Monday, February 24, 2014

RE PURPOSING A GATE LEG TABLE

 
 
 
I just wanted to share a little project I finished up ...
 
 
I turned 1 antique mahogany gate leg dining table into 2 gate leg shabby chic console tables.

 
I added a few appliques to each table, and I added some paint layering so it looks
like they have been painted a dozen ties over their life span.
 

 
 

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Building your own house!

Have you ever thought about building your own house?

Think about it.... When most young couples buy a house they finance it for many many years, they will be paying for their house almost until the day they retire. Most house payments around the Southeast are in the $1000 a month range. Also, the first ten years of payments on a house are generally just enough to pay the interest off, so until the eleventh year people are just now paying for the actual house! Its so difficult to imagine, but its true.

I have putting alot of thought into building my own house one day. There are alot of different things that I want my house to be.
-energy efficient- solar panels, excellent insullation, lots of natural light, LED light fixtures, and many more "green" things
-designed with future additions to the house in mind
-modern looking

I love the thought of not having a house payment every month, have low or no utility bills, the satisfaction of building my own house. I am a carpenter and I am capapble of building a house on my own right now. But like most people, money is a current issue but things can be done about that!
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Contact

Feel free to contact me about whatever you like. Simply email me at sailingandsuch@gmail.com and I will do my best to get back with you as quickly as I can.
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Sunday, February 23, 2014

WARMING UP WHITE shabby chic coffee table

 
The weather today is rainy and curling up in a furry blanket would be wonderful,
but as every other day there is much to do. We delivered a large dresser into town last
night and had the honour of touring a large 1912 apartment in the midst of renovations.


That is one perk I never considered when I started up cycling furniture.
I have seen the inside of some wonderful homes around Vancouver, but when you started
to venture into the heart of downtown you get to see some magical history in the buildings.
Imagine the carved details of this love seat frame built into the walls and trim of a home.

 
 
Back in the country my latest endeavor is a provincial coffee table
with another wonderful french graphic.
 
 
I dont do too many coffee tables but my mother had a hand in bringing this one to me
so I couldnt refuse. Could I?
 
 
******
 
The graphic used on this project was found awhile back, I dont know the source.


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THE MOST GEORGEOUS DESK

 
If you follow on Facebook you know George has been bragging about a new desk
I have been working on. Well its finished and in place in the kitchen.
 
 
First thing I feel in love with when I saw this desk was the legs, big surprise huh?
I found it while we were out yard sailing this past weekend.
 
 
Then I realized this indented curve in the center would lends its self perfectly to my small space.
That was the moment when the light bulb went on!!!
 
And when I discussed with George swapping out his desk it was a no brainer.
the words he used when talking about his current desk was "its fine"
the words he used when I asked about the new desk was "its pretty cool"

 
When George is sit here and I have to walk past him it is tight,
with this newer desk there is a bit more room.
It may only be inches but around here every inch counts.

 
I had planned to strip and stain the top until I found this under the old finish.
So I have simply stripped and waxed instead.
SEE I REALLY DO LOVE WOOD!!!

 
One handle was missing but I had a similar looking pair so I installed them on the middle drawer.

 
The desk top even got an accessories update.

 
 
 
 


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PAINTING JARS tips

 
 
 
I always have a selection of painted mason jars available. They have so many uses around the house
 and they are an easy an inexpensive way to add color to a room. There are 3 different blues in this
 photo and they are all custom mixed starting with ASCP Provence. I spray my jars to get a uniform
finish without brush markers. I also wax my painted jars. The longer you wait to distress the
 better. Give the paint some curing time, i.e. a day or two. These 2 jars seen below are another ASCP
 custom mixed grey color.
 
 
 
They have been photographed a top of a project Im currently finishing up. A pair of three drawer
dressers that could be used bedside. The first is complete as you can see below. The second is still undergoing the paint process so they will be listed soon.
 

 
If you are interested let me know and I can provide some more details.


 
 
 

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

An Explanation of Router Tables

Any wood worker knows that it is all about the bit when working with a router table.  It is the bit choice that will give you definition, shape and design you want.  Router tables have always been as core tool for woodworking, but many handymen are starting to see its use as well.  They are finding it can be a great tool for trim and molding work, as well as adding decorative touches everywhere around the house.

Is It Hard?

Many people think adding decorative details is hard and they avoid it altogether.  With a router saw, though, it is easier than it looks.  All you have to be able to do is guide the wood and you will be a master of the router table.  Router table plans are a good thing to have as they will show what each bit can do.  All you have to do is find the decorative detail you want on the plan and then find the corresponding tip.  It really is quite simple.  You have to understand the bits, though.

