We are officially on Christmas break. Mostly that means we don't get to school by 9 am this week. We are still going in to do work, although the numbers are dwindling. People are going home to be with family or to warm sunny places. I will head down to Boston tomorrow morning to be reunited with Joanna and her family. She is currently somewhere in the sky between Khartoum and Amsterdam. I should be in bed but I've got a little cold that is keeping me awake (I know, oh you poor baby). It was only a matter of time before I got some bug - we've had pinkeye, two colds, some flu-ey thing and/or food poisoning roll through the classroom. Yes, a break will be nice!
Here's the status of my project: The lower drawer is cut out, dovetailed, and the inside shellacked. The bottom of it is cut almost to thickness and will now rest for a few days to see if it is going to cup or not. Upon return I will cut it to thickness and size and finish the outside of it. I have only just started to work the dovetails on the top drawer and included a "design opportunity" in it. That means I made a mistake when laying them out and now have to figure a clever way to cover it up. It's minor and on the inside but once you open that drawer you will see it. When you make a blind dovetail, you create a web on the front side (see photo from last post or so where the drawer is slightly pulled out) and in planning for that, I didn't fully consider which side - front or side? - carries the groove that the bottom slides into. The answer would be the side, but only after I finished with a tiny little peekaboo hole did I learn this. I'm thinking a tiny slice of purple heart will look dashing in there!
I've also more or less finished the frame and panel of the door, just have to size it up a little to fit perfectly in the space.
So these are the things I am thinking about at 1am when I should be sleeping. Now when I get up, do I sneak into school for a couple hours or go swimming? Stay tuned....
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The holiday cheeriness has set in!
So out came the Santa hats and reindeer antlers today. And the snow was so cute whirling around and never amounting to anything - just like being in a snow globe!
Over the weekend I took a lathe class to learn how to turn wood. We worked on pine, maple and plywood. The instructor, Stephen Gleason, is a wild, goofy, artist type with a million stories and tips on how to turn and use the different tools. It is a fun, challenging way to work with wood. I told him I wanted to try to make a ball - it was an ornament class after all - and instead of saying no, that's too advanced, he just said ok and let me spend 2 hours trying as my stock shrunk and my ball turned into a bead.
This week so far I have worked on cleaning up the outside of the casepiece so the tenons are now flush with the sides. Also, I have started making the drawers which means going back to making blind dovetails - you can't see the joinery from the front - and making peace with the not-quite-90-degrees part of the project. I get the idea of how to do the dovetails but haven't quite mastered the tight fit in the joints.
Tomorrow is the Yankee Swap - what we midwesterners call a white elephant gift exchange - and potluck. The 12 week program is hosting so we got to cleanup our lunchroom/drafting room/ finishing room today to make room for all the decorations and food. I am making a pecan pie as my present, hoping to add some positive juju to the mix so hopefully I walk away with a nice thing instead of some hilarious piece of junk. Wish me/us luck!
Over the weekend I took a lathe class to learn how to turn wood. We worked on pine, maple and plywood. The instructor, Stephen Gleason, is a wild, goofy, artist type with a million stories and tips on how to turn and use the different tools. It is a fun, challenging way to work with wood. I told him I wanted to try to make a ball - it was an ornament class after all - and instead of saying no, that's too advanced, he just said ok and let me spend 2 hours trying as my stock shrunk and my ball turned into a bead.
This week so far I have worked on cleaning up the outside of the casepiece so the tenons are now flush with the sides. Also, I have started making the drawers which means going back to making blind dovetails - you can't see the joinery from the front - and making peace with the not-quite-90-degrees part of the project. I get the idea of how to do the dovetails but haven't quite mastered the tight fit in the joints.
Tomorrow is the Yankee Swap - what we midwesterners call a white elephant gift exchange - and potluck. The 12 week program is hosting so we got to cleanup our lunchroom/drafting room/ finishing room today to make room for all the decorations and food. I am making a pecan pie as my present, hoping to add some positive juju to the mix so hopefully I walk away with a nice thing instead of some hilarious piece of junk. Wish me/us luck!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Glue up day!!
How exciting!! I finally got to glue up the carcase. So this morning's "one last thing" included drilling holes for the tiny screws that hold the hinges in place and then threading the holes for the screws with a steel screw because the brass ones could snap in the maple without this step. Also drilling the hole for the ball catch which is the thing that keeps the door closed. Then just a little shaving of the shoulder - just a kiss with the little block plane - to make that joint even sweeter. Ok, now we're ready!
Once the maple pieces are glued together, we "buttered" the little wedges and slipped them into the tenons. The wedges are made of purple heart (which is a nice contrast, I must say) and that's much harder than maple. So when we were just getting the hang of tapping them in with the hammer, we split a shelf!!! Yes! I think there's 14 clamps on there - you can't just take it apart and make a new piece! So we grabbed the pliers and backed it out. oops! We used epoxy to glue up so I can't take the clamps off til tomorrow.
Oh goodness I feel such relief and excitement!
Once the maple pieces are glued together, we "buttered" the little wedges and slipped them into the tenons. The wedges are made of purple heart (which is a nice contrast, I must say) and that's much harder than maple. So when we were just getting the hang of tapping them in with the hammer, we split a shelf!!! Yes! I think there's 14 clamps on there - you can't just take it apart and make a new piece! So we grabbed the pliers and backed it out. oops! We used epoxy to glue up so I can't take the clamps off til tomorrow.
