LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner
163K views 435 replies 59 participants last post by  PhilBello 
#1 ·
UK to Colombia, the ups and the downs.

I retired from the UK Police in 2006 after 30 years, and I think I only survived that period of time, because of my love of woodwork, I class myself as a late starter, I used to tinker with bits and pieces, but it wasn't until I was 21 and my first Father-in-law who was a Chippy, gave me lessons and a few tools, that I decided that woodwork was definitely the hobby for me.

In July 2006 I left the Police, and immediately moved to Spain, where I had had property for a number of years, I was fortunate enough to have a large and well fitted out workshop:

Wood Building Floor Tire Flooring


Table Wood Shelving Flooring Machine


My first marriage ended at the age of 28yrs, and my second soon after I moved to Spain, after 22 years, because my then wife decided that family came first, and at the last minute, had a change of heart, four years later we went our separate ways, with no hard feelings, but as a result I spent more and more time doing what I loved, and that was woodwork.

I had kept photos of all my projects, but being a bit naive, only backed up some, and when my computer blew up, I lost a majority of my portfolio, but I still have the memories! Those photos I did have were in thumbnail mode, so I won't try to put them on here, but I turned my hand to most things, bits of furniture, children's toys, decorations, garden structures, and enjoyed every minute of it. Here are just a few:

Musical instrument String instrument String instrument Wood Guitar accessory


Chair Rectangle Wood Gas Tints and shades


Rectangle Urban design Font Grass Scale model


I was very lucky that Spain was so close to the UK, I made two trips with car and trailer and emptied my workshop of everything I didn't already have over there. I had the best excuse ever for spending all my time in the workshop during summers, it was nice and cool, and too hot to be outside.

I did a lot of scroll-saw work:

Snowflake Christmas ornament Art Ornament Embellishment


Font Holiday ornament Symbol Event Christmas ornament


Wood Dishware Art Serveware Creative arts


As well as making Planters and pyrography.

Outdoor bench Road surface Outdoor furniture Wood Street furniture


A Porch for my first storey back door

Sky Window Building Wood Fixture


Sky Wood Shade Composite material Tints and shades


I even got roped in by Eduardo a local musician to make an Electric Guitar, I hasten to add, I was only responsible for the woodwork!

Tradesman Electrician Pneumatic tool Artisan Wood


Musical instrument Guitar accessory String instrument accessory String instrument Guitar


I was glad when this eventually came to an end, Eduardo spent his time taking photos from every angle, and I was ready to throw it out of the door! (the camera that is!)

I also helped out if anyone needed any furniture repairs, or some woodwork done on the cheap, it kept me occupied, and I enjoyed it, it certainly wasn't for the money… there wasn't any, except maybe for materials!

In late 2011, I decided that living alone, was not the life for me, and started looking for a soulmate, she found me, but lived in Colombia.

This lead to difficult decisions, I was a retired with no ties, and no children, she had a good job, and was close to her family, so it was a decision made for me, I couldn't afford to ship more than a few clothes and sentimental items, so everything had to be sold, including my whole workshop, and it went for pennies!

I arrived in Colombia on a permanent basis in January 2012,( having previously visited) we were married six weeks later, and moved 'temporarily' into a first floor apartment, only we are still there, because there was a problem with the paperwork on my house in Spain, as there often is there, hopefully the sale goes through later this month.

I have persevered without much to do with woodwork, since moving here, with the exception of a bit of scroll-saw work, and filled my time, making lists of properties to view, as time progressed, those lists changed as properties were sold, and I was becoming depressed. I had been buying tools as and when I could afford them, but I was just storing them still in their boxes, until I became a YouTube addict, and I follow a number of excellent Carpenters on there, one in particular inspired me to get off my backside, and do something about it, and that was Izzy Swan…Thanks Izzy!.

I decided that first floor or not, I had put up with screaming kids, rowing Adults, horrendous music etc. for nearly two years from my neighbours, that I would turn our storeroom into a 'micro-workshop', and by that I mean small! because all the boxes from Spain, as well as what we have accumulated, had to stay there. With a bit of reorganisation, I had half the room, so built a 5' x 2' workbench.

Table Picture frame Computer desk Wood Floor


I then didn't have any excuse, I decided I would fill my time making jigs and home made tools, ready for when I eventually had a full sized workshop again, so that was that.

My first project was to make a temporary table saw, using my workmate, scrollsaw, and a half sheet of plywood, after a couple of hiccups, it is now installed and earning it's keep.

Furniture Table Wood Desk Tool


Then it was time to start making something, I could use in the future, so the first project was one of Izzy's a Hold-down Toggle Clamp

Wood Table Saw Art Machine


From that I moved on to C-Clamps made from Plumbing fittings, not strictly woodwork I know, but something I am always in need of, and for this I followed Cosmas Bauer on YouTube for this. I have finished all except the handles.

Wood Tool Gas Rectangle Automotive exterior


I am going to cheat, and buy a replacement spade shaft, cut it into sections, drill it, and attach with epoxy, since my saw blade can only be used at 90Âş at the moment, this is the easier option.

That just about brings me up to date with my efforts, I will add to the Blog as I progress, and hopefully before long, move to a workshop, I can again work in, although I know I will never be able to afford to replace everything I sold off, however I have no regrets.
 

Attachments

See less See more
34
#77 ·
Kiosko phase 1

Last night the timber finally arrived



As soon as I can get, or make the broken part for my table saw I will be underway, I have a lead on that locally, so may have some idea later today, in the mean time, I need to sort out the timbers and number them, so I know what is for where, otherwise I know I will end up cutting the wrong piece!

Some of the timber posts are for another project, I will probably complete first to give me more room on the kiosko, and that is to erect posts and planking for some privacy fencing in the garden, it is one thing with Colombians, where Gringos are concerned, they are very nosey!
 

Attachments

#78 ·
Kiosko phase 1

Last night the timber finally arrived

Shelf Wood Shelving Hardwood Publication


As soon as I can get, or make the broken part for my table saw I will be underway, I have a lead on that locally, so may have some idea later today, in the mean time, I need to sort out the timbers and number them, so I know what is for where, otherwise I know I will end up cutting the wrong piece!

Some of the timber posts are for another project, I will probably complete first to give me more room on the kiosko, and that is to erect posts and planking for some privacy fencing in the garden, it is one thing with Colombians, where Gringos are concerned, they are very nosey!
Best of Luck in this Phil.

Looks like you have the timber in a safe place. Have fun makin shavins!
 

Attachments

#80 ·
Slow start

I thought I had built up enough tools to complete most tasks, as I said in my last post, I am starting, by erecting fencing, to make more room in the workshop to work on the Kiosko roof, I have been brought to a grinding halt by the lack of a 5/8" drill bit, I have a masonry one, but also need one for wood.

However some of the cutting got underway, I used my sliding compound mitre saw to cut the posts, but I haven't got a mitre station, so what do I do, to be honest I haven't even got the space for one, even with collapsing sides, in the workshop, my post are 4m long, so even with a mitre station I would be struggling.

I do most of my big work, on the parking area, which is flat concrete, and conveniently, outside the workshop, so the obvious solution was to improvise:

Tire Wheel Motor vehicle Car Hood


Two blocks of mahogany with a strip of ply on top, brought the blocks to the exact height of the mitre saw, problem solved, bring on the 6m posts!!! long or short I can cut away to my hearts content, and two wooden blocks take up far less storage space than a mitre station, and cheaper to.

It looks like tomorrow will have to be a trip to Homecenter!
 

Attachments

#81 ·
Slow start

I thought I had built up enough tools to complete most tasks, as I said in my last post, I am starting, by erecting fencing, to make more room in the workshop to work on the Kiosko roof, I have been brought to a grinding halt by the lack of a 5/8" drill bit, I have a masonry one, but also need one for wood.

However some of the cutting got underway, I used my sliding compound mitre saw to cut the posts, but I haven't got a mitre station, so what do I do, to be honest I haven't even got the space for one, even with collapsing sides, in the workshop, my post are 4m long, so even with a mitre station I would be struggling.

I do most of my big work, on the parking area, which is flat concrete, and conveniently, outside the workshop, so the obvious solution was to improvise:

Tire Wheel Motor vehicle Car Hood


Two blocks of mahogany with a strip of ply on top, brought the blocks to the exact height of the mitre saw, problem solved, bring on the 6m posts!!! long or short I can cut away to my hearts content, and two wooden blocks take up far less storage space than a mitre station, and cheaper to.

It looks like tomorrow will have to be a trip to Homecenter!
Phil,

It's a new place, a new house, and you haven't built up your spare stuff. I might suggest you make some hinged saw horses. My dad made some that were simple. Made with 3/4 stock and screwed together and strap hinges and chains for hardware. They collapsed and could be placed one inside the other and mounted on a wall. I purchased the metal collapsible ones eons ago and they have been my outdoor workbenches for construction, hand planning and of course sanding.

If it's not too expensive you might want to buy a set of spade bits???? LOL!

The Japanese woodworker of old would find a place under a treee and set up shop. And look what they could do.

Have fun at the Boxstore!
 

Attachments

#84 ·
Main Project on hold!

It appears that our beloved President Santos has given us duff information, a couple of months ago, we were warned to expect El Niño, nine months of dry arrid weather, the last week has seen the return of the rainy season, and that is not just the odd shower, so I think our second winter of the year has arrived, which is not what I need at the moment.

Unless the weather breaks and we have a decent spell, I am going to have to put the kiosko roof replacement on hold, I haven't got sufficient space in the workshop to do all the work inside. :(

However this does mean that the other projects will all get done. I have finished constructing all the privacy screen fencing around the property.

Wood Shade Plant Hardwood Leisure

This is just one section, I have used mahogany for the posts and pine construction lumber for the rails.

The problem in Colombia, is that they don't sell the metal post bases, so I had to have them fabricated, which makes them comparatively expensive! they rather dig a hole and concrete the post in.

I am in the process of erecting a post and rail fence on the exterior staircase landing, both to make it safer when coming down from upstairs, and to stop the dog taking shortcuts across the flower border!

I have got to replace the wooden supports from the balcony, holding up the roof. When the second floor was built, for some reason the Builder used second hand scrap wood as the supports, I have bought a couple of second hand acrow-props to support the roof whilst I remove the old timber and insert the new, it is just getting around to doing it.

I have also promised to build a new bed and some other furniture, but what do I do with all the 4m timbers lined up down the middle of the workshop in the mean time, I did look at a pulley system and put them up high, but there are too many, it would be too much for the roof. I will probably have to totally reorganise the workshop to accomodate them, unless we get a break in the weather!
 

Attachments

#85 ·
Main Project on hold!

It appears that our beloved President Santos has given us duff information, a couple of months ago, we were warned to expect El Niño, nine months of dry arrid weather, the last week has seen the return of the rainy season, and that is not just the odd shower, so I think our second winter of the year has arrived, which is not what I need at the moment.

Unless the weather breaks and we have a decent spell, I am going to have to put the kiosko roof replacement on hold, I haven't got sufficient space in the workshop to do all the work inside. :(

However this does mean that the other projects will all get done. I have finished constructing all the privacy screen fencing around the property.

Wood Shade Plant Hardwood Leisure

This is just one section, I have used mahogany for the posts and pine construction lumber for the rails.

