jstewart's Blog at LumberJocks.com http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:37:32 GMT Workshop in Progress #5: Router Table and Workbench http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/5247 As I previously mentioned, I’ve made good progress on a garage workbench. I still need to put the facings (or whatever you call them) on the drawers. The facings are already cut out, but I’m waiting to decide on drawer pulls before I put them on. I’ve considered making some drawer pulls from rope to give the whole thing a different look than standard cabinet drawers. The back edge of the benchtop has some scrap MDF pieces laying on it to keep anything from rolling back behind the bench. Those will be replaced with a long piece of pine or maybe just some quarter round trim. I also hope to install a vise under the long overhang that I designed into the right end of the bench.

Workbench: 95% done

I’ve also made some really good progress on a basic router table. The top is a layer of 3/4” melamine laying on top of a layer of 3/4” MDF. I put some lengths of T-track in that I will use to attach the fence, which is the one thing left to complete. I built the stand using some 2×4s I had on hand. It’s currently sitting on some scrap 2.4 chunks just to keep the garage floor moisture from soaking up into the legs. I plan to install some casters to make it mobile in my small garage shop.

Router Table w/o Fence

]]> Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:37:32 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/5247 jstewart jstewart Workshop in Progress #4: Garage cabinets are almost done http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/5186 I’ve almost finished the garage cabinets. My parents were in town last weekend to witness my daughter’s baptism. So, we took the opportunity to spend some time together in the garage.

We were able to build the remaining three drawers in just a couple of hours. I decided to use pocket hole joinery for these drawers for two reasons. One: I just got a new Kreg Master System, so I wanted to give it a try. Two: I knew pocket hole joinery would be faster than setting up the dado stack on my table saw to do notched corners like I did on the one drawer I had already finished. Three: this is a garage cabinet, so seeing pocket holes is not a problem aesthetically. The jig was great. If you want to do some simple joinery that holds strong, I highly recommend it.

When I installed the first drawer on full-extension slides, I just made sure everything was straight and level, but never really paid attention to the directions. When we did the last two drawers, we decided to follow the directions exactly. I couldn’t believe it. They were actually well written and took a lot of thinking out of the process. Those last two drawers were installed perfectly.

Tonight I cut the facings for the drawers, which is the last thing I have to install. Once that’s done, I will post some photos. I’m also in the process of building a router table. The top is coming along very well. I hope to have some photos of that as well.

]]> Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:32:53 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/5186 jstewart jstewart Workshop in Progress #3: My new tool: Kreg Master System http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/4982 I just got home from my visit to the ER followed by a stay in a hospital bed. That was not very enjoyable. Neither were to two days leading up to the decision to go to the ER at 9:30 Tuesday night.

However, when I got home today, I found that Amazon had delivered my new Kreg Master System. I can’t wait to put it to work. (I’ll have to wait a while since I’m not back to 100% quite yet.)

Once I get some good use with this tool, I’ll try to remember to post a review with my beginner’s opinion.

]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:19:49 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/4982 jstewart jstewart A Beginner's Progress #6: The Finished Product http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/4229 Based on the size, I plan to use this more as an end table than a nightstand, its original intent. I’m fairly happy with the way things came out. I’ve posted it as my first LumberJocks project.

So, without further ado…
Basic Endtable

I have a short series of project photos on Flickr. Here’s a link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshuastewart/sets/72157600298401235/

]]> Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:17:43 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/4229 jstewart jstewart Slow progress and a few new purchases http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/3622 I still haven’t posted my first LJ project, but I’m planning on it. I recently finished the construction phase of a basic end table that I’m actually going to use as a nightstand on my side of the bed. My wife has a nice place to put her glasses, book and a glass of water, but my side of the bed is just a pile of magazines on the floor and a cardboard file box where I toss my glass before calling it a day. Once the weather warms up a bit more, I hope to get the end table finished. I’m still not sure what I want to do as far as staining and sealing it.