Oh goodness I feel such relief and excitement!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
pre-glue up
So I think it was two days ago Tim said I was likely gonna glue up this week. And then yesterday it was only do "this" one thing and you'll glue up. But "this" turned into 6 more things, each of which was time-consuming. "This" included, but was not limited to: triple checking that the faces of my shelves were exactly flush at the front with the sides of the case. That was a game of cat and mouse - trim here, check. oops, too much - trim there. etc. Ditto the sides of the shelves were flush to the inside of the case. More cat and mouse. At one point I realized the fronts of the case (verticals) still had tiny little scribe lines from my marking where the shelves sit. I had started sanding with 100 grit and worked my way up to 400 and still they wouldn't go away. So today I got the blessing from Austin to put them on the jointer just once to shave it off. It worked pretty well. But then I had to start the game of cat and mouse. I swear I had only left the machine at the exact setting for three minutes and when I came back, someone had adjusted it so my first piece over it got chewed it up!! Yes way! So I had to recreate that piece. Luckily it was just a little face piece with a curve but no dadoes or anything. yikes! Finally I got to sand everything again at 400 grit and put a coat of finish (shellac) on the insides of the pieces - the parts that will be hardest to reach once it's assembled. Victory!
The other thing I did today was cut little wedges to go into my tenons on the sides of the case. I'm using purple heart which I think will look nice with the maple body.
The other thing I did today was cut little wedges to go into my tenons on the sides of the case. I'm using purple heart which I think will look nice with the maple body.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Progress!
What a great day! First, I woke to snow - as in heavily coming down, probly gonna stick, snow! And we must have 6 inches by now (8pm). That's pretty perfect.
Then, I made some progress in class. I learned more on the router table and cut my rabbets to slip the back piece into - which is actually going to be three pieces ship lapped together! And cut those laps and started down the slippery slope of curving the top. The top will be curved on top and a little bite of a curve underneath, just a half inch so it accepts the top drawer and acts as a stop for it. I may glue up the body of the piece any day now!! So exciting.
Both instructors raised eyebrows at me though - I was stuck so thought the natural thing to do was to start on the drawers. Noooooo, that must be done after the body is done. Oh...
Too many students, not enough machines today.
And the topper: I went to the laundromat and had enough cash to wash AND dry all my clothes. Really, it's the little things that make me happy.
Then, I made some progress in class. I learned more on the router table and cut my rabbets to slip the back piece into - which is actually going to be three pieces ship lapped together! And cut those laps and started down the slippery slope of curving the top. The top will be curved on top and a little bite of a curve underneath, just a half inch so it accepts the top drawer and acts as a stop for it. I may glue up the body of the piece any day now!! So exciting.
Both instructors raised eyebrows at me though - I was stuck so thought the natural thing to do was to start on the drawers. Noooooo, that must be done after the body is done. Oh...
Too many students, not enough machines today.
And the topper: I went to the laundromat and had enough cash to wash AND dry all my clothes. Really, it's the little things that make me happy.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Field trip!
So the most recent photos are from our field trips to three different woodworkers' workshops. The first one was Alex Hamilton, of Tidewater Mill, who does architectural millwork. That means he works with contractors and architects who order milled wood that he makes into : giant doors, banisters, some cabinet work. He has worked for a number of big names : Keith Richards, Martha Stewart, etc. So he had some good words to share about the business end of the business. His workshop - 3 buildings actually - is equipped with a CNC (most of the men in the group went "ooooooh" when they heard this!) which is a computer that gets set up to program the routers to shape the wood exactly how he wants it shaped - that's up, down, diagonal, back up in the middle, etc. It's amazing; and it's not close enough to hand work to have his actual work be interesting to me. But as I said he is well informed of the business end and I couldn't help but be impressed by the journey he's taken : from building boats to making home adornment that are reminiscent of the sea. He has 6 employees.
Next stop: Kevin Rodel, furniture maker in the Arts and Crafts vein. He is the opposite in many ways to Mr. Hamilton. Kevin works by himself in an old mill on the Kennebeck River. He designs and builds his furniture in his studio. He has the basic machines, including a band saw from the 40's!, and lots of planes and chisels and clamps. He has designed a couple pieces that he regularly makes or tweaks a little. He has taught at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship as well. He stressed the importance of finding your niche by figuring out what you are interested in and then studying where it comes from. In other words, he knows the original Arts and Crafts furniture movement inside and out and has written a book about it. So people know he's the guy to make the furniture in that style.
Last stop: Howard Hatch. Of Hatch Billiards. He actually loves to make big pieces of furniture from big pieces of wood and has made many liturgical pieces and sets. And one day he was working for a guy doing carpentry and the guy said he wanted a pool table and Howard said he wanted to build one and destiny was set. He loves the mix of carpentry and physics in the tables, the puzzle. He stated the most strongly of the three that it's a bad time to get into this business (although I'm not convinced it's any worse than any other) ~ be sure you've either married well or have a back up plan because it's a tough way to make a living.
I loved that all three of these guys still love their work. They still find inspiration somehow and still have the passion. That was really nice to see - because they've all been doing it for 30+ years.
