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Since I get picture requests when I don’t will put all construction here. Dirt work complete we have a driveway This is. Back porch wife had to have a picture final work before pour tomorrow. Dirt work on shop to start next week.

I've looked at this thing forever....pulled the trigger the other day. Just now getting around to opening it up. I'll be sending some wood through it when it warms up a tad. It's about 5* here right now lol

I did something normally don’t do…I made something for myself. I kn ops, we are not supposed to, but i did. Since i have so many doctor visits and waiting to be called (sometimes it’s a long time), so i made myself a brief case of sorts. It’s walnut and thee spade is (if i remember correctly) black limba. I lined it with some foam I had laying around. Now, I can put my iPad in it without worrying about dropping it. IO started this before my hospital stay. I would sneak out to my shop when my wife would go out and do some work on it. Now it’s all done. I had a problem with the spade, as I cut out the spade then cut the openining for it in the walnut (not the right way to do it) anyhow, it did fit, but the opening in the walnut was about an 1/8th of an inch to large. So i thought about it and decided to mix some epoxy and added a little black color to it. Figured i would hi-lite my mistake. I think it looks pretty good. Anyhow, enough of my yanking. Here are some photos of it…

Like many of us, I have a problem throwing wood away and I am always looking for ways to make interesting things out of it. Enter a decorative way to use up small scraps of wood. This pattern was done in poplar (with a lot of color variation). The stock was rough cut and then milled by hand to 1/8” x 1/2”, joints for the frame were cut by hand with a pull saw, and the angles for the pattern pieces were done using a jig and a really sharp chisel. The angles are 45º, 22.5º, and 67.5º and everything is friction fit. This has been a fun project, I learned a lot, and figured out a new way to use up scraps.

I went to our Tuesday meeting at Woodcraft and I always hit the sale table first thing. Usually not much new on there. This week I picked up a Wood River 8” by 1” with 5/8” hole CBN 120 grit wheel for $20. It said the hole was the wrong size. I bought it and put it on my grinder, fit perfect. I looked it up online and they are $180.

Yesterday's Urology appointment didn't go as hoped. After several tests were performed a new catheter was placed. Afterwards I was allowed a 6 pack (donuts of course) of my choosing. Approximately 6:30A today, 11/1, my body rejected the catheter and it came out on its own accord. Good news is, I felt better than I have in several weeks at least for a few hours. Stopped at Rural King for bird seed and a few other "necessities" before going back to Urology. It felt good to be among Rural Shoppers again even if it was short lived. After additional tests, a replacement catheter was placed. We drove straight home. Less than 15 minutes upon arrival home, that catheter was rejected and it too disengaged on its own. So back to Urology. According to my wife we made a 45 minute drive in 32 minutes on a Friday no less. For the official record, I was the driver. A new, different type/ brand placed as obviously the others by lot number are defective. It's been an exhausting, not to mention painful and stressful 48 hours. I'm scheduled for a bladder scope 11/25 unless someone cancels prior. The 6 pack previously noted is now a 4 pack; one for each of us. Wife and I also enjoyed and were granted a "date" lunch out while waiting for some test results and before being tethered again prior to failed placement #2. My apologies for TMI and sounding like a whiney old man. One day at a time.

I want to thank all of you for your concern and prayers. I was diagnosed six years ago with worsening heart failure a legacy from my grandmother on my fathers side. With today's medicine I have lived almost 20 years longer than she did and a couple uncles died early too. This go around my heart decided to go racing sometimes hitting over 150 beats per minute but was not AFib. Doctors were not sure what was wrong. Anyhow, they got me a concoction of drugs regulating the heart but I get short of breath just walking from the living room to the kitchen. Hopefully this will improve. Nine days in bed took a lot out of me on top of the heart condition. I'm working on that and feeling better daily. You guys are the best!!!

Working on restoring my family’s old dining room table. It's the closest thing I have to a family heirloom, my dad got it out of someone’s back yard when my folks first got married. It was pretty beat up, he sanded most of the marks out of the top, varnished it and put it to use. I got it from them last year, all the glue joints were coming loose and a piece or two missing. Cool old table, solid oak double drop leaf, made probably early 50’s by a company called A. Brandt. It was a line they produced called “Ranch Oak”. It was made to look like the pieces were rough cut out with a chisel.

