New member, new shop

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Hello, I’m a new member of this fantastic site, but I have been lurking

and learning for a couple of months. I am going to start off with a

simple blog, because I’m a little shy about showing my wood butchery to

the artisans here.

First thing, after 5 decades of puttering in make-shift areas, I

finally have a REAL WORKSHOP. After I get it finished, of course.

I’m currently building my shop furniture, with the following

guidelines:

Affordable. I am retired, this is a hobby (plus mental and physical

therapy), so I am limited by my monthly SS check.

Accessible. While I’m not confined to a chair, I have an old power

buggy I use when I carry stuff from place to place. Too, after 6 dozen

birthdays, I deserve to be able to sit and take a load off once in a

while.

Furniture-like. This clashes with Affordable, of course, so I’ll be

making everything with domestic “doesn’t suck” birch ply instead of

walnut, but no 2X4 and nail stuff.

Efficient. All work surfaces to be 34 inches tall, carts for moving

materials, well lit, lots of storage, etc. Everything is on casters -

I haven’t figured out where everything goes yet.

Learning opportunity. Try out something new with every piece.

So far, I have finished the assembly table (3 ft slab door with

hardboard cover, on two cabinets with 15 drawers). I learned how to

fit drawer fronts properly, and wound up doing a fair job. The

cabinets are a bit rough though.

Currently working on miter saw bench (8 ft, on two cabinets with pull

out shelves). I’m sealing all surfaces with shellac plus poly on the

working surfaces to improve my brush technique. Things learned so far:

a) If you are going to use long pipe clamps, put down your coffee cup -

it takes all three hands to place a 4ft pipe clamp.

b) A 4ft pipe clamp does not span a 4ft cabinet.

c) Brushes seem to have a working speed. My old hog bristle flows

better at one speed, the new Chinex needs to move a little faster.

d) It’s only after you finish cleaning the brush that you notice that

spot you missed on the cabinet top.

Whew! Ok, I managed a real blog entry. Next time, I may get up the courage to include a real PICTURE! After all, pigs fly just fine with enough thrust.

Ken

Source: LumberJocks.com

New member, new shop