Any woodworkers?

A compliment from a true craftsman! Those dovetails look flawless by the way. It looks like we use the same dovetail saws from Veritas (i have the 14tpi and 20tpi rip saws), a brand I've come to swear by

 

thankyou for the compliment, but I assure you i'm just a novice and learning step by step... I've learned that your dovetails tend to "look better" if you take the photos w/ a crappy cell phone camera

...I have the veritas carcass saws, ...i'm not sure they "fit" my hands as well as i'd like, and i'm considering getting a true "dovetail saw", and possibly a large tenon saw next year, ...i'm considering going with something w/ a metal spine (as opposed to the veritas ones w/ the lightweight composite spine), thinking the additional heft/mass will make for better tactile feel and control..

 

I make pens, and other assorted things..

 

I feel like a complete amateur compared to some of the beautiful things y'all have been posting but here is my latest project. It still needs to be finished on the inside with cherry red dye. I try to build my wife something every year for Valentine's Day and this year she wanted a console for our record player and records. Last year it was a make up vanity and before that a bed.

 

Dyed the inside cherry red, may give it another coat then polyurethane on all of it.

 

All done!

 

I made this....

 

I've taken a lot of inspiration from woodgears.ca for an everyman's basement workshop. Bob Vila is a fan to apparently: http://www.bobvila.com/articles/2016-the-cellar-shop/#.VtI0psdT9FJ
Here's my backyard cottage:

 

What are the dimensions of this?

 

I bought plans for a 13' X 13' but then redrew them to expand to 14' X 14' to make better use of lumber, but the new configuration also allows better fit of furniture. Having the doorway on the corner makes a huge difference on the interior space. Spring until fall, we have breakfast lunch and dinner on the folding table which can be moved to the centre to accommodate four or more. Rest of the time someone's usually comatose on the futon couch.

 

looks good, do you have it wired for lights?

 

I'm thinking a nice big ceiling fan on a lazy summer afternoon
And nice cold one sitting next to you

 

exactly!

 

I'd even planned to install cat5 and coax as well as electricity. I led all the wires out from the house panels. Then my darlin' turned to me one day and asked me NOT to wire it up. Countless hours later of candle-lit dinners and quiet conversations long into the evening, I can say she was right. It get's plenty hot up here in summer but it's plenty airy so we find we don't even need a fan (and it's nice to see the smoke of an occasional good cigar wafting up towards the tongue and groove vaulted ceiling). Even the kids agree it's a real escape without the lights and electronic devices. I'd suggest at least try it awhile without electricity. You can wire it up later if you feel you really want it.

 

Though still a novice my skill and confidence is evolving thanks to the vast knowledge and people of CWW. First is a bookcase/TV stand for a certified book nut. She quickly ran out of room for her books in her two other bookcases and asked me to build one. The case is 3/4" birch, black MDF backing, dadoed and glued. The edging is Red Alder which is a local and economical wood which also machines and finishes very nice. 52x76x16. Finish is 3 coats of Watco Natural Danish Oil.

Second one is a mix of Arts and Craft and with a little Art Deco detail mortise and tenon. It's rather plain looking but I'll check out other's projects I can pick up some interesting details to add. Wood is cherry finished with 2 coats of Watco Natural Danish Oil for now and rubbed with 0000 steel wool.

 

well done!... bookcase is something on my to-do list as well! I've been using natural-color Danish oil for a lot of my projects, ...it's so easy to apply, emphasizes figure in the wood, and makes a great satin finish!

 

Thanks Wiley. On smaller projects I use the Danish oil to showcase the grain and then 3-4 coats of 50/50 Poly & Mineral spirits. A light sand between coats and usually a final rub with 0000 steel wool. Super smooth. The red alder is a nice wood to work with but soft. They call it a poor man's cherry. Like your mantel.

Vince

 

thanks vince! I also like minwax wipe on poly (probably similar to cutting full strength poly w/ mineral spirits), ...a surprisingly great looking finish using just a cloth... haven't tried working w/ alder yet, ....seems like places around me have an overabundance of maple, cherry, poplar, and red oak, and of course pine and cedar!

 

So i don't consider myself a wood worker by any means but this was a fun little project for my god daughter... a child's height lemonade/drink stand.

* Sorry for the sideways photos, my phone wont let me rotate them


Dark Walnut Stain

Painted white over

Vintage feel/finish

Somewhat finished product:


Decided to paint the back side of the board with chalk board paint. 4 heavy coast later and it turned out pretty good and will let her write whatever she is selling!


This was it all setup at her birthday party. Proud Uncle