Sanding, Liming, Finishing.

A quick update on the Bed Restoration Project. The simple radiata pine was sanded back 120, 180, 240, 300 with random orbit and the round over by hand. The timber then sealed with shellac and sanded again.

I chose a finish to match the Shaker Toy Chests. I'm using the same liming agent which is applied then wiped off the make the white shade. Then I'm using the thicker/ tougher feast watson satin varnish rather than the minwax poly which although nice to apply dented easily on the toy chest.

One day I'll clean up the shed...

Boxing Day Salad on a Lazy Larry Board

This Christmas I gave away a custom made end grain chopping board from Larry at Lazy Larry Woodworks. This is the fourth board I've purchased from Larry. It is a solid Australian made product and once again delivery was on time.

The board is 400 x 460 x ~30mm in size. Formed from Australian timbers Melaluca, Acacia, and Mango. And made in the 'Double Step' design. The wood fibres are arranged vertically resulting in the 'end grain' surface. Not only is this more decorative and stable, but it is also gentler on the knifes as the fibres will split around the blade.

For more information check out Larry's website or email him directly.

Merry Christmas

Christmas in Australia is a great celebration. It’s a time to remember the year gone by, a time of rest, a time to eat lavishly, a time to decorate the office and home, and a time for friends and family.

Christmas traditions have a rich and eclectic history. Our modern plump and generous Santa stems from legends of Saint Nicholas, the fourth century Turkish bishop. The plastic Christmas tree that fills our lounge room is inspired by a sixteenth century German tradition. And elves… actually I don’t know how elves fit into it.

In our family, at Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We remember that God entrusted a young faithful mother with bringing Him into the world. And we are mindful that He did not remain a baby in a manger, but grew up to teach of God’s love and purpose, and to fulfil His mission as the one who would bear the punishment for humanity’s rejection of God.

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6.

Henry Eckert: New Australian based Tool Merchant

Just a quick heads up on a new Australian Tool Company. Henry Eckert: Merchant is based in South Australia as a sister company to the Australian distributors of Lie Nielson Toolworks. Worth checking out. 

I managed to pick up two Lost Art Press books, and now just have to wait for the posty.

A cracking bad time...

When people see my anniversary table the curved trestle legs attract the most questions and comments. Based on old Shaker design its slender form allows foot room for people sitting on the ends.

The first table I built of this design had a heavier set form made of a single piece of blackbutt. Other woodworkers often commented that it would be weak in the ankles. Pivoting forces applied across a relatively short piece of horizontal grain would cause fracture. (Btw. it never has.)

To correct this problem the new design is made of two pieces of timber angled such that the long grain is parallel to the ankles making the ankles much stronger. The two pieces are joined by a sliding dovetail and then two through tenons from the centre piece. (Details here.)

However, as you can see there are some cracks forming. The sliding dovetail edges are short grain and relatively thin. To fix this I'll pry it gently open and fill with epoxy. However, next time we'll need a better design. Ultimately bent laminations later shaped will replace this design.