So this is probably a good time to mention my wonderful instructors:
Tim Rousseau, lead instructor. Been making furniture for many years and teaching at the center for several, as well as taught in Autralia one year. Has lived in Maine long enough to seem to me like a native. He makes beautiful furniture and has a great sense of humor. Gobs of patience and likes to talk about oceans of things (oceans of dovetails, oceans of lectures, etc) and how/why not to bring shame on your tent (for doing crappy woodworking). He is also an ace mechanic on the machines we use.
First assistant instructor was Aaron Fedarko. He makes Shaker-ish furniture. He's an ace at chairs and dovetails. All-around good guy plus he rents the workspace next to my house so I get to check on his progress a lot - and give him tips . haha
Current assistant instructor: Austin Matheson. He found his niche in the Colonial West Indies reproduction furniture. So he makes ornate pieces with flamingoes and palms on them. He is from Miami and is heading back there after our class ends so he can rear his child with a little family around for a few years. He is a cowboy - not afraid of anything and why wait? Let's just do it! Great energy.
If you are interested in how I'm being influenced, check out the websites of these instructors, as well as the websites of the men we visited this week. Fascinating stuff!
On a personal note, I learned how to use a spokeshave today and I love it! It's like magic!
Ok, that's all for now
Next stop: Kevin Rodel, furniture maker in the Arts and Crafts vein. He is the opposite in many ways to Mr. Hamilton. Kevin works by himself in an old mill on the Kennebeck River. He designs and builds his furniture in his studio. He has the basic machines, including a band saw from the 40's!, and lots of planes and chisels and clamps. He has designed a couple pieces that he regularly makes or tweaks a little. He has taught at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship as well. He stressed the importance of finding your niche by figuring out what you are interested in and then studying where it comes from. In other words, he knows the original Arts and Crafts furniture movement inside and out and has written a book about it. So people know he's the guy to make the furniture in that style.
Last stop: Howard Hatch. Of Hatch Billiards. He actually loves to make big pieces of furniture from big pieces of wood and has made many liturgical pieces and sets. And one day he was working for a guy doing carpentry and the guy said he wanted a pool table and Howard said he wanted to build one and destiny was set. He loves the mix of carpentry and physics in the tables, the puzzle. He stated the most strongly of the three that it's a bad time to get into this business (although I'm not convinced it's any worse than any other) ~ be sure you've either married well or have a back up plan because it's a tough way to make a living.
I loved that all three of these guys still love their work. They still find inspiration somehow and still have the passion. That was really nice to see - because they've all been doing it for 30+ years.
So this is probably a good time to mention my wonderful instructors:
Tim Rousseau, lead instructor. Been making furniture for many years and teaching at the center for several, as well as taught in Autralia one year. Has lived in Maine long enough to seem to me like a native. He makes beautiful furniture and has a great sense of humor. Gobs of patience and likes to talk about oceans of things (oceans of dovetails, oceans of lectures, etc) and how/why not to bring shame on your tent (for doing crappy woodworking). He is also an ace mechanic on the machines we use.
First assistant instructor was Aaron Fedarko. He makes Shaker-ish furniture. He's an ace at chairs and dovetails. All-around good guy plus he rents the workspace next to my house so I get to check on his progress a lot - and give him tips . haha
Current assistant instructor: Austin Matheson. He found his niche in the Colonial West Indies reproduction furniture. So he makes ornate pieces with flamingoes and palms on them. He is from Miami and is heading back there after our class ends so he can rear his child with a little family around for a few years. He is a cowboy - not afraid of anything and why wait? Let's just do it! Great energy.
If you are interested in how I'm being influenced, check out the websites of these instructors, as well as the websites of the men we visited this week. Fascinating stuff!
On a personal note, I learned how to use a spokeshave today and I love it! It's like magic!
Ok, that's all for now
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Here's the skeleton
...of the little cabinet I'm making. Today it shrunk in width about 1/4 " because I got the router to migrate past it's course (twice). Clever!
Around 3 pm most days I sort of glaze over. Brain just doesn't think clearly anymore. So I've started using that as play time. They are installing a new exhibit in the gallery (sculpture) that opens Friday so I went to check that out. Check it out on their website: Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Messler Gallery. I started messing about with wood and techniques that have nothing to do with my cabinet but still I learn with little or no risk of wrecking something. I tried "resawing" today which is just sawing something the lengthwise but also depth wise - so in other words, something that might be 10 inches long and 1 inch thick you cut to make two pieces, each 1/2 inch thick but still 10" long. Worked pretty well.
Tomorrow we go check out a few different woodworkers' workshops. Can't wait!
Around 3 pm most days I sort of glaze over. Brain just doesn't think clearly anymore. So I've started using that as play time. They are installing a new exhibit in the gallery (sculpture) that opens Friday so I went to check that out. Check it out on their website: Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Messler Gallery. I started messing about with wood and techniques that have nothing to do with my cabinet but still I learn with little or no risk of wrecking something. I tried "resawing" today which is just sawing something the lengthwise but also depth wise - so in other words, something that might be 10 inches long and 1 inch thick you cut to make two pieces, each 1/2 inch thick but still 10" long. Worked pretty well.
Tomorrow we go check out a few different woodworkers' workshops. Can't wait!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
oh such a week!
