Saturday, February 28, 2009

Kids Bookcase

The kids bookcase is done. Its three sections wide on top (29") and two on the bottom (36"). I have to get a picture of the one at the library so you can see what I was going for. It is pretty much built so the kids can dance on it and it won't break. The bottom is 3/4" plywood and the top is 5/8" pine. The ply was salvaged from the side of the road and the pine was from our kitchen remodel. When I tore the kitchen out I saved as much of the built-in stuff as I could. I could have left the top un-painted but it had stains all over so it would have been much work to make it look nice. Anyway over all it turned out well and fits its function.





Next project is.....?

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Workbench and Bookcase

So here is the finished workbench. I say "finished" but I think it will always be a work in progress. Adding something here and there, planing the top to make it smoother and taking out nicks. I think it came out OK considering it was my first try and it was completely built from scrounged lumber. So in essence it was free just my labor.




Sitting on the bench is the bottom to the kids bookcase. The lighting for the picture is horrible. It really is painted gloss white (easy cleaning).


Here is the top to the bookcase. It still needs painting and then attached to the bottom. I gave up on the finger joints for the sides and just used a butt joint with a through dowel. It is plenty strong and since it will be painted I figured there is no need to get really fancy. I will post a final picture, in good lighting, when it is done (maybe a few days).

Monday, February 23, 2009

Woodwrights School

Roy Underhill, host of the PBS show "The Woodwrights Shop", has finally opened his own school of woodworking. Since I don't want to copy the flyer, Here is the link. Below is a picture of Roy and his new school.




PS. I promise to update about the workbench and Kids bookcase

Friday, February 6, 2009

Workbench is standing

Well here is an almost finished workbench.

This is a shoot of the top



And here is how I put the legs together. I originally wanted to do bridal joints but it was not looking good. So the half lap it is.


So far the only thing I have bought to put this together is glue. But I have used that on other things so really its $0 outlay. I have the stretchers to put on across the front and back and the 2x4 "backsplash". Then the final will be to hand plane the top. Lots and lots of fluffy shavings.