As a courtesy to those interested in only cute baby pics, there are no new pics of squirt in this post. Much to our amazement, she just hasn't been very cute the past few days. Nisha and I confronted Norah and made it very clear that her only contribution to the household is not something that can be freely withdrawn. She apologized and promised to make a genuine effort over the coming days. We'll post updates as they're available.
Other than Norah's to-improve frumpiness, everyone is healthy and happy and looking forward to gorging on turkey over the next couple days.
Those without time or interest in some unemployed knucklehead's woodworking exploits can close the browser and return to their other pressing matters.
*** End no new kiddo pic warning ***
The bench looks like a bench!
Progress! I assembled the base (this time with glue!) and had to get Nisha to help heave the top up on it. That sucker is heavy!
Though it was fairly close after glue-up, I flattened the top with my Stanley #5 jack and #608 Bedrock jointer plane. You can see the plane tracks left as intersecting diagonal lines in the following pic:
Once things were sufficiently flat, I pulled out the smoothing plane (thanks Pops!) and made a big pile of shavings and left the finished surface flat and smooth as glass:
Time for vices! Er, vises.
Seeing that the bench is one huge expanse of yellow pine, I figured I'd add a little bling to gussy things up. The fact that I've got a huge pile of cherry boards that I regularly trip over may have had something to do with it as well. I sketched up a couple ideas of what a well-blung leg vise would look like and started hacking.
Having settled on a design and assembled the vise chop, it was time to bore the 2.25" diameter through hole for the vise screw/thrust plate. I don't have a 2.25" hole saw (and probably wouldn't have tried to use one anyway), but I do have a bit brace and a 2-3" expansive bit. The cherry board I picked for the vise was a particularly hard example; boring the one hole wore me out. I couldn't imagine having to many of them everyday day. Don't get into a fight with an old-time woodworker. They'll kick your butt.
Followed up by drilling pilot holes for the vise mounting screws:
Et voila! Only things left to do are to install the wagon vise and board jack and bore bench dog holes. This project has been really fun!
2 comments:
Have a great Thanksgiving! I read it all. Poor Nisha has to work all day, then come home and heave-ho the workbench.
Nice vice!
Also, the workbench is starting to feel like a workbench.
Also, thanks for having us over for Thanksgiving! I'm sorry about my kid throwing up on your carpet within the first couple of hours. :(
Post a Comment