Ok so last thing I did was what? Glue up the bench? did that, put the final coats of finish on and it's just "curing" til I can take it home.
In the meantime we were assembled into groups of four and made a pair each of sawhorses so we'd learn how to use all the different joinery machines in the machine room. Some were easier to learn than others.
I'm getting the hang of the routers but prefer the stationary kind that you bring the wood to - rather than the ones you bring to the wood.
I've chosen my wood for project # 2 and have begun milling it to rough size. We wait a day or two (though a week or two is preferred) to see if it moves at all - shrinks or not. Then we mill it almost to finish size, save a fuzz for sanding. I've cut my dadoes (grooves) for my shelves and have made mortises for the joints. Now I have to cut the shelves and the tenons that fit inside and they will be tiny! Just 1/2" by 1/2"!
But I'm finding more and more I like it a lot and enjoy my time in the workshop - especially if I can find times when noone else is there - as in 6-8 am most mornings, especially Sundays!
I'm having a little trouble uploading photos this week so I haven't forgotten - hopefully I'll get it together soon!
In the meantime we were assembled into groups of four and made a pair each of sawhorses so we'd learn how to use all the different joinery machines in the machine room. Some were easier to learn than others.
I'm getting the hang of the routers but prefer the stationary kind that you bring the wood to - rather than the ones you bring to the wood.
I've chosen my wood for project # 2 and have begun milling it to rough size. We wait a day or two (though a week or two is preferred) to see if it moves at all - shrinks or not. Then we mill it almost to finish size, save a fuzz for sanding. I've cut my dadoes (grooves) for my shelves and have made mortises for the joints. Now I have to cut the shelves and the tenons that fit inside and they will be tiny! Just 1/2" by 1/2"!
But I'm finding more and more I like it a lot and enjoy my time in the workshop - especially if I can find times when noone else is there - as in 6-8 am most mornings, especially Sundays!
I'm having a little trouble uploading photos this week so I haven't forgotten - hopefully I'll get it together soon!
Monday, November 22, 2010
milling day!
So today I milled the boards for the two sides of the cabinet, the four shelves, and the top.
Things to consider when milling: orientation of grain, both in how you like it and how it might behave;
thickness, length, and width you want to achieve today but also how much might it shrink overnight or in the next week?
(we don't have the luxury of waiting two or three weeks to see how it will behave so we wait overnight , or two nights); then you want to make the most of the piece of wood so most parts come from the same board. Makes one's head spin to juggle all these considerations.
Also, I applied one more coat of tung oil to the bench. My wood has become a little tan. Some other folks used a product called Watco which is part oil and part varnish, and their benches - also cherry - turned out more pinkish. But who knows - in a year they could be the same color??
Tomorrow I'll try to mill the rest of the boards for the drawers etc.
Things to consider when milling: orientation of grain, both in how you like it and how it might behave;
thickness, length, and width you want to achieve today but also how much might it shrink overnight or in the next week?
(we don't have the luxury of waiting two or three weeks to see how it will behave so we wait overnight , or two nights); then you want to make the most of the piece of wood so most parts come from the same board. Makes one's head spin to juggle all these considerations.
Also, I applied one more coat of tung oil to the bench. My wood has become a little tan. Some other folks used a product called Watco which is part oil and part varnish, and their benches - also cherry - turned out more pinkish. But who knows - in a year they could be the same color??
Tomorrow I'll try to mill the rest of the boards for the drawers etc.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Exploring Maine
Yesterday I put the finishing touches on my design for a little cabinet. It will be 25 inches tall, 7wide, and about 6 deep, with one door and two drawers. I have chosen maple for the material. I have to use one big slab for the top because it will be curved/rounded and so the depth is increased. I found a nice piece with interesting markings for the body. (pictures to follow, maybe tomorrow).
Today I took the day off from woodworking. I am slightly ahead of schedule so I figured I'd slack before the pressure rises again. I went for a lovely trail run on the back side of Camden State Park and met three other trail runners and two dogs. We all are giddy that there's no hunting allowed on Sundays. Then I treated myself to a little tour of the coast, complete with coffee and views. This most recent photo is of a large piece of property that my friend Becky's grandfather donated to the city of Camden. They have community programs year round. I did not see one belted cow.
My landlord is out of town for the week so I offered to watch the cat while he's gone. She hasn't shown any interest in coming to my side of the house. So I'm off to fetch her!
Happy Sunday!
Just for the record, I just talked to Joanna in Seattle who said it was snowing! We were at 27 degrees this morning but clear skies. I keep hoping...
Today I took the day off from woodworking. I am slightly ahead of schedule so I figured I'd slack before the pressure rises again. I went for a lovely trail run on the back side of Camden State Park and met three other trail runners and two dogs. We all are giddy that there's no hunting allowed on Sundays. Then I treated myself to a little tour of the coast, complete with coffee and views. This most recent photo is of a large piece of property that my friend Becky's grandfather donated to the city of Camden. They have community programs year round. I did not see one belted cow.
My landlord is out of town for the week so I offered to watch the cat while he's gone. She hasn't shown any interest in coming to my side of the house. So I'm off to fetch her!
Happy Sunday!
