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Showing posts from September, 2024

Paul Seller's Clock in Cherry

  This is a relatively common build. Followers of Paul Seller's make and post images of "Seller's-inspired," "my-interpretation of," or "Purist" examples of his clock, which originally appeared on YouTube in a  free online course he offered. This example of mine is in the "Purist" style. I typically look at pieces online or in a magazine and then draw a picture of what my take on a particular piece would be and come up with some measurements, which get refined a number of times, decide on a wood species, and hit the tools. The problem for me with this kind of adaptive learning is that half of the education, as in the instructional/teacher insights is omitted. I wanted to build my first Seller's clock as Paul did. I wanted to go through the processes he does. More than a clock, I wanted to understand how this master applied his trade, in terms of design, tool choice, order of steps, and methodology. And, I certainly wanted to do that...

What's On Our Bench? 9/29/24

  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...

Mahogany Bowl

  Will I need a lathe or a special pattern?   When I hear someone say they make bowls, I immediately think of the lathe. However, nice bowls... Let me say that again. Nice bowls, indeed very nice bowls, can be made in any number of ways, Bowls can be carved, cut with a router, or made on a band saw, to name but a few. There are, in fact several ways, and several styles of bowls that can be made on the scroll saw. The bowl pictured here was made with a 7-1/2" square, 3/4" thick piece of mahogany. That's it; that's all the wood that was used. Patterns are available from several books, online stores, and catalogs, such as Steve Good's site, but honestly you really don't need a pattern at all. If you can draw circles with a compass, drill a hole using some type of angle guide, and tilt the table of a scroll saw, you got this! You can decide how big the base of your bowl will be and then you need only extend each ring 1/4" beyond the last, similar to a target....