| Workshop by pastorglen | posted 861 days ago | 1112 reads | 0 times favorited | 12 comments |  |
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Before and after. I think you can tell which are which.
My dad is an amazing carpenter. I’ve always been in awe of his ability, and I think that has kept me from jumping into doing anything more than “holding the light still.” Then a few years ago I had a pretty busy week—80 hours or something like that. I realized that if I kept that schedule for long that I’d go nuts. That’s when I decided to learn a hobby. What is one thing I’ve always wanted to do? Cut dovetails—by hand.
I started with a regular hand saw and a screw driver (sad, I know) that I had sharpened into a point. The first joint was really sloppy… but it held. And I was hooked.
I added an inexpensive dovetail saw, a combination square, and a real chisel. I made a mallet, since I didn’t have the money to buy one. Before long I realized that I should make something other than a bucket of dovetail joints. Each project gave me more confidence to do the next.
After the first winter of dealing with NW Pennsylvania cold, I realized I needed a shop. I spent the summer designing what I wanted, and that fall my dad and I started building it in the back corner of my existing barn. My standing power tools (table saw, miter box, band saw, and a radial arm saw that my mom gave my dad 8 months before I was born) are located in the unheated barn. The heated wood shop is 12×14. It’s my hand-tool shop with the goal of using hand-tools only. I’ve broken the rule a time or two, but mainly because I didn’t have the hand-tool to accomplish the task, and the electric tools were and easy enough solution. But little by little I plan to equip my tool cabinet with everything I need to run by hand.
My goal was to make it home-quality—nice enough that when people walk through my very rough barn and into my workshop, that they are shocked. One of the first people to look at it wiped off his feet before walking in. I think I succeeded.
Since this isn’t my real job and I’m doing this for fun, I’m enjoying the learning process. I look forward to interacting with you all.
-- Glen, Pennsylvania, Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
12 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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27262 posts in 1993 days
#1 posted 861 days ago
Glen, this is a nice upgrade on your shop space that is well worth the time and effort that you put into it. The wood floor is a big plus in my book as it is much easier to work on when contrasted with concrete. The wood sheathing on the walls is a good idea and makes hanging cabinetry a breeze. Sprucing up the shop the way you did makes it a more pleasurable experience just to go in there. Nice job.
Thanks for the pictures. I enjoyed visiting your shop.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
pastorglen
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244 posts in 862 days
#2 posted 860 days ago
Thanks, Scott.
Actually, most of framing in the shop was cut from my grandfather’s property. I had a friend who gave me 600 sq. ft. of oak t&g flooring. So the shop has that addition, too.
I see you’re in the Bluegrass. We lived in Nicholasville for 6 years and I worked in Lexington for a law firm. We sure miss Kentucky, but I’m glad to be closer to family.
Thanks for the visit.
-- Glen, Pennsylvania, Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Splinterman
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23060 posts in 1533 days
#3 posted 859 days ago
Hey Glen,
Looking good and will be very functional…nice job.
StumpyNubs
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5049 posts in 972 days
#4 posted 849 days ago
My family settled in Meadville in the 1790’s and a lot of them are still there today- We’re almost neighbors! (Except I live in Michigan)
-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com
pastorglen
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244 posts in 862 days
#5 posted 849 days ago
Hey, Jim! I know a lot of Hamiltons in the Meadville area.
Thanks for checking in!
-- Glen, Pennsylvania, Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1844 days
#6 posted 699 days ago
Nice shop, Glen.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
AJswoodshop
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1038 posts in 448 days
#7 posted 307 days ago
My dads a pastor too.
AJ
-- If I can do it.....so can you! -AJswoodshop
Jamie Speirs
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3684 posts in 1028 days
#8 posted 307 days ago
Glen I really like your Shop
Photo #5 looks great
A shaker rail would set it off :)
Jamie
-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
pastorglen
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244 posts in 862 days
#9 posted 307 days ago
Hey, AJ! Then you know what my kids have to put up with!
Have a great day. Thanks for posting!
-- Glen, Pennsylvania, Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
helluvawreck
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10480 posts in 1038 days
#10 posted 307 days ago
It looks real good and there’s nothing at all wrong with hand tools. Welcome to Lumberjocks.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau
NH_Hermit
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335 posts in 1268 days
#11 posted 307 days ago
I’m a P.K. (preacher’s kid) also
-- John from Horse Shoe
pastorglen
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244 posts in 862 days
#12 posted 306 days ago
Jamie, Charles, and John—- thanks for stopping by! It’s always nice to know there are others out there.
And PKs are only bad because they hang out with the deacon’s kids (and I was a deacon’s kid). ;-)
Blessings, one and all.
Glen
-- Glen, Pennsylvania, Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
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