I am not very active, only a few projects posted, but I truly love this site. There are several members that have encouraged we in my pursuit of learning woodworking. Thanks to all of you. I am proud to be a member of this site.

Looking forward to the coming year.

Bill

Thanks for listening.

So, today I picked up these lumber items:
Mahogany – 8/4×5 1/2” x 10’
Cherry – 4/4×11” x 9’
Lacewood – (3) 4/4×5”x 6’
Paduk – (2) 4/4×7” x 8’
Curly Maple – 4/4×5” x 8’
Makore – 6/4×14” x 8’
Walnut – 6/4×7” x 8’
Morado – 6/4×5” x 3’
Canarywood – 4/4×9” x 8’
Zebrawood – 4/4×8” x 6’

All of this for $116.00.

Also 1 fret saw, 2 coping saws, #3 Stanley, #4 Stanley, #6 Stanley, and 50” low profile edge guide all for $90.00. So for $206.00 I am now lumber and tool poor.

So to the happy days part. I am taking a break from working in my shop for four continuous hours. After some lunch I am on my way back out there.

If you know of anyone that is suffering from depression (yes you suffer) work with them and give all the encouragement you can. Love of family has been my biggest and most powerful medicine.

OK, shutting up and finishing sandwich and back to the shop.

For all who read this a GREAT BIG THANK YOU. The suggestions and advice given here without compensation is greatly appreciated. I hope the small amount of information I have passed along helped someone.

Thanks Martin for the site.

Bill

P.S – He did question my mental state on finding I subjected my body to spinning and rotating sharp metal objects on a daily basis.

For the finish I applied two coats of Danish oil and rubbed on four coats of spar varnish (satin).

Thanks for comments along the way. It is very encouraging to know someone is listening and helping. Everyone have a good day.

Completion!

I knew I should have made three!

Some close-ups of the joinery.

One side glued.

Seat assembly

Back assembly

Next is the glue up of all pieces.

All the parts glued and clamped

Prior to finishing

Next will be the finish. Not my most favorite chore, but it must be done.

Here are the different parts all cut and shaped. I made the round tenons by using a 3/8 roundover bit at the router table and rounding all four sides. What this project did for me was getting a lot of practice using the band saw to cut the curves.

Arm Rests

Rockers

Seat Slats

Rails for seat and back

Legs

Back Slats

Round tenons

I am pleased with the outcome of the parts. I am learning so much about using tools and planning. But more than anything for me is learning Patience.

Well next comes the moment of truth and see if they will all fit together. Wish me luck.

I cut patterns for a lot of the parts since I am making two (2) rockers. There are four arms, eight legs, eight rails, eight stretchers, four rockers, and twenty seat slats. I felt patterns were in order.

I made the patterns from scrap ½ inch plywood and ¼ inch hard board. I am drawing the outline on stock and cutting close to the line at the band saw. Then I will attach the pattern to the piece and using a pattern bit cut it to final shape at the router table.

Below is the picture of the finished pattern. From top to bottom: rocker, rail, back slat, seat slat, arm and mdf square is for assemble od side to keep everything square.

Ok, enough typing. I am calling it quits and more will follow, I hope.

Good night all.

We, my darling wife of 37 years at the time and I, bought 14 acres in Mid Missouri with a one-year-old home and a 30’ X 30’ pole barn. The barn was used as a horse barn. I converted half to a woodworking shop and half to store farm equipment.

I don’t know if I will ever be as proficient as most of the Craftsmen on this site, but I will enjoy every step I take to attain the lofty status. I think getting there is far more enjoyable than being there. I get so excited with each new skill that I learn.

I started with a circular saw, jig saw, ¼ horse router, and a cheap Stanley block plane. With those tools I built the cedar bench in my projects. I believe that the woodworker builds the project not the tools. But I have gotten more power tools since. I have a hybrid table saw, planer, bench jointer, drill press, band saw, router table with dedicated router, dust collection system, and many clamps.

Ok, the title is Front Porch Rockers, so get to it Bill. I take several woodworking magazines and choose projects from them that introduces a new skill for me. I hope to chronicle the building of the rockers to encourage the members at my skill level or less to not be discouraged but to step forward each day with a new skill or techique.

The rockers are from WOOD magazine issue #183 May 2008. Hopefully pictures and explanations will follow.

Through the benefit of an inheritance I started purchasing tools. Craftsman cabinet saw, drill press, bandsaw, router and table, planer, and bench joiner. I had never used any of these tools until I purchased them. So I subscribed to a couple of woodworking magazines and got started.