The problem in Colombia, is that they don't sell the metal post bases, so I had to have them fabricated, which makes them comparatively expensive! they rather dig a hole and concrete the post in.

I am in the process of erecting a post and rail fence on the exterior staircase landing, both to make it safer when coming down from upstairs, and to stop the dog taking shortcuts across the flower border!

I have got to replace the wooden supports from the balcony, holding up the roof. When the second floor was built, for some reason the Builder used second hand scrap wood as the supports, I have bought a couple of second hand acrow-props to support the roof whilst I remove the old timber and insert the new, it is just getting around to doing it.

I have also promised to build a new bed and some other furniture, but what do I do with all the 4m timbers lined up down the middle of the workshop in the mean time, I did look at a pulley system and put them up high, but there are too many, it would be too much for the roof. I will probably have to totally reorganise the workshop to accomodate them, unless we get a break in the weather!
Paul,

I'm guessing you will eventually adjust to the weather? LOL! And to the way things may or may not get done.

Minnesota is also expecting rain for the next week. ( The grass has been shutting down it's been dry here. )I'd rather rain than snow. Listening to a weather scientist yesterday was enlightening. Extreme ranges in temperature from 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit to 120 degrees above last year. Icebergs on the northern lakes with pieces of them still floating in in August?

I have to look at the steps I achieve rather than the whole project. It helps me to be more energized. You're doing well. Looks good!
 

Attachments

#88 ·
Project or Blog?

I debated where to put this, then decided to stick with my Blog!

I had a makeshift lumber rack made out of an old prison bunk-bed frame, it did it's job, but it took up too much space, then last week I watched Jay Bates from Jays Custom Creations, construct a simple lumber rack made from 2Ă—4s and metal conduit on YouTube, and that spurred me on to build a new rack.

I hitched up the trailer and went off to Homecenter, bought a stack of 2Ă—4s and some other timber for other projects, also I bought lengths of 3/4" EMTconduit at the equivalent of $5 for 3m.

Back home, I marked out the wall for the wooden uprights
Property Wood Floor Flooring Gas


Then cut the 2Ă—4s to 1.6m lengths, I am a bit restricted by the height of the roof, and I wanted to have the space underneath for storing other items.
Wood Table Plank Wood stain Hardwood


I now had to keep working whether I wanted to or not, my garage floor was a tip
Wood Floor Flooring Shelf Hardwood


I could hardly move about to get my tools.

To drill the holes for the conduit at an angle, Jay uses a pillar drill table he constructed that tilts, I have nothing like that, I just used a block of scrap wood, it seems to have worked.
Wood Floor Wood stain Hardwood Tool


Putting the uprights on the wall was a pain, I could have done with another pair of hands, but you can overcome anything if you think about it
Wood Flooring Floor Building Material property


My original intention was to put up six uprights, and give good support for 3m lengths, then I thought I was wasting space, because, it is not often I have 3m lengths in store, they come in and get cut, it is just that I have all the mahogany for the kiosko, once that goes, I wont need the storage. so I have reduced it to support 2.5m, and for now I will keep turning the longer timbers. The five uprights are fixed using panel fixers, I have never had the dubious pleasure of stud walls, both the house and workshop are constructed out of block, which has it's own disadvantages, because they are hollow.

I managed to get the uprights fixed
Wood Fixture Paint Gas Wood stain


Then I thought I was on the final straight, cut the Conduit, and it would be done, I cut the first length and went to install them…too big!! I couldn't believe it, out came the tape measure, despite the labels stuck on the tubes stating 3/4" they were in fact 7/8". What was I to do, I couldn't enlarge the holes, because the fasteners were at the bottom of each, I had no option, it was back to Homecenter, which is about 25 minutes away.

At Homecenter, they accepted that the pipes were wrongly labelled, in fact they knew about the problem, and agreed to exchange, but initially said they wouldn't change the one I had cut, but on seeing the steam coming from my ears, they changed their tune, and I came away with 1/2" conduit at $3 each, which in fact is 3/4" !!!

Back home, I just wanted to get the project finished, so I cut the conduit, and then filled it with timber, the only difference between mine and Jay's is the bottom row, only has 8" pipes, to take trim.

Wood Shelf Hardwood Shelving Flooring


I was somewhat apprehensive about the overall weight, with most of it being mahogany, but 24hrs later it is still attached to the wall.

As a result, I now have more floor space, and more lumber storage, so I have won all round, thanks Jay!
 

Attachments

#89 ·
Project or Blog?

I debated where to put this, then decided to stick with my Blog!

I had a makeshift lumber rack made out of an old prison bunk-bed frame, it did it's job, but it took up too much space, then last week I watched Jay Bates from Jays Custom Creations, construct a simple lumber rack made from 2Ă—4s and metal conduit on YouTube, and that spurred me on to build a new rack.

I hitched up the trailer and went off to Homecenter, bought a stack of 2Ă—4s and some other timber for other projects, also I bought lengths of 3/4" EMTconduit at the equivalent of $5 for 3m.

Back home, I marked out the wall for the wooden uprights
Property Wood Floor Flooring Gas


Then cut the 2Ă—4s to 1.6m lengths, I am a bit restricted by the height of the roof, and I wanted to have the space underneath for storing other items.
Wood Table Plank Wood stain Hardwood


I now had to keep working whether I wanted to or not, my garage floor was a tip
Wood Floor Flooring Shelf Hardwood


I could hardly move about to get my tools.

To drill the holes for the conduit at an angle, Jay uses a pillar drill table he constructed that tilts, I have nothing like that, I just used a block of scrap wood, it seems to have worked.
Wood Floor Wood stain Hardwood Tool


Putting the uprights on the wall was a pain, I could have done with another pair of hands, but you can overcome anything if you think about it
Wood Flooring Floor Building Material property


My original intention was to put up six uprights, and give good support for 3m lengths, then I thought I was wasting space, because, it is not often I have 3m lengths in store, they come in and get cut, it is just that I have all the mahogany for the kiosko, once that goes, I wont need the storage. so I have reduced it to support 2.5m, and for now I will keep turning the longer timbers. The five uprights are fixed using panel fixers, I have never had the dubious pleasure of stud walls, both the house and workshop are constructed out of block, which has it's own disadvantages, because they are hollow.

I managed to get the uprights fixed
Wood Fixture Paint Gas Wood stain


Then I thought I was on the final straight, cut the Conduit, and it would be done, I cut the first length and went to install them…too big!! I couldn't believe it, out came the tape measure, despite the labels stuck on the tubes stating 3/4" they were in fact 7/8". What was I to do, I couldn't enlarge the holes, because the fasteners were at the bottom of each, I had no option, it was back to Homecenter, which is about 25 minutes away.

At Homecenter, they accepted that the pipes were wrongly labelled, in fact they knew about the problem, and agreed to exchange, but initially said they wouldn't change the one I had cut, but on seeing the steam coming from my ears, they changed their tune, and I came away with 1/2" conduit at $3 each, which in fact is 3/4" !!!

Back home, I just wanted to get the project finished, so I cut the conduit, and then filled it with timber, the only difference between mine and Jay's is the bottom row, only has 8" pipes, to take trim.

Wood Shelf Hardwood Shelving Flooring


I was somewhat apprehensive about the overall weight, with most of it being mahogany, but 24hrs later it is still attached to the wall.

As a result, I now have more floor space, and more lumber storage, so I have won all round, thanks Jay!
Phil. "Once that goes I won't need the storage." Where have I heard that before? Necessity is the mother of invention. You're going to be one inventive guy! LOL! Good luck.
 

Attachments

#100 ·
Pipe Clamps!

Our second winter of the year is definitely here, just as warm, but plenty of storms! So the Kiosk roof is on hold now, probably until November, when we are back to summer again.

In the mean time, all woodwork came to a halt a little over a week ago, with the arrival of a new family member, a four legged one, we wanted a companion for our schnauzer, so took on a rescue dog, that had been abused, the first three days we thought it was the biggest mistake we had made, he is only a small collie cross, but he made life hell for our other dog, and we thought he would have to go back, but then the light switch came on, and fortunately now they are bosom buddies, and I have been able to get back to some woodwork.

I have been spending my time making jigs, my wall is now plastered with them, and they are all getting used. As I have mentioned before, I have been looking for pipe clamps, but those here in Colombia are ridiculously expensive, and I cannot even warrant importing just the parts and buying the pipes here due to cost, then yesterday I came upon what seemed an easy way to make my own Pipe Clamps in Pinterest from an article in Popular Science June 1960;

Line Font Parallel Rectangle Cylinder


OK it says to make the wooden parts from 4" timber, but I have 3"X3" mahogany, and thought I could adapt the design to use that. I also had some EMT conduit left over from building my new lumber racks a couple of weeks ago, enough to make one 3' and one 4' clamp, I only had to go out and buy the eyebolts.

So I started with this:
Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Tile flooring


Then cut out the parts, for two clamps there are only six!
Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Hardwood


Drilled the pipes at 1" invervals, this was the hardest part, I ended up drawing a line down the pipe, then using a punch, first before drilling, even then the alignment is not perfect.
Automotive lighting Wood Saw Gas Automotive tire


I then drilled the wooden ends to accept the pipe, and the handle;
Wood Rectangle Hardwood Wood stain Composite material


The next job was to thread the wood to adjust the eye bolt / handle
Automotive tire Wood Bumper Automotive exterior Gas


but true to form, the eye bolts are not 3/8" as purchased, they are a little under, so I ended up insetting a nut with expoxy
Shoe Wood Wood stain Line Hardwood


The adjustment is done using a nail, which slots through the timber into the pipe, simple but effective.
Watch Wood Rectangle Gas Clock


So now I have two, that appear to work, and when I get some more pipe, I will be making a couple more.
Wood Rectangle Wood stain Bench Outdoor bench
 

Attachments

#101 ·
Pipe Clamps!

Our second winter of the year is definitely here, just as warm, but plenty of storms! So the Kiosk roof is on hold now, probably until November, when we are back to summer again.

In the mean time, all woodwork came to a halt a little over a week ago, with the arrival of a new family member, a four legged one, we wanted a companion for our schnauzer, so took on a rescue dog, that had been abused, the first three days we thought it was the biggest mistake we had made, he is only a small collie cross, but he made life hell for our other dog, and we thought he would have to go back, but then the light switch came on, and fortunately now they are bosom buddies, and I have been able to get back to some woodwork.

I have been spending my time making jigs, my wall is now plastered with them, and they are all getting used. As I have mentioned before, I have been looking for pipe clamps, but those here in Colombia are ridiculously expensive, and I cannot even warrant importing just the parts and buying the pipes here due to cost, then yesterday I came upon what seemed an easy way to make my own Pipe Clamps in Pinterest from an article in Popular Science June 1960;

Line Font Parallel Rectangle Cylinder


OK it says to make the wooden parts from 4" timber, but I have 3"X3" mahogany, and thought I could adapt the design to use that. I also had some EMT conduit left over from building my new lumber racks a couple of weeks ago, enough to make one 3' and one 4' clamp, I only had to go out and buy the eyebolts.

