A video from the Non-Yankee Workshop.

Let me give you some back story on this project.

Last weekend, I started tossing around ideas for a BBQ caddy and planned on building it for this weeks show. You may be wondering why I would build a barbecue project in January. Well it is Summer in Australia and I have been working with Warren Downes to develop something for Australia Day coming up at the end of the month.

As we started hashing out ideas, I began to realize that this could make for a really fun video...especially since he offered to shoot some stuff Down Under. So I have tabled that project until I can come up with something good. That video and project will be on the 27th, just in time for the holiday.

New project

So I needed a project for this week. As I mentioned in my last post, Ive been saving the clock for this project for a long time. I started playing around with various pieces of scrap wood and sketching out a bunch of different designs. Eventually, the concept of a "floating" clock struck me. From there, it was actually pretty simple to execute. My main concern was how to make the holes in the circle perfectly straight and perpendicular. Boring them before cutting the circle is the solution.

I shot the video without any sound so I could add a soundtrack of some sort. It seemed simple enough that it didnt require me babbling on. After I edited it together I wanted to tack on an introduction and thought it would be funny to do it as a real woodworking show, complete with safety warnings and overly long instruction. I put on my Roy Underhill mustache and a ridiculously bad Southern accent. Then it hit me to include an incredibly verbose soundtrack on a video that needed none!

Copycat

Now the strange part. After I posted the finished photo here and on Facebook a few days ago, a couple of people mentioned that it looked like one that Marc Spagnuolo made. My first thought was one of amusement: I couldnt imagine Marc making something so simple!

Well, more people mentioned the same thing, then a viewer sent me a link to The Wood Whisperers video. Yup. Sure enough, back in 2008, Marc made a clock that looks very similar to the one I just made. It is eerie: he used a dark wood for the frame and light wood for the floating center. Mine even has double splines on the corners, just like Marcs.

So wow. I guess I should familiarize myself with more of Marcs projects. Perhaps this is a design Ive seen somewhere before and was in my unconscious mind, just waiting to come out? Well Marc, sorry about the similarity. If I had seen your clock I certainly would have come up with a different project. But as it is, enjoy my take on the "floating clock".

*****

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kenneth_J_Ellis]Kenneth J Ellis
Before starting the work, make a thorough inspection of the piece after you have removed the old finish. You may find holes, dents, cracks and other damage that were not previously visible in the surface that will require repairs before preparing for the new finish.
Some of the procedures for preparing the surface are seldom used, but are included to give you full knowledge of them. They are bleaching, scraping, sanding, staining, and filling.The choice of those to be used for a single job are determined by the type and condition of the wood, after the old finish has been removed. Some are necessary according to conditions and some are a matter of choice.
BLEACHING
Bleaching is used today mostly to remove undesirable stains. After the old finish has been removed, any darkened or discolored spots that remain can be lightened or entirely removed by the proper use of bleach. When working with pine or maple, it is best to remove discoloration and freshen up the surface.
Types of Bleaches
There are four common bleaches used by home handymen to lighten wood or remove undesirable stains. They are: PREPARED BLEACH, The simplest method of getting a good bleach is to buy a prepared bleach, which usually comes in the form of two solutions that may be applied successively or mixed together, according to directions on the label.These bleaches are sold in some paint stores or through mail order outlets. HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS, Sometimes a laundry bleach in which sodium hypo-chlorite is the bleaching agent is effective for such woods as walnut, maple, and gum. Household ammonia is a good bleaching for all but dark woods,however,it is best for spot work only. OXALIC ACID, This bleach works only when a mild bleach is needed. It can be used successfully for such open-grained woods as oak, chestnut, and ash.Some professional strippers use it routinely to remove slight discolorations during the stripping process. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, Probably the most satisfactory but most expensive bleaches are these based on a strong solution of hydrogen peroxide 30 or 35 percent. This commercial-grade bleach should not be confused with the 3 percent solution used as an antiseptic.
Using Prepared Beach
This two-solution bleach must be intermixed or applied in successive steps. All contain strong chemicals so its important that you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. An apron or old clothing should also be worn since these bleaches will attack most fabrics and follow the label directions carefully. These are best for overall work. They are difficult to control when spot bleaching. The bleach can be applied with a brush or sponge and should be allowed to dry on the surface until the desired effect is reached. The instructions will tell you whether neutralization or rinsing is required. After bleaching and rinsing is completed, the piece should be allowed to stand until completely dry. Then sand lightly with a very fine sandpaper to remove raised grain. Be careful not to sand more deeply than the bleach has penetrated.
Using Household Products
Most household products are better for spot work. This is how to use laundry bleach and ammonia as bleaching agents. First,apply the product full strength over the spot or surface of the wood. Next, wash the product off with clear water after it has been on the surface about 15 minutes. Check to see if the desired color has been attained. If not, repeat the treatment. When the right color has been achieved, rinse the entire surface with water. Let the furniture stand to dry for at least 48 hours.
Using Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid can be purchased at a drugstore or in some paint stores. It comes in powder or crystal form. Start by dissolving 1 ounce of powder or 2 ounces of crystals in a pint of very hot water. Using a large brush, apply the solution hot to the entire surface from which the finish has been removed. Let the solution remain for 10 to 20 minutes and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. Repeat if necessary to reach the color you are after. When the proper result is reached, wash off with 1 part ammonia in 10 parts of water. This will neutralize the bleach and stop its further action.Then wash with clear water and let it dry for at least 24 hours.
SANDING AND SMOOTHING
The smoothing of a wood surface is done with sandpaper by first working with relatively coarse papers, followed by those of finer grit. Steel wool is often used for final smoothing.
Rules For Sanding
The sanding of a wood surface is the least difficult of all the procedures, yet it is one of the most important parts of refinishing and must always be done thoroughly and with great care. When sanding, remember these three rules. First always sand with the grain of the wood--never across the grain.Second, use straight strokes with an even pressure, avoiding a twisting or circular motion, and last, use a paper of as coarse a grit as the wood will stand without scratching, then finer ones until the surface is as smooth as the wood will become. After sanding with the finest grit paper, use a steel wool pad for the final smoothing. After using the steel wool, all dust must be removed by wiping with a tack rag. This is a cloth that is treated to attract and hold dust. It is usually available at pant dealers that handle wood finishes.
Many sources an be found at the public library for furniture refinishing.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Prepare-For-A-New-Finish&id=6713102] How To Prepare For A New Finish