I received a voice mail from the art center telling me I won a prize. I just have to wait until July 18th to find out what it is.

Lew indicated in one of his Wednesday posts that Tim Yoder was doing some videos called "Your Turn" which was nothing more than a question/answer piece. So I sent one in and he answered it. He did have a terrible time with the name of my little town....

I'll start by saying my name is Robert and I'm a wood hoarder. I've been active in the craft for about 40 years. In the last 15 or so have I became more interested in fine woodworking and applied myself to pursuing higher level work with a major focus on hand tools but I guess I'm a hybrid ww'er so I have all the major power tools and like the time saving they provide. My favorite projects are furniture, and I like to use traditional methods of construction. I've also done quite a few cabinet projects. I also enjoy chip carving, but I don't do it as much as I need, so I've lost a lot of skill there. I look forward to sharing some of my projects, but my main interest it helping others in areas I have some knowledge and experience. I'm currently working on a commemorative blanket chest with chip carved panels.

HAD TO CUT THIS ONE.. ......From Steve Good

Still working on a 2" thick butcher block to fit on a kitchen cabinet base. It's a bit tricky getting a good fit as it needs to marry with existing Corion top.

I came across these copies of a 1932 Walker-Turner publication — "Woodworker's Handbook". Two things struck me. First, the more obvious detail: tucked away in a flap on the back cover, the most strikingly vivid blueprint I have ever seen with my own eyes. I don't know what printing process they were using to make these back in '32, but it is just... majestic. And, from the crisply perfect condition of it, I wonder if I'm the first person to ever actually open it up. Secondly, and more obscure: inside the front cover, there was an inscription by "Lester" — which, I'd assume, is a man named "Lester [Arthur] Burton" — whose name is credited with "Designed & drawn by" on the the beautiful draftings in the early pages of the book. The intricate shading and distinctive lettering — and the fact the book came to me along with a few other items owned by Mr. Sawdust (my grandfather) — made me first think this was gifted to Wallace Sr. by his long-time friend, Lester Margon — who I'd place as one of the finest furniture draftsman of the 20th century. There's such similarity to the style and character of their drawings. Obviously this wasn't the case — just the odd coincidence of two unrelated "Lesters" who somehow shared such a style. Regardless, it simply made me wonder about this man — who was once proud to gift this book to someone, with gratitude to his "Dad", in quotations. It all felt slightly like one of those Hemingway'esque six-word stories — "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." — where my mind wanted to fill in all that's absent. A few searches for his name turned up absolutely nothing I could connect back to him — a proud draftsman's legacy from 1932, seemingly lost to time. I imagine there's a family that knows his story, if there's one there to tell — but there was just something that gave me pause when I tried to connect the dots, and couldn't. There was a strange nostalgia for a person I never knew, and have no connection to. It simply made me think — "someone's entire story, or some facet of it, lives within these simple handwritten lines — and I'll never know it." ... and it made me want to share it, in case someone somewhere randomly happens to fill in the blanks — of how, 92 years after "Lester" proudly shared his contribution to his "first book" with.... someone, and had "Dad" to thank — it ended up in my hands, from a cardboard box in a storage unit, and now in front of your eyes too. If nothing else, maybe Google will turn this up one day, so there's something to know about the unknown man by the name of Lester Burton. — David (... now that's where I left off, when I wrote it up a few days ago. After posting it on Facebook and OWWM, a few interesting details emerged, so I'm appending that here to finish the story, to one degree or another. — ) First and foremost, Lester was a veteran of World War II — that alone seems to make it worthwhile to share this here. ... and not long after finding this, his obituary emerged, which does a nice job of filling in some parts of his story I certainly could not when knew little more than his name: L. Arthur Burton — Designer of wide range of commercial products, private pilot out of Bedminster L. Arthur (Art) Burton, aged 92, of Catonsville, Md., formerly of Tewksbury Township, N.J., passed away Friday, July 29, 2016. Lester Arthur Burton born in Westville, N.J., the son of Wilhemina M. Burton (nee Buhlman) and Lester Ainsworth Burton. After graduation from Palmyra High School, Art graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) in 1943 and served as second mate aboard Liberty Ships throughout World War II. He married Phyllis M. Saxon (1947) and attended Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N.Y., graduating in industrial design. Art spent a few years honing his skills as a corporate industrial designer before creating his own life-long company. His design expertise can be seen in a wide variety of successful products, including 30 years of McIntosh stereos, Bendix weather radar, Dinamap vital signs monitors, as well as toy water rockets and pistols. Art was a competitive rifle shooter and shared his passion with his wife and three daughters. Over a span of 25 years he coached the Somerset County junior rifle teams, taught firearms safety classes, and served as the club's president. He loved to bird hunt over the many English Springer Spaniels he trained in his lifetime. He also enjoyed deer hunting; although he was so careful at choosing a successful shot, his family suspected he just enjoyed the peace and quiet of the woods. Art had a love/hate relationship with the game of golf. In his later years, it was much more of a love affair and he played the game often at Oak Hill Golf Club, walking 18 holes until nearly 90. In April 1946 he first soloed an airplane. This avocation, like many of his others, stayed with him for the rest of his life. He flew his own airplane out of Somerset Airport in Bedminster for over 40 years. He and Phyllis enjoyed many trips together, flying as far as Venezuela and Alaska. A private pilot, Art flew his last flight at age 85, logging over 7,300 hours in total. While he would tell you he used his airplane primarily for business, it was a true pleasure. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Phyllis, and his three daughters, Sherrie (Robert) Smith, Donna (Raymond) Thompson, and Linda (Duffee) Ricks. Art has six grandchildren: Lindsay (Nate), Andrew, Sammi, Zach, Ian and Justin. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Richard L. Burton. ... and with that, I can actually bring this post to its natural end. Nothing here to make you a better woodworker; no beautiful vintage machinery to admire; no shop tips or project plans — just a story about finding the story behind a talented draftsman, and an American veteran — husband, father, grandfather — designer, rifleman, hunter — soloed an airplane for the first time in 1946, and kept on flying until he was 85. From the little I've come to know, sounds like he'd have been a pleasure to know. — David

