Yes, there are some other things in the shop. It is actually my Dad’s free standing shop, where he stores his tools, bikes, garden supplies, etc. But, at least it has a table saw!

For the Festoolians out there, here is the link to the Festool giveaway.

I am still watching The Woodwhisperer for the next Festool giveaway there as well.

Imagine, a shop full of Festools. Oh no!!!!!

Ok, so part of me loves that idea. The improved accuracy, the duplication of parts, the elimination of all the cutting on the table saw or miter saw, the time savings. At the same time, another part of me says that takes the fun/enjoyment/feel out of woodworking. It makes it more mechanical, less “human”. But, is it the journey of making the product, or the end product that we want most. And, since you still have to glue it up, sand it, and finish it, not to mention design it, doesn’t that make it your creation as well?

Well, until they are more affordable, it is back to the manual labor for me. What do each of you think?

Funny thing is, I live in California and the local lumber yards do not carry Western Red Cedar. They do carry Cedar for fencing, but nothing else. And they wonder why I specifically want Western Red Cedar to build outdoor furniture. Oh well, maybe I will find a source yet.

Alas, I should have known, that was to optimistic. One week has gone by, and the modem has not arrived yet. I called about it, and found out the warehouse is behind on shipments. So, I have been checking email and such during lunch.

So, I have not forgotten all of you. I am just backlogged. Soon I will be back commenting again. Until then, I will suffer through my Lumberjock withdrawals knowing they will be ending soon.

The Domino would allow me to do mortise and tennon joints much more easily than now. It would have the greater flexibility of positions, large sizes, etc. compared to the mortise machine. But the cost makes me gulp! A Jet mortise machine is only $300, or a quarter of the cost.

The table saw I do need, but have been working in my Dad’s shop and using his equipment. So, I could get by without that for awhile. However, having my own would allow me to work directly out of my shop. The Ridgid table saw runs around $600.

The planer is a definite need, since my jointer is only 6 1/2” wide. No wide boards through here. So far my boards usually have been less than 6” wide, so I get by with the jointer. But, it would be helpful to use wider boards on occasion. A DeWalt benchtop planer would run approximately $600.

So, $1300 for a Domino set-up, or $1500 for a shop set up. Of course, thinking outside of the box would say make the investment in my business and get all, plus a bit of wood for $3000. Funny, but that was the dollar figure I had in my mind earlier this year about the amount of tool purchases I need to make this year.

Well I sure better sell a lot more items soon!

Just before I got sick, I decided on a Thorsen Table design, and began cutting the wood. I was working on the table top, when the headaches and sinus pain became too much. Well, it is time to start tackling the table again. I was glad to have settled on a design, and happy that the initial cutting went so well. The tricky parts will begin soon enough.

Unlike Obi, I did not buy a hunnerd dollar board. I have some thick oak stock for the legs on hand. I did have to buy one oak board for the top, aprons, stretchers, etc. But, I think this will work out nicely. While I hope to sell it, and make money for more projects, I can also use it myself.

So, here is to success in the shop.

I still need to determine how I will attach the tables to their respective legs. One will be easy, since it is a fixed table. The second will be more interesting, as it needs to tilt to hold a canvas. After that, the assembly should go smoothly.

Then there is that all important finish. Since this is for an artist, I will have to make the finish durable when exposed to the various paint cleaning chemicals. It looks like polyurethane varnish will be the best bet. While I prefer shellac, it will not hold up to the chemicals. Lacquer will probably be the same way.

Oh yes, there is still the matter of color….

My next project is an artist stand. I have a picture and the wood. Next step, start cutting.

At the same time, I am working on some smaller items I can offer as well. I have some great plans and instructions, but my results have been less than spectacular at the moment. But, today is a new day and I can achieve some new results.

I plan to focus the smaller items on prices less than $50 and see where that goes. Now if I can just get the costs down to that level…

So, I have finished my 2006 projects, and am about to begin those for 2007. First on my list is an Artist painting table. This will be built of Oak, and take a few weeks to finish. (Note to self, work faster).

The next project is undecided. Do I start on those Adirondack chairs, or maybe some of the smaller items I want to add to an online store? I still have time to decide.