Been wondering what to do with all those tiny scraps of wood youve been saving? Heres a project you can make in no time flat. Gather up a mixed bag of cut-offs or pallet wood, glue them to a board and cut out the shape of your home state, province or country.

Make your own and post a video!
Shoot a short video of what you made and post it as a video response to my video on YouTube*. I think it will be fun to see all the places people are woodworking.

Find a map that you want by doing a quick Google Images search, print it out, paste it on your boards and cut it out with a jig saw, scroll saw, or band saw.

I made my home state out of various scraps of pallet wood. The interesting thing about pallets is that the wood all ages differently, giving you different hues and colors.

For my second cut-out, I used a map of Brazil. I wanted to give a shout-out to my Portuguese-speaking friends in South America. Over the years of doing Woodworking for Mere Mortals, I have made friends with quite a few Brazilian woodworkers who I have found to be among the most creative people I know. Olá amigos! Obrigado pelo vosso apoio. (I hope Google Translate didnt just mangle that!)



*How to post a video response on YouTube

If you have never posted a video response before, it is not apparent how to do it on first glance. On most videos you will see a comment box:







Click anywhere inside the box and you will get an option to post a video response:

Spring has finally sprung and to celebrate its arrival (finally), I couldnt think of better dish to prepare, or share, than Spring Green Risotto. Loaded with asparagus, leeks, sweet baby peas, chives and fennel, it really is a wonderful dish to enjoy with family on a lovely spring afternoon. Happy Spring!

Hey friends!

Im starting up a fun little feature here on Our Vintage Home Love!  This feature will consist of things that we love, that could be anything we think youll love, too, that will make you smile, make your life easier, mundane tasks more enjoyable, or a recipe that we are crazy about and would like to share.  I will blog about these things every other Friday and Im really looking forward to it, cause when I find something I love, nothing makes me happier than telling everyone else about it so they can, perhaps, enjoy it, too!

To kick off this feature, I want to blog about something that I just bought that I am crazy about!  Sasha, over at Lemonade Makin Mama, makes and sells these adorable Wine and Cheese bags in her Etsy Shop and I just had to buy one after I saw them on her blog.  I just love her blog.  She is a tremendous inspiration to me and she takes the most beautiful photos, not to mention how incredibly talented she is.  Well, when mine came in the mail, I jumped for joy when I opened the package.  It is so adorable!
I just love it so much!  The lining is bright and cheerful and makes me so happy just looking at it!
I use a lot of wine in my cooking and I also LOVE cheese, probably more than what is considered normal, and so I will use this a lot when I visit the liquor store.  I dont know about you but I love to have something special like this to make very mundane activities a little more fun.  I dont necessarily like to go to the liquor store but being able to take this adorable and stylish bag and use it, will definitely make it more enjoyable and I love that.   And of course, Im looking forward to taking it to the Farmers Market. 
The bag easily holds 3 bottles of wine with room to spare.  And I cant stop looking at that cheerful lining on the inside!  This bag would also be so much fun to fill with goodies for a wonderful fall picnic with your family or friends.  I love it so much that Im actually spiffing up my laundry room, thats right off the kitchen, where it will hang and look so lovely.

