Archive for October 2014

Skulls On Board   Leave a comment

Washington, D.C., circa 1927. "NO CAPTION (man with skull display)." Friends of the family, no doubt. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative.  From Shorpy Historical Photos.

Washington, D.C., circa 1927. “NO CAPTION (man with skull display).” Friends of the family, no doubt. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. From Shorpy Historical Photos.

More

Shorpy Historical Photos: Seven Skulls

Posted October 31, 2014 by henrymowry in Photography

Tagged with ,

Staycation: Day 5   6 comments

Here’s the question: can I take the boards from the router to the sander to hand sanding to finish application today? Tomorrow morning would then be the beeswax/mineral oil topcoat, and tomorrow afternoon would be installing the non-skid feet with stainless steel screws, wrapping and labeling. Tomorrow evening … load the cars, and avoid the trick-or-treaters.

And I’m pretty sure the random orbital sander will die today.

Oh, and I have to build the display units in my spare time.

Possible?

Yesterday’s funk has left me, which is good. I’m through the wall. Now, it’s all about taking my productivity up a notch and getting to the finish line. (HA. I kill me.)

8:20a: in the shop. Time to process the final glue-ups from yesterday and get going with sanding.

10:07a: Done with smoothing on the planer now … but that took too long.

 

10:20a: Router table now set up for edge rounding.Staycation 53

11:02a: 440 edges now rounded. Time to route the handles … but oh NO, the dust collector is full. Time for my dust mask & the worst job in the shop. The result: a 500 ml bag & a 33 gallon bag of sawdust (and no, I have no idea why I’m mixing my measurement systems).

Here are the old filters from the dust mask ... this is the stuff I didn't breathe.

Here are the old filters from the dust mask … this is the stuff I didn’t breathe.

12:15p: 110 handles routed.

12:33p: lunch and errands. I need to restock the ice cream and diet coke. Man does not live by woodworking alone.

2:34p: back to the shop; time to begin sanding. Corners will be rounded, and I’ll clean up the routed edges as well. That’s 220 corners and 440 edges, by the way.

3:43p: Rounding done and coughing begins. Break needed.

4:10p: Sanding with the random orbital sander begins. I start with 80 grit.

5:17p: I may never finish (HA. I kill me.).

7:28p: done with 80 grit. Break.

7:46p: Begin with 120 grit. All the boards, all over again. And I’ll do this with 5 different grits. Why? Because the # 2 comment made about my boards (after “Oooh, pretty”) is “Oooh, smooth.”

8:56p: Done with 120 grit. I’m giving up … and no, I didn’t break the sander, and I didn’t make the finish line today. That will have to wait for another day.

Good thing I have another day.

Staycation: day 5 results:

  • 55 boards now sanded through 120 grit
  • 12 boards now on hold “for next time”
  • zero boards cut for the new display units

Forecast for day 6: a good chance of rain, so whatever I get done tomorrow gets done in the shop. And, I have NO ROOM.

More

Staycation: Day 1

Staycation: Day 2

Staycation: Day 3

Staycation: Day 4

Posted October 31, 2014 by henrymowry in Woodworking

Tagged with ,

Staycation: Day 4   5 comments

Every significant accomplishment has one: that point at which you question what you’re doing. Is it worth it? Can you do it? Should you do it?

When I ran my first marathon, I hit the wall in the 20th mile.

On my staycation, I hit the wall on day 4.

1:41a: I decide I’m not thinking big enough. I must make more boards.

4:22a: The new display units are vexing me. I need to get those done and out of my head.

7:12a: I go to Home Depot to pick up epoxy, masking tape and boxes to put my finished boards in.

8:35a: in the shop.

9:32a: first glue-up done. I’m relaxing to JT. Life is good.

Staycation 44

10:16a: I’m done playing Jenga. I picked up the cutoffs that were “stored” in 7 places and placed them in this newfangled thing I bought: a container. Wow. Organization. What a concept. Now, it’s time to plane and cut to shape the new boards.

