Some thoughts.....

Started work on our new bathroom today. For those of you who have had the pleasure of said bathroom, you'll understand why this work is urgently needed;)
Removed the suite, capped off the plumbing and removed the radiators. Then the fun part-stripping off the tiles from the walls, floor to ceiling on all four.
So I sit here on the sofa, exhausted and with numerous cuts and bruises. Though I'd share some experiences from the last week.

The tool chest. I'm pleased with how it turned out and have spent time arranging contents of the various drawers into some sort of order. Went to remove a chisel the other day and the drawer was jammed. Cursed a bit, used a knife instead and carried on with the job in hand. Next day, went to get a chisel, drawer was jammed, cursed and tried to open the drawer. Five minutes later the drawer is still jammed solid.removed all other drawers and then lifted the chest into the air and started shaking it around, trying to dislodge whichever tool was jamming. After almost destroying the chest shaking it I put it down and decided to use my brain. Close inspection showed that a 1/2 inch mortise chisel had rammed itself into the back of the drawer. The handle then prevented the drawer from opening. A hole drilled through the back if the drawer allowed me to tap the chisel free. How I laughed-imagine if I had dropped the chest. Explain that one away;)

I have borrowed an infill plane from a toolmaking buddy-the tool is only half made, all components machined up but no assembly started. There is a serious amount of hand work to be done before this tool will be ready. It reminded me of my woodworking-machining parts to size is easily achieved with machines but it is handwork that makes all the difference between a "kit of parts" and a finished piece of furniture. Regardless of discipline, hand tools (and skills!) are indispensible.

Made another interesting discovery. Sometimes you need to set yourself time limits to actual
ly achieve something. A certain project seemed to be taking a long time to complete. The Missus pops her head round the door and says "one hour and we need to go". I really wanted to complete the project so decided to get myself into gear. Set up router table, machine timber, rip, mitre, glue up. Project complete and within the time allowed. I could easily have spent three times longer to do the saem amount of work-with the power tools and jigs that seem to fill most peoples workshops there really is no excuse for not achieving results. After all-how can we justify that next tool purchase if we don't actually make anything?

Anyway, time for a glass of wine and an early night.
Have a good weekend,
Phil

Saw Point....

Hi Folks
Finally finished another saw handle. Well, not just any old handle....
This one was a right pain in the "you-know-what". Made from Pau Rosa it was coming along well. Then the handle split just above the bottom. No problem, I'll just glue it back. Then, like a fool, I dropped it. Split number two. After gluing it up again I finished shaping and sanding. Fit the blade, cut the mortise for the back, take it from the vice and there's a funny clink. Yup, another split.....
So, after finally gluing it back together it has held up long enough to finish it. And it looks real nice (I think). Feels real good1, too.
So at least I have a template for making a replacement (from a more "shake-free" piece of timber!!)
Cheers
Philly

Tah Dah!

So, tool chest. Finished. Kinda.....
I've been distributing tools through out the drawers, trying to get a kind of order. Chisels, marking out, etc. The most used tools at the top, and so on. And big heavy stuff at the bottom. Still trying to decide on a method of holding the tools in place. I've made holders for the chisels but am still trying to find a suitable material so I can "french" in the rest of the tools.
Saw till...... tool chest-next, the lower mobile base-come-drawer unit. It needs to be pretty darn sturdy as the tool chest is quite a weight fully laden! Sadly this must wait as a bathroom re-furb is on the near horizon. Next weekend to be exact!! And various plumbing, tiling and flooring tasks await. Fun......;)
The skew plane MK II is still on the "to-do" list. Just need to find that extra bit of spare time. Maybe we could get together and bulk buy some? Say a couple of weeks each? Anyone know a website that we can order some from ;)
Making yet another saw handle. Inspired by the various exmaples on show at UK Workshop and from Sawmeister "The Wenz", out come some Pau Rosa for another go. Its looking good-just sanding and the mortise for the back to go. Those dense timbers are much easier to get a good finish on for this kind of work.
Enjoy the weekend,
Philly

