April 13, 201313 yr  Ok, You have all seen the chunk of wood I will be using as a lid ( MAYBE, depends on the wood supply)Yep, that's the one.  The "maybe" part?   IF I don't find enough pieces to do the entire desk with, I will add some walnut as the top and lid.   Ok the tasks today:  Sides and front.   I had to chunks of this mystery timber, maybe three pieces could come out of them.   I went from a slab like thisugly thing, to a more "polished" chunk of timberThen, I used this piece as a patternTo mark out the other two pieces. There was a big,old knot on one end, thoughTook a handsaw and got rid of this junk.    Reset the board in the viseNotice the layout line?   There is a crack that almost follows the line. So, with a few whacks with a malletthe other blank for the sides is now ready to trim down to match the first one.   No, I did not throw away that other piece.   These sides have a flat area along the top. The sloped area is for the lid, then a flat area for the hinges and pencils to go.  To get that flat spot started, I used a mallet and chiselhere is the flat area marked out. Part of the slope also needs to be trimmed down,soChop away the waste, almost to the lines. Come back with a hand plane and plane until the line is split. Did both areas like this.   The faces and all the edges were also handplaned.   I do have a "lunchbox planer, but it is still out in a Pole Barn Shop.   Most of this stuff is too short, anyway.   A look at the plane in action?This Jack plane has an 8" radius cambered iron in it. It will take down the roughest of the rough in a few passes. Followed up with a smooth plane.   Both taking a break. As for the "miter box"?   Yep, used it and a "miter saw" to trim things to length.  Now, about that piece that was broken off?Laid out a straight line.   I then had to remove the waste area, and clean the facesRoughed off most the bad areas with the mallet& chisel.  Then the two planes took over.Nice? That light area is a bit of dry rot.   So, the jack took things down until the rot was gone.    Now i had three pieces of the puzzle, time for a Break!Until the next time.... Planer? I'm the 'planer', and these are what I use...
April 13, 201313 yr Looking Good!How thick will you be making the sides?Lew Kauffman-Wood Turners Forum HostTime traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!
April 13, 201313 yr Author Whatever it takes to get them smooth on both sides.  right now, they are at 3/4" most of the way.   Not sure what this stuff is, might just be more of that Sycamore?  Planer? I'm the 'planer', and these are what I use...Planer? I'm the 'planer', and these are what I use...
April 14, 201313 yr Author What a fight! Went a couple "rounds" with a couple chunks of Hickory.   Came out a draw, I think.  Found one plank that was long enough, just too blody thick.   Had to plane it down from 1-1/8' thickness to 3/4" thick.    Put a couple marks in the fingers on my left hand.    But, I won that roundKind of Gnarly?   Funny grain patterns too.    As for the other plank?  It came from the remains of a stool I tried to build.   Piece was cracked almost all the way, so I thought I could just drive a big,old framer chisel into the crack, and rive it the rest of the way.    Halfway there......OW!  Oh, I hit the head of the chisel ok, I also caught the webbing between the thumb and fingers.   Nice blood blister.   Proceeded to plane down the split area, another hole in a finger.  Plane was slipping off the board, and hitting the board again with a finger in the way.   Got one piece doneAt least to the point a smooth plane could work.  Son of a ......got me again!    Ok, board wins that round, quitting time. As for the fingers?pretty, ain't it?   Total of five marks there, including one that was hit twice. I did make a mess on the floor, tooThere is a little "creek" running through the Dungeon Shop!   I guess Igorski needs a drink, now and then.   Shavings soak up the water fast, too.    Time to put away the toys for the night...And try again tomorrow.  Now, where they put that box of bandaids????? Planer? I'm the 'planer', and these are what I use...
April 14, 201313 yr Author Found another, better chunk of timber today.  Took it out of the window that it was being used to prop the window open.   1x6x24" qwso! Took it down to the Dungeon.    Removed two old rusty nails.    Planed both faces and the edges smooth. At least now, I won't have to plug two square holes. Pictures after a while.  Joinery is still being debated, both as to what to use, AND what I had to do the joinery with. And NO, I don't do KREG style pocket holes, either.    Options?     Rabbetted corners?   Half-blind dovetails?   Don't really have the saw for full ones.  Screw and plugs?   Make the plugs in Walnut, for contrast?  Maybe start a "Poll"?Planer? I'm the 'planer', and these are what I use...
April 15, 201313 yr Steve, I vote for the Dovetails, I'd like to see your DT's! Great work man, I have never seen anybody just find wood from all areas of darkness and use breath new life into them as you do, great work man.Sorry bout the finger, I am not sure if it was a draw!John MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project
April 15, 201313 yr Wear the Purple Heart proudly, Steve. Is that drawer front solid?Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
April 15, 201313 yr Author Old dresser drawer is a glue-up, with a veneered front.  My "DTs" are not quite ready for Prime Time, yet.   No budget to BUY timber with, so.......SCROUNGER to the shop.   Just down the street, there is a huge pile of wood, from an fence that was "downsized"   Might ask the new owner WHAT he wants to do with the "Rat Nest' on his lot.  That pile would fill up a normal pick up trucks bed to overflowing, would need to tie it down.Planer? I'm the 'planer', and these are what I use...
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