11:18a: the planer blades are done. I’ve got new blades waiting for this moment. Unplug the tool. Read the instructions conveniently on the back of the new blades. Unscrew 31 screws, replace the 3 blades, and then put it all back together.

11:50a: had to be done … but I don’t have time for this! But … the planer is now working, and the blades are so sharp, the boards are coming out like I have already sanded them smooth.

1:05p: I’m progressing, but not nearly fast enough. I was supposed to make serious progress on the two new display units today … but I’m just not feeling it. At all. To make the display units, I need to do another deep dive into the lumber pile. No motivation. So, lunch.

2:01p: back to the planer.

4:09p: 40 boards, now ready to finish. That’s great … but I’m not getting the display units done. I am not feeling it. At least I’m getting the boards ready for finishing tomorrow.Staycation 46

4:58p: second glue session almost done.

5:05p: gotta take a break. And a nap. I’m on staycation.

7:40p: back to the shop. Third glue session.

8:41p: lights out.

Staycation: day 4 results:

  • 9 more boards picked and processed
  • 59 boards now glued up
  • 67 total boards now in production

Staycation 45

More

Staycation: Day 1

Staycation: Day 2

Staycation: Day 3

Posted October 30, 2014 by henrymowry in Woodworking

Tagged with ,

Staycation: Day 3   5 comments

8:48a: enter the shop

9:08a: do a joint test. I snap an end cut. There’s only a 1/4″ glue joint … but it holds. The wood breaks. That’s a good thing: these boards will not be coming apart.

9:32a: first wood cascade of the day. I have NO ROOM.Staycation 35

9:48a: first glue-up done

Note to self: the next time Velda suggest you buy more clamps, say "Yes, Dear."

Note to self: the next time Velda suggests you buy more clamps, say “Yes, Dear.”

10:24a: first 2 boards picked & processed.

11:32a: throwing things again. Earlier, today.

11:37a: my new plunge router arrives. Now, if I just had time to unpack it….

Love my new Makita RP2301FC 3-1/4 HP Plunge Router (Variable Speed) . Thank you, Amazon Prime!

Love my new Makita RP2301FC 3-1/4 HP Plunge Router (Variable Speed) . Thank you, Amazon Prime!

11:42a: a handle just fell off my table saw. Tool envy, no doubt.

11:55a: I lose at Jenga. As if that’s a surprise. I have NO ROOM.

12:23p: More cut-offs delivered to the curb for mulch. Note to Velda: this is pizza fire starter wood that we’re not using. More pizza is needed!

Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

1:58p: 2nd glue-up of the day done

2:57p: time to dive for more Black Walnut.

3:47p: I’m now out of 8/4 Hard Maple … but my last custom order is ready for glue-up.

Take heart, Brian! Your board is progressing in the shop, honest!

Take heart, Brian! Your board is progressing in the shop, honest!

5:24p: last board is picked & processed.

6:10p: 3rd glue-up done.

6:17p: shop swept. Music off. Lights out.

Staycation: day 3 results:

  • 20 more boards picked and processed
  • 28 more boards glued up
  • 58 total boards now in production

I have NEVER produced like this!

More

Staycation: Day 1

Staycation: Day 2

Posted October 29, 2014 by henrymowry in Woodworking

Tagged with ,

Staycation: Day 2   5 comments

4:42a: I wake up too early. I dream of the Mondrian-styled serving piece I’ll create today out of some quilted black walnut that I processed yesterday.

What? You don’t dream about vacations?Staycation 23

8:10a: enter the shop

9:09a: done with the first round of glue upsStaycation 21

9:41a: Mondrian board phase one is doneStaycation 24

10:30a: I realized the black walnut I have in rough stock would be great for a board I’m putting together … so I took all 10 pieces of the walnut I put in the rolling cart yesterday and took them out to be processed today. I’m losing my mind in this over-crowded shop.

