Project by Thos. Angle | posted 01-03-2009 07:21 AM | 2493 views | 1 time favorited | 20 comments | ![]() |
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Here in the ION country where Idaho, Oregon and Nevada come together, the Juniper is considered a noxious weed. They grow everywhere and are increasing at alarming speed scattered by birds and everything else that can move seed. They suck up 45 gallons of water per day on the average and nothing will grow under them. They make fence posts and picket poles and fire wood. Some folks make interesting furniture from them. I decided to resaw a chunk to see what it worked like. The wood is soft and chips every time you touch it. In other words the experience was a bust. I built this stool from it and will use it in my home. I tried to make through tenons and the wood chipped so bad I needed to fill around the tenon. I had intended to make Craftsman through tenons with a beveled edge. Wrong again. Cut them off and sanded them down. Was in Lowe’s and needed some filler grabbed the wrong thing and got some kind of putty. Realized it after it was around the tenon. This project almost was a bust. Sprayed it with shellac and “Rattlelacker”. I decided it could just sit in front of the new fireplace and have my dirty boots on it so I tooled a big “A” in the middle of the top. I built this on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Carleen wanted lots of tacks. The carving came out pretty good. It needed some redemption.
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
20 comments so far
Douglas Bordner
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4023 posts in 4028 days
#1 posted 01-03-2009 07:30 AM
Thomas, unless it racks apart by spring, I think your being a bit hard on yourself. It sure looks pretty.
Even if you had to wrap rawhide around the joins to hold it together, I think it’s a winner.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Thos. Angle
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#2 posted 01-03-2009 07:36 AM
I was reaching for the rawhide when I finally gave up. LOL
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
Sef
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#3 posted 01-03-2009 08:40 AM
It’s a shame the wood is so troublesome to work, as the end product is quite beautiful. Hope it holds up.
-- I may not know a lot, but at least I know that I don't know.?.?. I think. http://chathampenworks.com/
Tomcat1066
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#4 posted 01-03-2009 01:45 PM
Well, it looks good from here! Of course, juniper is pretty rare around here and that sounds like a good thing! :)
-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!
Lee A. Jesberger
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6851 posts in 3943 days
#5 posted 01-03-2009 02:47 PM
Hi Tom;
I don’t know what all the fuss is all about. Looks real good to me.
Certainly deserving a better existence than that of a dirty boot stool!
Still mesmerized by your carving ability, too!
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
clieb91
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3520 posts in 3899 days
#6 posted 01-03-2009 03:02 PM
Thomas,, I would also say looks good from here. BUt of course if you are that unhappy with it it does make a nice display stand for one of you r great looking leather carvings.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."- PortablePastimes.com (Purveyors of Portable Fun and Fidgets)
Bob #2
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3809 posts in 3985 days
#7 posted 01-03-2009 03:29 PM
Thos. I feel for you working with crappy wood. It’s almost self defeating in a way.
On the other hand, you pulled it off and that’s a credit to your experience .
The leather work is definitely redemption.
It’s going to be a nice addition to your home.
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
CharlieM1958
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16274 posts in 4182 days
#8 posted 01-03-2009 04:02 PM
Your leather work could salvage the worst project into a thing of beauty, but I don’t think this nice little stool needs nearly as much help as you made out in the description.
Great job all the way around!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Hawgnutz
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526 posts in 4040 days
#9 posted 01-03-2009 04:14 PM
Tom, I have found in my working with leather and wood that the mark of a craftsman is that they are able to rise above the medium’s vagarancies and craft a well-made project in spite of unforseen problems. You have proven yourself to be a MASTER CRAFTSMAN! Keep up the excellent work. I sure hope the Juniper holds up.
God Bless,
Hawg
-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards
CedarFreakCarl
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594 posts in 4017 days
#10 posted 01-03-2009 04:40 PM
Heck Tom, looks great to me! I think you’re being a little hard on yourself. After all, it’s just a noxious weed, right? lol.
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
dennis mitchell
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#11 posted 01-03-2009 05:00 PM
Like framing a barn with sagebrush. Nice job!
MsDebbieP
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#12 posted 01-03-2009 05:33 PM
gorgeous as always! I want to come and have a tour of your house! You must have the most amazing furnishings that you have made over the years. Ok. I can’t make it in person—how about a video tour.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribeleENJOConsultant)
Thos. Angle
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4444 posts in 3926 days
#13 posted 01-03-2009 07:07 PM
Yeah, Dennis, I think our next contest should be made from nothing but Sage Brush!!! LOL
Deb, you’ve already seen most of it on here.
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
kolwdwrkr
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#14 posted 01-03-2009 07:44 PM
Very nicely done!
-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~
PaBull
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#15 posted 01-03-2009 07:54 PM
as always, I like your leather work.
-- rhykenologist and plant grower
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