Anyway, that’s not what I wanted to write about tonight. I made a few woodworking purchases recently. Last week I picked up my own dado set. (A good friend had loaned me his for quite some time. He always gets cool things like that as birthday gifts from his family, but then never gets around to using them.) Just today I purchased a 16 1/2” drill press. It’s still in the box, but I plan to assemble it soon. Along with that I picked up a Woodpeckers phenolic router plate. I plan to make my own router table after completing the end table and some garage cabinets I’m very slowly working on.

There’s nothing like a few new toys in the workshop when it comes to renewing a desire to make some sawdust.

]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:38:50 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/3622 jstewart jstewart A Tour of Eric Madsen's Shop in KC http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/3569 Tonight Karson and I were privileged to spend a couple of hours with steamdonkey in his shop in old Kansas City. I’m sure Karson will post a longer, more informative blog article. I needed a place to hang a photo, so here it is.

]]> Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:22:35 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/3569 jstewart jstewart Workshop in Progress #2: Garage Cabinets Inspired by Norm http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/2027 I’m putting together some garage cabinets based on the ones Norm built in the “Garage Workshop” episode from quite a while back. This is the first time I’ve ever done anything involving a carcase. It’s also the first time I’ve done a project involving dadoes and rabbets on the table saw. So far I think it’s going well. To go along with those firsts, it’s the first time I’ve been able to put my new air compressor and brad nailer to work. (I bought the PC 3 nailer combo pack from Home Depot earlier this week.) I obviously haven’t completed the cabinet yet, but I think I’m making good progress.

My First Cabinet

]]> Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:05:00 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/2027 jstewart jstewart A Beginner's Progress #5: Starting the Final Assembly http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/2026 I’ve finally started the final assembly on the basic nightstand I’m building. I’ve glued up both of the sides and put them in clamps to dry for the night. Tomorrow I’ll put the other apron boards in as well as the bottom shelf. Then It’s just some finishing work. I’m still trying to decide what type of finish to use. I like to keep wood looking its natural color, so I might not use any stain at all.

In the Clamps

]]> Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:58:04 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/2026 jstewart jstewart A Beginner's Progress #4: Fun with a Dado Blade http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/1977 Today I made more progress in learning woodworking. I ran to Woodcraft and picked up a zero-clearance insert for my table saw. I installed a Freud SD208 dado blade, 3/4” wide. I installed the insert, adjusting the fit using all of the set screws on the top, front and side. Once the insert fit snuggly, I clamped a 2”x4” across the top, from side to side. (I tried clamping it from front to back but the saw motor and fence rails made it harder to do it that way.) I turned on saw. Everything sounded great, like a really powerful fan. I SLOWLY raised the blade. I probably did this slower than I needed to, but I wanted to be safe since I’ve never done this before. Other than the horrible smell of burning phenolic and melamine, everything went well. (I need to buy a nice respirator.)

I grabbed an old chunk of wood and gave the new setup a test. After my initial test, I have to give this blade a very favorable review. I was told to expect dado cuts that require a little bit of cleanup. I have to say that the cuts I made had sharper edges and bottoms than I ever expected. They were as smooth as the “factory” edges on the board.

Overall, I’m making very slow progress in my woodworking hobby. It’s taken me quite a while to get to this point. My work, wife, house, and most of all, new baby have taken up most of my time (as I’m sure most woodworking hobbyists can attest to). This blog entry may seem a little lame to many of you. For me, it’s a big step.

My first dado and rabbet on my table saw

]]> Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:06:40 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/1977 jstewart jstewart I'm a dad! http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/1685 I don’t have much time to post this, so it will be short. Two days ago, on August 8th, I became a father. My beautiful wife gave birth (via C-section) to a beautiful baby girl, Molly Hannah. She was only 19 inches long but a healthy 9 lbs 3.6 ounces. So, I have a good excuse for missing the DeCou LumberJock picnic.

I’ve got to get back to the hospital now. I’ll post some photos on Flickr later on.

(I know this isn’t about woodworking at all. Sue me.)

]]> Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:01:12 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/jstewart/blog/1685 jstewart jstewart