Just for the record, I just talked to Joanna in Seattle who said it was snowing! We were at 27 degrees this morning but clear skies. I keep hoping...
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Making some progress!
Here's the bench - ready to be glued together, shave off the "proud" ends, then finish with whatever product I choose. It's cherry, so I'm leaning towards a varnish/oil blend to show off the color, grain, and depth.
Today I did get to gluing it together, and tomorrow I will shave it. Probably won't get to the finish part til the weekend as we have already delved into a new topic....
Project #2! It has to be a case piece and we have a beautiful example by Peter Korn, the director of the school. His of course is beautiful. But we are also encouraged to do a little design work, so I'm trying to figure out what to make. I'm leaning towards a little "box" with one big door and two little drawers. We did get a little coaching from the instructors in the areas of ratio and balance; but I'm swimming in it, not even floating on it. And then there's the "wood moves" mantra that the lead instructor, Tim Rousseau, keeps coming back to. So we have to account for swelling and shrinking of wood. If you use solid pieces of wood, you have to make allowances for movement somewhere. oy AND the tolerance for space between pieces of wood in contemporary furniture is so slim that we have to order our hardware NOW and account for it in the design. Times like these I think I could knit a box cozy quicker than I could build this box!! And felt it to boot!
In an effort to keep things balanced in my life, I try to get out a little. I've been on two awesome trail runs with great views of the ocean, among other things. I've been to a movie and a play. I've hung out at the laundromat! This weekend I guess the clan is going bowling - candlepin bowling!
Stay tuned...
Today I did get to gluing it together, and tomorrow I will shave it. Probably won't get to the finish part til the weekend as we have already delved into a new topic....
Project #2! It has to be a case piece and we have a beautiful example by Peter Korn, the director of the school. His of course is beautiful. But we are also encouraged to do a little design work, so I'm trying to figure out what to make. I'm leaning towards a little "box" with one big door and two little drawers. We did get a little coaching from the instructors in the areas of ratio and balance; but I'm swimming in it, not even floating on it. And then there's the "wood moves" mantra that the lead instructor, Tim Rousseau, keeps coming back to. So we have to account for swelling and shrinking of wood. If you use solid pieces of wood, you have to make allowances for movement somewhere. oy AND the tolerance for space between pieces of wood in contemporary furniture is so slim that we have to order our hardware NOW and account for it in the design. Times like these I think I could knit a box cozy quicker than I could build this box!! And felt it to boot!
In an effort to keep things balanced in my life, I try to get out a little. I've been on two awesome trail runs with great views of the ocean, among other things. I've been to a movie and a play. I've hung out at the laundromat! This weekend I guess the clan is going bowling - candlepin bowling!
Stay tuned...
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Just give 'em the plastic and don't look back!
So Wednesday turned into a rough day. I thought the moose sighting would be a good omen but it turned out to be a not so good one. Just after lunch I pierced a chisel into my pinky enough so I needed three stitches. Let me just say I am not good with blood so it turned into an ordeal. I felt pathetic and wimpy for the next day and a half. But I got back on that horse and after I sharpened all my tools that I possibly could, I started working with the chisels again. The cherry that I was using to make a bench with does not behave the way the poplar that we practiced on does. So once again I needed to conjure up some patience to learn how the cherry likes to be dealt with and not injure myself again!
I am making some progress on the bench, but I won't likely finish it anytime soon. I have the top and legs cut, with dovetails, but I still have to cut the mortises and tenons for the stretcher, and then put a coat of whatever on top of it all. And next week we start talking about our second projects, which will be a casepiece (something with doors and drawers).
After working with the school tools for two weeks, I decided I knew enough about a few things to go buy my own. So today I bought a new dovetail saw and some little accessories that no woodworker worth their salt would be without. Lie Nielsen is the toolmakers down the road, high end stuff. We refer to it in class as the crack house! Whenever any one of us go, the rest of the class makes them show and tell what they bought. Much drooling, oohing, aahing. Gorgeous tools. The retail therapy worked.
I am making some progress on the bench, but I won't likely finish it anytime soon. I have the top and legs cut, with dovetails, but I still have to cut the mortises and tenons for the stretcher, and then put a coat of whatever on top of it all. And next week we start talking about our second projects, which will be a casepiece (something with doors and drawers).
After working with the school tools for two weeks, I decided I knew enough about a few things to go buy my own. So today I bought a new dovetail saw and some little accessories that no woodworker worth their salt would be without. Lie Nielsen is the toolmakers down the road, high end stuff. We refer to it in class as the crack house! Whenever any one of us go, the rest of the class makes them show and tell what they bought. Much drooling, oohing, aahing. Gorgeous tools. The retail therapy worked.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Just a plane day
Ok so last week on Thursday I think, we had a lecture about planes and how they work and when to use which etc. But I've never used one so today I had to start more or less from scratch. First we drew up our plans - I'm making a bench - and then from those plans made a shopping list. We walked to the building next door where they house wood for us to choose. Now they get to handpick this wood from the local supplier, so we don't have to look too closely for ugly spots or check or burnout or whatever. So I picked out my beautiful piece of cherry, rough cut it to length, and started to plane it. I started with the scrub plane which takes out the biggest chips until the top was fairly flat but still had little valleys in it from the plane.