Plane Damp

Hi Folks
Apologies for the late update. Where does the time go?? (answer-installing a new hard drive and Windows..........)
The Skew plane. Finally got the blade finished and filed the mouth open. In use it works well, the combination of weight, skew and sharp iron make for easy shooting. But the grip? Hmm......still not sure. I initially liked it, then hated it, then had doubts. After obtaining a second opinion I still have doubts. So I'll be making another one tomorrow;)
The tool chest is almost there. Just the base and some fin al fittin gof the drawers to do. The drawers-my new workshop needs a little work on the moisture front. As I have only been in there a few months I've not had any experience of winter life in the new 'shop. Relative humidity is about 85% at the moment, way too high. So most of the drawers are binding now. (Yes, worse than they were during the Big Bash, for those who had a fumble) So I need to sort out the main cause of the moisture, the double garage door. It has big gaps top and bottom. So I will be attaching brushes on the weekend to get things started. Also need to start the de-humidifier up. Then I can start tweaking the drawer fit.
Xmas is starting to loom on the horizon so thoughts turn to projects I can build for gifts. Any ideas, Folks?
Cheers
Philly

Fully Knobbled

Hi Folks
Finished off the knobs-hooray!! Don't know why they always fill me with fear, although I guess they do make or break a project. And please stop laughing at the back.........;)
Found a funny thing out when turning the rosewood. After shaping the piece and sanding it with 120 grit paper I burnished each piece using the bevel of a gouge. You know, rub the bevel but without actually cutting. This removed all fine sanding marks and brought it up to a polish. A little paste wax and they looked great. Not come across this before whilst turning. Mind you, I'm not the worlds most prolific turner........;)
Got a stinking cold at the moment. Sniffing and running. Not a lot of fun (although Dr. J Daniels is trying his best ....) but still was excited to get back in the 'shop.
Other stuff.........Some of you may be aware I've been playing with a design for a skew mouth plane for the shooting board. First (read "it looks ugly because I haven't shaped it") picture for your purusal. Pau Rosa, Krenov construction. The iron is a beast-1/4 inch thick O1.........More details to follow.

Cheers, Phil

Back to Work...

Where did the weekend go?? (again.....)
Half-way there with the knobs (couldn't resist fitting them) and I think they look pukka. An "advantage" of making your own on the lathe is that you can graduate them by size (without even trying!). So six more to make. Did I mention how much I love the rosewood? What a great timber-I burnished then completed knobs and waxed them whilst on the lathe. They just glow!
The inlay is a third done-a quick scrape to level out the first section looks embarressingly good. What a great way to dress up a piece!
Glued up the body for another plane-this one has a little twist to it. Photo's and details soon.....
Cheers
Phil

Knobs and Inlay

After a hectic week it was good to take it a bit easy today. Spent some time in the workshop but, as I was rather tired, didn't do too much. Tired PLUS tools EQUALS mistakes, raised blood pressure and accidents. Did a couple of jobs to keep my hand in, though ;)
The tool chest-remember that? Well, I've been making excuses over the handles for the drawers (a Philly stumbling block!). After making a few on the lathe I then bought some brass knobs to try. Nope, back to the lathe. Broke out some Rosewood I've been hoarding and started making the final versions. Gonna be o.k. I think-what do you think so far? The rosewood really is a pleasure to work and the smell is fantastic. Sigh.....

After that I started to glue in the inlay on the chest top. A real nice touch, I can see me using inlay a lot in the future! Almost looks like I know what I'm doing.
Enjoy the weekend,
Philly

Suck and Blow

Managed to do some serious testing of the cyclone on the weekend. Good news.....Bads news.......
First-it works! It works very well. With my able assistant Waka, we fed about a cubic foot of assorted chipping, shaving and fine dust into the inlet. Check the bin and we have lots-check the newly fitted clear sack on the extractor? A very small amount of very fine dust, probably a teaspoonful;) A success!
To take advantage of the cyclone you really need to duct out the workshop with piework and blast gates. And maybe build a lean-to outside the workshop to hold the cyclone and extractor (after all, you need about 2 square meters of floor space). After much measuring and planning, I'm just not ready to "commit" to a final position for each machine (I just keep re-arranging stuff!) And the Missus is not happy about me building little workshop extensions.......;)
So, there you go. A design that works, is pretty easy to build and costs very little. If you require the plans just give me a shout.
I also made some more moulding for the tool chest-got to use my moulding planes again. What fun little planes-have you noticed how certain tools are a joy to use?? I then used biscuits to join them to the top. Biscuit jointer, MDF and shop vac blaring. Not quite so joyful as the planes....;)
I have some fancy inlay I plan to fit to the top-my first time, so wish me luck.
Have a good week
Phil

Tah Dah!

