| Blog series by Betsy | updated 385 days ago | 9 parts | 2816 reads | 57 comments total |
Part 1: Whitetail Deer
Since I seem to blog about every other woodworking thing I do, I figure I might as well do so with my “recovery projects.” Hopefully, it will help me see my progress in some concrete way. So today I spent my limited shop time setting up for a scroll saw project. I had to set up my Dremel tool in it’s drill press jig so I can drill my starter holes, picked out my blades and found a piece of stock. I’ve chosen a project from “North American Wildlife Patterns ...
Part 2: Beginning my scroll saw projects - getting started
So now I start working on my first recovery project. As you know, I selected a project that does not have a lot of cuts. I figure this will help me ease back into making sawdust. Scroll saw work requires the same eye to detail as other forms of woodworking. First is material preparation. As you can see from this picture, I’m using 3/4” stock, but this stock has some planner marks. Some would argue with me on this point, but even though you are going to be cutting away a lot ...
Part 3: Starting to cut
So tonight I used my 20 minutes of shop time getting the small cuts made. One thing I failed to mention in my first entry was in mounting the blade. Some of the blades are hard to tell which way is up and down. If you run your fingers up and down the blade—- your fingers will snag on the teeth – use that as a clue. The teeth go down. Another thing to keep in mind – is having a good light. I’ve got a lamp set up by my saw, but it’s not the best set up. IR...
Part 4: Back at it a little bit
Well – I’ve managed to get my first scroll saw project done. I’ve been off LJs for a while simply because I can’t be on the computer so much at home when I spend so much time on it at work. My neck just won’t tolerate the computer use. But that’s getting a bit better. I am now allowed to sit in a chair and move around a little bit without my neck brace and I’m allowed to sleep without it. So that’s all good. I can go about 2 hours before my neck...
Part 5: Thinking about Christmas gifts
Well despite getting better by the day, I’m quite sure I won’t be up to doing a lot of Christmas gifts this year. That’s a bummer as it means I may have to buy gifts—- YIKES!!!!! I prefer to make all my gifts. Anyway, I’m trying to think of fast easy things I can make that will still be appreciated. Have any of you made these trivets? http://www.newwoodworker.com/tstrivets.html They look pretty easy and fast. I’m also thinking that a smaller versi...
Part 6: Getting the tools ready again
OK so now I know I’m really on the mend. I’m planning, planning and planning some more! First thing I know I need to do since most of any major projects for a while will be hand tool stuff (with the exceptions of those trivets I want to try on the router table), I decided that I need to make sure my tools are sharp, clean and ready to work. With all that in mind – I’ve collected my sharpening things, my chisels and educational materials to prep myself to actually...
Part 7: Even a beater needs a little attention
Just puttering around with sharpening tonight. I found this old beater in a box while looking for something else. Thought I’d give it a little attention. I honestly don’t know what I was using this for that made it in such bad shape—- but, if nothing else, it proves I was at one time working on something! Five minutes working through 80 – 220 grit – got all (OK most) the crud off I prefer to use my waterstones for most of my sharpening &#...
Part 8: Have decided on Christmas gifts - finally
The good news is I actually spent a little time in the power tool shop this weekend. The bad news is that I apparently did not do the best job protecting my metal surfaces while I was recovering and I have some rust issues. Not bad rust, but still makes you sick to see it on your tools. The little bit of time I spent in the shop convinced me that I really am a long way from doing anything complicated or heavy in terms of lifting – so nothing with a lot of heavy clamps is in my nea...
Part 9: Napkin rings - a good start
I’m slowly getting back into making things. I spent some time this last week getting some lumber resawn and laminating them to make these rings. I still have to sand them down and ease the edges, but since I used a little mineral spirits to clean them up – I thought I’d show how I’m coming along. The napkin in this shot is just a paper towel as I could not find my cloth napkins. The close up shots you can see that I’ve got some sanding to do to clean th...
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