DocK16's Blog at LumberJocks.com

Woodworking Bench #3: Finishing andFastening the Ttop

DocK16 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:59:52 GMT

Work on the work bench continured this weekend but slowly. The top was originally glued up in 5 sections each being planed before all were glued together. A few pics of the process.

Yeah it’s real heavy top alone is close to 200 lbs and 40 board feet of lumber

Okay so here’s the kicker. When gluing up the 5 sections it is done face down on the assembly table. Unfortunately when I took the clamps off and flipped it over I big Boo Boo. I had not flipped over the one plank with the dog holes for the tail vise. You will see how the dog holes don’t line up with the others for the face vise. I was about ready to run it thru the band saw and retro fit the 3 tail vise sections but after thinking about an easier fix it came to me. Drill some 3/4 inch plugs and fill the goofs and drill some new holes. Now I just gotta find a 3/4 inch plug cutter.

I thought I was real careful when gluing up the sectons and expected the top to be dead flat; NOT. A quick check with a straight edge revealed a fair amount of planing will be needed before this top will be flat. Might be an excuse for a new jack plane and a video of the process.

Lastly the top will be applied with 4 threaded inserts into the underside of the top and bolts up thru the base.
Next: flattening the top and addding the vises. (still on order)

Woodworking Bench #2: Base finished

DocK16 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:22:26 GMT

I spent most of today (Saturday) working on my Woodsmith Workbench, and didin’t get very far. I was abe to finish the base and man isi it heavy. The stretchers lock in with wooden keys and even without the top the base is very sturdy.

It took two to lift ijust the base down from the assembly table

I alternated the cherry/maple wood on the lower shelf to match the top.

It may appear a little short in this picture but there are some spacers to be addded which will add a few inches to the height. I also shortent the table by 10 inches to save space. I hope that wasn’t a mistake.

Woodworking Bench #1: Maple and Cherry work bench

DocK16 — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:58:12 GMT

I have always used my assembly table as a work bench but after recently acquiring a truck load of hard maple from a local farmer the first thing I decided to build was a new woodworking bench. I’m using the plans from a recent issue of Woodsmith Magazine. The first picture is half the top, a mix of hard maple and cherry. the other half is standing in the background.

The base is also hard maple glued up from 4/4 stock

As it’s supposed to rain all weekend I hope to be able to post some finished pics by Sunday.

Bee Swarm

DocK16 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:24:39 GMT

Some of you know I am also a bee keeper in addition to woodworker and keep numerous hives around my shop. This past spring I had numerous swams where large amounts of bees leave the hive to start a new colony. I was able to record this phenomenon last month which is difficult as it lasts for only a few minutes till they disappear out of site unless they lite close by as in this case. I know this isn’t woodworking, I offer this video to those who have never witnessed this phenomenon of nature. Make sure your sound is turned up.

Entertainment Center #7: Finished (well almost)

DocK16 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:11:18 GMT

This is the last blog on my Media Center Project as taken from Woodsmith Magazine late last year (with a few changes) I’m still waiting on some back ordered hinges from Rockler. I wanted to get this into the house for the Super Bowl but I guess March Madness will do. Wifey not too hot on the spalted panels, but she may have to live with them. Final version turned out to be quite massive having to add to height and width to accomodate larger TV than original Woodsmith plans. Bring on the Madness, my recliner and I are ready.

Entertainment Center #6: "Finishing" Up

DocK16 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:03:40 GMT

I can see light at the end of the tunnel with this project but still have hardware and lighting to pick out before final assembly. It has been several weeks since my last blog but a cold snap and empty propane tanks makes for slow work. Plus propane is still going up in price not like gas. Throw in a computer crash (I’ve been gettin my LJ fix on the office computer) and it really slows down the blogging and comments. I was able to start the finish work this past weekend after several samples/tests to get the final look. I will save my finish process and critique for the final blog. Here are some progress pictures.

Entertainment Center #5: Seeing Double

DocK16 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:28:47 GMT

Haven’t posted any updates to this blog series due to home computer crash, so I’m borrowing my son’s laptop to post a few pics. I stated in my last blog I hoped to do something to the original plans to make this a unique piece. I’ve been saving a large piece of 8/4 spalted maple for something special and I think this is it. I was able to resaw it twice and get two bookmatched pieces for the doors and enough to finish the drawers. Other progress includes trim work assembly of the over head “bridge” piece. Still working on the crown molding and other smaller trim pieces.

Here is the spalted maple after 2 resaws.

Spated panels applied to doors and drawers

A closer view of the panels and doors.

Glue up of stacked molding including crown molding.

Case work dry fitted with bridge installed.

Original plans from Woodsmith.

Entertainment Center #4: Twin Towers

DocK16 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:12:21 GMT

Casework is complete ending construction of major componets, twin towers on either side of the center console are starting to show the final form. The center piece will be fitted between the top of the towers forming a connecting bridge. Still a long way to go with most of the trim, all the finish work, hardware, glass, doors and panels remaining. I have been thinking of ways to make this piece a little unique and I hope to have a few suprises before it’s all done. Thanks for following along.

Entertainment Center #3: Drawers and Doors

DocK16 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:42:48 GMT

Progress is slow but I just have to keep telling myself how big this project is. My original plan was to finish this in time to put the new TV in it for the Super Bowl (GO STEELERS) but I doubt seriously if that is going to happen. Rushing things usually results in do overs. I spent this past weekend milling maple down to 5/8” for the 4 drawers. They also had to be edge glued since they are 8 inches deep. The plans call for the same joinery used on the case work (tongue and dado) but I decided a little practice with the Leigh jig was in order since I have only used it a few times since I picked it up last summer.

And the glue up.

And the final product.

Entertainment Center #2: More case work and cut list

DocK16 — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:24:36 GMT

Work on the entertainment center is pushing ahead slowly. Even with a few days off work finding shop time is difficult with holidays and company. I spent most of the last weekend milling lumber and widdling away at the cut list which consist of over 250 pieces not counting the hardware and lighting. Anyway I offer this pictoral progress.

Here is the about 80% of the cut list stacked on my portable cart. Still have some large sheet goods to cut for sides, top center section, and all the backs.

Forge ahead. Oh yeah in case you didn’t see the 1st blog here is the what the finished product will look like.