So here we are-a nice picture of the finished replacement saw handles. They look alright and feel great (the small rip tenon is a fave-cuts great!!)
I forgot how much I hate sanding curvy stuff. The walnut was a pain (surprise!), the maple a lot easier.
Mike, I have even more respect for your skills. To do this every day you deserve some kind of award! Respect!!
I plan to finish off the tool chest this weekend. Which probably puts the kiss of death on that idea ;)
We'll see...
Philly

Mini-Cyclone

Just a quick one for Nick W, a tease really.
Here's a picture of my "mini-cyclone", all ready for a weekend of testing and tweaking.
I'll report back soon.....
Philly

And Another......

Spurred on by the success of the walnut handle here's another in maple. I found the maple a lot easier to work (the walnut was a bit soft in places making it difficult to get it clean and sharp). I cut the slot last night and mortised out for the back-might experiment with a little stain before applying the finish. Or not, I'll see how much time I get ;)
Tested the cyclone yesterday-it works!!! Need to sort out hook-up of hoses and sort any leaks and it will be time for a proper go. I'm intrigued!
Mrs P entered the workshop, stage left. "What are you doing now??" "It's a replacement handle for a saw" replies Philly. "And what the hell is that huge cone thing??". "It's a cyclone dust extractor" says a slightly nervous Philly. "Great to see you're working on important things that need to be done" says Mrs P, with sarky, venom filled voice. Thankfully she then retreated from the workshop (exit stage left) and I returned to the current task-and ignoring my "To-Do" list.
And the moral of this story?
If you complete tasks on the "To-Do" list then more will magically appear. To prevent this make sure you mostly work on trivial projects and "essential" shop items ;)
cheers, Philly

Dust Sucks.

Spent some more time shaping and sanding the new saw handle-it looks and FEELS a lot better. Some final sanding and I'll get a finish on it. I also have a larger tenon saw waiting stage left for the same treatment. Thanks to Alf for posting the "Sawcollectors Anonymous" stuff-great/terrible reading ;)
I'm also working on a cyclone dust collector-there has been a lot of discussion on the UK Workshop forum recently and I happened upon a set of plans. I'm about 85% of the way through the build so will report back on it's, A: usefulness, or B: its time wasting abilities ;) As my machinery is now in its (kinda) final positions have been toying with the idea of ducting in the dust extraction instead of wheeling it from machine to machine. Or just not using it.........;)
Waka came by the shop yesterday to borrow the band saw. I was shocked he still hasn't bought the Festool one ;)
Have a good week,
Philly

Get A Handle On It....

Just about recovered from the "Big Bash". It was such a great day plans are already being made for next years. Had a very physical week at work (not quite what I was expecting) so I'm glad it's Friday.
Picked up a nice little Tyzack tenon saw yesterday. Brass back, straight as a die, nasty handle. So last night while cleaning it up, Bingo! I'll make a new handle. Thanks to Mike W for his step by step photo's, it made life a lot easier. Another hour or so and it should be done.
Spent most of my workshop time this week (when not doing chores for the Missus to keep her sweet) cleaning up the workshop. It looks really good out there now, and a hell of a lot bigger than last weekend ;)
Need to turn up the knobs for my tool chest and then I can think about a stand for it. What do you lot think-a stand or a mobile base/lower chest?
Cheers
Philly

The Big Bash (and how I survived)

It's all over! And what a day it was......
The UK Workshop Big Bash turned out to be quite an event. Imagine thirty slightly crazed wood-heads squeezed into your workshop. Yeah, it was fun!!!!!
First, though, a confession. Friday night a few members wanted to go out for a curry. Sadly, this then led to the local pub. When they threw us out certain (un-named) members then retired to the workshop with a Mr Jack Daniels until 3am.......I was a little "rattled" Satirday morning. So apologies if I looked a mess and was wondering around a bit dazed. ;)
But it was a great day-to actually put faces to names, chat freely (no typing involved!!!) and get your hands on some tools was a truly enjoyable experience. I can tell this is going to be at least an annual event.
Dave L has kindly posted some pictures here.
So a big thank you to all that could come along, especially our guest demonstrators who did a marvelous job. Alf, Chas and Tony-I salute you!
Now I have to go. I have some more jobs to do for the Missus. The "making up" process might be taking a long time ;)
Cheers
Philly

Nearly There!!!

