Curved front jig – take 3

Posted on December 12, 2012 by irwin

Something I had not fully considered was that by extending the curvy jig in the way I had, I created some rather large void spaces which no longer exerted any pressure on the clamped veneer boards. The result being some very nasty bumps and air bubbles on the inside curve where the pressure was most needed.

To alleviate this for the next glue up, I created 4 large wooden blocks, molded to the shape of the rest of the curve so as to have no void space. Rapidly running out of veneered panels to use, I decided to use the slightly defective panel for the drawers. Since it will be sliced into segments for the individual drawers, I figure this gives me the opportunity to squirt some glue in and make repairs as I go.

: slightly defectively glued veneer

: concave jig extension

: Curious timber grain

: convex jig extension

Whilst waiting for glue to dry

Posted on December 7, 2012 by irwin

I’d made a rather thin box for drain extension purposes last year, whilst waiting for other things to glue, dry, etc. In the meantime I discovered the the stock I’d used (18mm) was probably a bit too thin and had started to warp, even in final glued box shape.

So to work with thicker material. 35mm treated pine whould do the trick. And with an extra grate rim around the top, very sturdy! I’ll take it home and put a tin of bitumous paint on it to give it an extra seal.

Now all we need is some rain to test it out.

: A box

: Square

: Blue box looks on

Curved front jig

Posted on December 7, 2012 by irwin

Using the CNC machine, one of the other students had created a fairly hefty curved front jig which I repurposed to created my curved fronts. The issue being that he’d made it for his creation, so I had to do some tweaking.

And so the trial goes. First try wasn’t too bad. 6 sheets of 3mm MDF bonded together with some homemade veneer on the front side. Back top & side veneers to be decided at a later time when I work out what I’m doing. This curved product wasn’t too bad except for being too short – I would have only been able to create 3 drawer fronts with contiguous grain and 1 odd. Not a great look. Also, the time it took me to contemplate, I suspect the form of the curve started to change.

More haste more speed.

After the difficulty and expense of making my own veneer (there is a heck of a lot of wastage without the right veneering machines), I decided to purchase some pre-made stuff and started kicking myself that I’d completely neglected to buy some from the recent and underwhelming timber woodwork show.

I found the good people of River Gum Timbers to be most helpful not only in furnishing me with the veneers required, but also contacting me from my internet order to confirm the sizes I needed and whether I’d like cuttings made to size.

I grabbed some longer screw bolts from Bunnings and, with veneers at the ready, extended the length of the curvy jig to suit.

: Many clamps

: Tape shows join positions

: Jig not quite wide enough

: remedial edge clamping

: More clamps, more cheese

Windsor Chair finishing touches

Posted on November 25, 2012 by irwin

Things got really busy again but the serenity of chair making (to the exclusion of all else) has descended again.

I had hoped to get back to this sooner as the longer you wait, the more you forget. I thought that a slight amount of time would allow the timber to settle before re-attacking it.

Final touches were: trimming of the hand section of the armrests, trimming of the legs for height and balance, final sanding, stain with van dyke, shellac, and then wax.

Done!

: stained & shellaced

: final finish

Practise drawer dovetails

Posted on November 22, 2012 by irwin

Putting the Leigh Jig to work, the pine mock-ups seem to fit with no troubles.

An issue with high speed routing is the blow out you experience, especially with end-grain. As the dovertails are for strength not visibility, I’m not overly concerned and can make cosmetic repairs later.

Using the same curve from the drawer front jig, I’ve made up a template for the right hand cabinet door but will leave the base and top uncut for now until I have a better idea of what fits where.

: practise boards

: final dovetails

: dry fit drawer

: curved door template

2012 Total Eclipse

Posted on November 14, 2012 by irwin

Sadly the 2012 eclipse was not something I was able to attend. I thought I’d try to snap some shots of the partial (as seen from here) but was woefully underprepared.

Visibly, there was no noticible dimming of the sun, unlike the Cook Islands where a twilight hit us in Rarotonga.

I did get some pics of the progression through the dappled leaves. And my firect shots of the sun did not work other than green refractions visible in lens.

: Crescent shadows

: The still round sun

: Even more crescent shadows

Blackwood cabinet

Posted on November 8, 2012 by irwin

I’ve cut and laid out the pieces for the second cabinet which will form the other support for the desk. This will give me an idea of the final destination I’m aiming for.

I’m using pine to the dimensions of the blackwood I have in order to mock up the drawers I’ll be making. Curved in front and dovetails at rear using my Leigh Jig.

Blackwood drawers

Posted on November 6, 2012 by irwin

Remarkably, everything came together and fitted together the way I had designed in the plan and precut ages ago.

I’ve left a longer sheet of timber protruding as part of the eventual design to create some above desk shelving. I could simple cut it and re-add it later but it seems such a shame to cut a long continuous piece.

I’m happy that the unit also appears to be quite solid and sturdy.

Sun aura

Posted on November 4, 2012 by irwin

I think ice crystals in the atmosphere can cause this phenomenon.

I got Anna to pose Dalai Lama style, but alas the iphone flash wasn’t up to the task.

Water tank overflows