Yesterday was my day to make presents for my kids… (didn’t really happen). I just can’t think of the right gifts to make and then when I get an idea I need to print a pattern and my printer isn’t working right now, so frustration sets in and I go do housework instead. (See how frustrated I am??? I did housework – by choice and not by necessity!! That’s scary).
But I had to make something…. something….
So down to the shop I went to listen to the spirits of the wood saying “pick me… gift me”.... The strategy worked because 5 seconds after looking at my pile of wood I saw a little piece of thin plywood stuff that is perfect for the bottom of a tray. I didn’t know I had any of it left! Ah ha… I’ll make a tray to hold papers.
I decided that my collection of tongue and groove pine would make good sides and could even be used to stack one on top of the other if I wanted to do that. (Even though the pine isn’t their style, the piece would be functional and made by mom.. so they would have to just like it! haha)
The tray went together so quickly I wasn’t even going to post a picture or write-up about it. but then I realized that this achievement (the ease of making it) is something to celebrate. I’ve reached a new milestone in my learning curve. I knew what I was doing.
The Tray
At first I was just going to put a bottom on the tray but then decided that if i used the pine “as is” I could make a shelf in it and leave room underneath for sliding other material. Perfect.
I cut the plywood to fit a standard piece of paper, with room for fingers to access the material. I then cut the two sides to length.
I used the mitre saw to cut the dadoes/grooves into the sides—AND I used a trick that I saw here at LJ to make sure they were cut at the same height. I clamped a piece of wood to the back rail of my mitre saw which created a block for my wood piece to sit up against. Perfect.
I then used my $1 Store chisel to chip out the centre piece of wood left after the two cuts by the saw. And then I used my router plane to smooth out the dado/groove. Perfect again.
I glued and clamped the sides to the plywood (NOTE: I have to buy more clamps. I only have two “large” clamps that aren’t large enough for length clamping, and two “smaller” clamps that are .. well.. smaller… )
After clamping the sides, I measured and cut a piece to go along the back. And, since the pine already has a lacquer finish—I’m laughing! I’m done.
(Pictures to follow—after the gift recipients have left the house).
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
14 comments so far
Karson
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12617 posts in 843 days
posted 252 days ago
No pictures didn’t happen.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
rpmurphy509
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285 posts in 297 days
posted 252 days ago
I was thinking the same as Karson, no pictures? No project ;)
-- Still learning everything
Russel
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1214 posts in 381 days
posted 252 days ago
Great story. But you of all people should know that pictures are what keep many of us going. Gotta see. However, since you promised pictures, I’ll wait, somewhat anxiously, but I’ll wait.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
MsDebbieP
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11555 posts in 603 days
posted 252 days ago
well I couldn’t take the picture while my daughter and son-in-law were around!!!
Maybe I’ll make you guys wait til Christmas morning, now, before I post a picture!!!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Todd A. Clippinger
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2528 posts in 542 days
posted 251 days ago
I love reaching the point where you realize, “Wow, I know what I am doing and I am efficient in the shop.”
That is a great moment.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
MsDebbieP
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11555 posts in 603 days
posted 251 days ago
it was pretty exciting, even though it was a simple project
(ha…. a year ago at this time I would not have called it a simple project)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Lee A. Jesberger
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2579 posts in 422 days
posted 250 days ago
Hi Ms. Debbie, Executive Director etc…;
I’m glad to hear your reaching that stage when you can “just do it”, without all the fretting about it.
It’s kind of interesting to watch carpenters or cabinetmakers when first realise they can do it. They go from second guessing everything they do, and in the process, screwing it up, to doing it on auto drive.
You are able to see the exact day they realise they know how.
I’m still waiting for that day for me!
Based on the pictures you supplied I’ll just guess it was a nice job.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
MsDebbieP
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11555 posts in 603 days
posted 250 days ago
and this morning I did a couple scrollsaw projects .. but you’ll have to wait til christmas to have a look.
...
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
mot
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4837 posts in 479 days
posted 244 days ago
NPDH!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
dennis mitchell
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2913 posts in 757 days
posted 244 days ago
Christmas 2008? I see how you are.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
MsDebbieP
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11555 posts in 603 days
posted 244 days ago
oh . haha… oops.
the tray has made it’s way to.. somewhere .. and I didn’t get a picture of it.
I’ll have to make another one, I guess.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Russel
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1214 posts in 381 days
posted 244 days ago
And I’ll bet the dog ate your homework too.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Dusty
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783 posts in 598 days
posted 244 days ago
Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn….......................
You silly goose you know better than to tell us bed time fairy tails like this….
Of all people…...... shezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
You think this group here just got our first chisel, to take a piece out of you hide with?
Go to your shop!
Bad Girl!
-- Dusty
MsDebbieP
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11555 posts in 603 days
posted 244 days ago
hehehe lol
well… ummm…. ah…. well….. bad dog.. bad dog…
maybe I’ll get some pictures in the new year.. yah.. that’s it – I’m waiting for the new year.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)