10:54a: put together the first two boards of the day

11:37a: talked to Dennis, who’s installing the computer system for a broadcaster in Las Vegas, NM. He’s doing fine … but I dump my glue-infused water bowl while I’m talking to him. Clean up, workbench one.

12:12p: second glue up session done

New technique: I'm following the manufacturer's recommendation on how to clean up squeeze out from glue ups. It's a mess, but at least it's not using paper towels.

New technique: I’m following the manufacturer’s recommendation on how to clean up squeeze out from glue ups. It’s a mess, but at least it’s not using paper towels.

12:55p: my gosh, this ash is pretty. Why didn’t anyone tell me to work with ash before? And … it’s time for lunch.Staycation 29

2:18p: back to the shop

3:56p: I begin to throw things. This may not end well.

While I'm throwing things, I'm also amusing myself by playing a game of Jenga, stacking up new board set ups on a garbage can.

While I’m throwing things, I’m also amusing myself by playing a game of Jenga, stacking up new board set ups on a garbage can. I have NO ROOM.

5:31p: Third glue up session done.

5:37p: Sweep the shop & turn out the lights.Staycation 28

Results, staycation day 2:

  • 14 more cheese boards picked & processed
  • 23 more cheese boards glued up

More

Staycation: Day 1

Posted October 28, 2014 by henrymowry in Woodworking

Tagged with ,

Staycation: Day 1   6 comments

7:30a: She: “Are you OK with breakfast in 5 minutes?”

He: “You mean you’re cooking?” Note to self: this could be a good day.

8:01a: With her breakfast burrito success thoroughly evaluated (and found exceptional), I confronted the chaos that is my garage current shop. Too much stuff in too little space. Staycation 01

8:25a: Stowed the Mrs M display pieces and Mr M inventory out of the way and began the real work of the day. I know the world has a lot of cheese. The world needs more cheese boards.

Staycation 03

8:45a: I start to turn on my saw, but realize the time. Too soon.

9:05a: Dust collection up. Saw on. I have a bunch of new lumber to process, and its going to be a rough ride. The lumber is common grade with a lot of checking (which are cracks in the boards). Cherry, black walnut and ash are all mixed in the pile. Lots of odd sizes. The process begins in earnest.Staycation 0210:22a: # 1 daughter-in-law and # 1 granddaughter arrive. I’m in my hearing protection with dust collection and table saw running, and Payton walks to the middle of the driveway and begins talking to me. I shut down and lose the ear muffs: I need to listen. Of course.

10:37a: First cheese board lumber picked and processed.  Glue-ups could now begin … if there was a work surface available in the shop. There is not, nor will there be for a long time.

10:50a: Velda yells at me because she needs access to the garage refrigerator. To do that, she needs to cross into my garage woodshop. That woman has no boundaries.

11:000a: Little Girl arrives. She’s going to the Pumpkin Patch with Velda & Payton. And my camera.

12:43p: I lay out the 12th board of the day, which is dubbed the USC board, as it has purpleheart and yellowheart as the principal woods. It hurts me a little to make a board for the anti-Bruins … but it’s OK. I’ll just charge them more.

1:08p: The 16th board is also for USC fans. It’ll be end grain. And have a stiffer Trojan tax. I love it when prices go up.

1:23p: I discover that I’m much more out of control than I thought. After a few hours in the shop processing rough lumber, I glance at the dust collector, and see that not only is the lower bag full, it has now overflowed into the upper bag, which stands 50% full. This is a very, very bad thing.

See The Worst Job In The Shop. When I wrote that piece, the dust collector upper bag was perhaps 10% full. And that was bad.

This is worse.

I’m going to get really dirty … after lunch. Good plan. After lunch.

So, no dust collection until after lunch. I can still use the table saw and planer … but the dust will have to, uh, collect on its own.

1:45p: The ladies return with orange squash in hand. I am not offered my camera back.

