First, my apologies for not having pictures, but I’m having troubles with both my camera and my main computer.

Now I’m sure you are all familiar with the fancy hooks used to hang the chains for swag lamps. Well, using two of them, a suitable size piece of hardwood and some 1 1/2 inch leather strap, you can make a very nice display mount for a shotgun or rifle of any size.

Start with the hardwood. Cut to length sufficient to make a backer board a few inches longer than the gun and a couple of inches taller than the gun when the barrel is level. If you want, you can cut a pleasing shape to the board’s corners like a scallop or a miter. Rout the edges and apply finish of your choice. Glue felt to the back to protect the wall you will be mounting the display to and add hangers of your choice.

Now center the gun on the board with the barrel level with the top of the board. Mark a point an inch or so above the rear of the trigger guard and another point above the front of the forestock behind the curved portion that meets the barrel. Drill these points for the screw on the swag hook.

Punch a hole for the mounting screw of the swag hook 3/4 inch from one end of two 1 1/2 inch leather straps and round off the ends. Screw the hooks through the holes in the straps into the pilot holes. If the screw is too long for the thickness of wood you’re using, trim the length of the screw so it doesn’t go all the way through the wood. Now lay the gun on top of the leather straps and fold them over to cradle it where it looks best, then mark the straps for a hole to go over the hook. Punch a hole at this point (probably easiest if you remove the screws first) and punch another hole about 3/4 inch closer to the other end, then cut slits between these two holes at the loose end to make an elongated hole that will easily slip over the hook. Trim the loose ends of the straps. Re-install the hooks. Mount to the wall and hang your gun in the leather slings. Be sure the rear sling goes behind the trigger guard to keep the gun in position.

Stand back and admire the finished project, then do more for the rest of your arsenal. If you wish, make a wider board to hold two or more guns on a single display.

Hope this is clear enough to get the idea across and that some of you make one of these for your own favorite long guns. My first was for my great grandad’s Remington “rolling block” 20 guage goose gun. It really lets the beauty of the old gal show without outclassing it.

Paul

I wish each and every one of you a safe, happy and prosperous new year.

Paul

To our sister Scrollgirl, many thanks again for the lovely gifts and for your friendship this past year. May your saw never skip and may your painting be ever better (if that is possible)

To my brother DeGoose, your work has been an inspiration to me, as it has been to so many here. Thank you for being my friend and for sharing your wonderful workmanship and methods with us all. May the kangaroo of happiness keep bouncing in your shop, good buddy.

To brother Steveinmarin, keep them videos coming my friend. When I’m feeling like the whole world is against me, I watch one of your videos and it renews my faith in humanity. Your gentle soul reaches out from the screen to touch those of us in need and makes the day easier to bear. Than you my friend and brother in wood.

To Ms Debby, thanks for taking on the job of trying to organize this mad house. You have far more patience than I, dear. If I had to run this asylum, I’d send most of us to bed without our suppers. (or is that to supper without our beds?)

To the rest of my brothers and sisters here that haven’t been provided with special mention, you too are well loved by yours truly. I have always felt that someone who has some skill in a craft owes it to the craft to pass that knowledge and skill on to the next generation of craftspeople. In that vein, I have taught leather craft for more than 4 decades. Now that I have added wood to my selection of media to work in, I am grateful to the Lord that I am able to contribute in some small way to the atmosphere of sharing that is the hallmark of LumberJocks.

The happiest of holidays, be the one you celebrate be Christmas, Channuka or Quanza, to you one and all, and may the coming year be happy, healthy and prosperous for you all.

Paul
the “little guy” in Winnipeg

Thank you so much Sheila. As always, your workmanship is without equal! I’m sure LouAnn will love it as much as I do when she gets home from hospital.

Your brother LJ in Winnipeg,

Paul

Mrs Tiny is in hospital again with a complication of her diabetes. She had a foot infection this past summer that has returned with a vengeance. It has settled into her right big toe which has turned a dark purple and the doctors aren’t sure if it will have to be amputated or not. She will be hospitalized until Tuesday afternoon at the least, and we find out then what will happen.

I lost my left big toe at age ten to a power lawn mower. If she loses hers, it will be taking “togetherness” to the extreme.

Paul

The reason I’m so happy about more overcrowding in my little shop?

It was only forty bucks!

Pardon me, but I’ve been walking on air so much I’ve dusted the ceiling with my hair. :)

Paul

First, let me apologize for my protracted absence hereabouts. Health troubles, both my own and my wife’s, have left me little time for the web and my wood working family here at LJ.

Ms Debby has suggested to me that I do a class some time in the new year on doing that familiar symbol of Christmas (at least to opera fans), the “toy soldier” style nut cracker.

Now let’s get something straight right off the bat here. If I do take this on, it will be as much of a learning process for me as it will be for those following along. The project is, for the most part, a lathe job, and I haven’t touched a lathe since before many of you were born! It’s been almost half a century since I did any lathe work and that was back in junior high school.

I’d love to take on this challenge as I enjoy stretching myself and this would provide the incentive I’d need to go for it.

If we do this, I’ve been told there is a good chance we can hold a contest afterwards for nut crackers with the usual prize structure for LJ contests, Also, as with all classes here, certificates will be sent to all who complete the course.

So, what do you all think? Anyone else like to make one of these beautiful and useful items? Any of you willing to give me some leeway in doing something very new to me?

Let me know, and if there is enough interest, I’ll blow the dust off my lathe, get it up on its stand, and try to find my chisels.

Paul

I miss her almost as much as the cat does… (no pun there, the cat wanders the house looking for her and meowing almost continuously.)

Paul

A short while back, I posted a nasty blog about folks who try to abuse this place by using it to promote their own commercial interests. My feelings on that matter haven’t changed. One individual I singled out was Andydachippie, who posted about 18 “projects” in his first couple of hours here, each consisting of a single picture and a line or two of description, followed by his signature line that plugs his commercial web site.

Well, Andy has since contacted me with his wishes to be a better member here and seems to be “getting it” now.

I take little, if any, credit for the change. I’m sure it would have eventually gotten through to him, or else he would have left from lack of results from his ads. Thankfully, he seems to be going the former way rather than the latter. I say “thankfully” as I think he truly has a gift in model designing and building and can become a very valuable asset to the LJ site. I never said he didn’t have talent, I was just objecting to his methods here. Since those have changed, let me send him a resounding WELCOME

I look forward to seeing more of his magnificent model cars and really hope he finds the time to do a multi part “how to” blog on making them here.

We’ve spoken in private about the possibility of him doing a motorcycle model, and I have my fingers crossed that he does, and that it turns out as good as his car models have. If he does a step by step on an Indian Chief, I for one intend to try making one myself. It was my first bike back in the day.

As I’ve said before, I’m the first to bitch when I see something wrong, so it is only fair that the opposite also be true. In the spirit of that, let me say a heart ”WELCOME ABOARD” to our new brother LJ, Andydachippie. May he long be a contributor here, and may he get as much enjoyment out of his membership here as I have!

Paul

This commercial abuse of our hosts here makes me see red. These folks have zero interest in our community other than as a source of income.

The newest of these is one “andydachippy”, who joined Friday and promptly posted a dozen and a half “projects”, each an ad for one of his overpriced plans on his commercial web site within his first few hours here.

His was not the only such “member” I’ve noticed in the last few days, just the latest and most blatant.

I for one will, for decency’s sake if for no other, will never spend penny one with any of these abusers. I advise all my fellow LJs to do likewise.

Please understand, I am not advising such treatment for honest members of our community who do take part in our community and contribute to the richness of the LJ experience, just those whose sole interest in us is our wallets.

The soapbox is now vacant.

Cost? $5!

Not too bad, eh?

BAD PRACTICE!

I told all my clients to go over their receipts and check them against the bill every month.

Why?
Extreme example but true:

I had a client who took my advice and went over his bills. No receipts, but few enough entries that he could remember what each charge was for. All that us except one. It was a charge for about $50 and it was from a company he didn’t know. It wasn’t listed in his local phone book either. He spotted the same charge again the next month, so he called the credit card company. After some checking, it turned out this was the parent company of a health club/gym that he had joined on a month by month basis.

MORE THAN TEN YEARS PREVIOUSLY!

He had attended on and off for a few months, them just stopped going.

He’d been paying for a membership he wasn’t using for more than ten years at a cost of over $600 per year, for a total wasted of more than six thousand dollars!

Please people, keep your receipts and take the time to check them against your bill. If someone is making false purchases on your card and you don;t spot it for several months, you could be held responsible for anything more than the current month.

It takes only a couple of minutes and can save you a bundle.

After all, it’s your money!

Have a great day and a better tomorrow.

Paul

My hat is off to the lady. I salute her.

He and his brother wore uniforms, yet walked right past the tomb of the unknown soldier without so much as a pause.

For those not aware of it, the unknown soldier’s tomb is in the floor of the abbey, right in the center of the main aisle. It is the one place even the queen walks around out of respect. Military personell are required to halt and bow their heads in respect before continuing on into the abbey.

What would have it cost him to pay tribute to the unknown soldier and those millions of service people around the commonwealth the the unknown soldier represents? Nothing. What would it have gained him? The respect and admiration of all those who have worn the queen’s uniform.

It’s his wedding day, I understand that, but the abbey is not just s church. It is also the resting place of 17 previous monarchs of the realm as well as many outstanding brits and one special tomb dead center in it, that of the unknown soldier. He should have shared this joy with a man who gave his life that William and hisfamily might maintain their places in the royalty of the country.