So I started with this:
Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Tile flooring


Then cut out the parts, for two clamps there are only six!
Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Hardwood


Drilled the pipes at 1" invervals, this was the hardest part, I ended up drawing a line down the pipe, then using a punch, first before drilling, even then the alignment is not perfect.
Automotive lighting Wood Saw Gas Automotive tire


I then drilled the wooden ends to accept the pipe, and the handle;


The next job was to thread the wood to adjust the eye bolt / handle
Automotive tire Wood Bumper Automotive exterior Gas


but true to form, the eye bolts are not 3/8" as purchased, they are a little under, so I ended up insetting a nut with expoxy
Shoe Wood Wood stain Line Hardwood


The adjustment is done using a nail, which slots through the timber into the pipe, simple but effective.
Watch Wood Rectangle Gas Clock


So now I have two, that appear to work, and when I get some more pipe, I will be making a couple more.
Wood Rectangle Wood stain Bench Outdoor bench
Nice clamps.
 

Attachments

#108 ·
Carport

I recently decided that I would retire gracefully from motorcycling, I bought a new bike in March and have only done 500km due in part to the weather, and probably more importantly due to the horrendous standard of driving in Colombia, there isn't a day when I am out in the car that I don't pass at least two accidents involving motorcycles.

So the bike is being sold, and I have purchased a 1982 Suzuki SJ, which I am more than happy with, but it came with it's own problems, the main one being how to keep it from becoming a mobile swimming pool, with all the storms we are having.

I made the decision that it was time for a carport on the parking area, big enough to take our two cars, however again I was restricted by finance, and that lead to an interesting design.

To limit the number of roofing panels needed, using corregated UPVC I needed to slope the roof in two directions simultaneously, firstly it had to slope front to back, to protect the vehicles from both rain and the sun, and then it had to slope from left to right, so I could put the corregated sheeting length-ways to allow the water to run off, and use less sheets than if fitted the conventional way.

The answer to this, was firstly to cut, the back or lower posts to 1.9m, and the front or higher posts to 2.3m, I then shortened one of each pair by 10cm. I then attached the roof beams (4cm x 12cm) to the posts (9.5cm x 9.5cm) with 3/8" threaded rod, at 4.5m, allowing a slight overhang on either side, which as you will see shortly had to be disguarded.

The overall depth of the carport is 4m, but to allow for an overhang front and back the posts are set at 3.4m, the width to allow for the two cars was calculated at 4.75m, with the posts being set at the previously stated 4.5m. I attached the posts to the parking area using metal post bases with 3/8" expanding bolts, which like in previous projects I had to have the bases fabricated, because they are not sold over here.

I then slotted the 4m rafters (4cm x 9.5cm) and placed them between the roof beams, fortunately I did not nail these on immediately, I usede my japanese saw and a chisel to cut the slots, the saw was like a knife going through butter in the mahogany, definitely one of my better purchases. I also fitted corner braces to the posts to make it more rigid, with it being freestanding.

I then headed off with the trailer to buy the roofing sheets, I was told that they were 70cm x 255cm so I bought twelve and headed home, where I decided to dry fit a few before fixing them in place, and this was when I found that the sheets were not as advertised, but were 70cm x 245cm, and this made a big difference, I needed to remedy this without having to buy another six sheets, and the only way was to get rid of the overhang on each side, which left the sheets with only a 10cm overlap in the middle, which is not ideal considering there is only a fall of 10cm over a 4.75m distance, but…

The roof fitted, all the timber which I had painted with waterproofer before construction, then had to be stained, which fortunately I completed before a tropical storm came along to test it, and the overlap seems to be OK, the water ran off as it should, and now the SJ is protected from the elements, and the only time I will need an umbrella is if I am out on the roads when the rain comes :)

Building Wood Architecture Shade Roof
 

Attachments

#109 ·
Carport

I recently decided that I would retire gracefully from motorcycling, I bought a new bike in March and have only done 500km due in part to the weather, and probably more importantly due to the horrendous standard of driving in Colombia, there isn't a day when I am out in the car that I don't pass at least two accidents involving motorcycles.

So the bike is being sold, and I have purchased a 1982 Suzuki SJ, which I am more than happy with, but it came with it's own problems, the main one being how to keep it from becoming a mobile swimming pool, with all the storms we are having.

I made the decision that it was time for a carport on the parking area, big enough to take our two cars, however again I was restricted by finance, and that lead to an interesting design.

To limit the number of roofing panels needed, using corregated UPVC I needed to slope the roof in two directions simultaneously, firstly it had to slope front to back, to protect the vehicles from both rain and the sun, and then it had to slope from left to right, so I could put the corregated sheeting length-ways to allow the water to run off, and use less sheets than if fitted the conventional way.

The answer to this, was firstly to cut, the back or lower posts to 1.9m, and the front or higher posts to 2.3m, I then shortened one of each pair by 10cm. I then attached the roof beams (4cm x 12cm) to the posts (9.5cm x 9.5cm) with 3/8" threaded rod, at 4.5m, allowing a slight overhang on either side, which as you will see shortly had to be disguarded.

The overall depth of the carport is 4m, but to allow for an overhang front and back the posts are set at 3.4m, the width to allow for the two cars was calculated at 4.75m, with the posts being set at the previously stated 4.5m. I attached the posts to the parking area using metal post bases with 3/8" expanding bolts, which like in previous projects I had to have the bases fabricated, because they are not sold over here.

I then slotted the 4m rafters (4cm x 9.5cm) and placed them between the roof beams, fortunately I did not nail these on immediately, I usede my japanese saw and a chisel to cut the slots, the saw was like a knife going through butter in the mahogany, definitely one of my better purchases. I also fitted corner braces to the posts to make it more rigid, with it being freestanding.

I then headed off with the trailer to buy the roofing sheets, I was told that they were 70cm x 255cm so I bought twelve and headed home, where I decided to dry fit a few before fixing them in place, and this was when I found that the sheets were not as advertised, but were 70cm x 245cm, and this made a big difference, I needed to remedy this without having to buy another six sheets, and the only way was to get rid of the overhang on each side, which left the sheets with only a 10cm overlap in the middle, which is not ideal considering there is only a fall of 10cm over a 4.75m distance, but…

The roof fitted, all the timber which I had painted with waterproofer before construction, then had to be stained, which fortunately I completed before a tropical storm came along to test it, and the overlap seems to be OK, the water ran off as it should, and now the SJ is protected from the elements, and the only time I will need an umbrella is if I am out on the roads when the rain comes :)

Building Wood Architecture Shade Roof
Phil,

Not laughing at your misery, laughing with you in your misery. LOL! It's easy to visualize and plan but…Murphy usually shows up? I'm amazed when he does not and things go smoothly as planned.

Isn't there a roof of sorts for the car?

I bought material for a 12 ft by 12 ft awning to extend from my shop. We now need a permit for any build. Use to be if it cost over a thousand dollars. Bought some 5/8ths 4Ă—8 ft sheets which I am too woosie to lift up onto rafters. AndI don't have enough to hire help even at minimum wage. Fortunately or unfortunately my walnut tree has gone for any light it can get and is now extending its canopy over the parking area.

The material is waiting under some plastic drop cloths.. Winter is coming, and I'm getting older and woosier.

Hey you got warmth and rain I get freezing 40 below Fahrenheit and snow. And no canopy for my vehicles yet.

Thanks for posting. Looks good!
 

Attachments

#113 ·
Tip of the Day!!!

The weather seems to have gone from bad to worse, at least the cars have stayed dry! So the only work I have been doing is reclaiming some mahogany timbers that were left in the garden by the previous owner, to rot, and after cleaning them up, they turned out to be well seasoned usable timber, which only needed a few nail holes filling, after which I have used them both for making window sills and shelving. All of which I have left natural, and used my home made beeswax polish to bring out both the colour and the grain.

Filling the nail holes took some time due to the number, but those who have read my previous posts, will know, I only seem to work with pine or mahogany, and I learned a tip years ago, which I have always followed, and that is when you are sanding wood, make sure to collect some of the fine sawdust (thank goodness for orange marmalade jars!);
Food Drinkware Drink Wood Ingredient


Then when you need to fill a hole, mix some sawdust with glue and fill the hole, once sanded, it just looks like nothing more than a blemish, just remember to refill the jar next time you are sanding!
 

Attachments

#114 ·
Tip of the Day!!!

The weather seems to have gone from bad to worse, at least the cars have stayed dry! So the only work I have been doing is reclaiming some mahogany timbers that were left in the garden by the previous owner, to rot, and after cleaning them up, they turned out to be well seasoned usable timber, which only needed a few nail holes filling, after which I have used them both for making window sills and shelving. All of which I have left natural, and used my home made beeswax polish to bring out both the colour and the grain.

Filling the nail holes took some time due to the number, but those who have read my previous posts, will know, I only seem to work with pine or mahogany, and I learned a tip years ago, which I have always followed, and that is when you are sanding wood, make sure to collect some of the fine sawdust (thank goodness for orange marmalade jars!);
Food Drinkware Drink Wood Ingredient


Then when you need to fill a hole, mix some sawdust with glue and fill the hole, once sanded, it just looks like nothing more than a blemish, just remember to refill the jar next time you are sanding!
Phil,

Might add that the saw dust particals should be very fine. I used some granual type pine. turned out badly. LOL! Now I remember to get fine dust if possible.

Good that you saved a tree.
 

Attachments

#117 ·
Recycling

This last week or two, my time has been severely curtailed, whilst supporting my Wife who is starting up a new business, but without some form of woodwork, I would go nuts, therefore I have been using up some of the reclaimed mahogany, I collected from around the garden when we moved in, it had been disguarded like firewood, an absolute waste…well it was, until I came along! I denailed it, stripped the paint off and put it into store, now it has come out, and some has been used to make dining room shelving, using a keyhole bit to rout the backs for the screws. It has all just been beeswaxed, no stain, just natural.

Today I finished the mirror to complete the set, I could stand all day just waxing hardwood, there is something very therapeutic about the process, I think I will have to put a piece at the end of my bench, and when I feel stressed, just go and do some waxing ha! ha!

Property Building Furniture Wood Table
 

Attachments

#118 ·
Recycling

This last week or two, my time has been severely curtailed, whilst supporting my Wife who is starting up a new business, but without some form of woodwork, I would go nuts, therefore I have been using up some of the reclaimed mahogany, I collected from around the garden when we moved in, it had been disguarded like firewood, an absolute waste…well it was, until I came along! I denailed it, stripped the paint off and put it into store, now it has come out, and some has been used to make dining room shelving, using a keyhole bit to rout the backs for the screws. It has all just been beeswaxed, no stain, just natural.

Today I finished the mirror to complete the set, I could stand all day just waxing hardwood, there is something very therapeutic about the process, I think I will have to put a piece at the end of my bench, and when I feel stressed, just go and do some waxing ha! ha!

Property Building Furniture Wood Table
Phil,

Happy Halloween! When you use the wood it's not hoarding….LOL!
 

Attachments

#125 ·
Time to think about Christmas!

Christmas, a time we all feel the strain on the wallet, but I'm sure there are plenty of us who can ease the strain, just a little.

This year I decided to make a Height Growth Chart for my six year old nephew, something new to Colombians, they have never thought to keep track of their childs growth in this way, I know my own mother just stood us against the kitchen door frame and placed a mark there, but I wanted to do something different, and having seen one on YouTube in feet and inches, decided that with a bit more work, because here they use centimeters, this was what I would do.