1:53p: The 20th new cheese board is picked and processed, awaiting glue-up.

2:02p: Lunch. Thank goodness.

2:30p: I am invited to a Mrs M’s Handmade executive session to present the plan for this weekend’s big event: the Saugus High Boutique Fantastique. We have rented a double booth, 10’x20′, which is our biggest ever. We need a plan. We need more tables. We need more stuff.

3:03p: We review the plan, we review the calendar. We have a shopping list and tasks to complete.

3:12p: The ladies decide that Alley is the boss of me. In their complicated female logic, it’s found that Velda is not the boss of me (they got that one right), but Alley is. I do not comment on their conclusion. That is evidence of increased wisdom due to my experience in handling living with being around … sorry. I am mistaken. Alley is the boss of me, and I should just accept that without comment. Done.

3:24p: The ladies approve me to purchase a plunge router. I need that tool to make good juice grooves for cutting boards, and that is now in my future.

Because I need more stuff in my shop.

Oh, and prices will go up. I love it when prices go up.

3:29p: Back to the shop. And the worst job in the shop.

4:03p: Velda yells at me because I have lumber stacked in front of her freezer. No surprise there: I have lumber stacked everywhere at this point.

4:17p: I discover a rats nest buried behind the lumber behind the dust collector. And a dead rat. The. Worst. Job. In. The. Shop.

4:48p: Finish cleaning up the dust collector. One big bag of sawdust and five medium bags of sawdust are removed from the shop. Oh, and the dead thing, too.

5:03p: Reassemble the dust collector. Thank goodness.

5:22p: Empty the rolling cut-off bin where I put, uh, cut-offs. This stock is 2′ to 5′ long.  I remove the softwoods that I no longer have room to store here, and organize the hardwood. I find some great hard maple and a piece of teak that’ll be used tomorrow. I fill the bin with the common stock walnut and the new cut-offs from today. The cut-offs from the last 3 months will continue to be wherever I can stick them.

5:45p: Little Girl and Miss P go to the hockey game to watch E play. Side note: when Auntie Lauren was watching the Kings game this afternoon, Payton asked which of the players was E. Adorable.

5:50p: Christopher arrives. He begins to search for a tool I don’t use. Hahahahahahaha. He doesn’t find it.

6:15p: First glue-up complete.

6:40p: Shop shut down. Time for a shower.

Results, staycation day 1:

  • 20 cheese boards picked & processed
  • 5 cheese boards glued up

 

 

 

Posted October 27, 2014 by henrymowry in Woodworking

Tagged with ,

It’s A Glorious Morning   Leave a comment

A gorgeous sunrise over Yellowstone National Park's Mammoth Hot Springs. Photo by Neal Herbert, National Park Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/26/14.

A gorgeous sunrise over Yellowstone National Park’s Mammoth Hot Springs. Photo by Neal Herbert, National Park Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/26/14.

More

Yellowstone National Park

How Wolves Change Rivers

Old Faithful

Traffic Jam

Uncle Tom’s Trail

National Park Service: Yellowstone National Park

A Red Footed Booby Plays Catch   Leave a comment

Posted October 25, 2014 by henrymowry in Photography

Tagged with , ,

On Top Of The World   Leave a comment

New-born lamb at Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Andriana Puchany. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 10/22/14.

New-born lamb at Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Andriana Puchany. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 10/22/14.

More

Yosemite National Park

National Park Service: Yosemite National Park

Posted October 24, 2014 by henrymowry in National Parks

Tagged with , , ,

Sunrise On The Tetons   9 comments

The Teton Range glow orange after a fresh coat of snow. Robert Buman captured this gorgeous photo just before sunrise at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/21/14.

The Teton Range glow orange after a fresh coat of snow. Robert Buman captured this gorgeous photo just before sunrise at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/21/14.

More

Grand Teton National Park

National Park Service: Grand Teton National Park

 

Posted October 23, 2014 by henrymowry in National Parks

%d bloggers like this: