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Patron's Mid-Term - Answering the Challenge

Project by Russel posted 76 days ago 457 views 5 times favorited 16 comments Add to Favorites Watch

A little bit ago, David aka Patron issued a Mid-Term Challenge. In the challenge, the idea was to learn something new that would assist you in future projects. What we have here is flat wood.

There is a young lady at work is not quite as tall as the others. However, the top drawer of the file cabinet is higher than can be reached comfortably. Having watched her stand on her toes looking for the right file made me think that a small step stool would be most useful. So this one adds about 8 inches of height which should be plenty to allow her to more comfortably search the files.

It’s made of walnut with ash plugs. The board it came from was a tad twisted (it might have been a branch), but really pretty and I wanted to use it. So it needed to be, how you say, trued up.

I have a small Delta benchtop jointer that I’ve had little success with and figured I needed to learn how to use it. So, I took the walnut board and cut it to approximate lengths and workable widths and gave it the old college try. Taking my time, keeping the board consistently against the table allowed me to eventually get a flat surface. I was surprised that I didn’t end up with wedge. From there, the boards went nicely through my planer and, voila, 3/4 inch thick boards from twisted 1 inch rough stock. At this point, I said to myself, “Cool”.

The top is about 16 inches across and 7.5 inches deep. The feet are glued into a ‘V’ and supported with a cross piece that is glued and screwed. The stretcher is inserted into a dado on each end with hidden dowels keeping it secure. It’s quite solid and should do the job just fine.

The last picture is a small candy dispenser made from scraps. I kinda like Dove Chocolates and this was a good place to keep them.

From this mid-term I learned to use my jointer and not to waste scraps.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.


16 comments so far

View GMman 's profile

GMman

1358 posts in 591 days


posted 76 days ago

What did the young lady had to say about he step stool?

By the way you did a very good job.

-- --<<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--

View Innovator's profile

Innovator

3125 posts in 307 days


posted 76 days ago

Nice looking stool and candy dispenser.

Even more so a wonderful thought.

I like the candy dispenser idea for my desk, what are the sizes?

-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!

View GMman 's profile

GMman

1358 posts in 591 days


posted 76 days ago

I like the small candy dispenser more than the stool,I am a candy lover LOL LOL

-- --<<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--

View patron's profile

patron

2378 posts in 234 days


posted 76 days ago

way to go , russel !
these look great .
and stepping just beyond ,
and sharing the ups and downs ( lol ),
is what it’s all about .

i have left that challenge ,
find it’s own way around .

thanks for answering the call ,
you have learned , and so have we !

you can have some candy now ,
as one part of the reward !

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

View hooky's profile

hooky

140 posts in 212 days


posted 76 days ago

man that is one cool stool

I remember the first few times i used a jointer man if i held that board any harder (just so i didnt chop of my fingers) my hands would fall of from the pressure

but after a while you become comfortable with their use and you produce flat and square pieces effortlessly

I feel your joy at learning this lesson

Congratulations

Hooky

PS the candy jar is cool too

-- Happiness is a way of travel , not a destination (Roy Goodman)

View a1Jim's profile

a1Jim

16695 posts in 470 days


posted 76 days ago

good job russel

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

View Karson's profile

Karson

25792 posts in 1294 days


posted 76 days ago

Russel A great looking picnic table. Nice job. The candy disk is great also. Is the young lady going to keep it filled.

PS I want to see the seats for the picnic table later.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View huff's profile

huff

1608 posts in 178 days


posted 76 days ago

Russel, I can see why you wanted to use that board. Made a good looking stool. She probably feels 10ft tall when she’s on that stool. Like the candy dish too.

-- John @ Myrtle Beach

View woodworm's profile

woodworm

8188 posts in 484 days


posted 76 days ago

Nicely done – great job!

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

View jack1's profile

jack1

379 posts in 921 days


posted 76 days ago

Good looking stuff! The contrasting plugs really make the stool pop out!

-- jack -- measure once, curse twice!

View degoose's profile

degoose

1986 posts in 248 days


posted 75 days ago

It is such a feeling when you try something and you find that you can do it.
Well done Russ. One small step for man one giant leap for you.
I too remember the first time I used the jointer successfully and also the first time I changed the knives and set them by eye and they worked.
Nice save on the timber and well executed joinery.

-- Drink once, cut twice. New website up.... lazylarrywoodworks.com.au

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6438 posts in 876 days


posted 75 days ago

you are alright,Russel ! really nice of you to make the step stool for your coworker … and the candy box is a good one too

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Russel's profile

Russel

2056 posts in 832 days


posted 75 days ago

Thanks folks. The stool turned out much better than I planned or expected and I almost want to keep it because it really is a pretty piece of walnut.

The candy dispenser was a whim and I think I may make a few more for office Christmas presents. It’s a good size to sit on a desk, 2.75 inches x 4 inches standing 7 inches tall. It’s perfect for odds and ends.

Again, thanks for the kind words.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

View Rustic's profile

Rustic

1247 posts in 489 days


posted 73 days ago

good work Russel I like the contrastng woods

-- There is no such thing as a mistake. Its called a design modification Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

View Dusty56's profile (online now)

Dusty56

3458 posts in 581 days


posted 73 days ago

Very unique stool design , Russel , and that Walnut is just gorgeous : ) I just might make one of those candy dispensers to sit right here on my computer desk !! Thanks for the great idea and the measurements as well : )

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

View GaryBuck's profile

GaryBuck

124 posts in 119 days


posted 21 days ago

Really like the contrast on the pins, looks great. I REALLY like the candy dispenser, I’m diabetic and sometimes have to get some hard candy to get my sugar level back up,, right now I just have a bag sitting on my night stand so if you don’t mind I’ll take your idea and give it a shot, oh but wait then it won’t go with the night stands,,, well I guess I’ll have to make some new ones to match the dispenser,,, see what you started???? L.O.L.

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