Cherry China cabinet. Working on top with glass doors. Sketched drawing and glued panels together for top cabinet.

They made some progress today. Did the wrap And got the star in. Rooms divided upstairs except bath. Dirt work on shop to start (I hope) Monday

Got an email today from my teaching partner, he has retired. I met this young man when he started in my Electronics class at the local Vo-Tech school in 1974. Three years later, he graduated from that program and went to work at the local Army Depot as an Electronics Bench Technician. Fast forward to 1999 when I was asked to teach a new program- Computer Technology (that course was taken over by another one of my students- who is now the director of another Vocational program and considering retirement). In 1999 the new course had 20 students. By 2000, the numbers doubled, plus a couple. Forty+ students, in a vocation program is not manageable, even if you have a PhD in herding cats. It was time to hire a second instructor and this young man was interviewed and hired. We taught together for three years, until I retired for family health reasons. Shortly there after, those problems resolved themselves and I returned to the school as a substitute and worked closely with him until I finally hung up my paddle and water gun in 2020. I watched this young man grow for over 50 years. It's hard to believe how time files and how wonderful it is to see kids grow into mature productive adults. I have not been able to keep track of everyone of "my kids" but I do have a senior picture of every one of them. Some have passed away, a few were not as successful as I had hoped, but most have gone on to productive lives- not all in the field I taught- but successful just the same. Four, that I know of, went on to be teachers. Some still come around the house and say hi and keep me up to date. Thanks for allowing me to reminisce.

This is so difficult to fathom. I was just admiring some of his latest art and his word of wisdom to other woodworkers. I will miss him and his posts. Prayers of comfort to his family.

Jesse, we will miss you. Danl

Was just wondering how much to assemble one of these things.. Tool Chest No. A... Yep..a whopping $20 back then...Move up a bit, to the #B.. To put another 23 tools in the chest, it will cost you another $20 Maybe see what Chest #C has? 87 tools...$60.00 ? Almost afraid to look at Chest #D.. Not as many tools, just a fancier case to store them in...still $60.00 Well.. Afraid this would be about the top of MY budget... These can be found in.. This Swan Catalog...from 1911....

Yesterday I finally finished the shelf unit for my granddaughter that I started a couple of weeks ago so I think this weekend I will just kick back and relax. Here are a couple of pictures of the finished project.

