plantek's Blog at LumberJocks.com http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:16:27 GMT Bamboo and how to... http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/27920 Howdy Folks,

I just bought some bamboo ply to build some nice kitchen drawer liners.
I plan to build using box joint and mortises for the construction.
Do any of you have any tips for working with bamboo as far a glue is concerned?

Thanks so much,

Ken

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:16:27 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/27920 plantek plantek Bench Top Mortising Machine http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/27777 Howdy Folks,

I’m considering a bench top mortising machine. Can any of you recommend some good brands?

]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:58:23 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/27777 plantek plantek Flip Stand Modifications #2: Shovel Ready http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/19507 Well I hate to sound like i’m kicking a dead horse by still talking about this. But a back injury and work in general had me down for the count a few days.
Anyway now I can say “I’m done”.
The stand now has extensions that ad 6ft to the fence of the miter saw (with level adjustment)


The added drawer… no explanation necessary. We can all use more storage.
This can’t hold a candle to a dedicated miter station or planner station. But for a mobile one, this is hard to beat.

and they neatly stow on the sides.

]]> Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:35:16 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/19507 plantek plantek Flip Stand Modifications #1: Flip Stand Modifications http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/19364 When I first built the stand I decided on making it a little taller then the plans to add a drawer. That’s still in process. As well as a drawer I have stared making extension wings for use when the miter saw is being used.
The extensions have a fence on them which makes them unusable with the planner, that is if I mounted the planner side ways. I’m not concerned with that because when I use the planner its usually quick (in – out) and do not leave lumber on it. Besides I have roller stands to accommodate.
Then extensions slip over the top and have a adjusting bolt for leveling. Here’s a picture. Bear in mind they are not complete. There will be gussets on both sides of each extension, tapering to the end. I mortised a piece of flat bar into the side of the stand for the leveling screw to push against.
I could have used a smaller piece of metal but that’s what I had on hand.

Here’s a link to the original post of the stand: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/39814
The next time I post it will be with a finished drawer and both extensions in place.
I plan to make some type of hanger for the extensions to hang on the side of the case when not in use.

]]> Tue, 16 Nov 2010 22:30:41 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/19364 plantek plantek Wall Mirror/Shelf/Drawer Unit #5: Magic Mirror on the Wall http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18566 Well It’s done!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43319756@N05/5068492159/in/photostream/
At a total of $130.00 in materials I’ve finished the project I wanted when I first saw it the March 2010 issue of Wood Magazine.
It’s also the first project I’ve done working with Cherry. I really enjoyed it even though I found Cherry to be a bit unforgiving.
The grain pattern through out the piece is really eye catching: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43319756@N05/5069101620/in/photostream/
I’m so happy I decided to take the time to do the half blind dove tails on the drawers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43319756@N05/5068492865/in/photostream/
Yes they are machine cut with a jig, but it’s a far far cry better then what the original plans called for (rabbited joints).
The finish is one thin coat of shellac and 3 coats of hand wiped poly.
I’m looking forward to more Cherry projects.

]]> Sun, 10 Oct 2010 22:16:58 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18566 plantek plantek Wall Mirror/Shelf/Drawer Unit #4: Dove Tail Tales http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18510 So the plan that the mirror frame is from calls for rabbited joints for the drawers… I was ready to comply and build the drawers accordingly. Never mind that I have a Porter Cable dove tail jig. My reasoning was I have never used it on 1/2 stock or hard wood before. Not to mention that I just want my mirror done and on the wall.

Well I thought about it and thought about it and realized I would not forgive myself if I don’t dove tail the joints. I will give the piece that much more class. So with that I went into the garage last night and milled some 1/2 stock out of pine and some poplar drop I had in order to practice. As soon as I started I felt silly for even considering the original plan. The jig is so easy to use regardless of the stock size and once set it is just as fast if not faster the setting up the router table.

So I set up the jig and built a prototype drawer out of the poplar and pine in order to size the parts just right. The test drawer fit like a piston!