One 2.3m plank of pine, an oribital sander, combination square, pencil, pyrography kit, and some patience, the one problem for me was stencils, because although they have basic block number stencils, they don't have much variety here in Colombia, so I did a bit of research and came up with the answer, for which I needed, and had, a laser printer (it won't work with an inkjet) print out the mirror image of anything you want on wood, sand the wood smooth, and then using a clothes iron on it's hottest setting, rub the nose of the iron over all the lines and it transfers to the wood.

That done, I just had to burn all the lines and numbers into the wood, to personalise it, I added his name, a days work, with a few distractions, now I have just got to stain it, nothing more, so that it can easily be written on.

Ruler Tool Wood Office ruler Rectangle
 

Attachments

#126 ·
Time to think about Christmas!

Christmas, a time we all feel the strain on the wallet, but I'm sure there are plenty of us who can ease the strain, just a little.

This year I decided to make a Height Growth Chart for my six year old nephew, something new to Colombians, they have never thought to keep track of their childs growth in this way, I know my own mother just stood us against the kitchen door frame and placed a mark there, but I wanted to do something different, and having seen one on YouTube in feet and inches, decided that with a bit more work, because here they use centimeters, this was what I would do.

One 2.3m plank of pine, an oribital sander, combination square, pencil, pyrography kit, and some patience, the one problem for me was stencils, because although they have basic block number stencils, they don't have much variety here in Colombia, so I did a bit of research and came up with the answer, for which I needed, and had, a laser printer (it won't work with an inkjet) print out the mirror image of anything you want on wood, sand the wood smooth, and then using a clothes iron on it's hottest setting, rub the nose of the iron over all the lines and it transfers to the wood.

That done, I just had to burn all the lines and numbers into the wood, to personalise it, I added his name, a days work, with a few distractions, now I have just got to stain it, nothing more, so that it can easily be written on.

Ruler Tool Wood Office ruler Rectangle
Phil,

Also got to have a neat handwriting? LOL! Saw a couple of these rulers in inches posted on YouTube.
 

Attachments

#128 ·
Christmas Present to myself!

I decided that it was time to make something for me, and what better than a new Workbench, I have been making do, with the bench I made when living in an apartment, and had a micro workshop in a spare bedroom, now it was time for a man size bench.

Wood Wood stain Floor Flooring Plank


The pile of mahogany to the left of the saw horse leg is my bench (that on the right is still the Kiosko / Gazebo roof!) this arrived on the 19th.

I then sorted the timber and cut the parts

Brown Wood Fixture Brick Wood stain


The planks on the left are the top at 2.5m, the longer planks will be cut down to be the bottom shelf, but I wasn't doing that until the bench was built, I learned the hard way!

I then planed all the timber but I had a problem…

Outdoor bench Outdoor furniture Wood Wood stain Outdoor table


The timber was saturated, not with water, but preservative, my intention was to bolt the table together rather than traditional joints, and for this I had to drills holes in all the rails using my pillar drill with a forstner bit

Gas Flooring Wood Machine Chair


but it kept clogging, and I was forced to adjust the belt so the drill was going at full speed, preservative was flying in every direction.

Eventually I managed to get all the holes drilled, the holes through the legs and horizontally in the rails from the end to the bolt hole, I had to drill freehand, it took two hands to stop the drill being ripped out of my hands.

However I was lucky… definitely lucky it wasn't skill, but all the holes lined up

Table Wood Automotive design Floor Flooring


This is a close up of the joint, I used 3/4" threaded rod

Wood Sewing Creative arts Material property Hardwood


Yesterday, I got the top on, I had to do this in situ, because by now the bench was too heavy for me to move more than a few inches.

Today I fitted the bottom shelf, then planed the top using a No.6, which was no fun in 35°C

Table Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain


Gave it all a good sanding, cleared up and with a smile, said "Happy Christmas Phil!" :)

Property Wood Interior design Building Floor


Job done…

Even though summer has now come here, I can't start on the kiosko roof, because my Wife has covered it in Christmas decorations, I touch it, I'm dead.
 

Attachments

#129 ·
Christmas Present to myself!

I decided that it was time to make something for me, and what better than a new Workbench, I have been making do, with the bench I made when living in an apartment, and had a micro workshop in a spare bedroom, now it was time for a man size bench.

Wood Wood stain Floor Flooring Plank


The pile of mahogany to the left of the saw horse leg is my bench (that on the right is still the Kiosko / Gazebo roof!) this arrived on the 19th.

I then sorted the timber and cut the parts

Brown Wood Fixture Brick Wood stain


The planks on the left are the top at 2.5m, the longer planks will be cut down to be the bottom shelf, but I wasn't doing that until the bench was built, I learned the hard way!

I then planed all the timber but I had a problem…

Outdoor bench Outdoor furniture Wood Wood stain Outdoor table


The timber was saturated, not with water, but preservative, my intention was to bolt the table together rather than traditional joints, and for this I had to drills holes in all the rails using my pillar drill with a forstner bit

Gas Flooring Wood Machine Chair


but it kept clogging, and I was forced to adjust the belt so the drill was going at full speed, preservative was flying in every direction.

Eventually I managed to get all the holes drilled, the holes through the legs and horizontally in the rails from the end to the bolt hole, I had to drill freehand, it took two hands to stop the drill being ripped out of my hands.

However I was lucky… definitely lucky it wasn't skill, but all the holes lined up

Table Wood Automotive design Floor Flooring


This is a close up of the joint, I used 3/4" threaded rod

Wood Sewing Creative arts Material property Hardwood


Yesterday, I got the top on, I had to do this in situ, because by now the bench was too heavy for me to move more than a few inches.

Today I fitted the bottom shelf, then planed the top using a No.6, which was no fun in 35°C

Table Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain


Gave it all a good sanding, cleared up and with a smile, said "Happy Christmas Phil!" :)

Property Wood Interior design Building Floor


Job done…

Even though summer has now come here, I can't start on the kiosko roof, because my Wife has covered it in Christmas decorations, I touch it, I'm dead.
Happy Christmas Phil!

Nice bench!
 

Attachments

#134 ·
My Gazebo Project is well underway!

Two weeks ago, I finally got underway with the Gazebo / Kiosko, the three month wait for summer to arrive was over, my Father-in-law had come to stay for Christmas and New Year to give me a hand.

First we had to demolish the old gazebo, being careful to leave the corner posts standing

Sky Building Water Wood Shade


We managed it, But Henry enjoyed himself a bit too much, and had to be reined in, which is easier to do, when he is only one year older than me!

Sky Shade Plant Window Houseplant


But we ran into a major snag, one of the posts was rotten in the top half, it was not insurmountable but it brought work to a halt, and the Father in Law went home.

I decided that the easy option was to cut off the post in good timber, and have a metal collar made, and insert a new timber, but I could not get the same size, so the old was 14cm x 8cm, and the new 12cm x 8cm. I had to have the collar fabricated in three parts, the collar for the bottom post, a plate to be welded between top and bottom, and the top collar. But here in Colombia Fabricators do not weld, so one it was made, I collected it and took it to a local Welder, who is doing quite well out of my business!

Building Tree Plant Sky Wood


Now I was back in business, albeit having to work alone, which humping the big supporting beams up was no joke, but with a bit of ingenuity, ropes and my platform ladder, I managed to get in place and bolted securely.
but before raising the cross beams, I mortice and tenoned the riser into the beam, and put a bolt through the joint to make sure it was going nowhere.

Cloud Sky Property Building Architecture


Then came the ridge beam, which sat in a slot cut in the riser, and bolted, followed by the rafters.

Plant Property Wood Botany Shade


Yesterday, I received delivery of the T&G pine boards which will be the first layer of the roof, and I spent the afternoon and all today, painting them, first with Immunizante to stop insect attacks, then stained one side which will be seen from inside the gazebo, the top side covered in roofing felt.

hopefully by the end of next week the roof will be watertight, well…as watertight as any gazebo is going to be!
 

Attachments

#135 ·
My Gazebo Project is well underway!

Two weeks ago, I finally got underway with the Gazebo / Kiosko, the three month wait for summer to arrive was over, my Father-in-law had come to stay for Christmas and New Year to give me a hand.

First we had to demolish the old gazebo, being careful to leave the corner posts standing

Sky Building Water Wood Shade


We managed it, But Henry enjoyed himself a bit too much, and had to be reined in, which is easier to do, when he is only one year older than me!

Sky Shade Plant Window Houseplant


But we ran into a major snag, one of the posts was rotten in the top half, it was not insurmountable but it brought work to a halt, and the Father in Law went home.

I decided that the easy option was to cut off the post in good timber, and have a metal collar made, and insert a new timber, but I could not get the same size, so the old was 14cm x 8cm, and the new 12cm x 8cm. I had to have the collar fabricated in three parts, the collar for the bottom post, a plate to be welded between top and bottom, and the top collar. But here in Colombia Fabricators do not weld, so one it was made, I collected it and took it to a local Welder, who is doing quite well out of my business!

Building Tree Plant Sky Wood


Now I was back in business, albeit having to work alone, which humping the big supporting beams up was no joke, but with a bit of ingenuity, ropes and my platform ladder, I managed to get in place and bolted securely.
but before raising the cross beams, I mortice and tenoned the riser into the beam, and put a bolt through the joint to make sure it was going nowhere.

Cloud Sky Property Building Architecture


Then came the ridge beam, which sat in a slot cut in the riser, and bolted, followed by the rafters.

Plant Property Wood Botany Shade


Yesterday, I received delivery of the T&G pine boards which will be the first layer of the roof, and I spent the afternoon and all today, painting them, first with Immunizante to stop insect attacks, then stained one side which will be seen from inside the gazebo, the top side covered in roofing felt.

hopefully by the end of next week the roof will be watertight, well…as watertight as any gazebo is going to be!
Phil.

I was just wondering what you were up to? Looking good! Great to have help. When they listen, and work with you! makes it a bit of a social event?
 

Attachments

#137 ·
Nearly there!

The Gazebo is nearly finished, the first layer of roofing was T&G pine 1/4" thick planks, which I nailed with my air nail gun.

Property Shade Sky Wood Building


That wasn't so bad, as I could do most of the work from a ladder, after which I fitted the barge boards. Then I had to felt it, and this took some time, because I had to do it when the sun was in, as soon as the sun comes out the tar melts and seals the felt to whatever it is in contact with. I battened the roof as I felted it, to avoid having to crawl around and damage the felt. It was bad enough being up there in the first place…I hate heights, and was crawling around like a baby, I just hope none of the neighbours had their camera out!

Wood Shade Tree Plant Urban design


I used a straight plank as a guide, to nail the battens to the rafters, lining it up on the nails in the pine, this was 95% accurate, but there were seven misses in total, because one nail may have been to the right of a rafter, the next to the left, so when lined up, the next was a miss, but on the whole it worked.

I had one error, which only showed itself two days ago, the pine planking was 2m long, so the join was on the centre rafter, unfortunately on one side I somehow missed nailing the top two to the centre rafter, and they banana'd good style, and started to lift, I had no option but to go back up on the roof and fire some more nails through the felt. I will cut a piece of T&G and fit it over the gap.

Rectangle Wood Flooring Floor Plank


Light Wood Beam Lighting Shade


I finished the wiring yesterday, so we now have power and light again

Wood Building Architecture Floor Wood stain


Now I just have to install some shelving, buy and fit the roof panels, but that is not urgent as the roof is watertight, we had a tropical storm last night to test that, and it was as dry as a bone this morning. Then there is just some cosmetic work to be done.
 

