In working out the details for the new and improved screwdrivers, I spotted this piece of maple, just hanging out on the lathe. Yes Frank it spoke to me… a screwdriver it wanted to be…
Yes a rustic maple 6-in-1 screwdriver, perfect for the winters gloved hands!
Apparently this hasn’t changed its outlook on life yet, so this is gonna go for a spin once the epoxy has cured a bit, and see if I can’t change its demeanor.
Meanwhile, as far as repairing the mahogany number goes, I grabbed this well seasoned piece of cherry, and took it to the table saw to reveal the beauty within…. Just a preview of what’s next:
Nice, clear straight grain, (Yep, off the firewood pile!) I extracted a 2×2 piece long enough to make two. One for display, and one for use? Nope, both will go into service – though, probably semi-retirement – light around the house duty, or perhaps a place in the (someday) heirloom toolchest. While I’m sure it will be able to handle anything shy of prying open a rusted shut gallon of paint, I won’t send such a beauty out with the battle worn soldiers in the toolbox.
I’ve already hacked off the orange handles, (it’s getting easier) and have a grand total of three waiting to hit the lathe, but you’ll have to wait to see those!
I’d call today a successful day in the shop, not super productive, but successful. I’ve figured out a consistent way to counterbore the handles to accept the shaft, A new 5/8 bit instead of a spade bit has made part of the difference.
The other reason? I finally figured out why my shopsmith has stopped spinning when meeting too much resistance. I thought this was bit slippage (not out of the question using a 50+ year old chuck on a 50+ year old machine, held in place with a mere set screw) but it seems that a screw on the pulleys didn’t line up with a groove on the motor shaft. I knew it didn’t seem right that my cordless drill could do a better job, but now, it can’t.
Oh, now things can move full speed ahead. I’m a happy boy!
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
8 comments so far
dennis mitchell
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3791 posts in 1214 days
posted 1001 days ago
Rustic 6-in-1 screwdrivers what will we think of next?
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
frank
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1503 posts in 1106 days
posted 1001 days ago
Hi Scott;
—- and rustic ‘maple’ at that….only in NH could this ever be and remember, if it’s not good for maple syrup then give me a 6-in-1, heavy on the ice!!!
Scott, I’m really enjoying your blog writing, keep it up….
GODSPEED,
Frank
-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/
RobS
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1244 posts in 1206 days
posted 1001 days ago
Hey, Nice stooble! Or in this case, the display pedestool for the 6-in-1! Love watching the progress of my “replacement”. Thanks for the pics.
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
scottb
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3402 posts in 1227 days
posted 1000 days ago
At least I don’t have to keep this one a secret Rob. But I may hold off on the final pics until you get to see it firsthand. I’ve had this cherry down in the basement since at least last fall. No splits yet, knock wood, though the maple one has developed a couple.
I’d picked up some wood from a co-worker last summer, some nice large, and very lightweight blocks of pine or birch. These seemed well dried out, but I guess my basement got mighty dry this winter as one has a nice long split, and the larger of the two developed some checking. The house I got it from was also near a river, basement was a little humid. Bummer, I was going to turn the smaller of the two into something 5”x5”x2.5’... now I’ll either epoxy the crack, or find something to make, rather than turn!
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Obi
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2191 posts in 1137 days
posted 1000 days ago
I made a rustic hammer handle for the neighbor before he passes away. Took a tree branch, and carved the end of it so I could put his old hammer on it. Left the bark. Called it a Barbarian Hammer. Now I’m thinking I need pictures of it.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
Obi
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2191 posts in 1137 days
posted 1000 days ago
And call me uninformed, but arent you supposed to turn the handle before you glue the screwdriver into it? Or is it finished now? If so, it looks a little bulky.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
Bill
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2561 posts in 1061 days
posted 1000 days ago
It is a two handed model screwdriver! haha
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
scottb
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3402 posts in 1227 days
posted 1000 days ago
Yup it sure is bulky, that’s the way we like em over here! ;) Lets us keep on our wool gloves, and still get a nice grip with both hands!
Seriously, I just wanted to post it before I took it for it’s final spin. Before I stripped the bark and saw the “face”, I’d been calling it “a screwdriver for Frank”
The nut that holds the shaft is epoxied in place. the shaft is removable/flippable. I’ll keep that in place, and lock it into the jacobs chuck on my shopsmith in order to turn it.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/