But soon I dropped it and the blade fell out and the chip breaker did too. Oy. Had to wait in line to get help to reassemble it. I soon moved on to the jack plane, which has a little bit wider blade so the valleys aren't so noticeable and the surface begins to look pretty uniform. But then of course you have to use little cheater sticks to check for bow and twist, and then work those out of the board. I should have timed all this because it felt like hours for one little board! And I've got two more to process! I think I finally got the hang of it but STAY TUNED!
But soon I dropped it and the blade fell out and the chip breaker did too. Oy. Had to wait in line to get help to reassemble it. I soon moved on to the jack plane, which has a little bit wider blade so the valleys aren't so noticeable and the surface begins to look pretty uniform. But then of course you have to use little cheater sticks to check for bow and twist, and then work those out of the board. I should have timed all this because it felt like hours for one little board! And I've got two more to process! I think I finally got the hang of it but STAY TUNED!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Day 3 of classes
Saw that flock of turkeys again this morning and a few in the back yard.
Today we made a second set of mortise and tenons. It's coming along but it's a good challenge.
No wounds today.
We learned how to make dovetails today but won't start that til tomorrow. We get to try them without and with a bandsaw. The instructor opened up the idea of what exactly is pure craftsmanship? No hand tools? then how far back do you take that? To two people cutting the tree down by hand? Carting it off by horse? Hand planing it ? Good question - I think we all will think on it for a while. His point was there might be a time and a place for machines and jigs. We each get to decide.
So far we've used either a hand saw or a circular (electric) saw, the jointer which gives you one flat side of the board, the planer which gives the first a parallel side, a side planer which gives you a true/90 degree flat side, and the table saw to give the fourth side and cuts to length. And those crazy sharp chisels! Oh and a drill press to help clear out the waste in the mortise.
Off to the laundromat to wash those new flannel sheets - not one more night of cold crisp sheets!
And unlike in Seattle, there is no wierdo magnet buried under the laundromat!
That's my day - how was yours??
Today we made a second set of mortise and tenons. It's coming along but it's a good challenge.
No wounds today.
We learned how to make dovetails today but won't start that til tomorrow. We get to try them without and with a bandsaw. The instructor opened up the idea of what exactly is pure craftsmanship? No hand tools? then how far back do you take that? To two people cutting the tree down by hand? Carting it off by horse? Hand planing it ? Good question - I think we all will think on it for a while. His point was there might be a time and a place for machines and jigs. We each get to decide.
So far we've used either a hand saw or a circular (electric) saw, the jointer which gives you one flat side of the board, the planer which gives the first a parallel side, a side planer which gives you a true/90 degree flat side, and the table saw to give the fourth side and cuts to length. And those crazy sharp chisels! Oh and a drill press to help clear out the waste in the mortise.
Off to the laundromat to wash those new flannel sheets - not one more night of cold crisp sheets!
And unlike in Seattle, there is no wierdo magnet buried under the laundromat!
That's my day - how was yours??
Monday, November 1, 2010
First day of school
Well! So much was crammed into day 1. Before classes even began, I had an adventure: I had to stop on the road to the school for a flock of turkeys! They were in no hurry at all and were a little like deer in that they crossed over and back and wanted to follow her, no him, no her. We are out there!
There are 12 students in my class and two main instructors, with some ancillary instructors and staff. We learned shop safety, first aid basics (have student lie down, call 911, apply moderate pressure). Then we talked about wood and sharpened our chisels which took a couple hours. I am not kidding - and at best we got three sharpened! Then we took turns taking one short board of wood and making it square and true and good and pretty. That's it - 7 hours over in a puff.
I loved it all and can't wait to go back tomorrow when we'll learn how to make a bench and get started.
Yahoo!
There are 12 students in my class and two main instructors, with some ancillary instructors and staff. We learned shop safety, first aid basics (have student lie down, call 911, apply moderate pressure). Then we talked about wood and sharpened our chisels which took a couple hours. I am not kidding - and at best we got three sharpened! Then we took turns taking one short board of wood and making it square and true and good and pretty. That's it - 7 hours over in a puff.
I loved it all and can't wait to go back tomorrow when we'll learn how to make a bench and get started.
Yahoo!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Finally - we see The School!
This morning Joellie went to see the coolio schoolio of Furniture Craftsmanship. The campus is lovely, all red and cheery. Inside students are very seriously creating things. This makes Ellie nervous - can she really learn this stuff or will she be sent away with a refund check? Whatever the outcome, she is very excited!
Then we drove to Portland to drop off Joanna at the bus station. Wow - what a big step. We are committed to doing our separate activities for three months. With one visit over Christmas. Today we believe that this is going to be growthful and good.
On Ellie's drive back she stopped at the LLBean Village to buy flannel sheets for the long cold winter in Maine. One needs comfort when one is facing a chilly adventure.
Ellie was lucky to have dinner with the director of the school, a student of the 9 month program, and a teacher of that program, along with their spousal units. Great conversation about woodworking, philosophy, monastic life, gifts, baking, etc. She feels welcome into her new community and even more hungry to get started!
Then we drove to Portland to drop off Joanna at the bus station. Wow - what a big step. We are committed to doing our separate activities for three months. With one visit over Christmas. Today we believe that this is going to be growthful and good.