That topic is timing. If you are like most people who take advantage of this program, you make your deposit at the end of the year. This is the worst time to do it! For one thing, this puts a rather large payment right at the worst time of the year, when the Christmas bills are coming in and the heating bills are hitting the ceiling. For another, it means you are losing an opportunity to put away more money than the maximum and do it legally!

How can we put away more than we’re allowed? Easy! If you put the deposit away at the beginning of the year, by the end of the year when everyone else is making their deposits, you have the same amount as they do, plus a year’s interest!

In Canada there is another method that is slightly off the beaten path, but still within the letter of the law. If you make less than the amount that would allow you to make the top legal deposit, you still make your deposit at the start of the year, but you put in the top allowable deposit, then withdraw the overpayment amount at the end of the year. This way, you have your full legal deposit, the year’s interest on it, plus the interest on the overpayment sitting in your plan. These days, this isn’t a big deal as interest rates are at an all time low, but that ain’t gonna last my brothers and sisters. Anyone remember the 80’s and 18% mortgage rates? I did one of these for a client back then and it made a difference of a couple of grand for a single year!

As with anything I set out here, this is generalized information only. Before making decissions, please consult your own financial adviser and check up to date local laws and statutes. It’s easy to make a mistake that could cost you.

Yes, timing is important, but even more important in saving for your retirement is to do it! You know how much you’ll have come your retirement if you just sit there and think about it?

Zip! So no matter when, open a plan according to your country’s laws and make a deposit! If you can’t afford to make the maximum allowed deposit, put in something! Compound interest can work wonders, but it needs something to work on.

Have a great today and a better tomorrow.

Paul

Start keeping track of the materials you use in a project and the time it takes to make them, now. Even better, break it down into sections, like planning phase, layout, cutting, jointing, assembly and finishing. This information will be priceless when it comes to estimating prices on projects for your clients.

Don’t forget to include such things as waste (if you take 6 feet out of an 8 foot board, you charge the client for the entire 8 feet) and such things as glue, nails, screws and so on. They add up.

Having this information to draw on could make the difference between making a profit on a job or losing money. Nobody wants the second to come along, so you gotta know this sort of thing.

Paul

I met brother LJ Poopiekat today. He dropped over with a donation for my shop, an old but very nice lathe stand so I can finally use my lathe. He even brought along some turning blanks so I could get some practice turning.
While here, he volunteered to help me pick up some plywood I got a deal on that will end up as shelves in a panty my significant other wants and some “flippy” tool bases for my planer, sander, band saw and scroll saw.
All in all a very enjoyable afternoon with a new friend I wouldn’t have met without LJ.
Thank you very much for the help brother Poopiekat! I really appreciate it! And thank you LJ for just being here for us all.

The new forum is called “Going Pro” and is aimed at those who wish to take the next step and turn their hobby of wood working into a business. We welcome all those interested in this topic to drop in and take part. If you’re a craftsman who has “been there, done that”, then come on over and give us your views on the subject. If you’re looking for helpful info on making the move to going pro, come on over and ask your questions. We’ll try to get them answered for you.

I’d love to see a lot of my LJ friends coming over to join in the discussions. These two sites mesh beautifully for the woodworking community.

Paul

This is a financial exercise to prove a point, mainly that you don’t know where a lot of your money goes.

Now for the details… If you decide to actually do this, no cheating please. You’ll only be cheating yourself

I want you to get a new pocket sized note book. In this book you are going to list every penny you spend over the next week. Every penny! List the date, time, amount and what it was spent on. The amounts should be in the right hand column and either in a different color ink or in bold or underlined so they stand out and won’t be missed.

At the end of the week, total up all the money, and then do a total of the purchases you didn’t absolutely need. Now figure that out as a percentage of the total. That last figure is the one that will raise a few eyebrows.

Now when I say “absolutely need”, I do not mean a cup of coffee because you were having a caffeine jag. I mean things you really need, either as a home expense or a business expense.

Nobody needs to post their results here. This is strictly between you and your conscience. I think the results will surprise many of you. I ran this exercise in a company head office once, for the senior members of the company, and the average amount that fell into the “miscellaneous” file was about 30%. In other words, about one third of all they spent went on things they didn’t need. Guess where the first place to look for extra money for something you want, like a new tool or some nice hardwood might be? You got it, first try! That unexplained drain on your wallet.

I know doing this is inconvenient. That’s why I use a week as the time period instead of a month which would be even better as the amounts are larger and have a bigger impact. Still, give it a try and see where you can cut out some little drains that add up over time, and redirect that money to a more constructive use.

Have a great today and a better tomorrow.

Paul

May the good Lord take a liking to you, but not too soon!

Paul