Mike's Power Tool Thread - 12/23/01 04:12 PM
Okay, Lynn you've got me there...must've been the Coronas talking. I could not have meant actual power tools, but...then again this is me, so:<p>Okay, I have a new Porter-Cable Model 557 Type 2 Plate Joiner, commonly referred to as a biscuit joiner. It is just the ticket for joining boards to make panels, and it will be a big time saver for me. I made two pine panels in under 20 minutes, less clamp time.<p>The cherry is not ready...yet. I made a simple cupboard from some walnut. It has a raised panel door, which I made on the router table using a special bit set...special in this case means $55 at a truckload sale. I used antique brass hinges, and will trim it out in green. Nicole, I told you about this already. I will post pictures when I get the domain back up, and this discussion can take place there, if that is what people want. These projects are a tangible way I can see that I am rebuilding my life. I threw out most of the old pans that she left...she took the new Salton set. I bought a set at Aldi (Nicole, you must check Aldi out!) for $30. Getting rid of the old stuff is not a good idea from a budgetary standpoint, but it is helping me establish that this is MY LIFE NOW. I also burn stuff on occasion. That is similar to what others do, without the pomp, and ceremony...not my style. I got the idea when I realized that I still had some maxi-pads here...in August! There is a lot to get rid of!<p>My living room could be described as Tuscany, I guess...in spots, but I was going general Mediterranean with a sort of 'anything goes because this is all I have' flair. In the living room, I have 5 pieces that I've made. Three tables, a lamp, and the aforementioned cupboard. The rest will be Shaker, or Arts & Crafts (Actually, Mission, and Stickley...Stickley is my favorite.) I hesitate to do too much in that style, because its mostly oak, and I am not a huge fan of oak...It is just so...done. I am going to make a nice Stickley bookcase out of oak. That one is a classic, and I want a place for my 'good books'. The cherry is being held back for an entertainment center, but I'm not sure if I'll have enough. My roommate has not been sawing, and he goes to school for 3 months next month. Another friend works out there, but he doesn't drive, so he can't get too much wood. They have not yet finished their kiln, so the wood is all green. (Green wood 3/4 to about 5/4 takes about a year in the stack to dry, and some time after its cut in the basement...that's the conventional wisdom.) I have been able to speed it up a bit by moving the wood from the basement, to upstairs, and outside, but it's a chore, and its easy to ruin the wood if you get lazy, and leave it in one place too long. I've got pre-curved walnut on my deck. I should show you those! Pretty, but pretty much useless in what I do.<p>Anyway, Lynn...I may have meant my digital power tools...another topic entirely, and maybe somewat more appropos here, but woodworking is an example if a good therapy for me. It requires concentration, and some manual dexterity. You get instant feedback about how you are doing, and something practical results when you are successful. When you are not, you get to burn something. Win-win here in the Midwest, because we love to burn things here!<p>
I have made three new stained glass pieces, but I gave them away. A penguin, an apple, and a magnolia. The magnolia was a little tough. I am going to make another six-panel lampshade in a few weeks, after the next few woodworking projects. My lamp base has been well accepted, and a couple of people actually want one. I am not a fast wood turner, the lathe is pretty much the most dangerous tool I have. (Yes, Nicole, I have a jigsaw, and they are a little unnerving, but the lathe is deceptive...quiet, and smooth. Just watch the angle on the tool...whoah. Nothing like going from 1050RPM to zero in half a second!)<p>Okay, if you've read this far...I'll give you a link to something I thought was funny, since I live in this 'war-torn' area... Midwest Peace? -Mike<p>[ December 23, 2001: Message edited by: waiting_for_her ]</p>
I have made three new stained glass pieces, but I gave them away. A penguin, an apple, and a magnolia. The magnolia was a little tough. I am going to make another six-panel lampshade in a few weeks, after the next few woodworking projects. My lamp base has been well accepted, and a couple of people actually want one. I am not a fast wood turner, the lathe is pretty much the most dangerous tool I have. (Yes, Nicole, I have a jigsaw, and they are a little unnerving, but the lathe is deceptive...quiet, and smooth. Just watch the angle on the tool...whoah. Nothing like going from 1050RPM to zero in half a second!)<p>Okay, if you've read this far...I'll give you a link to something I thought was funny, since I live in this 'war-torn' area... Midwest Peace? -Mike<p>[ December 23, 2001: Message edited by: waiting_for_her ]</p>