On Ellie's drive back she stopped at the LLBean Village to buy flannel sheets for the long cold winter in Maine. One needs comfort when one is facing a chilly adventure.
Ellie was lucky to have dinner with the director of the school, a student of the 9 month program, and a teacher of that program, along with their spousal units. Great conversation about woodworking, philosophy, monastic life, gifts, baking, etc. She feels welcome into her new community and even more hungry to get started!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
WE MADE IT!!!!
Ok, 530 miles, 9 hours, two live deer, one seal, several starbucks, stretching our legs (FINALLY!). The drive through upstate New York to Massachusettes and on through New Hampshire - then our destination, Maine, was beautiful today. The Fall colors were just beginning to dim in New York and turned to deeper browns as we travelled further along the road. Such a beautiful time of year to be in this area. Sunrise over the Adirondack mountains came with a brilliant pink glow, clouds masquerading as mountains and, finally the sun reflecting off the Erie Canal. That was quickly replaced by thick, thick fog - which disappeared almost as fast as it had surrounded us. The day was rolling hills dotted with farmlands and striped cows.
We arrived in to Rockland just after 3:00 - tired and glad to find the house Ellie will now call home for three months. The town is very picturesque and sits on the edge of a harbor, protected by a nearly mile long breakwater and lighthouse build in 1881. Lots of lovely old houses.
When I had looked online to find the co-op before we came, the live webcam showed this nearly abandoned corner so I was worried it would be a totally puny town. We were so relieved to find a bustling town, complete with several art galleries, bookstores, lots of restaurants, tchotchke shops, and a great co-op, as well as a sports store, etc!!
Did we mention how gorgeous the school is?? Well we only drove by but it's several buildings, all red, lovely campus. We'll stop by again in the am to take photos and poke around.
So, this is the end of the driving Journey and the beginning of Ellie's adventure in woodworking - and three months in the cold winter of the northeast. Joanna heads to Boston tomorrow and back to Seattle on Monday.
So, I will do my best to keep up the blog: I will try to take photos of my little life as it unfolds here and let you know how it's going. Wish me luck and feel free to drop a line!
We arrived in to Rockland just after 3:00 - tired and glad to find the house Ellie will now call home for three months. The town is very picturesque and sits on the edge of a harbor, protected by a nearly mile long breakwater and lighthouse build in 1881. Lots of lovely old houses.
When I had looked online to find the co-op before we came, the live webcam showed this nearly abandoned corner so I was worried it would be a totally puny town. We were so relieved to find a bustling town, complete with several art galleries, bookstores, lots of restaurants, tchotchke shops, and a great co-op, as well as a sports store, etc!!
Did we mention how gorgeous the school is?? Well we only drove by but it's several buildings, all red, lovely campus. We'll stop by again in the am to take photos and poke around.
So, this is the end of the driving Journey and the beginning of Ellie's adventure in woodworking - and three months in the cold winter of the northeast. Joanna heads to Boston tomorrow and back to Seattle on Monday.
So, I will do my best to keep up the blog: I will try to take photos of my little life as it unfolds here and let you know how it's going. Wish me luck and feel free to drop a line!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Six states and 15 hours!
And 875 miles... Oy!! We made it to Syracuse. Yup, we decided to change our course a little, again. It's I-90 for us or nothing! Started in Madison, down through Illinois, then over to Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, finally into New York. Our "nest" - the car - is starting to resemble a little robin's nest after a big spring storm.
We started to listen to some of David Sedaris' humor and decided he was too gross for us today.
Catch 22 didn't grab us either. Mostly we busied ourselves with watching for the next toll booth and guessing how much it would cost.
Getting tired of road food. Crave fresh vegetables. Most of the fitness we gained this fall is gone - Ellie weighs 300 pounds, Joanna 275.
Tomorrow we should land in Rockland, Maine - but stay tuned. It should be a short day - only 8 hours...
We started to listen to some of David Sedaris' humor and decided he was too gross for us today.
Catch 22 didn't grab us either. Mostly we busied ourselves with watching for the next toll booth and guessing how much it would cost.
Getting tired of road food. Crave fresh vegetables. Most of the fitness we gained this fall is gone - Ellie weighs 300 pounds, Joanna 275.
Tomorrow we should land in Rockland, Maine - but stay tuned. It should be a short day - only 8 hours...
Thursday, October 28, 2010
A Nice and easy day
Today was a breather day - Minneapolis to Madison. 292 miles. Slept in, had coffee and scones - made by Judy - with the family and headed out of town around 11:00. We stopped to pick up red sauce and sausage at Cossetta's, the Horsnell favorite Italian restaurant. Which is also a pizza place and Italian grocery.
The weather today was uneventful - sunny and mild. Hardly any Wind.
The big excitement was following the three parts of the wind turbines down the freeway. Like we said, uneventful day.
Tomorrow, we're hoping for Elmira, NY!
The weather today was uneventful - sunny and mild. Hardly any Wind.
The big excitement was following the three parts of the wind turbines down the freeway. Like we said, uneventful day.
Tomorrow, we're hoping for Elmira, NY!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
1000 miles and then some...
We made it to Minneapolis. Just over 1000 miles and 16 hours!
