2x12 Bench #3: We're underway!

Hey Tomcat is that blood on those legs? Nice start, I’ll be watching till the end.

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

Les,

Why yes it is. :) I figure I can say I literally put my blood, sweat and tears into this thing :D

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

I used to tell everyone that I make love to every project I build, so a part of me goes with it. But I think I’ve done a little bleeding on some of them to.

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllrighty then ;)

I just have nothing to say to that first part Les. Nothing at all. ;)

As for the second part, I suspect, given enough time, everyone will bleed on a project or two. Wouldn’t you agree?

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Tomcat,

You put “a lot our yourself” into this so far but it is beginning to take shape (I would choose another stain however- red just doesn’t cut it for a bench).

At least you are making some sawdust. I will be looking forward for the next post.

Be careful.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Thanks Scott. I was trying to experiment with early staining techniques, and decided they’re just to darn painful ;)

Actually, the stain I have will, I think, enhance this project big-time!

One thing I did learn though…woodworking is an awful lot like WORK if you’re not careful!

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Looks like you are of to a great start! Keep at it.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Thanks Gary! I’m worn out, but had a blast getting that way!

Possibly, the most fun I’ve ever had with clothes on ;)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

I hate when I get blood on my projects. I do it all the time.

-- Tony, Ohio

It doesn’t really bother me to much. Back in an earlier life, I made armour for rattan combat. We used to bleed on darn near every piece. It was OK though, because we found that if you bleed during the production of the armour, you didn’t bleed in the application of the armour :)

That mentality has apparently stuck around :)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Looking good there TC. Before I read the post the legs did look a little . . . twisted. I have the same problem with my jigsaw. Im thinking its the cheap blades that I use.

I seen the red spot on the leg and thought . . . that looks like blood . . . he must be really working. Sure enough . . . it was. I dont think I have completed a project yet that does not have some of my DNA.

May I offer a suggestion? I wonder what the legs would look like with the same curve cut in the base. This would essentially give you 4 little legs instead of 2 big ones.

Anyhoo . . . Im looking forward to seeing Act 2.

Cheers

Oh . . . nice mallet ;-)

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

Thanks Zuki. I really don’t know what the problem is the saw, but suspect it has something to do with being a cheap, no-name jigsaw. The blades are Bosch blades, so I didn’t go cheap there…who knows.

As for the same curve into the base, I really don’t think the same curve would fit. I have been toying with the idea of putting a curve down there though, just a shallow one though.

As for the mallet…yeah, it’s great :) I finally got to use it for it’s intended purpose today!

Tom

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

great post ! its looking good t c . as for the jig saw , my opinion its diffocult to get a sq. cut even on 3/4 in. stock and on frameing lumber i dought youll get one the blades are small and overheat easily . my rule of thumb with a jigsaw is to put very little pressure on the saws forward motion let the saw cut at its own pace . i have a middle of the road bosch and the blade goes forward and back as well as up and down and this feature is adjustable also it works better than the cheapies but still i dought id get a sq. cut on stock that thick . thats my 2 scents and my paypal # is … lol

Very nice work, can’t wait to see how it turns out!

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

mrtrim,

Good to know it’s not just me! Of course, if I let the saw cut at it’s on speed, I’d still be cutting the first curve ;)

I now have a newfound desire for a bandsaw. What can I say.

Eric,

Thanks. I’m looking forward to sharing this when it’s all done!

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

look at you…. making it all come together so quickly.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Thanks Debbie! I was thinking about this earlier, but yesterday’s work was really the easy stuff relatively. Shaping the legs, the seat, and cutting out the mortises are pretty big jobs that won’t show returns as easily I suspect.

Still, it was great getting so much done, and not rushing to get to that point. I’ve got until the end of March (my own time line per challenge guidelines). As exhausted as I was last night, it was a great feeling.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!