Took the whole table apart and stripped each piece. Some of the glued joints were broken around and between the dowel holes. Chiseled out the broken areas and glued plugs in place. Redrilled the dowel holes and glued the frames back together with new dowels. Made a new top stretcher for one of the swing frames. Some of the edge glued pieces in the table top were separating. I was able to reglue some of them. Other ones as well as some cracks are getting mended with butterfly keys from the bottom side.

Every January (getting ready to do it now), I spend a few hours rotating the carbide in my Dewalt. One thing I learned in industry is remove the carbide, lightly stone the seat, wipe it with lacquer thinner, rotate the insert and then reinstall it by shaking it in. Don’t over tighten it either.

I replaced the blades with the spiral cutter head. While it eliminated the need to change out full blades, it does come with some unique maintenance necessities. One must keep a close eye on the quality of the cut. When you notice a ridge on one side or other of your material, that means one (or more) of the cutters is under performing. Most likely cause is dust build up under a blade or two. Cleaning the seats for those little blades is an arduous and time consuming task. I can't ever locate the offending blade, so I end up cleaning and rotating them all. I did learn a costly lesson, though. ALWAYS use the manual screwdriver. To save a little time, I chucked up the bit in a drill to reinsert the screws holding the blades. Believe me, you can overtighten them. Removal is a biotch,!

Last few times I have used my Stanley No. 45.....setting the fence was getting to be a PITA, needing a pair of pliers to even move those thumscrews.. Were so nasty in the threads, hard to turn...needed replaced. Hard to find a pair of Stanley made thumbscrews, let alone a Tap to chase the threads...so.. While at Lowes the other day, picked up a Tap & Drill bit set...1/4" x 20....as that was as close as I could get to match the old holes. I also picked up a pair of new 1/4" x 20 Thumbscrews. Removing the old thumbscrews involved a pair of pliers... I also needed to match the tip on the new bolt.. As that pointed end works better against the rods. So, once I did find the correct tap wrench ( and clean it up) and fit the new tap in the wrench..( I tried the drill bit to match the Tap, it just dropped right through, and wasn't needed) Cast iron usually is fine, without oil on the tap.....Test the new bolt for fit.. Grab a rod from the 45's case, and check that it will work and easy to lock/unlock... I think that will do..repeat for the other bolt.. Project done..load stuff back into the case... Close the lid, And place this back up on it's shelf.... Thanks for looking in

I have several file boxes of Wood, Woodsmith, Shop Notes and Family Handyman stashed away in the garage attic. My wife thinks I got rid of them.

Had my first bowl class at Woodcraft yesterday. Five new turners that have never turned a bowl before will wear you out. On the plus side everybody left with a bowl. The guy behind the counter said everybody looked happy as they were leaving.

I made a year end run to my favorite wood supplier (Frank Miller Lumber) this morning to get my recently purchased load of walnut. I think I’m good for a while. The bottom picture is my garage stash of the walnut, oak, cherry, maple and a dab of pecan

i decorated.

I wasn't sure 'd get this done for Thanksgiving, but somehow it came together. I probably won't build another one of these, I found it to be fairly tedious working with all the small pieces (sanding, finishing, drilling all the holes) and then I tried to fill it up...that was even worse. But it's done now, and if that candy looks more like Halloween than Christmas that's because it is.

I won the chapter challenge last year at our club with the lamp I made. That means I had to pick what everyone has to make for this years chapter challenge. I want to pick something that the newer turners could turn and the experienced turners could take to the next level. I chose a winged box. This is mine so far. Still have a ways to go.

got this made yesterday, just one, it's unique, made out of some scrap maple, about 3-1/2" tall, about 1-3/8" wide at the widest part. little gift for a yankee swap next month, we were asked to bring a wrapped ornament, bought or made, so someone will take it home. hint: it's a tree......

Busy weekend. Saturday morning is the woodworking club meeting. The featured speaker is from Tenryu saw blades. In case you are not aware of them, they are a very good quality saw blade. I was given one a year or so ago and it's every bit as good or better than the Forrest WW2 that I've been using for 30+ years and about $100, about 2/3 the price of the Forrest. Their US headquarters is across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Once that is over, working on Christmas presents. I have already done ornaments, a puzzle table, and a knife block. In the chute is a charcuterie board needing just oiled, a small box to hold a couple of decks of cards for a grandson getting married in May, and a late order for another puzzle table. Still to be started is a sort of shadow box to hold pins for a granddaughter who is into a dance troop. Sunday church, beekeeper's meeting, and an evening concert. Today in the mail, I got the issue of Wood Magazine that has my winning hint of the issue. Yesterday, I got the prize, an Orion 950 moisture meter.

