Circle cutting at LumberJocks.com

Chess board. #1: How to make a wavy chess board..

degoose — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:20:46 GMT

This project is not technically finished so I will not post as a project..
This part of the blog will deal with the cutting of arcs.
I basically used one of the patron jigs I developed to cut the end curves for a Baguette Board…this pivots on the circle cutting jig.
Cut two lengths of contrasting or complimentary timbers… I of course chose Purple Heart and Silver Ash…
Silver Ash and Tasmanian Blackwood would have also been suitable… But if all you have is Walnut and Curly Maple or some other combination…maybe Bubinga and ???.... feel free to use them…these are cut to roughly 36 inches each…or use a few pieces to make the total. Just make sure the timber grain is similar in all pieces if you can’t use a single piece.
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Then by placing a piece of timber next to the fence as a spacer.. centre the blank… cut to 45 mm [regulation size for the chess board square.]. A nail is driven in at 45 mm as a stop for the cutting blank..

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Cut the first curve of the end of the blank … and then move it to the stop and cut again..

Cut all the “squares’’ of one color…. remembering to leave every forth piece with a straight edge at one end.[this is for the side..]. Then cut all the ’’squares” of the other color… again with one piece in four with a straight side on the end.

NOTE
Eight “squares’’ of one timber will have a concave end and 3 straight sides and eight of the other timber will be convex.

Assemble with alternating pieces. Rotate the curve direction on each row..

Glue up , sand and apply finish…

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In the next installment I will be making a border for the chess board… still contemplating what I will actually do with this to keep to the theme of one slight curve and some straight lines too.

Starburst Patterns.... #1: My version... a Kaleidoscope

degoose — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:03:30 GMT

David Mitchell aka Patron first showed us his amazing starburst table ...a few months ago. David sent me a design…a rather simplified version.. This was his gift to me on Fathers day..This is my version of that design… It has taken me a while to get around to it. David I hope you like it!
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Here a some blanks cut to size.. First I milled the stock to 5/16 and 2 inches wide… cross cut to just over 3 inches.
I used Purple heart and European Walnut.. any complimentary or contrasting timber would be fine.

I set up an Incra Build-It jig… you could make your own sled… I just happened to have one floating around..
No Moshe don’t go looking in your shed to see if there is one floating around there as well… we both know the answer don’t we?
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As you can see I borrowed the idea of the double toggle clamp hold down from a jig made by Lisa aka Dustbunny.

I made the fences from scrap walnut and had to keep adjusting the fences until I had the exact 30 degrees off the kerf line. Sorry kent no purple heart in the jig.. I selected to have 12 parts to the circle i.e. 30 degrees each.

I then cut the first triangle and then took the offcut and putting it against the fence.. recut it to the same size,

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It is then a matter of placing all the bits in the right place… taking great care to alternate the triangle of different colours or grain orientation.
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I glued them down onto a piece of ply… and then cut a circle..
this will then have a bearing and become another Lazy Larry..

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A few more pics here

Going to local shows. #5: Here be the photos from the Hands On Expo... in Brisbane..

degoose — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:56:37 GMT

I had today off… kinda… schlepped around in the shed getting the new Ozzie Jig assembled…
and unpacking and sorting things out… posting a new …almost new that is … project… up loading all the pics for this post… and having a few coolaids… to relax after a really hectic three days…
For a start…....

We were part of the Gregories Machinery Stand.
Aaron and Henry playing with the Torque Work Centre..
. I got to display a few things on the back wall.. kinda fun decoractions… lots of interest and quite a few people taking photos of the boards… and a few cards handed out..

This is Des and he is the inventor of the OZZIE JIG…. more on that later… As you have read I got one and will be posting all the details shortly..

Timbercon… they came over from the West Coast for the show with a lot of very cool things… and 15% off… I certainly took advantage of that…

For all the Galloots… here is Colen and his hand made tools…. marking guages, hand planes, mallets … all hand make from fantastic Australian Timbers… He has a shed in his backyard… runs it all from home… under the sunny skies.

More for the GALLOOTS…

Want to make a wooden boat… join the club and you too can be enjoying a sail or paddle down the river…

Stu …. Carba-tec had a real big site with lots of space..

Addictive Pens were there with lots of different pen turning blanks…

A small selection of turning supplies and some burls for sale.

Lie Neilsen had quite a crowd around their site. Very nice selection of hand planes and tools..DROOL

Start them young hey… Carba-Tec from the other end.. lots of space..

Crowds looking at the various demonstrations.

Even the defence force recruiting bus was there…

To the timber

Cutting boards made from Camphor for AU$49 to AU$70 ..

Camphor coffee table under AU$ 300

Tables for AU$600 to AU$800 in Camphor… Silky Oak for AU$2,500… amazing…!!

Carve bowls AU$40 to AU$90.. Cheap as Chips…

Slabmaster stand… with Keith’s wife Anna with the Racing Kangaroos…I just love these little guys..

