things that I would like to see in a bench, when I build another one, someday.  The bench is a tool with which you work in your shop and so like any tool must be attuned to your needs; a carvers bench is going to be different than a furniture makers bench and a shop like mine when I do a bit of everything means the bench is a compromise.  Just remember that a compromise means that you have given up one thing to have another thing work, sort of.

  I have a bench against the wall and a large heavy wheeled work station (3x3) with shelves underneath.  Both benches get serious work, to add to that I have a KREG Klamp Table.

   The Klamp table is a very useful assembly surface for all types of small project.  I also have a WorkMate, which has seen years of heavy on site work. 

   I may have been one of the best investments based on hours used and miles traveled. 

   Regardless of the bench on which you work care, time and effort are still the most important ingredients in success.