Attachments

#138 ·
Nearly there!

The Gazebo is nearly finished, the first layer of roofing was T&G pine 1/4" thick planks, which I nailed with my air nail gun.

Property Shade Sky Wood Building


That wasn't so bad, as I could do most of the work from a ladder, after which I fitted the barge boards. Then I had to felt it, and this took some time, because I had to do it when the sun was in, as soon as the sun comes out the tar melts and seals the felt to whatever it is in contact with. I battened the roof as I felted it, to avoid having to crawl around and damage the felt. It was bad enough being up there in the first place…I hate heights, and was crawling around like a baby, I just hope none of the neighbours had their camera out!

Wood Shade Tree Plant Urban design


I used a straight plank as a guide, to nail the battens to the rafters, lining it up on the nails in the pine, this was 95% accurate, but there were seven misses in total, because one nail may have been to the right of a rafter, the next to the left, so when lined up, the next was a miss, but on the whole it worked.

I had one error, which only showed itself two days ago, the pine planking was 2m long, so the join was on the centre rafter, unfortunately on one side I somehow missed nailing the top two to the centre rafter, and they banana'd good style, and started to lift, I had no option but to go back up on the roof and fire some more nails through the felt. I will cut a piece of T&G and fit it over the gap.

Rectangle Wood Flooring Floor Plank


Light Wood Beam Lighting Shade


I finished the wiring yesterday, so we now have power and light again

Wood Building Architecture Floor Wood stain


Now I just have to install some shelving, buy and fit the roof panels, but that is not urgent as the roof is watertight, we had a tropical storm last night to test that, and it was as dry as a bone this morning. Then there is just some cosmetic work to be done.
Phil,

Looking Good! The pitch suggests you really have gravity holding you to the roof. My wife has similar problem. Found it out when she was going to "Help" me re roof a similar pitch and height from the ground.

If you are working alone and need some security, get a coil of rope that you can secure to the ground on the opposite side of the roof you will be shingling. It will be both a physical and psychological saftey net?

You must be really close to the equator. That's to hot for this glow in the dark pale skin.

Client load is up. more work days, and more money.

Later,

Tom
 

Attachments

#143 ·
Brads are stronger than you think

When fitting the pine T&G planking, I made sure that all the T&G was properly inserted, before using my nail gun with 1" brads. OK, I had the problem of the two planks imitating a banana, but that was my fault, however last night I noticed that a number of the planks are trying to twist, and come apart from the T&G, but the brads are holding.

Some people tend to think that brads are more for tacking wood together whilst glue dries, but this has proved that there is some strength in those thin little wires.

I am really disappointed in the quality of the timber, it obviously isn't just this batch, I have the same problem in the house, where are the upstairs rooms are roofed in the same way, I had thought it was down to bad workmanship, but I have had to revise my thinking on that one, I think it is probably the Colombian way of using just 1/4" planking that is the problem, there is not enough strength in the timber to stop the movement, especially in the heat.

This is something I am going to have to live with, I can't do anything to change it, I wish in a way I had gone with my second choice of using plywood sheets, or as they call it here triplex, but I guess in time that to, would have started to degrade.

Is there an answer? I'm not sure, but I didn't find it, and will just have to live with the roof of the gazebo moving in every direction at will. However so far I am very pleased with the performance of the brads!
 
#144 ·
Phil,

I've had 2Ă—4's sit outside and adjust. Had one that bowed so bad it looked like a bow! Treated fast grown pine is the worst. Turns into spaghetti! In Hawaii the common plywood was mahogany!

Is there a stable home grown wood down there?

Off the top of my head….insulation and tiles ?
 
#146 ·
Gazebo finished!

After an early walk with the dogs, and fed them, it was 6.30am, it was just light enough to see, so I got cracking, I couldn't believe it by 7.30am I was just fitting the second sheet, and the sun came out! I made a decision to keep going, and hope that any damage to the bitumen felt was minimal.

I was sweating like a trooper, both through fear of being up there, and the heat of the sun, I just kept going until it was done, no major damage was done to the bitumen felt, the only snag I had, was that for these roof sheets, they want you to use wires to fix them, they come attached to a plastic top, which you feed through a drilled hole in the roof and you then tie them down to a nail, I think these are horrible, and visually displeasing, so I bought the Unduline screw fixers, the problem with that is that the stainless steel screws supplied were too long for these sheets, so I changed them all for drywall screws.

Once the roof was finished, I put up the guttering, whilst up the ladder it looked great, I had a good run on the gutter to get the water to the drain, but once down, I realised, there is probably too big a drop, and at the lower end, the water is probably going to miss the gutter completely, not a major problem, I will raise the whole stretch, and it should be fine, I just need to buy some 3" bends to connect it to the old drain pipe, I have the adapter, so it won't be a problem.

So that's it, other than a bit of cosmetic work, the job is completed.

My next project, I think will be our new bed, but I'm taking a bit of time out first, finish a few smaller projects, and I have some rendering to do on the house, so it will probably be a few weeks, before I get started on that.

Property Building Shade Wood Urban design


Cloud Sky Shade Outdoor furniture Wood


Property Building Shade Wood Window
 

Attachments

#147 ·
Gazebo finished!

After an early walk with the dogs, and fed them, it was 6.30am, it was just light enough to see, so I got cracking, I couldn't believe it by 7.30am I was just fitting the second sheet, and the sun came out! I made a decision to keep going, and hope that any damage to the bitumen felt was minimal.

I was sweating like a trooper, both through fear of being up there, and the heat of the sun, I just kept going until it was done, no major damage was done to the bitumen felt, the only snag I had, was that for these roof sheets, they want you to use wires to fix them, they come attached to a plastic top, which you feed through a drilled hole in the roof and you then tie them down to a nail, I think these are horrible, and visually displeasing, so I bought the Unduline screw fixers, the problem with that is that the stainless steel screws supplied were too long for these sheets, so I changed them all for drywall screws.

Once the roof was finished, I put up the guttering, whilst up the ladder it looked great, I had a good run on the gutter to get the water to the drain, but once down, I realised, there is probably too big a drop, and at the lower end, the water is probably going to miss the gutter completely, not a major problem, I will raise the whole stretch, and it should be fine, I just need to buy some 3" bends to connect it to the old drain pipe, I have the adapter, so it won't be a problem.

So that's it, other than a bit of cosmetic work, the job is completed.

My next project, I think will be our new bed, but I'm taking a bit of time out first, finish a few smaller projects, and I have some rendering to do on the house, so it will probably be a few weeks, before I get started on that.

Property Building Shade Wood Urban design


Cloud Sky Shade Outdoor furniture Wood


Property Building Shade Wood Window
Phil,

Congratulations. Next outdoor project you should tackle in your pre rainy season?
 

Attachments

#149 ·
Time for an upgrade

I think I have said previously that my second hand Craftsman (315 28462) has been a problem I could not adjust it sufficiently to get a perfect or near perfect 90° cut, and I now have a couple of projects coming up where I want to be able to make decent cuts, without then having to plane or adjust the timber after cutting.

So today was spent searching for a new table saw, it seems that I only had one choice (unless I went for another 'table top' type), although there were two options, the first being a Colombian made saw, of various sizes they are classed as industrial, cast iron, and no way you could move it with less than four people, also it only cuts at 90°, the only adjustment is up or down! The second option, was another Craftsman, Model 21833, certainly not a new model, although it is classed as that here, it has some decent reviews, and in my price range this was the maximum I could go to. The Shop Staff, obviously hadn't got a clue, they tried to say that it is 4HP, when in fact it is only 1 3/4HP, but from the reviews, it appears up to any work I will throw at it, time will tell.

Table Automotive exterior Wheel Gas Machine


(Stock Image)

What price you ask, well lets say that in the US it sells for $600, but here it is more, $800?...Nope! $950?...Nope! $1200?...Nope! Give up? well, here it is the equivalent of $1450 including importation duties etc. So you can see that I was somewhat stuck, yet another disadvantage of living here, it sort of wiped out the savings I have been making on other things, hopefully I will get a little bit back when I sell the old one.

Anyway, having looked it over, I got 2% discount because it was a demonstration model, but the bonus is that it is already put together for me, so that has to be worth a bit more, I have signed on the dotted line, and return, Saturday morning with the trailer to collect it.
 

Attachments

#150 ·
Time for an upgrade

I think I have said previously that my second hand Craftsman (315 28462) has been a problem I could not adjust it sufficiently to get a perfect or near perfect 90° cut, and I now have a couple of projects coming up where I want to be able to make decent cuts, without then having to plane or adjust the timber after cutting.

So today was spent searching for a new table saw, it seems that I only had one choice (unless I went for another 'table top' type), although there were two options, the first being a Colombian made saw, of various sizes they are classed as industrial, cast iron, and no way you could move it with less than four people, also it only cuts at 90°, the only adjustment is up or down! The second option, was another Craftsman, Model 21833, certainly not a new model, although it is classed as that here, it has some decent reviews, and in my price range this was the maximum I could go to. The Shop Staff, obviously hadn't got a clue, they tried to say that it is 4HP, when in fact it is only 1 3/4HP, but from the reviews, it appears up to any work I will throw at it, time will tell.



(Stock Image)

What price you ask, well lets say that in the US it sells for $600, but here it is more, $800?...Nope! $950?...Nope! $1200?...Nope! Give up? well, here it is the equivalent of $1450 including importation duties etc. So you can see that I was somewhat stuck, yet another disadvantage of living here, it sort of wiped out the savings I have been making on other things, hopefully I will get a little bit back when I sell the old one.

Anyway, having looked it over, I got 2% discount because it was a demonstration model, but the bonus is that it is already put together for me, so that has to be worth a bit more, I have signed on the dotted line, and return, Saturday morning with the trailer to collect it.
The benefit of living in a warm place Phil? I have a friend living in Costa Rica with the same cost issues. Good luck with your new hybrid saw.
 

Attachments

#155 ·
Table saw Accessories

You buy a new table saw, and think…Great, can't wait to get going, then you realise it isn't quite that simple!

The first job was to do something about the pathetic mitre gauge that came with the Craftsman 21883, it was smaller than the one on my old Craftsman table top version. I wanted a mitre gauge I could use to the left or right of the blade, without having to dismantle it, or have two to interchange, the answer was to make a sliding fence.

The existing gauge has built in bolt/screw slots for an additional fence, why they don't just provide a bigger one I have no idea. So I took a piece of scrap ply cut a slot in it, then routed over the slot to accommodate the carriage bolt heads.

Wood Floor Gas Composite material Flooring


That done and the bolts fitted, I faced it with some 2mm ply I had left over from another project. This covers the bolt heads and slot.

Wood Automotive exterior Gas Hardwood Machine


Now I have a mitre gauge that is worth using.

The next item lacking on the saw, is any outfeed support, my old one had a bar that extended out on two rods, but this…nothing. Being Colombia, forget going out and just buying a roller or ball rollers to make a decent outfeed support, they just don't have them, and importing wasn't an option.

Therefore it was a case of reverting to the old ways, and to be honest, there is nothing wrong with castors, they just aren't the in thing!

So off I went and bought a dozen 2" castors, I wanted to make two, so I had options, a wide outfeed, an infeed and outfeed, or two outfeeds in tandem for extra long pieces. They were to be made to saddle my saw horses.