A close up!! My Mate Trevor’s stand.. and some of his fantastic timber..and well priced!

The Carin Brothers came all the way up from Tasmania with a wonderful selection of HUON PINE!!!!!

This is my good mate Kevin and the wonderful art of the Koori Tribe.

A demonstration by a cooper on how to make a keg…

And some of the barrels…

Toy makers plans and supplies…

Me and a few helpers… got to love wood shows… hey

Another Aussie invention… compression clamps…I will be doing a review on these too,

Some really great boxes… even a few kits for the diy-er who doesn’t have a band saw… cool…

Art!

Last but certainly not least the organisers… NO names NO pack drill lol…
They certainly made life easy for all the exhibitors and bent over backwards to ensure a GREAT show,....
Thanks Guys..

Going to local shows. #4: Brisbane Hands On Expo...

degoose — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:46:23 GMT

Guys you are missing one of the greatest shows ever…. this is the brand new never seen before inaugural

Hands On Expo...

premiering in down town Brisbane. Coming soon to Melbourne and Sydney…see you there…

I got up early this morning to make sure that we had everything for the show.,.. I was asked to help demonstrate the Torque Work Centre as part of the Gregorys Machinery stand at the the Hands On Expo… I wasn’t even going until early this week. First off… I had a wedding to attend… decided to go to the Bundaberg Wood workers show instead… begged off the wedding… all but booked the Bundaberg show… sister rang telling me MY KID brother is now turning 50 and they are having a small get together at the Gold Coast… you guessed it … Saturday Night…
No way I can go to Bundie and be back in time for the party…. ok… just go to the Gold Coast for the party… and then Aaron rang and asked if I could be available to help him and Henry….[Aarons almost father in law and also a dealer in North Queensland] demo the machine…. next I get a email from the promoters/organisers wanting me to come to the show saying they are looking forward to meeting me….. ... how did they get my email….??...Stu's Shed. ..aha

Aaron picked me up just after 7.30 in the AM… went to the airport … got lost… yes again… picked up Henry and made it to the show in time to sneak in and unload just before the gates were closed..and the paying public arrived.

So far so good…lol

This next bit just blew me away…

I was looking for someone from the organisers so I could get some exhibitor ID’s and I saw a guy wearing a Hands On Expo T-shirt… I asked him about the badges …... introducing myself as Larry Maykin….he says….
“Hey… you’re “Lazy Larry”... we are so glad that you could make it…we did not think that you would be here…” IF this sounds like I am bragging….you are SO right.

Made my day I can tell you…Thanks Russell….a greeting like that just tells you that the rest of the show will be awesome.

We had so many enquires about the Torque and a lot of interest in my work… just fabulous and Fridays are normally just so so … can’t wait till tomorrow….

Speaking about tomorrow… anyone in Brisbane that is planning on attending….. just mention ”Lazy Larry” at the gate and only pay half price... thats right folks… mention me and get in for half price... pretty cool hey… also valid for Sunday… I will let you all know if that offer is for Melbourne and Sydney as well… lets hope so….
No pics today… just settling in…. will take heaps of pics tomorrow… Stay tuned.

After the gates closed for the Day… a BBQ and a few CoolAids… green of course… great way to wind down from a great Day…

Wood Gloat #9: Leopard Wood this time..

degoose — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:40:37 GMT

A mate was cutting down a Leopard tree [Caesalpinia ferrea] and asked if I wanted the wood… I had to think about this for a while because I am running out of room lol..
Leopard trees have mottled shiny bark that someone thought looked like a leopard’s skin.

This a graceful tree that lines many suburban streets and parks. They are perfect as a screen against the hot western sun, the light filtering though the leaves, highlighting their delicate shading.

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And for those who wood like to see a Camphor Laurel…...

And here is the Moreton Bay Fig… ficus macrophylla…..

The new toy. #14: A couple more videos.

degoose — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:26:58 GMT

Check out the blog at Stu's Shed complete with videos. Look beyond what I am actually doing and see the potential of what the machine can do. No script, no rehearsal, no idea.. lol
These were taken when Stu dropped in last week.

Stu doing a bit of Slab surfacing.

Me using the copy attachment to copy an old english letter ” L”

Using the stops to route a border around the letter e

Aztec art freehand routing using the pin and changing the radius..

Lord of the Rings LOL

Just a bit of fun..

