Christmas stocking tree

[PostalTom]

I've been working on a present for my son and his family.  We've all seen the clothes trees we put in the corner of our bedroom, on which we can hang a robe, belt, etc.  This is modeled after that concept, except that my stocking tree will look like what I just described, but had it's growth stunted.  It will be only about 4 feet tall, give or take a couple of inches.  It is being made in three sections.  A base, a bottom section that will be joined to the base with a tenon, and a top section, joined also to the bottom section with a tenon. The top of the top section will have a finial.  At least, that is the plan if I can get everything done right.

 

This is the base.  The legs are joined by half laps, or is that just a lap joint?  Most half laps I have seen are only connected on the ends, like a frame.

 

 

This is a shot of the bottom section, shortly after I started working on it.  The holes are for pegs to be glued in later, on which to hang the stockings.  I am putting in more pegs than will be needed for stockings, in case they want to decorate it.  On the other end is the tenon, and a mounting block for the headstock on my lathe.  The mounting block will be cut away later.

 

 

 

This is shot #2 of the bottom section.  Better shot of the peg holes.  The square section on this end will remain, and I will drill a 1" hole in the center of the block to accept the tenon from the top section.  Once everything is glued together, I will work down those connections so that they look better.

 

 

 

 

Shot #3 of the bottom section.  More peg holes, and some coves and beads.  I obviously need more practice on coves and beads, but they actually came out better than I expected.  BTW, I just purchased a 1/2"  spindle gouge from Carter and Son Toolworks.  I am using both traditional and EWT tools (a little redundancy there, sorry about that) on this project, trying to learn as I build.

 

Top section.  Just started it today.  Tenon on the left, mounting block to be cut off, and another set of peg holes.  The blank section on the right, which will be the "top of the top", will have a finial turned into it.  I am hoping to put a couple of beads in between the two sets of holes, but I don't know if I have enough room to do that without every thing looking too busy.  A cove will go in the area below the holes and the tenon area.

 

This project is being made from 3" square hard maple billets which I purchased from Woodpeckers when they ran a sale on them.  I am finding out why this wood is named HARD maple, but that is a different story.  Suffice it to say, when I tried to rip one of those pieces on my table saw, I would up having to repair my saw.

[PostalTom]

Well, somehow I posted the same picture twice.  What happened to the edit button?  Never mind, I found it.

Edited December 13, 2020 by PostalTom

[Masonsailor]

That’s very nice Tom. What kind of wood is that ?

Paul

[PostalTom]

1 hour ago, Masonsailor said:

That’s very nice Tom. What kind of wood is that ?

 

 Hard maple.

[lew]

That’s going to be a wonderful gift. Looking forward to seeing it put together. 

[Gerald]

Looks like some good progress. I have always heard how hard maple is difficult to turn , but after Azobe and Live Oak would like to try it. I am really looking forward to the completed project.

[HandyDan]

Looking good, sturdy too.

[PostalTom]

I'm just about done with this project.  All I have left to do is some more sanding at the joint between the upper section and lower section, and to paint it up.  Normally I don't like to paint my projects.  I usually prefer to stain or finish clear so as not to hide the wood, but on this one, I wanted to use a Christmas tree colored paint scheme.  On the pegs, my aim was to make each one slightly different.  I thought that many pegs all turned the same would be boring.  

[Steve Krumanaker]

That's a nice looking project!

 

 

[HandyDan]

Looking good!  A dye would leave the grain somewhat visible I believe.

[FlGatorwood]

Really nice work on that maple.  Beautiful turning.  When the children grow up, you can make another piece for the middle or the bottom to raise it up for a coat and hat rack.  You can remove some of the arms.  Thanks for the pictures and story.  Great.  

[Gunny]

8 hours ago, HandyDan said:

Looking good!  A dye would leave the grain somewhat visible I believe.

 

 

Something like this.  Mixed blue dye with denatured alcohol.

 

[Cal]

Looks great Tom.  And I like your reasoning for the different pegs, for me that would be a great way to cover up a mistake!

[PostalTom]

12 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Really nice work on that maple.  Beautiful turning.  When the children grow up, you can make another piece for the middle or the bottom to raise it up for a coat and hat rack.  You can remove some of the arms. 

Any modifications now would be really difficult to do right.  Everything is glued together, and some of that is epoxy.  I figure once the grandkids are grown, they can pass it on down to their kids.  At that point, I'll just look down and smile.

[PostalTom]

2 hours ago, Cal said:

And I like your reasoning for the different pegs, for me that would be a great way to cover up a mistake!

You broke my code!  Actually, I was also using the different shapes and configurations as a learning experience.

[PostalTom]

Behold!  My redneck spray booth.

 

 

 

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

Applause! Looks very functional!

[lew]

1 hour ago, PostalTom said:

Behold!  My redneck spray booth.

 

 

 

I have one almost like that except mine has flowers

[FlGatorwood]

Love the mobile stool.  

[Artie]

Very nice! I’m gonna say that it looks like it meets the Santa code of 25 pounds per stocking, weight hanging requirement.