Hey, I found my bench!

Hope to watch IU football take down Michigan tomorrow much to the dismay of my SIL and two grandsons. Probably some other games on I don't care much about but beats watching reruns of 70s game shows, Beverly Hillbillys, Andy of Mayberry and Lume commercials. Attend church via live stream Sunday. May try to venture outside later; haven't been outside since last Friday well actually early Saturday morning...haven't had pants on since then for that matter. That's probably TMI; my apologies; hopefully you can erase that picture from your mind. No donuts in the house, no prospects for any so I don't see myself motivated to accomplish much else.

Finally got some time to do something about all of those non-domesticated bunnies that I seem to be overrun with. These are Mesquite with Red Oak and Spalted Pecan. One of the bunnies was an idea for a different way to do open rings. And that led to another way to do the other way. So, this is what you get. Remember. You guys let me stay so this is all your fault!

Hope you are feeling better soon Dave. Be careful, those donuts can go right to your hips! Got the grass cut yesterday, after that I had to change the original battery in Patti's car, and its only 10 years old. $259.00 & a three-year warranty on new. And for the non-mechanic let's give him this . Challenge accepted and completed.

Just picked up Q'bert from the Chevy dealer in College Station. Made a little more progress on my antenna build today. Will try to finish that up tomorrow and see if I can get it to tune. If there is time, maybe put it up on the mast. It's taken longer than it should due to my tendency to over engineer. Tool Time Tim would be proud of me. Once, I get it done it will last until at least 20 years. Marine grade components, sealed connection box, riveted SO-239 connection etc. Planning to paint with UV resistant paint. Still need to turn a wooden bushing to fit to the mast Sunday is Retirement/Birthday with company coming over. .40

Cleaning up, putting away all the toys from the Linen Closet Door Project.....after that?

Saturday Easy Wood Tools demonstration in Fairfax VA.

Well, I “was” fully back in the shop and started to work on a guitar stand. I haven’t played in years but i got a guitar and im going to do my best to get back into it. Here is a photo of one i seen online and i was inspired to attempt this, with one exception, im going to have a small storage place under the base for all the little extras…but we will see. So far this is what i have done, before another accident happened. Stupid is as stupid does…10 stitches and super glue to close the wound. (Never ever grab a bandsaw blade while it’s still running),..anyhow, what my plan is, is to have the base split and have it hinged to lift up to access the storage. I’m on the look out for a hinge that can be mostly hidden. Ill try to put up more photos as i go along. Oh, as luck would have it, once i had the stitches taken out, I started in the shop again, and my luck would have it, the blade on my bandsaw broke, so i called it a day. Oh, im using walnut and yellow heart wood.

The only picture I got of the wedding shower gift before it was wrapped. Walnut, maple and purple heart. Approximately 16" x 10". Woodcraft Magazine article for the idea. Made a bunch of these years ago for Christmas presents.

Added a few to my collection almost new.

Made real progress today. Storm came up this afternoon but they were back at it later. This is when I got there about 8:30. back porch is now looking like a porch . Oops she says it is front porch. She went down to look late this afternoon andloves the porch view.

Been busy getting new roll cart organized for use. Harbor Freight had these on sale from $599 down to $470.

first coat of poly on this desk this morning, another tomorrow. some cherry

I guess I have become a drifter. There was a time when I was on here 8 to 10 hours a day. I spent more time on here when I was working than when I retired. Like you said I have posted almost everything I've made and now I not making much it seen hard to post anything. I am trying though. @Ron Dudelston stays after ne by asking me when I talk to him "have you checked the sight lately?" Maybe I have something new soon to be able to add to the chatter.

I’m playing instructor tomorrow. I have a younger friend (late 20’s) that wants to build a small cabinet. My sole purpose is to get it built, keep him safe and give hime the desire to continue with woodworking.

Visitors arrived which is giving me a couple days off laying tile which is a welcome reprieve.