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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...
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Shop Alterations

 

 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 rehabilitation take longer; you are indeed getting older. But at the bottom of all this long-windedness I let a friend down this week. I certainly gave Karoline sufficient time to submit something independently, but I had to remove myself from a project. An indignity I had never experienced prior. I came to this decision because I recognized that even when I recovered from my back pain, I wasn't going to be able to work on bigger projects and be reliable. I knew that if I did heavier work that my back would likely go out, then months would go by before I could get back in the shop again. Life changed and I will need to point out my disabilities in the future and ask other to adjust to my needs a little my loudly and often. I am very frustrated and saddened. 

Zero Mostel as Tevye

 There is a joke in all of this, if you can find it. You spend a good chunk of your life and money acquiring and setting up the tools you'll think you'll need. For most of my adult life, I didn't have a shop. When building a project, I would carry all my tools out to the job and then at the end of the day would need to carry them back inside and downstairs. Like, Tevye ben Shneur Zalman, my workdays were dependent upon sunrise and sunset. Each year the setup and work got harder, and I dreamed of having my own shop. Well, I have one. Today, most of my trusty old workhorses are obsolete for what I can physically do. That is, I certainly can operate a table saw, but I can no longer build full-size furniture pieces. 
Oak & cherry panels


I can no longer haul big pieces of plywood around, or work like a dog in the sun all day. Many of the machines I have just collect dust and take up floor space. Not floor space for another machine, floor space that impedes my movement. My shop is small and even if it starts off clean, tools and whatever are in disarray soon enough. I don't have ataxophobia, maybe OCD--If I were to be honest. Notwithstanding, I am not afraid of mess, but I do have second-thoughts about contorting around vacuum cleaner hoses, bending over, and working on the floor
Karoline


  Karoline also let me down this week. She had to temporarily suspend her participation in our joint efforts due to life. But in her case life is about wonderful things. She has secured a new job, another endeavor she is involved in has achieved some success, and then their are scheduled family activities, etc., etc.. For me this was both disheartening and fabulous news. I am so happy for her. 

 So where do we go from here? I am, or will be soon, able to get back in the shop and produce some smaller projects. Good projects, just smaller. Karoline will contribute as she can, and probably more so by spring. I need to once again look at my shop and think about alterations. Tools that are not used need to go; maybe some new tools need to come. Tools that are used occasionally will need to go outside to the shed. Some have already. For example my miter saw. I know some of you are shocked at that, but I have become much more of a hand tool guy. I have a lovely Stanley early 1940s non-powered miter saw. I almost never use the electric one. I am undecided about the contractor's table saw.

Tablesaw

Currently, it is on casters and easily moves about. I have been working on several tops for it. One is an assembly table, another a glue up station, etc. I do use my bandsaw, lathe, scroll saw, and occasionally my router table. I do have a second contractor's saw (which is a very kind reference to an old Black & Decker 7-1/4" table saw) that I took the wings off and converted to a disc sander.
Lathe

However, it is so aggressive, it is only occasionally used. Changes, however, need to be made based on workflow and my ability to stand, as well as storage and space within the shop. All of this is changing, and if I don't adapt then my time in the shop is going to be tremendously affected. So, this post is about aging and it's relation to shop alteration. I think this is a great topic and one not frequently raised. The choice is work the way you always have and limit your days in the shop, or modify the way you work and extend your days in the shop. I'm going to give the latter a try. I'll keep you posted!


by Stephen Koonz


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Location: Albany, NY, USA

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