A Bit About Bits

The ability for a router to add notches and edging patterns is all determined by the bit.  The edge of bits are what create beveling or straight edges or deep notches.  Dovetail bits are used to create fittings for drawers.  There are also other slot cutter and finger joint bits that help to do different things.  Specialty bits can be used for a number of projects.  They can be used for making special cuts and details.  One thing to know about specialty bits is that they make more cuts with one pass than a typical bit.  There are even miniature bits for use with small projects and fine details.

Getting the Right Table

Router tables come in different styles to allow for more or less room, depending on your needs. The typical table will be about the same size as a table saw.  You can get them smaller or bigger.  You can also adjust the height to make it more suitable for your needs.

More About Plans

Router plans will not just show you what a bit can do.  They will also show you how to hold the wood to get different designs.  The combination of bit and wood angle will create an array of designs and decoration.  You can use the plans to put together an amazing design project.

Find Great Woodworking Plans Here!  
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1 How To Use A Router Woodwork Woodworking Plans

How To Use A Router Woodwork

Woodworking Plans

Do-it-Yourself Patterns and Crafts, Woodworking kits, Furniture Plans Plus Much, Much More. Will Show You How to Make 16,000 Different Woodworking Plans. Use The Plans For Fun, Functionality or Profit!

How To Use A Router Woodwork. Wood is 1 of the most attractive, durable and versatile materials that you can operate with although on a do it yourself project. The beauty of a cabinet door that is finished in wood cannot be matched by any other material regardless of whether organic or man produced. As with any project, you would demand a detailed set of plans while you function with wood and wood based supplies. This is why it is recommended that you use a detailed set of woodworking plans as soon as you strategy to extensively use wood primarily based materials to comprehensive the project that you have embarked on.

Now let us examine why woodworking plans are important in any wood primarily based do it your self project. To commence with, these plans enable you remove waste. If you start a woodworking project with no a firm program, the possibilities are that you would end up employing extra wood that you originally intended to. Most of the wood primarily based projects would require comprehensive assemblies and sub assemblies.

When you start your project, you would be ideally operating with individual members of wood and finishing them individually ahead of assembling them. If you do not have the appropriate woodwork plans, you could finish up with mismatching wood members at the time of assembly. This could result in highly-priced price and time overruns in the project. All these complications can be avoided by utilizing a well laid out set of wood plans.

The other advantage that you could have if you use woodworking plans are that you would be prepared with all the tools and implements that you would require for finishing the wood primarily based project. Normally we locate that we do not have access to a distinct tool in the middle of a woodworking project. This scenario could lead to a loss of time and at times you may even have to abandon the project in case a specific tool is not out there. All these concerns can be avoided if you have a detailed program at the onset. How To Use A Router Woodwork




How To Use A Router Woodwork Causes

Constant Advertising - The romance of woodworking will need to have to be balanced with the consistent marketing and marketing crucial to retain the operate coming in. In time, phrase of mouth brings in a lot of operate if you create a excellent reputation. Till finally then, you will will need to get the phrase out routinely. Following the function arrives in you have to have excellent manufacturing systems so you can total the tasks promptly and continue to preserve the money flowing. If jobs take into account also pretty long and the dollars movement stops, it can turn into tricky to shell out the costs. Talking of revenue flow, you should really create and adhere to frequent assortment techniques. This is 1 area where by many woodworkers fail. The payment for the carry out will need to have to be as important as the execute by itself. If you are lax in accumulating, you will run into prospects who fall brief to shell out you and this will bring about really severe income movement difficulties.

The Modest enterprise - Even on the other hand you like woodworking, you will want to do the property enterprise if you are to make a dwelling at it. Fantastic benefits commonly requires an in-depth information and facts of each woodworking and company management. If you never ever have every single, I recommend you hesitate to leap in until you have honed your enterprise capabilities.

Looking back once again I recognize that my lack of expertise in the course of my startup quite a couple of decades back could have been offset with some widespread details and one more person to advise me.Sadly I had to find out most components by trial and error.

Just about just about every and every single and each and every week, I take the time to go via the comments that my viewers make about my woodworking web page. 1st of all I want to them for taking the time to comment, I undoubtedly value all of the comments and ideas. This prior week there was a comment from a gentleman, who expressed a want to get into woodworking. As a man who is passionate about woodworking, I want to welcome him to the fold. And I want to present you him all of the suggestions and encouragement probable in his endeavors.How To Use A Router Woodwork


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Tag : How Do You How To Use A Router Woodwork, How To Remove How To Use A Router Woodwork, Best Reviews Of How To Use A Router Woodwork, Where Can I Find How To Use A Router Woodwork, What Is The Best Price For How To Use A Router Woodwork.

