In today’s economy, charities throughout the country are seeing an enormous decline in charitable donations.  It goes without saying we all just don’t have too much, if anything, to give.  Sure we can all give our time but most often that isn’t too practical.  So what’s left you say?  

Over conversation with a neighbor the other day I got to thinking it may be nice if maybe once a year I was able to work with a charity to design and build a custom piece of furniture that might be auctioned or raffled off with the entire proceeds being contributed directly to that one lucky charity.   By spreading one project out over a longer period, having the ability to fit various portions into my busy schedule and incorporating existing or left over materials from other project into a charity project it really seems like a win win situation. 

In the coming weeks and months I will hopefully be outlining my plan on how I will solicit interested charities and set up project guidelines.  As always comments are welcome.

RJ

Ok, well maybe not in the earthy sense of the word but the shop has gone green literally.   With the proposed kitchen remodel looming in the near future larger and upgraded equipment has become a must!!  So with having purchased a 17″ Grizzly band saw I thought I would continue on with the green theme, stick with Grizzly and purchase a 15″ Planer with shelix head, 8″ jointer with shelix head and 10″ cabinet saw with router table extension and out feed roller system. In the next month or so, after I have had a little time on each of them, I will be posting reviews.  So far my opinion is mixed but overall a very positive one.       

Ron

Uh??? What???  As I am sure you are thinking I must have lost my mind with such a statement I would like to take this opportunity to explain my madness.

“The human hand has a particularly refined sense of touch. According to Smithsonian magazine, researchers found that our hand can detect a dot just three microns high. (A human hair has a diameter of 50 to 100 microns.) However, by “using a texture rather than a dot, the researchers found the hand can detect roughness just 75 nanometers high”—a nanometer being one thousandth of a micron! Such remarkable sensitivity is attributed to about 2,000 touch receptors in each fingertip.”  So what you say???  

Well first off those numbers are some extremely tight tolerances and sure your joinery needs to fit tight but I think many of us overlook are sense of touch as a quality control tool.  Often times a defect or blemish can be extremely apparent to the touch when only just visible to the eye.  Taking this approach to the finer details of your woodworking will, without a doubt, make your projects standout from the rest and no where is this more apparent than at the finishing stages. 

Try this on your next project.  At each stage in your project close your eyes and run your hands over your entire project.  Does it flow?  What do you feel?  To be honest you shouldn’t feel much of anything and if you do then it’s a great time to fix the flaw.  No, changes in joinery, milling marks, tear out, end grain, saw marks, fasteners, dust nibs, runs in the finish…. the list goes on.

Look at your best work.  Now feel it.  Look at your worst work.  Now feel it.  Now tell me there’s not a  difference! 

RJ 

Quote found here 

Although I haven’t been posting much that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy!! In fact things have been a little crazy both in the shop and on the drawing board. 

Since my last post I wrapped up a couple small projects, started design on a kitchen, upgraded my jointer, planer and tablesaw (Stay tuned for the reviews), and trying hard to finish my wife’s corner curio, sold some trucks, bought some cars, went on vacation… yeah the list goes on but things are slowly getting under control.  With any luck I will be able to at least provide something constructive on a more frequent basis.  A couple articles I am currently working on include: Kitchen design, tips on spotting quality furniture, tool reviews and a little something on Shaker furniture and my trip to Hancock Shaker Village.  So till then be safe!!

RJ

Unfortunately, well if you want to call it that, I have been so busy in the shop I almost forgot the summer Lumberjocks.com contest had come to an end:(  I think wow about sums it up!! So if you are looking for a little inspiration head over to LumberJocks and check out all the winners and all the entries.  Some truly amazing work there! Congrats to all the winners!  Just how will Martin top this when the Winter Awards come around?  I guess we’ll have to wait and see:)

Ok I am not blind but I am getting older. Not that I am that old but old enough to have reading glasses in the shop in order to see the small things easier:(  I really don’t mind wearing the glasses so much as having to swap out to the safety glasses on a regular basis or worst yet leaving the cheap reading glasses on in lieu of the safety glasses.

As of now this has all changed! During a recent trip to my local Louis and Company I noticed the “Cateyes” by FastCap and thought these were for me!! Wow what a concept safety glasses with small magnifiers in them (safety glasses with bi focals) LOL.  Now these aren’t prescription safety glasses but they do get the job done.  Yes, it does take a couple minutes to adjust to the bifocal type area but in no time you don’t even realize they are there!  They come in various magnification powers from 1.5 to 3.0 and the best part is they run about $6.99 a pair.  So far I have found them to be pretty comfortable and the 1.5 power just right for me.  So if you too have a slight visual impairment like myself I would definitely recommend checking a pair of these out.

Yes, the time has come for yet another great Lumberjocks.com challenge! For those who aren’t in the know Lumberjocks.com is probably one of the most frequented woodworking websites on the net.  Each year Lumberjocks.com host various challenges throughout the year with various themes.  One theme was based on what a woodworker could build with a 2×4.  Another involved building anything without glue or fasteners and with awesome sponsors and prizes awarded to the winners the entries are just amazing.  This summer’s challenge is no different.

Finally it’s complete:)  Designed for a client with modern tastes this project had it’s moments!!! It was constructed primarily from alder, with a book matched, home sawn, curly maple veneer top and walnut inlay. Five coats of an oil/varnish finish was applied by both wiping and spaying.  To help accentuate the curl in the maple a shellac/dye process was used.  It stands 36” high and is 12” wide and 68” long. 

 Unfortunatley, my most recent photos are less than desirable so hopefully I will have another chance this afternoon to take some more.  This photo below was taking in the middle of the finishing process but is much better at showing the figure in the top:)

Like most woodworkers trying to market our passion we often get frustrated trying to sell a product and/or service.  Other than by word of mouth, we try venues like the internet, Ebay, Craigslist and craft shows but rarely to a great degree of success.  Why?  To be honest my only thought is that we are not targeting the correct demographic.  It’s like trying to sell a car at a truck store, people will buy it but at a ridicules price and at the end of the day it ends up costing us money:(  

Just the other day I came across Etsy.com.  It appears that the site has been around for awhile but what makes Etsy different is that they cater to those of us looking to buy and sell handmade, unique items.  A quick look around confirms that the prices are more in line with actual costs and the audience are those who aren’t looking for a bargain but quality and something unique. 

Setting up shop couldn’t be easier.  Registration is pretty typical, contact info, log-in, password, etc and the only additional item needed to sell is a valid credit card.  A paypal account is suggested as well.  Fees don’t seem too high with a 20 cent insertion fee per item and 3.5% of the sale.  Once you are signed up you are provided a store front with your user name keep this in mind when you set up your account. 

 With this in mind I decided to give it a try myself.  Check me out at rjoneswoodworks.etsy.com

We’ll see how it goes and I will keep you all posted.

I really didn’t think I would get a chance to get some photos up prior to the final finishing but…

Just a couple more domino’s and little more sanding and it will be ready for finish:)

 Nope you never can have too many clamps!