You can order a bag for yourself by clicking here!  I also ordered her EAT napkins because I found the perfect little vintage basket for cloth napkins at a flea market for a quarter!!  I cant wait!  Sasha makes beautiful things so make sure you check out the rest of her shop, too!!

Have a great weekend everyone!  The winner of the mini bread board set will be randomly selected and announced tomorrow so check back!

How To Be A Woodworker

Woodworking Plans

Do-it-Yourself Patterns and Crafts, Woodworking kits, Furniture Plans Plus Much, Much More. Will Show You How to Make 16,000 Different Woodworking Plans. Use The Plans For Fun, Functionality or Profit!

How To Be A Woodworker. Wood is a single of the most attractive, durable and versatile materials that you can operate with although on a do it oneself project. The beauty of a cabinet door that is finished in wood can not be matched by any other material no matter if all-natural or man created. As with any project, you would call for a detailed set of plans whilst you perform with wood and wood primarily based components. This is why it is encouraged that you use a detailed set of woodworking plans as soon as you program to extensively use wood based materials to full the project that you have embarked on.

Now let us examine why woodworking plans are very important in any wood primarily based do it oneself project. To commence with, these plans assistance you eradicate waste. If you start a woodworking project without having a firm program, the probabilities are that you would end up working with additional wood that you originally intended to. Most of the wood primarily based projects would call for in depth assemblies and sub assemblies.

When you start your project, you would be ideally working with individual members of wood and finishing them individually before assembling them. If you do not have the suitable woodwork plans, you could finish up with mismatching wood members at the time of assembly. This could lead to high-priced price and time overruns in the project. All these issues can be avoided by utilizing a effectively laid out set of wood plans.

The other advantage that you could have if you use woodworking plans are that you would be prepared with all the tools and implements that you would demand for finishing the wood based project. Frequently we find that we do not have access to a specific tool in the middle of a woodworking project. This predicament could lead to a loss of time and sometimes you may possibly even have to abandon the project in case a unique tool is not out there. All these difficulties can be avoided if you have a detailed strategy at the onset. How To Be A Woodworker

How To Be A Woodworker Datum

Consistent Advertising - The romance of woodworking will have to have to be balanced with the constant promoting and marketing important to retain the operate coming in. In time, phrase of mouth brings in a lot of operate if you develop a good reputation. Till lastly then, you will need to get the phrase out routinely. Right after the work arrives in you have to have excellent manufacturing systems so you can complete the tasks promptly and continue to maintain the cash flowing. If jobs take into account also incredibly extended and the dollars movement stops, it can turn into difficult to shell out the costs. Talking of dollars flow, you really should build and adhere to common assortment techniques. This is 1 area where by various woodworkers fail. The payment for the execute will need to have to be as vital as the execute by itself. If you are lax in accumulating, you will run into prospects who fall quick to shell out you and this will lead to seriously critical income movement issues.

The Compact enterprise - Even having said that you like woodworking, you will need to do the dwelling business enterprise if you are to make a dwelling at it. Superior outcomes commonly needs an in-depth information of both woodworking and small business management. If you under no circumstances have each and every, I recommend you hesitate to leap in until you have honed your enterprise abilities.

Looking back again I recognize that my lack of understanding in the course of my startup rather a handful of decades back could have been offset with some frequent information and a further individual to advise me.Sadly I had to understand most components by trial and error.

Just about just about every and every and just about every week, I take the time to go by choice of the comments that my viewers make about my woodworking web site. 1st of all I want to them for taking the time to comment, I certainly value all of the comments and guidelines. This previous week there was a comment from a gentleman, who expressed a require to get into woodworking. As a man who is passionate about woodworking, I want to welcome him to the fold. And I want to give you him all of the recommendations and encouragement probable in his endeavors.How To Be A Woodworker

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Hi Everyone,

Well, I went down to the wood shop today to start the rosewood bowl and to make a book stand for myself and my family. The bowl came out ok and the book stand is a mess and Ive dropped a clamp on my foot.

...sigh, here we go...

Indian rosewood is a hardwood that grows in tropical climates and it also grows in the US in Florida. The turning blank for this bowl came from Florida and is a really rich shade of reddish brown.

