JuniorJoiner's Blog at LumberJocks.com http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:55:21 GMT Bread box #3: Sorry for the wait http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/9794 I apologize to everyone for the delay on finishing this project. I was sidelined for a few weeks doing a stint in rehab. The veterans affairs people thought it was necessary because of my daily morphine use. So off I went… Not many woodworkers to chat with in rehab.

Anyway, Here is the finished project, I had to rush to get this done, so a few minor design changes were made to save time. overall, it was a fun project and a learning experience , as i did a few things differently than i normally would.

As you can see in this picture, the stain does still allow the joinery to be seen. it would have been a shame to cover up the through dovetails and wedged threw tenons.
the finish is red mahogany stain on the western maple, with a jacobean stain applied over top to give it the darkness and depth (also to try and match the kitchen it’s made for). then a few coats of shellac rubbed out.
the inside is unfinished.

The back is a raised panel made from a single pine board. this was a compromise from what i had originally intended, but it did save some time. and now I know a different technique to make a raised panel with hand tools.

Inside the drawer, I added a kerfed block of birds eye to hold knives, since this is a gift, I’m giving the henkels bread knife as part of the gift. I’m hoping if this project dosen’t get much use as a bread box, it will at least be decent kitchen storage.

overall, I’m happy with the outcome of this project. Though mistakes were made in my haste. the door hinge was not intended to be visible, but because i changed the hinge type mid build, it was. That change led to different knobs, and not using hinge stays. which i would not do again.

The project gets delivered in the morning, before I get on a plane for a three week vacation with my son. So I will be concentrating on salmon fishing and bear hunting, but i may sneak in a bit of woodworking if i can.

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:55:21 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/9794 JuniorJoiner JuniorJoiner Bread box #2: making door and drawer front http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/8863 I have been away from my shop quite a bit lately. and when i finally did stagger home, I wasted a few days with an inner ear infection/hangover.lol.
so now, i’m short on time to get this project out of my shop, as i have a fishing trip coming up(15 hour flight to go teach my 9 year old the finer points of catching Atlantic salmon for 3 weeks).

My original intention had been to carve a wheat sheaf into a plain panel for the door. when i did, I didn’t like anything about it, and when i stained it dark, the carving all but disappeared anyway.
So, the new plan is to use highly figured wood, and not stain it dark like the rest of the box.
this is what i selected.

inside the panel

The drawer front i will try and keep the same as the original plan. with just a profile on matching wood, added to the drawer frame.

so, my next step will be to shellac the figured maple panel before i start staining everything else. then fit hinges and drawer front.
once the headache stops.

]]> Fri, 22 May 2009 03:30:00 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/8863 JuniorJoiner JuniorJoiner Bread box #1: carcass and drawer http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/8664 This is the project i am working on, A Bread box which was a special request from a friends eldest daughter for her wedding gift.The wood is western maple, mostly heartwood.
The project is going to receive a very dark stain to match their kitchen, so the hand cut joinery will be obscured when the project is complete.




The through tenons are wedged with black walnut wedges.

The drawer is quarter sawn Alaskan yellow cedar, tiny dovetails only 3/8ths of an inch at their widest.
the drawer bottom is attached with drawer slips (again 3/8ths wide).

The drawer front will be a solid piece attached to the drawer body, and a frame and panel main door, upward opening, attached with knife hinges.
hopefully i will get that completed soon and get the pictures up.

]]> Thu, 07 May 2009 02:02:23 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/8664 JuniorJoiner JuniorJoiner Lathe Questions http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/7520 I hate to ask such an open ended question, But here it is.

I have never turned before, but it is about time i started. i want to add turned parts to my furniture soon, so i had better get practicing.
No one like to spend money twice, so i want top quality and versatility.
I asked my local master, and he suggested(told me to get) a oneway lathe.
My thoughts have me leaning towards the sherline machinist lathe for it’s size as i start, and hopefully it will still be useful as i become more proficient.
the only other lathe i have seriously looked at is the hegner. But i really don’t want to lose the shop space to a larger lathe until I have more experience with turning.

I would like to hear comments from anyone who has used any of these machines, or suggestions of other top quality machines to consider.

Thanks

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:41:45 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/7520 JuniorJoiner JuniorJoiner Quality hand tools before their gone? http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/7041 I recieved the latest Lee Valley catalog/supplemental today in the mail. I’m afraid it may just be the harbinger of doom.
This supplemental was expected just for the new planes and dovetail saw.(opinions on those are not what i want to discuss)
the scary part of is was the 25% of this digest is white pages of price changes for their regular catalog.
I know this is one of many signs of the times, and prices are adjusting everywhere, but i’m afraid this is beginning of the end of another golden age of toolmaking.
the last few years have seen quality hand tool makers growing all over the world. not just lee valley, but Lie-Nielsen, bridge city, ray and ashley iles, blue spruce, titemark, and many others.
I personally have taken the opportunity to replace most of my older used tools, retiring many tools that deserved it. the reason i had used tools, is that no was making quality new ones.
my worry is that those days will come again soon.
will the economy push us all to accept sub standard furniture and tools again? will these custom toolmakers weather the storm, or should i buy the last of the remaining tools i would like to replace now before they close their doors?

Does anyone else share this concern or am i the only one?

]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:01:44 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/JuniorJoiner/blog/7041 JuniorJoiner JuniorJoiner