The table saw is 95cm high, the saw horses 76cm, so there had to be some adjustment, and this I did by having a piece of 3/4" ply on either side of the horse, with a piece in the middle which sit on the saw horse

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Flooring


I then fitted a piece of 4" x 2" in the top and attached the castors

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Plywood


and it works fine in all forms, because it is a snug fit on the saw horse, there is no requirement to clamp it in position, which is an asset.

Next, was the cross-cut sled, I hadn't given this a thought, went to get my existing one of the wall of jigs, and then realised it wouldn't fit, but I could still use the front and back fence off the old one, they are two pieces of 3/4" ply laminated together, the base overall is 30" x 20" again 3/4" ply and the track rails are mahogany.

Automotive exterior Wood Flooring Gas Bumper


The base I have waxed, using my beeswax and mineral oil mixture, it slides easily in the tracks now.

Finally to date, a Mitre sled, I didn't have one of these previously, relying on my sliding compound mitre saw, but doing more and more mitre joints, I thought whilst making jigs etc, I would add this to the list.

Again the base is 3/4" ply, the mitre fences and the track rails are mahogany, and the back hand rail is 4" x 2" pine, to keep my fingers well away from the action, again the bottom has been waxed.

Wood Flooring Floor Automotive exterior Gas


Next up, a router planing jig!
 

Attachments

#156 ·
Table saw Accessories

You buy a new table saw, and think…Great, can't wait to get going, then you realise it isn't quite that simple!

The first job was to do something about the pathetic mitre gauge that came with the Craftsman 21883, it was smaller than the one on my old Craftsman table top version. I wanted a mitre gauge I could use to the left or right of the blade, without having to dismantle it, or have two to interchange, the answer was to make a sliding fence.

The existing gauge has built in bolt/screw slots for an additional fence, why they don't just provide a bigger one I have no idea. So I took a piece of scrap ply cut a slot in it, then routed over the slot to accommodate the carriage bolt heads.

Wood Floor Gas Composite material Flooring


That done and the bolts fitted, I faced it with some 2mm ply I had left over from another project. This covers the bolt heads and slot.

Wood Automotive exterior Gas Hardwood Machine


Now I have a mitre gauge that is worth using.

The next item lacking on the saw, is any outfeed support, my old one had a bar that extended out on two rods, but this…nothing. Being Colombia, forget going out and just buying a roller or ball rollers to make a decent outfeed support, they just don't have them, and importing wasn't an option.

Therefore it was a case of reverting to the old ways, and to be honest, there is nothing wrong with castors, they just aren't the in thing!

So off I went and bought a dozen 2" castors, I wanted to make two, so I had options, a wide outfeed, an infeed and outfeed, or two outfeeds in tandem for extra long pieces. They were to be made to saddle my saw horses.

The table saw is 95cm high, the saw horses 76cm, so there had to be some adjustment, and this I did by having a piece of 3/4" ply on either side of the horse, with a piece in the middle which sit on the saw horse

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Flooring


I then fitted a piece of 4" x 2" in the top and attached the castors

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Plywood


and it works fine in all forms, because it is a snug fit on the saw horse, there is no requirement to clamp it in position, which is an asset.

Next, was the cross-cut sled, I hadn't given this a thought, went to get my existing one of the wall of jigs, and then realised it wouldn't fit, but I could still use the front and back fence off the old one, they are two pieces of 3/4" ply laminated together, the base overall is 30" x 20" again 3/4" ply and the track rails are mahogany.

Automotive exterior Wood Flooring Gas Bumper


The base I have waxed, using my beeswax and mineral oil mixture, it slides easily in the tracks now.

Finally to date, a Mitre sled, I didn't have one of these previously, relying on my sliding compound mitre saw, but doing more and more mitre joints, I thought whilst making jigs etc, I would add this to the list.

Again the base is 3/4" ply, the mitre fences and the track rails are mahogany, and the back hand rail is 4" x 2" pine, to keep my fingers well away from the action, again the bottom has been waxed.

Wood Flooring Floor Automotive exterior Gas


Next up, a router planing jig!
Ingenuity! Thinking outside the box! And some pretty nice plywood! Bet it took a while to write this up?
 

Attachments

#162 ·
Bar Clamps

They say that you can never have too many clamps, in my case I have a distinct shortage, so decided to do something about it this week.

I only have one clamp of any length, and that is a pipe clamp I made some time ago, I decided to make some wooden bar clamps, but storage is at a premium, so some of the sturdier, heavier clamps were out before I started.

I reviewed a number of YouTube videos on the subject, and ended up taking ideas from two or three of them.

One alteration from the norm, was to use 1/2" threaded rod for two reasons, the first it is stronger, and secondly less turning to move it due to the increased size.

The bars are 48" long, made of two laminated 3/4" ply strips, which are not 3/4" as with all things Colombian, I bought them as that, but they are between 16.5-17mm instead of 18mm, no problem I adjusted a couple of my measurements to allow for this, the bars therefore are approximately 1 1/4" square. I used this instead of hardwood to keep the weight down.

I cut recesses on either side using the table saw to fit the headstock, and then using the pillar drill, drilled holes for the bottom jaw pin (I am not using dowel, but 1/4" carriage bolts cut into 2" lengths, not using the threaded part) the holes are 1 1/2" apart.

Dog breed Carnivore Wood Sculpture Felidae


I had a little help from my friends!...lol

The headstock, the top and bottom jaws are mahogany.

Wood Flooring Hardwood Wood stain Brick


I had a problem when it came to the headstock, because I have been informed that Colombia does not stock 1/2" Tee Nuts for some unknown reason, so I had to recess nuts into the headstock and stick them with epoxy.

The top jaw is a mahogany block, which I cut and then made a recessed spaced for a 1/2" nut allowing enough space that it could swivel inside, this was epoxied to the threaded bar, and then the other part of the jaw glued back in place, and clamped until dry. (no photo, as my hands were covered in glue!)

The bottom jaw has the metal pin, which is offset on both axis to allow for minute adjustment

Rectangle Wood Table Wood stain Plank


Once I had fabricated all the parts, I varnished them, and then came the glue up, the headstock was fixed with wood glue, but the handles I epoxied on.

They looked great, and I was really chuffed!

Wood Floor Hardwood Gas Flooring


They sat on my bench overnight, and the following day I came to hang them on the wall, and realised my mistake, I wont repeat my language, but I had put the headstocks on the wrong way around, with the nut facing the handle, so any great pressure would probably push the nuts out.

I was not a happy bunny, I was tempted to smash the handles off, take out the rod, cut off the headstock recut it and the bar and start again, I had enough length, as there was 40.5" clamping length, I would have lost about three inches. However someone else came up with the idea to cut some metal to straddle the rod and stop the nut coming out. I had some metal straps which were ideal for the job, not pretty but still functional.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Machine
 

Attachments

#163 ·
Bar Clamps

They say that you can never have too many clamps, in my case I have a distinct shortage, so decided to do something about it this week.

I only have one clamp of any length, and that is a pipe clamp I made some time ago, I decided to make some wooden bar clamps, but storage is at a premium, so some of the sturdier, heavier clamps were out before I started.

I reviewed a number of YouTube videos on the subject, and ended up taking ideas from two or three of them.

One alteration from the norm, was to use 1/2" threaded rod for two reasons, the first it is stronger, and secondly less turning to move it due to the increased size.

The bars are 48" long, made of two laminated 3/4" ply strips, which are not 3/4" as with all things Colombian, I bought them as that, but they are between 16.5-17mm instead of 18mm, no problem I adjusted a couple of my measurements to allow for this, the bars therefore are approximately 1 1/4" square. I used this instead of hardwood to keep the weight down.

I cut recesses on either side using the table saw to fit the headstock, and then using the pillar drill, drilled holes for the bottom jaw pin (I am not using dowel, but 1/4" carriage bolts cut into 2" lengths, not using the threaded part) the holes are 1 1/2" apart.

Dog breed Carnivore Wood Sculpture Felidae


I had a little help from my friends!...lol

The headstock, the top and bottom jaws are mahogany.

Wood Flooring Hardwood Wood stain Brick


I had a problem when it came to the headstock, because I have been informed that Colombia does not stock 1/2" Tee Nuts for some unknown reason, so I had to recess nuts into the headstock and stick them with epoxy.

The top jaw is a mahogany block, which I cut and then made a recessed spaced for a 1/2" nut allowing enough space that it could swivel inside, this was epoxied to the threaded bar, and then the other part of the jaw glued back in place, and clamped until dry. (no photo, as my hands were covered in glue!)

The bottom jaw has the metal pin, which is offset on both axis to allow for minute adjustment

Rectangle Wood Table Wood stain Plank


Once I had fabricated all the parts, I varnished them, and then came the glue up, the headstock was fixed with wood glue, but the handles I epoxied on.

They looked great, and I was really chuffed!

Wood Floor Hardwood Gas Flooring


They sat on my bench overnight, and the following day I came to hang them on the wall, and realised my mistake, I wont repeat my language, but I had put the headstocks on the wrong way around, with the nut facing the handle, so any great pressure would probably push the nuts out.

I was not a happy bunny, I was tempted to smash the handles off, take out the rod, cut off the headstock recut it and the bar and start again, I had enough length, as there was 40.5" clamping length, I would have lost about three inches. However someone else came up with the idea to cut some metal to straddle the rod and stop the nut coming out. I had some metal straps which were ideal for the job, not pretty but still functional.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Machine
GRRRRRRRRREEEEEEAAAAT save! Love your shop assistants! Post about their function after use?
 

Attachments

#165 ·
Current project put on hold... for today!

I am in the process of making a Router Table to fit in my Table saw extension wing, but it came to a stop today, I was going to cut some more parts, and the collar on the knob of the mitre gauge shattered, I had only lifted it to move it, no undue pressure.

Gas Font Auto part Wood Fixture


Upon closer examination, the collar of the knob is only thin plastic, molded around the nut head, so it had to be the weak point.

I had a number of options, the obvious one being to claim under the Warranty with Craftsman, but why bother when I would just get another of the same, the second option was to make a new wooden knob to fit,. and finally repair the existing one.

I decided to go with the latter, I quite like this knob, it is substantial, and you can get a good grip, so out came the expoy, and the nut has been well and truly encased and re-fastened to the knob.

Wood Gas Composite material Flooring Auto part


Hopefully there will not be any other problems with Craftsman.
 

Attachments

#166 ·
Current project put on hold... for today!

I am in the process of making a Router Table to fit in my Table saw extension wing, but it came to a stop today, I was going to cut some more parts, and the collar on the knob of the mitre gauge shattered, I had only lifted it to move it, no undue pressure.

Gas Font Auto part Wood Fixture


Upon closer examination, the collar of the knob is only thin plastic, molded around the nut head, so it had to be the weak point.

I had a number of options, the obvious one being to claim under the Warranty with Craftsman, but why bother when I would just get another of the same, the second option was to make a new wooden knob to fit,. and finally repair the existing one.

I decided to go with the latter, I quite like this knob, it is substantial, and you can get a good grip, so out came the expoy, and the nut has been well and truly encased and re-fastened to the knob.

Wood Gas Composite material Flooring Auto part


Hopefully there will not be any other problems with Craftsman.
Phil,

GRRRRRRR! Murphy must be down south where it's warm, cause I've not been doing much save trying to figure out whether I can really use the c arm delta scroll saw that I have spent way too much time and money, and patience on.