How To Use A Router Woodwork Reviewed by Karen Eisner on Rating: 5
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A Touch of Patience is Required

If there is one thing I dislike reading in blogs it is the obligatory "Wow, seems I havent written anything here in a while, I will have to remedy that." post. In my experience that means one more post will pop up in my reader, followed by another six month (or longer) lapse. 

Ive taken sabbaticals from writing here as frequently as possible before. Mostly for not great reasons. This time around I am happy to relate that it is because we have been spending time moving into a new home we purchased on the north side of La Crosse. 

Better yet, this house has a sizable garage that will become the home for a new shop/studio space. Im out of the tin shed and into a real structure. 

The house is around 80% unpacked and set around. The studio is about 65-70% set up. When it hits a more complete number I promise a new shop tour. The biggest hamper is we have yet to arrange an Internet hookup at the house, leaving me to resort to our mobile phones and coffee houses for my data needs. 

Needless to say nearly everything in our lives has taken a backseat to this endeavor, but I should be able to spend some time making shavings by early July. 

I have still been thinking about and planning posts this whole while. The notes app on my phone is chocked full of them an Ill be getting some of those out soon. 

Until then the management would like to thank you for your patience while this area is under construction. 

Ratione et Passionis 
Oldwolf. 
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When Inspiration Surfaces

I was a little stuck. I needed to carve another bible box and I needed ideas and inspiration for the carvings that make these boxes so unique. With my previous attempt at one of these boxes I took the front Fleur De Lis pattern directly from Peter Follansbees article on carving and building a bible box. I am very happy with the way that one turned out but this time around I didnt want to copy from as much as be inspired by.

In the end I didnt completely pull this off, but Im happy with the results at any rate.

I wanted to show the pieces and carvings I took inspiration from and share the journey.


It really began with seeing this joined chest in the pages of the book "American Furniture: Understanding Styles, Construction, and Quality" by John T Kirk. (The Star Trek fan in me can hardly handle that name without saying something like "Dammit Jim Im a doctor not an Anthropological Ornithologist) For whatever reason I was drawn to this opposing hearts pattern.

At its basic shape its a riff on an "S" curve pattern, and I started to play with drawing the form and it evolved in my sketchbook.





 The original idea I settled on was to carve a double repetition of the pattern you see on the graph paper. Now I went and decided on my stock. My day job kept me from making a timely visit to my hardwood dealer, so I eventually made a visit to the closest home store. I was unimpressed with the oak in the stacks, severely unimpressed, eventually I settled on the species that passes for mahogany. Ive used it before and it carves nicely as long as you have the a good section of board. I tried to pick as carefully as possible.

The width of board limited me somewhat so before I started laying out the carvings on the stock, I cut some paper to width and saw how much stretch of board I would get. I didnt get a picture but the result was very out of proportion length of board in relation to its width. Much more length than I wanted. So it was back to the drawing board for me.

For my money, one of the best places to go for inspiration and just a general photo collection of 17th century carvings and furniture is Peter Follansbees blog Joiners Notes. After a little while cruising around his site I fell upon this picture.


A "S" curve flanking a central circle. Now there was a great idea. I decided to go with it and try it out on another larger piece of paper.


Now I was much happier with my proportions, I decided to go ahead and start carving. I cut my stock, planed it flat and smooth, and marked things out using a pair of dividers and a scratch awl.


This is eventually where things ended up. The hearts turned out differently, but things like this take on a life of their own once you starts.

From the front of the box I moved on to the side panels, Here is where I stumbled a bit. As I was looking through pictures on Peters blog I came across this shot of a box he keeps under his bench to hold some odds and ends.



I fell in love with the carving. I had to do my own take on it.


I carved a pair of these panels to flank the front panel, but when I attached them using traditional rabbets and nails I decided to turn the carvings upside down from the presentation Peter used.


The nails I used are from Horton Brasses and are called Wrought Head Nails. they simulate blacksmith made nails and they really look great. I used the 1 1/2" variety (N-6).

I shiplapped a couple pine boards to make up the bottom of the box and moved on to carving the lid.


More on carving the lid next time.

