| Project by Dollarbill | posted 494 days ago | 501 views | 1 time favorited | 18 comments | ![]() |
This winter I was approached by a lady who’s church had been destroyed by hurricane Katrina. They needed a 10 ft. cross for their alter and she said I was the fourth WW shop she had been to and the others said they couldn’t do it after keeping the plans for a month at a time each.
Each arm of the cross were to be built out of two peices of red oak joined together at a 15 degree angle.
The other shops had turned the job down because they said it was very complicaded angles at the apex and would be very expensive (in other words they couldn’t figure out how to connect the four arms with the angles used).
This was Wed. afternoon at 4:00 and she said because of the past time delay they had to have it by this Sat. for their first service on Sun. morning and they would finish it with tung oil (I hate two things, tung oil and liver).
I told her that the chances for Sat. were slim and none. She called the contractor and he asked me to do my best.
Being a sucker for a sob story and a good cause, I put in the midnite oil.
I called her Sat. at 11:30 am and said the cross was loaded on a truck and ready for the 70 mile trip to South New Orleans. They all went crazy!
This lady has been driving to this church ever Sun. for many years 76 miles one way.
I had to do my part.
When theres a Bill theres a way.
-- Make Dust
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18 comments so far
WayneC
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5689 posts in 540 days
posted 494 days ago
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
barbs
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88 posts in 528 days
posted 494 days ago
wow, nice work Bill. You done good!
-- BarbS, Wenatchee WA
MsDebbieP
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11555 posts in 603 days
posted 494 days ago
Bravo!!!
and another angel makes a difference
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Dick Cain
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4809 posts in 742 days
posted 494 days ago
First class craftsmanship !!
-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Karson
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12617 posts in 843 days
posted 494 days ago
Great Story and very nice project.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
PanamaJack
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4453 posts in 520 days
posted 494 days ago
Absolutely a wonderful story and beautiful job making that dust!
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
lclashley
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230 posts in 557 days
posted 494 days ago
Great work. I like the gradual taper toward the end of each point.
Larry
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137 posts in 654 days
posted 494 days ago
Being a sucker for a sob story and a good cause, I put in the midnite oil.
No you’re not a sucker – just someone of good character – and you did a great job.
Hats off to you for your effort.
Larry
-- Larry "In dog years - I'm dead"
scottb
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2855 posts in 770 days
posted 494 days ago
Great job, and kudos to you for putting together what others couldn’t (or wouldn’t) figure out in three months time!
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh
Dollarbill
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91 posts in 580 days
posted 494 days ago
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful coments. When there is a cause it makes it all the better.
I am surprised that no one has asked me how I connected the four points together.
How would you have done it? Remember you have to pick it up after it is put together.
Bill
-- Make Dust
woodnut
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96 posts in 495 days
posted 494 days ago
I will be the first to ask. How did you join the 4 points. I was first guessing dowels but after looking closers at the pics I don’t know.Also that is great craftmanship.
-- F.Little
Sawdust2
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827 posts in 530 days
posted 493 days ago
I know the consensus is 4 pieces but my money is on three pieces.
The vertical grain looks continuous.
In any case, you certainly did a good job of what the others could not do at all.
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
Obi
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2147 posts in 679 days
posted 491 days ago
Now THAT’S a Lumberjock. When others give excuses, a Lumberjock gives results.
And fine results might I add.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
Karson
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12617 posts in 843 days
posted 491 days ago
I would think that there might be a half lap board under the back where everything is all tied together.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
oscorner
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4576 posts in 753 days
posted 490 days ago
I would guess maybe some lag bolts counter sunk in the back are holding everything together. What did you do, Bill? Tell us!
-- Jesus is Lord!
Dollarbill
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91 posts in 580 days
posted 490 days ago
OK, Iguess it is time to tell. Karson was close and sawdust was right after.
The project is made form six boards not eight. If it had been made in four peices it would have been to weak to pick because of the ten foot size. The vertical peice is two boards and the horizonal is four.
After I had assembled the three sections and cut the 45s I disassebbled and half lapped the underside of the vertical and the topside of the horizonal at the 45 angles 3/8 inch deep with a router(3/8 is 1/2 of the total thickness of 3/4).
The peices fit like a jig saw puzzle and I didn’t even have to use glue, only 5/8 screws.
Frist prize goes to Karson who wins a one week all expence paid vacation to Port Allen, Louisiana at the Motel 6 (only steps to drugs and simi pretty girls).
Second place goes to Sawdust2, who wins two weeks.
If anyone would like, I have pictures of the operation (to make it more clear) but I don’t know how to put them here and I will have to start a new blog.
Bill
-- Make Dust
oscorner
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4576 posts in 753 days
posted 489 days ago
Frist prize goes to Karson who wins a one week all expence paid vacation to Port Allen, Louisiana at the Motel 6 (only steps to drugs and simi pretty girls).
Makes me happy that I was wrong! LOL.
-- Jesus is Lord!
John Ruggles
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18 posts in 311 days
posted 61 days ago
This is a beautiful cross! The fact that you went out of your way to make this project happen for these people in this church is a wonderful testament to you as a person, not to mention your skills as a woodworker. Being just about 20 miles south of you, it makes me feel good to hear of something good coming from the disaster known as Katrina. My hat is off to you Dollarbill !!!
P.S. – I am glad I did not try to guess how you put the cross together, I’ve been to Port Allen! (lol!)
-- JCRug, Prairieville, Louisiana