Hope that epoxy holds, Good luck in the build.

Night from wintery MN. Guess I shouldn't complain as it's bad down south eastern US as well.

got work in Mankato with clients tommorrow and Friday as I rescheduled due to snow today.
 

Attachments

#168 ·
Mosquitera Needed

The nights are still hot here, but we can't have the bedroom window open due to mosquitoes and the risk of dengue, a fan is not sufficient, and I am certainly not going down the road of Air Con, so it was time to make mosquiteras. I thought I would start with one, and see how it went.

I did make some when I lived in Spain, and they worked, so no reason why not here, This version only works with sliding windows.

I cut some 4Ă—2s to 1/2" x 1 1/2", for this window I was making them 45.5" by 15", I had to make two frames, and the net is sandwiched between the two. Once the timber was cut, I half-lapped all the pieces, sanded them, then glued and clamped. When dry, I painted the frames, after which I stapled the net over one frame, and then glued the second on top. I just need to make a couple of handles, to make it easier to place.

Wood Line Composite material Gas Engineering


You then place the netted frame in the window opening and slide the window until it holds the frame in place, simple but effective.

Hopefully now I will get a decent nights sleep.
 

Attachments

#169 ·
Mosquitera Needed

The nights are still hot here, but we can't have the bedroom window open due to mosquitoes and the risk of dengue, a fan is not sufficient, and I am certainly not going down the road of Air Con, so it was time to make mosquiteras. I thought I would start with one, and see how it went.

I did make some when I lived in Spain, and they worked, so no reason why not here, This version only works with sliding windows.

I cut some 4Ă—2s to 1/2" x 1 1/2", for this window I was making them 45.5" by 15", I had to make two frames, and the net is sandwiched between the two. Once the timber was cut, I half-lapped all the pieces, sanded them, then glued and clamped. When dry, I painted the frames, after which I stapled the net over one frame, and then glued the second on top. I just need to make a couple of handles, to make it easier to place.

Wood Line Composite material Gas Engineering


You then place the netted frame in the window opening and slide the window until it holds the frame in place, simple but effective.

Hopefully now I will get a decent nights sleep.
Phil,

I've been busy but I thought I'd stop by. We have screening here in nylon and metal. You have dogs and not cats?

Looks like you might get some sleep. Any chance the netting might tear?

I'l check and see your response tomorrow!
 

Attachments

#171 ·
Lever Router Lift...Done!

Two weeks ago I started preparing the parts for Jay Bates, Lever Router Lift Extension, I had a pile of plywood and some bits of metal, then went down with the flu, (thanks Mother in law!), which brought it to an abrupt halt for a week.

Table Blue Wood Cutting mat Engineering


It isn't often I follow a plan, I'll use it and adapt it to my own needs. However on this occasion, other than changing some of the dimensions to fit on my saw table extension wing, which is a couple of inches shorter than Jay's, but the same depth, I am following this plan to the letter, because I don't think I can improve on this version, and to be honest, I'm not enjoying it, it's like being back at school, and I didn't like that much either!

It grieved me having to buy the flat bar and square tubing, because, I only needed 3ft of the former, and 2ft of the latter, but had to buy 6m of both, money grabbing HomeCenter don't sell short lengths, and the local welders know that, so if you go to them for a short length they bung up the price!

Jay's plan is colour coded every part, because it originated in Sketchup, which is a bit inconvenient to say the least, because my colour printer ran out of ink months ago, I only use my black laser jet printer, so I am lettering every part, it was either that or dig my old laptop out, and load the plan on there, however I didn't want it full of dust, so lettering the parts was the order of the day.

After two days graft, finally I have got the Lever Router Lift build completed, now I only have the task of fitting it to the Table saw, as an extension wing.

So how did it go? Well, let's just say, I wont be building another in a hurry!

The carriage lift itself, went together fine, I just wish I had left greasing the slides, until I had finished, but you live and learn.

Wood Gas Machine Machine tool Toolroom


The control for raising and lowering is brilliant, it is very responsive, and easy to micro-adjust.

Wood Building Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


I admit to making some mistakes, I cut out the insert plate with the jig saw, I was supposed to then build a frame on the underside to run a router with a flush trim bit to square up the hole, but somehow I missed that bit, however as the insert fits like a glove, albeit not perfectly square, I am not too worried, until I need to replace the insert.

Wood Road surface Rectangle Flooring Composite material


I also decided to insert the optional magnets on the pivot block, so the lever would stay in place, but I could not just insert them into the ply, because my ply is Colombian ply, and not 3/4"!! so I ended up cutting slots with the bandsaw, and bedding the magnets in epoxy.

Once the Lift part was completed, it was just a case of building the fence, and then spraying the table top / fence / hold downs with varnish, I bought clear brillante, or gloss to you! but true to the Colombian way, it is Matt, even after six coats and two cans it is still Matt…

Wood Hardwood Gas Workbench Wood stain


Wood Floor Table Hardwood Wood stain


As I have said before following plans is not my idea of fun, and it was a Royal pain in the proverbial… I think that although it was a .pdf plan, the fact that it was just copied from Sketchup was the problem, and if I was proficient at Sketchup, it might have been a lot easier. I like parts to be lettered, not coloured, especially when you need to print them all out, on a black ink only printer. Had I not ended up taking my old laptop down to the shop, I might have given it up as a bad job, but I am glad I didn't, this is going to be a great asset, and I missed not having a router table.
 

Attachments

#172 ·
Lever Router Lift...Done!

Two weeks ago I started preparing the parts for Jay Bates, Lever Router Lift Extension, I had a pile of plywood and some bits of metal, then went down with the flu, (thanks Mother in law!), which brought it to an abrupt halt for a week.

Table Blue Wood Cutting mat Engineering


It isn't often I follow a plan, I'll use it and adapt it to my own needs. However on this occasion, other than changing some of the dimensions to fit on my saw table extension wing, which is a couple of inches shorter than Jay's, but the same depth, I am following this plan to the letter, because I don't think I can improve on this version, and to be honest, I'm not enjoying it, it's like being back at school, and I didn't like that much either!

It grieved me having to buy the flat bar and square tubing, because, I only needed 3ft of the former, and 2ft of the latter, but had to buy 6m of both, money grabbing HomeCenter don't sell short lengths, and the local welders know that, so if you go to them for a short length they bung up the price!

Jay's plan is colour coded every part, because it originated in Sketchup, which is a bit inconvenient to say the least, because my colour printer ran out of ink months ago, I only use my black laser jet printer, so I am lettering every part, it was either that or dig my old laptop out, and load the plan on there, however I didn't want it full of dust, so lettering the parts was the order of the day.

After two days graft, finally I have got the Lever Router Lift build completed, now I only have the task of fitting it to the Table saw, as an extension wing.

So how did it go? Well, let's just say, I wont be building another in a hurry!

The carriage lift itself, went together fine, I just wish I had left greasing the slides, until I had finished, but you live and learn.

Wood Gas Machine Machine tool Toolroom


The control for raising and lowering is brilliant, it is very responsive, and easy to micro-adjust.

Wood Building Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


I admit to making some mistakes, I cut out the insert plate with the jig saw, I was supposed to then build a frame on the underside to run a router with a flush trim bit to square up the hole, but somehow I missed that bit, however as the insert fits like a glove, albeit not perfectly square, I am not too worried, until I need to replace the insert.

Wood Road surface Rectangle Flooring Composite material


I also decided to insert the optional magnets on the pivot block, so the lever would stay in place, but I could not just insert them into the ply, because my ply is Colombian ply, and not 3/4"!! so I ended up cutting slots with the bandsaw, and bedding the magnets in epoxy.

Once the Lift part was completed, it was just a case of building the fence, and then spraying the table top / fence / hold downs with varnish, I bought clear brillante, or gloss to you! but true to the Colombian way, it is Matt, even after six coats and two cans it is still Matt…

Wood Hardwood Gas Workbench Wood stain


Wood Floor Table Hardwood Wood stain


As I have said before following plans is not my idea of fun, and it was a Royal pain in the proverbial… I think that although it was a .pdf plan, the fact that it was just copied from Sketchup was the problem, and if I was proficient at Sketchup, it might have been a lot easier. I like parts to be lettered, not coloured, especially when you need to print them all out, on a black ink only printer. Had I not ended up taking my old laptop down to the shop, I might have given it up as a bad job, but I am glad I didn't, this is going to be a great asset, and I missed not having a router table.
Phil,

Planning, Patience, Precision, Practice, Passion and Persistence! Yep you are a woodworker with these qualities!

Hope it serves you well. If any thing goes awry, and I hope it doesn't , you know the machine, cause you built it!
 

Attachments

#174 ·
Router table extension wing fitted!

I thought having built the router table and lift, and maybe it might be a good idea to fit it.

Work had come to a halt for a few days, I have been having trouble with my legs, and my Doc said that if I didn't go to the specialist, I could end up without them, which spurred me into action, as a result I am now having one set of tests after another, until they find out what is causing the constant pain, yesterday was Veins, they are all still there and functioning normally :) , so now back to the Doc and find out what is next!

This morning finally I got down to the workshop, I had been worried that the weight might be a problem for the tablesaw, especially when it is raised on it's castors, but it is fine!

Table Wood Creative arts Hardwood Gas


Table Wood Picture frame Floor Window


Now to move on to the next project, a folding mitre saw station, I haven't got the room for a permanent one, so this is the next best thing, and will save me getting down on my knees every time I want to use the compound mitre saw.

People ask me if I ever intend to make anything, as all I seem to be doing is making tools and jigs, well the answer is a resounding yes, I look at it from the point of view, that if I have all the tools and jigs I require, it makes life a lot easier when I start my other projects.
 

Attachments

#175 ·
Router table extension wing fitted!

I thought having built the router table and lift, and maybe it might be a good idea to fit it.

Work had come to a halt for a few days, I have been having trouble with my legs, and my Doc said that if I didn't go to the specialist, I could end up without them, which spurred me into action, as a result I am now having one set of tests after another, until they find out what is causing the constant pain, yesterday was Veins, they are all still there and functioning normally :) , so now back to the Doc and find out what is next!

This morning finally I got down to the workshop, I had been worried that the weight might be a problem for the tablesaw, especially when it is raised on it's castors, but it is fine!

Table Wood Creative arts Hardwood Gas


Table Wood Picture frame Floor Window


Now to move on to the next project, a folding mitre saw station, I haven't got the room for a permanent one, so this is the next best thing, and will save me getting down on my knees every time I want to use the compound mitre saw.

People ask me if I ever intend to make anything, as all I seem to be doing is making tools and jigs, well the answer is a resounding yes, I look at it from the point of view, that if I have all the tools and jigs I require, it makes life a lot easier when I start my other projects.
Phil,

Make a stool for resting your butt and taking a load off your legs. I took one I'd bought for working at a drawing tablle out to my shop. Hope it's something manageable.

Hey it sounds like my friend Mark's challenge. That's why I made my furniture piece be both functional and furniture until?
Finally decent weather here. Plow coming off the truck. Cleaned off my benches, and trying to figure out where to store materials without making to much extra work, so I can have the space to make something of quality. And it is also furniture, or some wood craft/art piece.

I too had a recent visit with my doc to rule out and manage some health issues.

What ever you make ,make it great! LOL1
 

Attachments

#180 ·
It's not only Women allowed to changed their minds!

