Ten years ago, I was fretting over the state of my tablesaw blade storage, er, uh, there was none! I had them in a flat file drawer with sheets of cardboard to separate them. As I would swap one for a sharp one or one of a different use, I’d have to do a blade shuffle and be careful not to bang them into one another. ENOUGH!!!

I came up with this solution with three parameters in mind; it had to be portable so I could haul the blades to the sharpening service safely, it had to be made of scraps as in I couldn’t use it as an excuse to buy another 100 bd’ of cherry, and last but certainly not least—it had to be easy to make. I’m lazy like that.

So here’s what transpired using a 4 inch wide by 48 inch strip of leftover 3/4” Baltic Birch ply, about one half sheet of 1/8” tempered hardboard, two leftover drawer bails [‘cause it’s heavy when it’s full], an old 3” door hinge, two plastic bumpers, and the only thing I actually had to purchase was the hasp and I think it beat up a two dollar bill.

I cut four equal length pieces of the Birch ply then mitered the ends and grooved them to accept the hardboard. There are eight pieces of hardboard apx. 11 inches square. I used slow set West Systems epoxy in order to have enough open time to pull this puzzle together and get it all into a pair of Bessey band clamps. Obviously I only applied glue to three sides. After that, it was a matter of installing the hardware after a coat of poly. I knew I got it right when my sharpener said, “Wow, I like that.”

It would be an easy enough design to expand in order for it to hold more blades, but as it is, when it’s toting 7 blades it tips the bathroom scale at over twenty pounds. A more comfortable handle would be nice too, maybe a leather chest handle… and maybe some nice brass corners… naaaa. Anyway, I made the parts double so if I expand the blade collection much more I can slap one of these together in an hour and be using it by tomorrow.

To dispense a blade is simplicity in itself; you tilt the box forward on the knuckle of the hinge while holding your other hand across the open front, when the blades roll forward it is easy to see which one you’re after and putting a finger on it, relax the box back and the rest roll back into the box. Sweet.

Here’s a closer look at some of the details…

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I completed this just over a year ago. It’s weathering in fine. The deck/floor is made of ipe decking and was put down five (5) years prior and shows no signs of wear other than a slight graying which I’m kinda partial to. The missus power washes it and makes me teak oil it once a year to, “make it pretty”. It’s a small price for peace.

The structural parts are SYP (southern yellow pine), some PT (pressure treated). The door was a steal from a closeout sale along with the turned spindles. I paid a buck a piece for them. The door is solid 1-1/2” oak with leaded glass behind shatterproof glass, Baldwin solid brass lockset and four forged brass hinges with decorative finials from Renovator’s Supply. The pediment is Douglas fir atop more SYP and stock reed/flute moldings trimmed to fit. The ceiling is SYP T&G mitered for the diamond effect. The moldings for the light fixture I had to make as I couldn’t find roman ogee in the right size. So yeah, I can make moldings when I have to… nya!

The cedar shakes have also held up well as they are as old as the decking. The railings, posts, arches, window treatments, plant boxes, front door architrave, ceiling and even the light fixture were designed, fabricated and installed by moi. I also designed a post mailbox to match the details of the porch using the same materials, proportions, blah, blah, blah… you get the picture.

The part I’m most fond of in this project are the pyramidal post caps. They’re made up of four pieces so as not to expose any end grain to the elements. I’m also a bit partial to the pierced panels flanking the step. I didn’t have enough spindles so I came up with a pattern that mirrored the shape of the turned spindles in the negative. Voila.

Also, as a green bonus, the column capitals have become daytime hideaways for tree frogs. The posts are clad so there is a little airspace, just enough for the frogs to retreat into. They’re welcome friends as they will just about eat their weight in bugs every night. I know this because you should see the size of their middens.

The door, architrave and window treatments are finished with tinted glossy spar varnish. The shakes, columns, arches, window boxes and handrails are coated with outdoor oil based semi-transparent stain.

Getting this one done and off the list was a proud day but a short one as the missus now thinks I can do anything. Oh well, it’s a small price for peace.

always,
J.C.