Ratione et Passionis
Oldwolf
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Friday, February 21, 2014

Garden Woodworking Projects Woodworking Plans

Garden Woodworking Projects

Woodworking Plans

Do-it-Yourself Patterns and Crafts, Woodworking kits, Furniture Plans Plus Much, Much More. Will Show You How to Make 16,000 Different Woodworking Plans. Use The Plans For Fun, Functionality or Profit!

Garden Woodworking Projects. Wood is a single of the most gorgeous, tough and versatile materials that you can function with while on a do it your self project. The beauty of a cabinet door that is completed in wood cannot be matched by any other material whether organic or man made. As with any project, you would call for a detailed set of plans even though you work with wood and wood primarily based components. This is why it is encouraged that you use a detailed set of woodworking plans when you plan to extensively use wood primarily based materials to complete the project that you have embarked on.

Now let us examine why woodworking plans are vital in any wood primarily based do it your self project. To begin with, these plans aid you get rid of waste. If you begin a woodworking project devoid of a firm plan, the probabilities are that you would finish up working with a lot more wood that you initially intended to. Most of the wood based projects would require extensive assemblies and sub assemblies.

When you commence your project, you would be ideally working with person members of wood and finishing them individually ahead of assembling them. If you do not have the appropriate woodwork plans, you could finish up with mismatching wood members at the time of assembly. This could bring about costly cost and time overruns in the project. All these problems can be avoided by utilizing a properly laid out set of wood plans.

The other benefit that you could have if you use woodworking plans are that you would be ready with all the tools and implements that you would call for for finishing the wood based project. Typically we find that we do not have access to a distinct tool in the middle of a woodworking project. This circumstance could lead to a loss of time and often you may well even have to abandon the project in case a unique tool is not offered. All these challenges can be avoided if you have a detailed strategy at the onset. Garden Woodworking Projects




Garden Woodworking Projects Causes

Consistent Promoting - The romance of woodworking will have to have to be balanced with the consistent advertising and marketing and marketing critical to retain the operate coming in. In time, phrase of mouth brings in a lot of operate if you develop a good recognition. Until finally then, you will will need to get the phrase out routinely. Following the operate arrives in you have to have exceptional manufacturing systems so you can complete the tasks promptly and continue to keep the money flowing. If jobs look at also really extended and the dollars movement stops, it can turn into tricky to shell out the expenditures. Speaking of income flow, you should make and adhere to normal assortment methods. This is 1 region where by many woodworkers fail. The payment for the execute will require to be as crucial as the perform by itself. If you are lax in accumulating, you will run into prospects who fall short to shell out you and this will bring about truly significant earnings movement problems.

The Small business enterprise - Even nonetheless you like woodworking, you will will need to do the house organization if you are to make a dwelling at it. Excellent benefits normally requires an in-depth facts of both woodworking and small business management. If you never ever have each, I recommend you hesitate to leap in till you have honed your enterprise expertise.

Hunting back once again I recognize that my lack of know-how in the course of my startup fairly a couple of decades back could have been offset with some popular facts and another individual to advise me.Sadly I had to understand most elements by trial and error.

Just about each and every and just about every week, I take the time to go by way of the comments that my viewers make about my woodworking site. 1st of all I want to them for taking the time to comment, I absolutely worth all of the comments and guidelines. This earlier week there was a comment from a gentleman, who expressed a need to have to get into woodworking. As a man who is passionate about woodworking, I want to welcome him to the fold. And I want to supply you him all of the ideas and encouragement probable in his endeavors.Garden Woodworking Projects


More Garden Woodworking Projects Video :



Tag : How About Garden Woodworking Projects, How To Get Rid Off Garden Woodworking Projects, Best for Garden Woodworking Projects, Where Can I Find Garden Woodworking Projects, Who Sells Garden Woodworking Projects.

Garden Woodworking Projects Reviewed by Karen Eisner on Rating: 4
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The Art of Tile Mosaics

Have you ever tried creating mosaic designs over mirrors or small tabletops? With several ceramic tiles and grout, you can already create beautiful designs. You can also use tile mosaics in concrete, glass, and metal.

Before you start any mosaic project, you should get all the things you need so that they are within easy reach. Here are the things you’ll need – acrylic sheets, palette knives, tile grout, grout brushes, soft rugs, gloves, sponges, newspaper, plastic bags, pencils, notebook papers, hammer, safety glasses, and pottery chips or tiles.

Using colored markers or pencils, draw the design on a paper. Get the appropriate tile for your drawing. Make sure that you have all the colors you need for a particular project. Carefully lay out the tiles over your drawing. This is one choice to ensure that the tile pieces are complete. Remove the tiles when you’re satisfied with the results. Put acrylic over the drawing.