I went ahead and cut the cherry wood to size and dove tailed the pieces. My next step starting tomorrow is to put the drawers together and finish sand them. My mirror has been ordered and cut. I pick that up tomorrow afternoon. So by tomorrow night or Saturday I will be starting the finish.

I also changed my mind about the finish. At first I wanted to go with boiled linseed oil and wax. I’ve since decided on shellac and varnish. Even though the mirror/shelf/drawer will not be subject to use by others then myself or wife, I think it should have some surface protection… more from me then my wife.

I’m loving this!
Pictures to follow next post.

]]> Fri, 08 Oct 2010 04:14:42 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18510 plantek plantek Wall Mirror/Shelf/Drawer Unit #3: The Frame and Case Complete http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18416 So this is my third post for this blog, but it is really three and a half days of work on the project. Being a weekend warrior (LumberJock) I consider 4 hrs on the weekend a days work. I’d spend all day if I could. So Friday night I was able to get the mirror frame finished sanded and together: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43319756@N05/5049574016/in/set-72157624965142223/
Saturday morning I started with cutting the parts for the drawer case and finish sanding the parts as necessary: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43319756@N05/5048953767/in/set-72157624965142223/
Sunday morning began with the case going together and finished with the case being mounted to the frame: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43319756@N05/5048953575/in/set-72157624965142223/
I figure the two drawers will take another 3 hrs which I can knock out this coming weeks shop night. I should be able to start the stain and finish next weekend. It’s a long week too!
Until next time…

]]> Mon, 04 Oct 2010 03:35:39 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18416 plantek plantek Wall Mirror/Shelf/Drawer Unit #2: The Dust Capade http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18335 Well I’m off to a good start. Tonight I milled my lumber 4/4 down to 3/4” & 1/2”, and was able to cut to length all the 3/4 pieces. I got to use my new DeWalt 734 planer for the first time (not including test pieces last weekend) and let me tell you I got schooled when it comes to keeping my eye on my DC. I have a 6 gal shop vac attached to a Onieda cyclone that sits atop a 5 gal bucket. I didn’t empty the 5 gal before I got started… Yeah… Needless to say it filled up fast. Before I knew it chips and dust (more dust then chips) where flying out the front of the machine. Then the board stopped feeding and sat as still as could be. Of course I shut down the planer immediately, but when something like that happens it seems like it’s in slow motion. In that moment I was sure I ruined my new planer and the lumber… there goes my project (so I thought… for the moment). After I shut down and took a look at the DC I realized not only had the 5 gal filled up, but the cyclone filled, the 6 gal vac filled, as well as my new planer!
Once I emptied everything and dunged out the planer all was well. I had a slight burn spot which was the result of the feed stopping but that came off with the next pass. Actually the feed did not stop, but there was so much debris that it lost traction.
Sure all the chips and dust coming out of the front should have been my first clue and to tell the truth I did wonder about that (as I fed the next board), but I only thought about the many stories I’ve read about the amount of chips and dust a planer makes. Well now I know better and plan to empty the bucket after or before starting ANY cutting or milling.
I am relieved to know that when the DC bucket is empty the dust collection is very very good.
As for the performance of my new planer (before and after the “Dust Capade”), it’s fantastic. I’m so happy I bought that.
Until next time…

]]> Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:23:19 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18335 plantek plantek Wall Mirror/Shelf/Drawer Unit #1: Getting Ready to Start http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18285 I came across a excellent plan for a wall shelf/mirror & draw unit in the March 2010 issue of Wood Magazine.
I have not worked with cherry wood before but I love the look of it and I am looking forward to getting my feet wet with such a nice project.
I bought the wood last weekend at EarthSource here in my neck of the woods. 14 bf of 4/4 cherry. The plan calls for 11 bf so I’m looking for a little something something project with the drop.
So I’ve studied the plan, gotten tooled up and developed a game plan. I start this Wednesday (my shop night).
This will be fun!

]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:05:36 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/plantek/blog/18285 plantek plantek