Saws Along the Mohawk

    I love the feel of old furniture, the kind of stuff that my grandparents had. The kind of stuff my parents hated because it had fallen out of style or favor. The furniture made from the Depression era until the 1950's was typically hardwood and its joinery was often unique-good old fashion screws. Its manner of construction relied far more on mechanical fasteners than its predessor, but lacks the fastener widgets, do-dads, and pressboard of today. It was typically sparse, but made well, and generally affordable. I have three re-furbished pieces, two from this time period and one more modern. I want to share these because I think they prove that a well-used piece is not necessarily a throw away. Platform Rocker My grandmother had a chair almost exactly like this one. In fact, I recall many people owning a chair like this one as they were quite popular. I have seen similar chairs in old Ethan Allen catalogs, this one did not have a maker's sticker still on it. It is solid ma...

 This is one of my favorite builds. I made it as a gift for my wife. The clock is almost entirely ahandtool build with some help from a router and scroll saw.  Materials: Red oak (top and bottom, sides and rails for the panel frame) White oak (top and bottom) Maple (faceplate) Cherry (bird) Clock insert Construction Paper Top & Bottom:  The top and bottom were sized up and prepared. Then I used the router to add a simple edge. I hand-cut four quarter-inch stopped dados, 1/4" deep, using a Japanese saw, a chisel, and my router plane. My only regret is I allowed my mind to wander and I mistakenly cut the dados straight. That is, these should have been made to accept a sliding dovetail. Nonetheless, the final joints proved strong and tight. The Remainder of the Body:  The clock is difficult to glue up, given it must be done so together, As mentioned, the clock has two stiles that are attached to the top and bottom by four sliding dados. In the front, grooves were cu...

   I let down a friend this week. In fact, it was Karoline. If you've read our previous posts What's On Our Workbench , you would be aware that Karoline and I planned to enter a furniture piece in a local woodworking show. I had to bow-out due to severe back pain secondary to a slipped disc in L4. Unfortunately, this was not my first go-around with back issues. It was my fifth in a year and half. I have had several cortisone shots, multiple series of physical therapy, and meds that make you feel more dopey than pain-free.  I've been told countless times, " Well, you're getting older. You need to slow down. " The problem with my nonacceptance and my hyperopia, and my relentless confutations is that life catches up with you. It has been all along. You know, those occasional injuries after doing too much? In the past you took a few days off and recovered. Then back to it, hard as you could go. But, you slow. And, the indignities come much more frequently and the ...

  Karoline continues to work on her slab table with butterfly keys. She also started a bench project. We'll put some pics up as soon as possible.  I'm (Steve) finishing up on my dust collector project. As I indicated last week, I'm no engineer and I'm not really sure a Harbor Freight 1 HP dust collector warrants a lot of time and drawings. So, I had plans for a Thien baffle. As I also said last week, this is the kind of project that will take me where it goes... A separator before the impeller is going to seriously decrease the intake volume. Given this is a 1 HP motor, it's probably best to skip the baffle. In terms of exhaust, the general complaint against a canvas bag is that some dust still escapes. What to do? If a put a separator on the exhaust it's going to blow the dust up on the bottom of the can every time it's turned on.  Don't want that! Nor do I want to waste time overbuilding something. But then a stupid plan hit me. What if I take a 15 gal...

   There is a thrift store near us that specializes in previously owned superannuated tools, which is just a nice way to say old and worn. It is similar in all respects to a used tool shelf in a flea market. There are some gems and surprises mixed in with the illimitable junk. Most times I go there I leave empty-handed. Sometimes I find something inexpensive and useful, and other times expensive and broken. I see these minor victories and disappointments as a requisite part of the adventure. That is, a part of doing business. I walked in to this store, a few weeks back, only to find, to my surprise, twelve, rather rusty, Stanley #45 combination planes. All were just sitting placidly there as if awaiting an orphan train. Each was made to wear a sign that read "Open Your Doors." It broke my heart. I felt morally compelled to intercede. I mean, what's one more tool to oil around the shop. The sad truth was plain enough, a woodworking enthusiast, tool-collector extraordinaire...

  We thought we'd add a "What's On Our Bench?" running post where we could provide ongoing updates on, well, ongoing projects or projects we are considering. One point in fact is that Karoline and I met at a local woodworking guild and primarily use our home shops. The work we do together is either completed at the local woodworking guild or partly in one shop and partly in the other.  Karoline is always working on something big to small. Currently, Karoline is working on a slab table with butterfly keys. We'll put some pics up as soon as possible.  I (Steve) obtained a second-hand portable 1 horsepower dust collector. Up until now I have been exclusively using a vacuum with a separate cyclone for all dust collection. My shop is small and the vacuum is cumbersome and loud. I realize a 2 HP would be more efficient, but, hey, the price was $10. The last thing I want to do is overbuild this but I am considering two-stage. Heading into the dust collector I am planning...