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Howdy,

Insanity runs in the family. When you're a lumberjock - you get better at the easy projects. You learn, your eye gets better, the nuances start to make sense. The more you do, the more nuances you are aware of. You learn, and learn and learn. Every now and then, you just take a giant leap right off the cliff and hope you land in a cushy spot. I was praying for that cushy spot on this one.

I'll tell you all something from the heart - there is no way I could ever fathom a project like this before I met you all. You encourage the heck out of me. You give fantastic advice. You have made my simple projects so much easier. And once again, you have equipped me with enough know how to leap off that cliff. I don't know if I'm making expensive firewood but I do know that you all just might rescue me before I hit the rocky bottom. I do know that I have friends I can count on right here.

Although so many of you have been a major source and help, I want to give a shout out to John, Klaus and my ever present friend Len. You guys have been making a big difference in my woodworking lately. Thank you guys so much!

I promise to hook up all the blogs and links to the projects that gave me a major head start on this one. In the meantime, it's dinner time and my wife is about to skin me if I don't get in there now. ;)

Gallery

Comments

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I'd love to see the jigs that make those parts possible! My brain is coming up with all sorts of ideas now.
 

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I'm back from dinner. This thing is called a truncated icosahedron or a soccer ball.
The woods are.

Walnut - hexagons.
Jatoba - hexagons
Purple heart - pentagons
Paduak - pentagons
Walnut - base pentagons
Mystery pallet wood - base pentagons
Peruvian Walnut - Trim around lower edge

Sanded to 320
3 rub downs with tung oil
3 coats of general finishes, semi-gloss, urethane topcoat (de-waxed shellac).
Lightly scuffed at 220 between coats.
Sanded 800
Sanded 1500
Very light application of minwax "Finishing paste"
Hand rubbed then buffed with soft cotton.

Gerben and LanWater - If you're seeing this, the assistance you gave me in the past became a really big help. Thank you!









I discontinued the blog at a certain point. That's about the time I started experimenting. Still - the blog will get you all the way to making the complete soccer ball shape.

Clamping was a bit of an exercise but Gorilla tape saved my life. That's about it my friends. Thanks for letting me stand on your shoulders.
 

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Gorilla tape? You're welcome! Love the finished product.
 

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Von - go to town man. I'd love to see your stuff! I attached the blog. All I used was half sleds with bevel cut kerfs. I added a pic of one of them to the blog. I didn't use jigs for clamping because I found a way to draw the pieces together tightly. It involved tape and Irwin clamps.

Steve. Thanks for the compliment sir!

Lightning - thank you sir! ;)
 

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Wow - those are incredible. I'm getting a headache just thinking of how you did that. The Blog is much appreciated!
 

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Neat. Like to see how you did that!!.....................Jim
 

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Can you do that with dovetail joints? ;-) Just being facetious, again. Awesome and impressive work!
 

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Carver, I have a headache right now. It's was so hot yesterday that I've had a headache all day today. ;)

Howdy Jim, I see you found the blog. It's not so bad unless your angle is off by .01 degrees. Good lord those cuts are unforgiving.
 

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TS - that's the stuff of nightmares. LOL. Thanks for the high compliment!
 

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Kind o remnds me of BUCKMINSTER FULLER and his geodesig dome .
Full credit on a wonderful project and your determination to overcome the obstacles .
 

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I love them Mark.
I've had a go at that kind of thing myself, .... it makes the old brain smoke a bit.

Nice work !
 

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Super COOL!

I'd like to see some of the details… angles of all cuts, etc.

Thank you.
 

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Klaus,
You were a lot of help. I'm especially fond of the glue up tricks you shared with me. I'm very grateful for that.

Paul,
I remember that dodecahedron box. Beautiful and mind blowing. Thanks for the generous comments.

Joe,
Just for you my friend - all the links to the "how to" is above. Enjoy!

Chris,
Thank you kindly sir.
 

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Great work Mark.
The result is outstanding.
This said all the credit goes to you. You did the work and you never give up.
 

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Sticktoittiveness
(stick-to-it-tive-ness) ; noun, < strength, vigor

Boy Howdy Mark, the way you latch onto a project reminds me of the grip of a Snapping Turtle, until he's finished the only way to make him let go is to cut his head off.

Your wooden truncated icosahedron is finished and it is marvelous.
(who would have ever guessed you could use those 3 words in the same sentence)

Your recent projects make the finishing process look like the easy part.

Well done Sir.
Work Safely and have Fun. - Len
 

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Lan,
Credit where credit is due my friend. Your shared interest in the process and the sled idea where a great help. Thank you much for the technique and the compliment.

Len,
Sticky to it ;) This project actually made Martha wonder what was going through my head. I managed to finish up the office while I was working these bazillion cut lights. I'll get back to the sanctioned projects now. Between the office and working on something else she wants, we'll probably stay married through our 30th anniversary. That gives me a week to behave.
 

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Great job Mark. I wouldn't have thought of using different kinds of wood. It looks great.

Not sure why you are crediting me, but you're more than welcome.
 

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Very impressive work-the precision is outstanding. You did well on this project.
 
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