Using your palette knife, put a small amount of adhesive on the tile’s backside and place it correctly on the drawing. Keep the spaces in between tiles at about 1/8 inch. Leave the mosaic to try.

Mix the grout. Make sure that the grout’s color is much darker than the tiles. Avoid purchasing grout of the same color as the tiles. When the tiles have dried, you can now apply the grout on the spaces. The grout should be leveled with the tile’s height.

After applying the grout, get a damp sponge. Wipe the surface of the mosaic using the damp sponge. Make sure that all the excess grout is removed. Do this immediately after applying the grout; don’t wait until it cures. If you’re working with mirrors, clean the mirror at once to prevent the grout from sticking to other parts of the mirror.

The grout will cure as days pass by. You can polish the tiles using a damp cloth. If you’ve made small designs, you can use it in coaster and trivet but stick felt pads first.

In most mosaic works, the tiles are square-shaped. You can also try using other shapes of tiles. If you have big ceramic tiles, you can put it inside a plastic bag and smack it using a hammer. However, if you have nippers at home, you can also cut the tiles to your desired shape. When cutting tiles, wear your goggle or any eye protector to ensure eye safety.

Whenever you’re doing a mosaic project, don’t forget to wear protective gloves. Some tiles have shard edges which can slice your fingers. The gloves will also protect your skin when you’re applying the grout.

When you’re purchasing the mosaic materials, make a list of everything so that you will not forget anything. This will save you time and money. Get latex grout because it does not shrink and spreads well.

Tile mosaics are not as expensive as you think. You can use excess tiles available at home if you want to create an inexpensive mosaic. Start with small mosaics in mirrors or in your tabletops. Once you’ve mastered the procedure, you can now try more complicated projects. Later on, you might even want to try wall or floor mosaic. With this art, there are endless opportunities to show your creativity and imagination.

Follow the procedure above and in no time, you will see the end product.
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Marching To A Different Drummer


"I really care about what I do; not only in the end result but also in how it gets done. In todays fast paced, almost out of control world you do not hear too many people who love what they do for a living. While I dont make a lot of money the pay back comes in other ways. And what is so bad about making less money doing something you really care about? The things I make might be for others, how I make them is for me."


"The current state of the furniture industry as a whole has certainly affected the way that I make and design furniture. With the use of so much plywood, stains, and machine techniques, the cabinetmaker is becoming lost in the shuffle. He (or she) is becoming an operator of machines and nothing more. I believe in using only hand tools, solid wood, traditional joinery, and making pieces one at a time, I am putting the maker back into a piece of furniture."


"While I have had some success with my writing, I would much rather be in my shop making a piece of furniture to keep or to sell. For now, the only way I sell my work is through word of mouth. While it has been a tough road to hoe, in the end, I believe this will pay off."

All three of these quotes came from the book "Chisel, Mallet, Plane, and Saw" written by Cabinetmaker Tony Konovaloff. I recently finished devouring this book in one long whirlwind of a day, and I completely enjoyed every word.

In this book I think Tony makes the best argument I have ever heard for making furniture primarily with hand tools. Once you boil it down to its essence it comes to just a few words. A loud and resounding, "Because I can and because I want to." and that should be good enough.

I recently brought one of my carved boxes into my day job at the hospital. There is an employee art contest and I decided to enter the box into the fray. There were several of my coworkers who had seen my work through Facebook or other similar interactions, but almost none of them had ever seen it in person. I received many positive comments and questions.

A couple of folks asked how I got the router to make those intricate designs, and there was lots of questions that sounded like "What do you mean you used only hand tools?" Its a little baffling to me that making something by hand, really by hand, is such an oddity these days that most people dont understand it even when you explain it to them. It was just like trying to explain how to correctly align a Flux Capacitor to operate the Dilithium Crystals in your TARDIS. (Geeks of the world arise and unite)

Im just not sure how or why hand tool woodworking became such a foreign concept to the average armchair observer, but I think I may try to stop letting that bother me like it used to. After all is said and done Tony is right, I build things the way I build them for myself. What other reason could be required.


Ratione et Passionis
Oldwolf

P.S. If you havent heard of Tony Konovaloff or read his book then beat feet away from here and over to his website http://tonykonovaloff.com/ and read what hes all about, look at some of his work. and by all means pick up his book. Its a honest and straightforward look at hand tool woodworking and how it fits into a real life in the real world. I really enjoyed reading it and I believe theres a good chance you will too.
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