Well Folks, the day of reckoning is almost here. I hope to pop by the Yandles Woodworking show lunchtime then it's race back home time to prepare for tomorrows "UK Workshop Big Bash".
Original response was a little, uh, muted. That has transformed into slight "woodworkers madness" and I have woodies preparing to travel from all over the country. Even Cornwall ;)
The tool chest is very nearly complete. The fitting out of the drawers is going to take some time and I've been turning handle shapes to see which is the favorite.
I'll report back tomorrow night with a report.
Wish me luck,
Philly

Crazy Weekend

Ouch-Where did the weekend go?
Yup, another crazy weekend. And no, that doesn't mean I was out partying...;)
With the UK Workshop Big Bash only a few days away this was my last real chance to have a clean up of the workshop. I borrowed a van from work to remove the unsightliest items (the heavy downpours of rain really helped when loading!) spent a while vacuuming up shavings, dust and small animals and generally doing "good stuff". Then I thought I'd do a little woodwork. Back to square one.........;)
The tool chest. All twelve drawers are now done, I veneered a board for the top (just some solid walnut to trim and mould the edges) and I've started fitting out the drawers to hold the tools. Made a new face for the router table fence and a few other "tuits" and felt a lot happier.
The Big Bash is going to be a full house-looks like around 30 tool heads will be arriving. Going to need a few more t-shirts. And food. And I may need to hire security to search everyone when they leave.....;)
Have a good week
Phil

Quick on the Drawer.....

Another long weekend over. Where did it go?
Gardening, that's the answer........ ;(
O.k., so I did manage to scrape a little workshop time. The tool chest is coming along well. Five out of twelve drawer are complete and fitted. Each needs a little fitting and fettling to ensure a nice fit and action and twelve drawers is a lot. I didn't really think about that when designing it. But it looks good and that's what counts. The sides are joined to the fronts with sliding dovetails. The front is rebated for the drawer bottom which is also the drawer runners. The sides and back sit on the bottom, the whole thing is glued up and voila. Light, pretty and strong. Just a bit fiddly ;)
Need to get the drawers finished before I think about making the top and bottom mouldings. And then the "frenching" in of the tools will begin.
With the UK Workshop Big Bash approaching (OMG, only two weeks left!!!) I was hoping to clean the workshop up a bit. Maybe sharpen a few tools, you know. Instead I turfed the front lawn. So at least it will look nice when you turn up, even if the 'shop is a state ;)
Squeezed in a little planemaking when the Missus wasn't looking. I seem to be "clicking" now and I'm banging through planes at an almost impressive rate. Don't think I'll be giving up the day job, though;)
Have a good week,
Philly

MD cough, cough, F

So MDF. Yes it's flat, cheap and doesn't move. But why does it fill your workshop with a fine evil dust that leaves no surface untouched? Regardless of the lengths you go to with extraction?
Yes, you've guessed it, I've had the pleasure of using MDF again. It seemed like such a good idea at the time.....;)
The tool chest is coming on great guns-drawer runners made up and fitted, drawer components all machined up and even got the vacuum bag out and veneered the drawer fronts in some fancy veneer. Some sliding dovetails to do and this project will be coming together well.It will be nice to have somewhere to put the hand tools safely. My lovely new workshop is getting badly cluttered so this is a much needed project.
Philly

Interview with the Woodbutcher

Tool chest is coming along. I finished the dovetailed rails, top and bottom. And cut the rebates for the back (thank you #78). So it is slowly coming together. My daughter is out for the day on Saturday so a day of workshop fun is on the horizon. Might even make progress on the shop stool.........or not ;)
I was asked to do an interview for the splendid "Lumberjocks" site. It is Here , but I warn you, there are pictures of me so wear your safety glasses.
Have a good week,
Phil

Risky Business

Made some more progress with the new tool chest project. Finished fitting the floating panels in the ends and decided to add some beads to liven the design up a little. Out comes the #66...
Came out well but was left with a deeper understanding of the "workmanship of risk" thing ;)
I could of put a beading bit in the router, buzz buzz and all done. Probably no fear of tear out and a perfect result almost guaranteed. But by using a scratch stock it only takes one slip and you can ruin a component. You certainly get your technique down quick ;)
Has it made any difference to the result? Don't know, but I certainly will feel a little prouder of my work every time I see those beads.
Cheers
Philly