I said my next project was going to be the mobile Mitre saw stand, but as I am having trouble sourcing some parts, I decided I would make a wheelbarrow Planer Stand, I had seen it on Popular Woodworking and decided it would be ideal for me, as I often have to cart my Planer to various parts of the property, so a fixed one in the workshop was not for me.

It only takes a couple of hours to make, and although it is slightly bigger than I envisaged, it is sturdy and the right height, it will get a lot of use.

I made a couple of small changes to the design, I couldn't get 3" fixed castors, 2" was the biggest, swivelling castors… as big as you want! but not fixed, so swivelling it is, if they are a problem, I will just drill and put a screw through it to make it fixed! I can see why it is suggests using fixed, they are narrower and would fit on the 2×4, I had to add a block on the side to fit the castor.

I also shaped the handles, rather than taper them, and the legs, I couldn't get 3×3. so I glued two 2×4s together and cut them down to 3×3, although to be honest if you ´put extra leg braces, you could probably get away with using 2×4 for the legs.

Furniture Table Wood Natural material Outdoor furniture


Wood Flooring Floor Hardwood Automotive exterior


Tomorrow I will bolt the Planer to the stand, and find a home for it!

Wood Table Table saws Flooring Floor
 

Attachments

#181 ·
It's not only Women allowed to changed their minds!

I said my next project was going to be the mobile Mitre saw stand, but as I am having trouble sourcing some parts, I decided I would make a wheelbarrow Planer Stand, I had seen it on Popular Woodworking and decided it would be ideal for me, as I often have to cart my Planer to various parts of the property, so a fixed one in the workshop was not for me.

It only takes a couple of hours to make, and although it is slightly bigger than I envisaged, it is sturdy and the right height, it will get a lot of use.

I made a couple of small changes to the design, I couldn't get 3" fixed castors, 2" was the biggest, swivelling castors… as big as you want! but not fixed, so swivelling it is, if they are a problem, I will just drill and put a screw through it to make it fixed! I can see why it is suggests using fixed, they are narrower and would fit on the 2×4, I had to add a block on the side to fit the castor.

I also shaped the handles, rather than taper them, and the legs, I couldn't get 3×3. so I glued two 2×4s together and cut them down to 3×3, although to be honest if you ´put extra leg braces, you could probably get away with using 2×4 for the legs.

Furniture Table Wood Natural material Outdoor furniture


Wood Flooring Floor Hardwood Automotive exterior


Tomorrow I will bolt the Planer to the stand, and find a home for it!

Wood Table Table saws Flooring Floor
Nicely don, Sir! It'll be verv useful for you
 

Attachments

#190 ·
Box Joint Jig

My joints have been basic to say the least up until now,dowel, pocket hole, mitre, butt, lap and half lap… you get the idea! so to extend on my repertoire, I decided to go with Mario Cappellano (thewoodfather) and his basic jig, I won't be doing them often, so don't need anything fancy, but not having a dado set up was the decider on choice.

It only took a couple of hours to make, from scraps, and an angle bracket I had lying around, the latter acting as the guide pin. I made it out of 3/4" Ply and some left over 2Ă—4, I built it to make 1/2" fingers.

Wood Automotive design Flooring Hardwood Art


I then did a test joint, to be honest it is a bit on the tight side, it did take some persuading to interlock, but that's probably because I didn't do anything to tidy up the cut edges, a minor adjustment might be needed but not much, I am certainly pleased with it.

Wood Table Picture frame Flooring Wood stain


As you can see, the joints are ever so slightly proud, but that was down to the blade height, and could have soon been sanded level, but there are no gaps!
 

Attachments

#191 ·
Box Joint Jig

My joints have been basic to say the least up until now,dowel, pocket hole, mitre, butt, lap and half lap… you get the idea! so to extend on my repertoire, I decided to go with Mario Cappellano (thewoodfather) and his basic jig, I won't be doing them often, so don't need anything fancy, but not having a dado set up was the decider on choice.

It only took a couple of hours to make, from scraps, and an angle bracket I had lying around, the latter acting as the guide pin. I made it out of 3/4" Ply and some left over 2Ă—4, I built it to make 1/2" fingers.

Wood Automotive design Flooring Hardwood Art


I then did a test joint, to be honest it is a bit on the tight side, it did take some persuading to interlock, but that's probably because I didn't do anything to tidy up the cut edges, a minor adjustment might be needed but not much, I am certainly pleased with it.

Wood Table Picture frame Flooring Wood stain


As you can see, the joints are ever so slightly proud, but that was down to the blade height, and could have soon been sanded level, but there are no gaps!
I think the tight joints now are better than loose. Using solid woods the joint might break if pressured too much, that veneer sample went okay. You can always file a bit away from each joint that fits snug. Adding filler to each one would look bad.
Ive always wanted to make one for smaller box joists. Keep procrastinating !
 

Attachments

#197 ·
Parqués

Parqués is a Board Game peculiar to Colombia, although it has variations around the world, in the UK it is Ludo, elsewhere I don't know.

The problem is that unless you want to buy something that you would need a microscope to see, they are damned expensive…well by our standards, and I have now lived here long enough to believe in local values so with the family coming for Semana Santa / Easter, I decided I would try to make one, it's not hard,. just time consuming.

I know I said that after the Box Joint Jig I had other things to do, but the weather is holding that up, winter has now arrived with a vengeance, it's only in the mid 20°Cs during the day and 16-18°C at night, which for here is cold! The damp makes it seem worse, with what seems like non stop rain, ranging from drizzle to tropical storms, so it was either put my feet up, or back into the workshop!

I looked on the internet for a photo, did a screen capture, and then using my editting software changed it to a pencil drawing. This I then put in my Big Print software, bought from Matthew Wandel, this gets a lot of use, I find it invaluable. I decided to make a relatively big version, 75cm x 75cm , and I am making two versions on one board, one side will be for six players and turn it over and it will be for four players, however to start I am concentrating on the six players.

Having printed out the 12 sheets for each version, I headed off to the workshop, where I cut a piece of 3/4" Ply to 75Ă—75cm, then placed and taped the printed sheets on top, once I was happy they were right, I lifted one end and placed carbon paper underneath.

Automotive design Rectangle Table Wood Urban design


It seemed to take for ever to draw all the lines, but that 'done', I carefully lifted the template, and cussed, in my haste I had put three of the ten sheets of carbon the wrong way up, so there was a nice imprint on the back of the paper but nothing on the wood, fortunately I had used a compass to draw the arcs and circles, so using the pinholes I soon had the paper back in place, and redrew the missing section.

Table Rectangle Wood Flooring Floor


That done, out came my pyrography kit, I love doing woodburning, but haven't had any projects requiring it recently, this is going to take a while, as you can see, it can't be rushed, otherwise there is a risk of burning wood that shouldn't be.

Wood Table Flooring Floor Art


Once this is completed, and the other version drawn and burned onto the other side, I will have to get six different coloured spray paints to colour the different sections, that done, I will edge the whole board in mahogany, and then varnish it.

Will it be ready for Semana Santa…hopefully!
 

Attachments

#198 ·
Parqués

Parqués is a Board Game peculiar to Colombia, although it has variations around the world, in the UK it is Ludo, elsewhere I don't know.

The problem is that unless you want to buy something that you would need a microscope to see, they are damned expensive…well by our standards, and I have now lived here long enough to believe in local values so with the family coming for Semana Santa / Easter, I decided I would try to make one, it's not hard,. just time consuming.

I know I said that after the Box Joint Jig I had other things to do, but the weather is holding that up, winter has now arrived with a vengeance, it's only in the mid 20°Cs during the day and 16-18°C at night, which for here is cold! The damp makes it seem worse, with what seems like non stop rain, ranging from drizzle to tropical storms, so it was either put my feet up, or back into the workshop!

I looked on the internet for a photo, did a screen capture, and then using my editting software changed it to a pencil drawing. This I then put in my Big Print software, bought from Matthew Wandel, this gets a lot of use, I find it invaluable. I decided to make a relatively big version, 75cm x 75cm , and I am making two versions on one board, one side will be for six players and turn it over and it will be for four players, however to start I am concentrating on the six players.

Having printed out the 12 sheets for each version, I headed off to the workshop, where I cut a piece of 3/4" Ply to 75Ă—75cm, then placed and taped the printed sheets on top, once I was happy they were right, I lifted one end and placed carbon paper underneath.

Automotive design Rectangle Table Wood Urban design


It seemed to take for ever to draw all the lines, but that 'done', I carefully lifted the template, and cussed, in my haste I had put three of the ten sheets of carbon the wrong way up, so there was a nice imprint on the back of the paper but nothing on the wood, fortunately I had used a compass to draw the arcs and circles, so using the pinholes I soon had the paper back in place, and redrew the missing section.

Table Rectangle Wood Flooring Floor


That done, out came my pyrography kit, I love doing woodburning, but haven't had any projects requiring it recently, this is going to take a while, as you can see, it can't be rushed, otherwise there is a risk of burning wood that shouldn't be.

Wood Table Flooring Floor Art


Once this is completed, and the other version drawn and burned onto the other side, I will have to get six different coloured spray paints to colour the different sections, that done, I will edge the whole board in mahogany, and then varnish it.

Will it be ready for Semana Santa…hopefully!
Darn that weather! Forced you into the workshop.LOL! We're having a spring snow! I know it's because I took the plow off my truck. But the good thing is it will melt.

I will have a week free of clients after Tuesday, as I am scheduled for the dentist.

Won't feel much like talking for awhile. Looks like you're having fun.

Finished my log cutting jig for my band saw, and played with it on a small six inch log. Will be buying some blades which I got lots of info about on my forum question.

Later,

Tom
 

Attachments

#203 ·
Parqués...Cont'd

It may be basic wood burning, but as I haven't done any for a while, that is fine, and although it kills my back, bending over a large piece, I find it very therapeutic, and come away quite relaxed.

This morning I finished the burning on the first side

Wood Art Flooring Gas Font


I just have to decide what I am going to put in the circles, if anything, I will probably iron on a laser print, but of what, I don't yet know.

Then it was time to get on with the four player version, this time making sure that all the carbon paper was seated correctly!

Wood Font Engineering Clock Visual arts


then drawing it out, which didn't take long, as it is far more simplistic than the first one, I'm just glad I didn't go for the eight player option!

Wood Flooring Brickwork Floor Rectangle


I have to go out tomorrow, but hopefully will have enough time to get this side burned as well.
 

Attachments

#204 ·
Parqués...Cont'd

It may be basic wood burning, but as I haven't done any for a while, that is fine, and although it kills my back, bending over a large piece, I find it very therapeutic, and come away quite relaxed.

This morning I finished the burning on the first side

Wood Art Flooring Gas Font


I just have to decide what I am going to put in the circles, if anything, I will probably iron on a laser print, but of what, I don't yet know.

Then it was time to get on with the four player version, this time making sure that all the carbon paper was seated correctly!

Wood Font Engineering Clock Visual arts


then drawing it out, which didn't take long, as it is far more simplistic than the first one, I'm just glad I didn't go for the eight player option!

Wood Flooring Brickwork Floor Rectangle


I have to go out tomorrow, but hopefully will have enough time to get this side burned as well.
Phil,

Looks like patirnce is one of your wood working skills. :<)
 

Attachments

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top