The Most Exotic Bonfire Ever
As a semi-anual tradition (on an as-needed basis) I clean out my shop and load my truck with the un-lucky wood scraps that don't make the "cut", and either take them camping or to the beach for a very exotic, very expensive bonfire.
So last week my wife and I camped for two nights at Pfieffer Big Sur along the coast of California. This is about 6 months worth of scraps awaiting there fate:
A partial list of whats in that pile:
Now I know what you are thinking: OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!! But I assure you that I individually analyzed each one of these scraps for project potential. Most of them were either so small I couldn't even make a guitar pick out of them or checked/split beyond recognition, etc.
The truth is I just can't keep everything or I won't have space to work. I also rediscover the GOOD scraps whenever I clean out my shop like this. So its a win/win. And besides, Quilted Maple and Bee's Wing mahogany makes a REALLY nice, warm campfire.
I have a rule that once I make the decision to get rid of a piece of wood, it can't come back to my shop. Here is me breaking the rule in the background:
Practice dovetails about to meed destiny:
Noooooooooooooooo!
Hiking Big Sur
Big Sur is absolutely gorgeous, and its just a short drive down the coast from our home in Santa Cruz. I am basically just posting the following photos to show Todd Clippinger that he's not the only one with a beautiful playground in his back yard.
This is me soaking the new wildland fire boots in order to break them in for fire season:
Rockin' the Japan Woodworker t-shirt:
The coastline at Andrew Molera State Park after a short hike:
The views at Julia Pfieffer State Park:
It may not be Montana but its ok
As a semi-anual tradition (on an as-needed basis) I clean out my shop and load my truck with the un-lucky wood scraps that don't make the "cut", and either take them camping or to the beach for a very exotic, very expensive bonfire.
So last week my wife and I camped for two nights at Pfieffer Big Sur along the coast of California. This is about 6 months worth of scraps awaiting there fate:
A partial list of whats in that pile:
- Highly figured 8/4 Quilted Maple (Jellyfish Table)
- Bee's Wing Mahogany (Coffee table, not posted in projects yet but it matches the Opposing Arch Table)
- Padauk (Monterey Cypress Tree Mirror)
- Claro Walnut (Bed, not posted in projects yet)
- Curly Birch (Bed)
- Lacewood (Wallet Tray)
- Mahogany
- Oak (Woodworking Bench)
- Ash (Bonsai Box)
- Jatoba (Credenza)
- Pine (Bocce Ball Crate)
- Douglas Fir
- Mango
- Zebra Wood
- Cherry
- Black Walnut
- Koa
- Apple
- Purple Heart
- Pecan
- Manzanita
- Macassar Ebony
Now I know what you are thinking: OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!! But I assure you that I individually analyzed each one of these scraps for project potential. Most of them were either so small I couldn't even make a guitar pick out of them or checked/split beyond recognition, etc.
The truth is I just can't keep everything or I won't have space to work. I also rediscover the GOOD scraps whenever I clean out my shop like this. So its a win/win. And besides, Quilted Maple and Bee's Wing mahogany makes a REALLY nice, warm campfire.
I have a rule that once I make the decision to get rid of a piece of wood, it can't come back to my shop. Here is me breaking the rule in the background:
Practice dovetails about to meed destiny:
Noooooooooooooooo!
Hiking Big Sur
Big Sur is absolutely gorgeous, and its just a short drive down the coast from our home in Santa Cruz. I am basically just posting the following photos to show Todd Clippinger that he's not the only one with a beautiful playground in his back yard.
This is me soaking the new wildland fire boots in order to break them in for fire season:
Rockin' the Japan Woodworker t-shirt:
The coastline at Andrew Molera State Park after a short hike:
The views at Julia Pfieffer State Park:
It may not be Montana but its ok