So, it was a very, very long day. Just an hour outside of Billings we came to a complete standstill on the freeway in a blizzard. We were going over a small pass, and all the trucks who had not chained up before attempting the hill - couldn't quite make it... It was a slow start to the day. We had snow off and on until midway through South Dakota. After that, the driving was clear. Coming north in Minnesota the wind from the west was strong and kept Ellie holding the wheel with both hands.
Ellie drove the lion's share again today - but Joanna upped the ante and drove 3 hours. At that it was hard to keep Ellie happy in the passenger seat when she wasn't asleep. She likes to drive. Joanna likes to be the passenger.
Will post pics in the morning. Tomorrow we have a shorter day - visiting brother John in Madison.
So, it was a very, very long day. Just an hour outside of Billings we came to a complete standstill on the freeway in a blizzard. We were going over a small pass, and all the trucks who had not chained up before attempting the hill - couldn't quite make it... It was a slow start to the day. We had snow off and on until midway through South Dakota. After that, the driving was clear. Coming north in Minnesota the wind from the west was strong and kept Ellie holding the wheel with both hands.
Ellie drove the lion's share again today - but Joanna upped the ante and drove 3 hours. At that it was hard to keep Ellie happy in the passenger seat when she wasn't asleep. She likes to drive. Joanna likes to be the passenger.
Will post pics in the morning. Tomorrow we have a shorter day - visiting brother John in Madison.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
840 Miles!
or so...
Started out a little nervous of course. Found snow at Snoqualmie pass. And in Idaho, and Montana. And also some hours in the lovely, sometimes glaring, sunlight.
We are listening to The Great Gatsby on CD. It's a great story and keeps our minds off how many hours and miles we are captors of this great adventure. Another great pastime has been sampling the food given to us by our friends, and salami, and cheese, and crackers. We found a natural food coop in Bozeman - some real food (Ellie loved her sweet potato quesadilla!) that gave us fortification for the last two hours.
Ellie was the amazing driver today - behind the wheel for 11.5 of the 13 hours! You see from the photo that she happily slept for the brief respite Joanna gave her.
Sooo happy to be in (a) bed now.
Tomorrow we're up at 5:00 - and on to the twin cities.
Started out a little nervous of course. Found snow at Snoqualmie pass. And in Idaho, and Montana. And also some hours in the lovely, sometimes glaring, sunlight.
We are listening to The Great Gatsby on CD. It's a great story and keeps our minds off how many hours and miles we are captors of this great adventure. Another great pastime has been sampling the food given to us by our friends, and salami, and cheese, and crackers. We found a natural food coop in Bozeman - some real food (Ellie loved her sweet potato quesadilla!) that gave us fortification for the last two hours.
Ellie was the amazing driver today - behind the wheel for 11.5 of the 13 hours! You see from the photo that she happily slept for the brief respite Joanna gave her.
Sooo happy to be in (a) bed now.
Tomorrow we're up at 5:00 - and on to the twin cities.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Billings and Beyond
So, the goal tomorrow is at least to Billings - and when we get there we'll decide if its North Dakota or South Dakota.
o.k. tomorrow is the big day
Ellie has the car all packed! Well, all except for a few boxes and our suitcases. Now Joanna is fluttering around the house pulling the last pieces together. And, yes, Ellie is also fluttering around.
We had a delicious and huge dinner at the neighbors' house. What a lovely send off. When we came home from dinner there was not one, but two care packages left on the front porch! Sarah Smith baked a zucchini bread and Amanda and Toni brought cookies. Its starting to feel really big now. O.k. I'll admit, I've been thinking about it but not really absorbing... oy!
We are thinking about trying to cross Lake Michigan on a ferry, so Ellie went online tonight to check out the options. Its almost $300. A little on the pricey side. So, at this point we're planning the next best thing and going around the bottom of the lake and heading up to Montreal - then down from there.
We had a delicious and huge dinner at the neighbors' house. What a lovely send off. When we came home from dinner there was not one, but two care packages left on the front porch! Sarah Smith baked a zucchini bread and Amanda and Toni brought cookies. Its starting to feel really big now. O.k. I'll admit, I've been thinking about it but not really absorbing... oy!
We are thinking about trying to cross Lake Michigan on a ferry, so Ellie went online tonight to check out the options. Its almost $300. A little on the pricey side. So, at this point we're planning the next best thing and going around the bottom of the lake and heading up to Montreal - then down from there.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The count Down Begins
Ellie arrived home today from her third place finish at the Head of the Charles - tired but happy. The energy in the house is now beginning to buzz with the preparations for the trip. She finished packing her clothes and now moves on to... all the other stuff.
Joanna shopped last night for road food. Contents of the shopping bag: 4 types of mixed nuts, 3 sweet and one savory, apples, 3 dips - cheese, tofu, and artichoke, chips, popcorn, carrots, celery, juice, water, and of course, some cookies.
The dog was hiding under the table - so we gave her a rawhide. She is happily chewing now.
Tomorrow - Ellie packs the car.
Joanna shopped last night for road food. Contents of the shopping bag: 4 types of mixed nuts, 3 sweet and one savory, apples, 3 dips - cheese, tofu, and artichoke, chips, popcorn, carrots, celery, juice, water, and of course, some cookies.
The dog was hiding under the table - so we gave her a rawhide. She is happily chewing now.
Tomorrow - Ellie packs the car.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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