I started turning the outside of the bowl and this part of the turning went well:





I wanted to make this particular bowl with more of a fan-shaped profile and Im quite there yet so Im going to leave the faceplate on and turn it more tomorrow.


The past several days Ive had the bright idea to make a book stand to hold books, e-readers at an angle so I wouldnt have to hold them with my hands, as they usually hurt quite a bit after a long day in the shop.  And I made a complete mess of the whole thing:


Oh well, Ill try it again tomorrow.

VW

One of the big jobs in the traditional tool chest build is cutting the dovetails for the carcass. For a while, as I considered the build I was worried that one of my main weapons might not be up to snuff, my Moxon bench vise. I was concerned I wouldnt have enough width. I know I could have pulled it out and measured it to make sure, (I just couldnt remember the measurements off the top of my head) but it seemed more like me to just keep working along and lightly worrying in the back of my mind.

As it turns out, My fears were unbased. The panels are 23 3/4" tall, and I could pass almost 25" in between the screws. A small beginning victory is not a bad way to begin.
Set on top my already slightly taller joinery bench makes the height very nice for dovetailing. No real stooping and lower back pain involved.

Because I wanted to make all four corners the same I decided to use one other old dovetailing layout trick. I made a story stick where I played with and pre-laid out the spacing for the pins and tails.
I transferred the spacing and did a little work with the marking gauge, tri-square, and marking knife. Yes the lines are penciled, but I like to run a pencil in the knife lines, both to help me see and to help things show up better in photos.

Then it was down to some quality time with my dovetail saw.


I love this picture, lines of sawdust as I work my way down cutting one side of every tail. After this I work my way back cutting the other side.


I use a coping saw to remove most of my waste, and then clean up the bottoms of the tail with a little chisel work.


With everything refined, I give the joint a test fit. Only halfway, I dont want to push anything too far and halfway should be enough to tell if youre going to have any real problems.


Repeat another four times, and you have a carcass to glue up.


The next day, after the glue dries. Clean up them tails.


Then you get to work putting a bottom on it.

Ratione et Passionis
Oldwolf

Its Wood Whisperer Guild Build time again. Because Marc is currently dealing with a limited shop as his new one is built, the current build is a one or two sheet plywood bookcase. Its a useful project that makes great use of one of my favorite materials: man made sheet goods. Unlike my projects that often leave the sheet goods exposed, Marc will show you how to hide it and make a damn fine bookcase.

The One & Two Sheet Bookcase

Previously Ive talked about The Wood Whisperer Guild and why I feel its a must for any online woodworker. Now, you can watch me go on about the Guild, and why its such a great experience to build a project with fellow guild members. As you watch, Im the one who looks like a zombie.

we finished this walnut gateleg console table today, and it is headed for vail, colorado on thursday with 3 other pieces heading off, respectively, to chicago, (the custom pool table),, florida, (the 53" wide claro walnut table... more on that one later), and houston, (a cherry console table).  power of the internet.  for the first time this year, more of our work is going to clients who we have never met and who have never been to our studio than to clients we know or who have ties to southern vermont.  for the first few years, 10 or 20 at least, it was all people who had at least visted my shop or directly  knew folks who had.  the last 2 or 3 years, thats all changed.  its amazing to me, but im really thankful.

this table started as a concept based on another parsons table we had previously built for this client for their home in connecticut.  the main requirement was that the table was a console table 95% (or more) of the time, but that, in a pinch, could become a dining table for 4 or six additional guests
its your basic form with a fold over, veneered walnut top and two sets of gatelegs that swing out on the back side.
 with the legs fully unfolded, there will be room for 6 good friends or
or with the legs partially unfolded as below, comfortable seating for four.  even though we punted on the wood hinges, we still used the traditional dovetailed wood box for the table frame.
in the past, we have gone with the traditional wooden hinge for the gateleg option, but no matter how hard i tried, (and ive had my employees try it too) with the double gateleg, there was always too much play in the wooden hinge for comfort and stability.  this time we used some very tight 3" brass butt hinges, which, while untraditonal, i feel are a long lasting and slightly stiffer alternative.  there you have it, compact seating for six from an 18" x 60" console table.  a good combination.  click the photos to enlarge them ...

email note from a relative below ...

I just came across this video on YouTube.  Wow on so many levels.

With the walls and lower shed roof done, this video documents the clear-story and main roof framing.

I framed the clear-story to accommodate the windows Im going to fabricated using some Kalwall samples I have. Im not yet sure if the main roof will receive a skylight or not, but if it does I wont bother to cut out the rafters within the skylight footprint. It is, after all, just a tree house.
If youd like to catch up on how the Tree House got to this point, be sure to check out these older posts.