Showing posts with label next. Show all posts
Showing posts with label next. Show all posts
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Minnesota Whales and the Next Project
Hi Everyone,
A couple of months back I began carving the handle of one of my spoons into a whale. I dont know what possessed me to do this as it was a perfectly good spoon, but carve I did and it looked terrible. I took the spoon and placed it in a bookcase and forgot about it. I found it last night and decided to finish it.
And here is its world-wide premier:
While I was working on it outside today a couple of neighbor kids rode up on their bikes and asked, reasonably, what I was doing. I pointed out all the features included the teeth on the face of the whale and one of the kids said "Whales dont have teeth," whereupon I answered, "Minnesota whales do." The kid looked at me like Im completely stupid and rode off. Smart alec. And this one is anatomically correct too: it has a blow hole drilled into the top of its head so I can thread a leather tie through it so I can hang it in my kitchen.
Sigh...my kitchen...home of crappy spoons...
And while I was carving its eye I slipped and yes, Ive carved my left thumb:
Since I obviously shouldnt be allowed near sharp things, its time to call it a day.
______________
My next project does involve wood but no carving this time I promise! Im going to be making a Finnish kantele, which is a small lap harp. As soon as I get the energy to go and read the instructions, Ill make it. In the mean time Im going to enjoy this wonderful Minnesota weather and think about all the whales here who carve spoons that have people on the handle.
See you soon,
VW
Read More..
A couple of months back I began carving the handle of one of my spoons into a whale. I dont know what possessed me to do this as it was a perfectly good spoon, but carve I did and it looked terrible. I took the spoon and placed it in a bookcase and forgot about it. I found it last night and decided to finish it.
And here is its world-wide premier:
While I was working on it outside today a couple of neighbor kids rode up on their bikes and asked, reasonably, what I was doing. I pointed out all the features included the teeth on the face of the whale and one of the kids said "Whales dont have teeth," whereupon I answered, "Minnesota whales do." The kid looked at me like Im completely stupid and rode off. Smart alec. And this one is anatomically correct too: it has a blow hole drilled into the top of its head so I can thread a leather tie through it so I can hang it in my kitchen.
Sigh...my kitchen...home of crappy spoons...
And while I was carving its eye I slipped and yes, Ive carved my left thumb:
Since I obviously shouldnt be allowed near sharp things, its time to call it a day.
______________
My next project does involve wood but no carving this time I promise! Im going to be making a Finnish kantele, which is a small lap harp. As soon as I get the energy to go and read the instructions, Ill make it. In the mean time Im going to enjoy this wonderful Minnesota weather and think about all the whales here who carve spoons that have people on the handle.
See you soon,
VW
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Next Project Will be for sale!!
So, as I wrap up the finish on the Book Nook, I am moving on to another project; I will post pictures of the finished Book Nook once the finish is all done.
Read More..
This next project is going to be a Shaker inspired side table, very similar to the bedside tables I have already done, just different dimensions; also, this piece will be FOR SALE upon completion! I have not finalized a price yet so stay tuned. Anyways, this piece will be made out of cherry and curly maple. I am using some of the same cherry that I did for the Book Nook, procured from Peach State Lumber. The "plans" I am using call for 1 1/2" square legs (I put plans in quotes because I am not really going off of one specific plan, but a combination of a few). So, for the legs I am going to use 8/4 lumber to give me that finished dimension. Also, I select a board wide enough that I can get all 4 legs from the same width of wood for grain continuity. Below is a picture of how I did that.
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| From Shaker Table |
As you can see in this photo, the grain all lines up so you know it all came from the same board. How I keep them all lined up prior to cutting is by numbering them and putting witness marks on the end of the board.
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| From Shaker Table |
Once all the leg pieces are rough cut, I use my Lee Valley low angle smoother to smooth all side of the legs to final dimensions. This smoother leaves a surface that is glass smooth and ready for finish; I love this thing! Take a look at these full length shavings.
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| From Shaker Table |
Ok, enough for now. My next order of business will be to mill up the parts that will make up the sides and back. Then I will work on the mortise and tenon joints to hold it all together. So, until then...
Be Safe!
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