Stu's Shed Meets Lazy Larry's Workshop

degoose — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:54:39 GMT

Yesterday had a visit from Stuart Lee… from Stu's Shed . He is a fairly imfamous Podcaster here in Australia with quite a following worldwide.
It was a real whirlwind tour… he flew up from Melbourne to take a look at my workshop and also check out the Torque Workcentre… we had met Stu in Melbourne… at both the Alternative Wood Show at the Woodworking Warehouse Open Day and at the Melbourne Working With Wood Show and he wanted to have more time one on one so to speak.. Round trip .. Melbourne… Brisbane… Melbourne… equivalent to round trip …New York to Miami… he has taken a liking to my designs and to the Torque Work Centre…What better reason for the trip..
Aaron from Torque and I drove down to the Brisbane airport to pick Stu up at just after 9 AM getting back to the workshop around 10 AM. A quick tour of the workshop and the wood store… a few pics and a video…
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Then we had an indepth question and answer session about the Torque WorkCentre.. Stu seems very taken with the Wee Beastie and wants the 2.5 metre bed with the 1300 mm arm and all the accessories. From the short time we had together he suggested a host of innovations and uses for the machine.
Did a few Demos on the machine… Used the saw attachment to cross cut a laminated top for an entertainment unit I am still working on…. New Guinea Rosewood… of course… lol
Attached the router and did some funky free hand designs, cut a circle and then cut a ring out of the circle… a little sign making with the copy attachment… both engraved letters and raised letters.. More of that later..Stu will be doing reviews of all the features and attachments over the next few months.
The above video was only part of what Stu shot yesterday.. Check out his site for this visit
We all had a blast… so much fun getting together with other woodies and just chatting and having a few refreshing Coolaids…I wish everyone could have been there… next time maybe…
I told Stu to bring a bag [empty] and I sent him back with some hairy oak, avocado, conkleberry and since he had admired and blogged my woven board so much, made sure that one found its way into the bag too.
Keep the good lady wife happy and he can get another leave pass maybe.. lol…

Aaron and Stu in the shed…
Btw Stu was most impressed with a small carvers Mallet that he saw… Nice one Kent
Before we knew it … time to go to the airport… got there 30 minutes before the flight but because Stu had to check luggage they told him he should have been there 90 minute before… oh well QANTAS did the right thing and booked him on the next flight… no charge… and he still did not get home till well after midnight…
One fantastic trip… I know … we did it in reverse a few weeks ago…
Till next time keep looking and posting and working safe..
Larry

The new toy. #13: 3D carving video

degoose — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:18:30 GMT

If video sticks or does no work use "This":http://s662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/degoose/?action=view&current=VTS_10_1.flv

Wood Gloat #8: A little more of the Western Queensland Timbers.

degoose — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:02:54 GMT

Keith tuned up yesterday with some more timber…

From the left standing up.. Malee….false Sandalwood….Hairy Oak…..Dead Finish…Beef wood…..Emu Apple..

Mallee

False Sandalwood

Hairy Oak

Close up of the Hairy Oak.. looks like a YAK

Small leaf Beefwood… not to be confused with large leaf Beefwood… LOL

Emu Apple wood

Dead Finish

A banana finger of Queensland Red Cedar. Scheduled to be a sign.

This is for Lisa… Squigggly Pine… I think… Athol Pine..

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Just a few more shots of the grain…

Going to local shows. #3: Melbourne at last

degoose — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:32:35 GMT

Hi guys Just got back from Melbourne.. went down courtesy of the boys from Torque Work Centres..
What a blast… 3 days of talking to woodies about timber, tools, techniques and just shooting the breeze with a great bunch of people.
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Some timber for you all to drool over… I know I did..
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The venue was at the Flemington Markets… just down the road from Flemington Race course.. the home of the Melbourne Cup… the Horse race that stops a Nation. Very large place… long walk from our display stand in the demostration end to the toilets and the exhibitors lounge for coffee..
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Even boat building … real sweet boats there too.
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. This, my friends, is. THE SLAB MASTER. This one is smaller than most at just over 20 feet long. Dresses and sands slabs. And that is Keith operating it.
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A demonstration of dressing a slab of Silky Oak…Lacewood… only took a few minutes on each side for this small slab. The operator is Luke.. one of the boys who make the machine..He is a boilermaker by trade and we are teaching him all about wood.. lots of fun…. he is catching on really fast under the watchful eye of Keith.. master woodworker and designer of all the Machines.. including a swag of really huge CNC machines…
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Good site plan…well spread out.. wide aisles and heaps of bargains… not that I had time to scratch myself let alone get to any of the bargains available..

One for all the galloots out there.. lots of antique hand tools… Charles Jackson III you would have loved this display .. even a pedal powered scroll saw and spring loaded lathe

More slabs of cedar.. drool drool
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Here are some Burls and stumps for tables…

Roger Gifkens Dove tail Jig stand…really nice piece of kit this.

Me showing off with the “Wee Beastie” lol,

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I just had to include this fantastic artist..
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Just a few shots of the stand with some of the boards I took.. brought most of them back but I did sell almost AU$1000.00 over the weekend.
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And to top of an already great weekend.. had a chance to chat with Stuart Lees from Stu's Shed

Fantastic down to earth bloke.. had a wonderful time chatting with him.. I must have impressed him because he took some pics of my work and told me that he would include me in his blog.. OK I though “nice.”
Did not expect this though.
Well that is just about all from me for this show/
Next Month I am off to Bundaberg.. a few hour north for a wood show.. stay tuned.