Drawing Center

My latest project was this "drawing center" for my daughter. They have a table at school that goes by that name so that is what she asked for. This is the second project that I have done without plans. I made some drawings on the ipad using the Paper app.

The aspects of this table that are new to me are the tapered legs and the red oak top. This is the first hardwood that I have used in any project. The legs are poplar and the aprons are pine. The apron is attached to the legs with mortise and tenon joinery. The top is attached to the base with shop made fasteners that I made out of the red oak. They fit into a slot in the apron.

The top is a glue up with biscuits. Concerning the finish, I know very little about finishing wood projects. To be honest it looks a little overwhelming. Another art all in itself that I don't have an interest in learning right now. So I took a scrap of the red oak and wiped it with Johnson's Paste Wax. I use that everywhere in my shop for protection from glue and it makes most wood look nice. It looked great on the red oak so I used it. It is easy to reapply when needed.

You can see the slot in the apron for the table top fasteners. I also added dowels to the apron so that she can hang supplies there.

Me and the boys were a little tricksy to my daughter. She would actually be out there while I worked on the table. And sometimes even helping. We called it the nothing table. So that she wouldn't know it was for her. The big payoff was Christmas morning when she realized it was for her. "Did you make this for me?" "Yes." She ran into my arms and thanked me. Perfect.

Created with Blogsy on the iPad.

My Review of KREG 4-Piece Bench Dogs, Kreg# KKS1070

Originally submitted at Woodcraft

KREG 4-Piece Bench Dogs, Kreg# KKS1070

Functional and affordable.

By P from Florida on 2/9/2012

 

5out of 5

Pros: Strong, Works Effectively, Versatile, Lightweight

Describe Yourself: Avid Do-It-Yourselfer

Primary use: Personal

Great idea to add more function to a typical bench dog. The rubber gromments at the top hold workpieces securely for routing or sanding. They also have a point on the top to hold a workpiece for finishing.

(legalese)

My Review of Wonder Pup

Originally submitted at Woodcraft

Wonder Pup

Great Product

By P from Florida on 2/9/2012

 

5out of 5

Describe Yourself: Avid Do-It-Yourselfer

Primary use: Personal

This is a great product. I have a workbench with a face vise but no end vise. I drilled dog holes down the length of the bench. Using a dog on one end and this as my end vise I can work on a long board securely.

(legalese)

The Finished Cupboard

Here is the finished project.  Very happy with it.  And it is already full of books in our living room.  That was a fun project.  I learned a lot.  If you want one let me know. :)

A Cupboard

Here is one of the things I do when gathering my thoughts in the garage.  Other activities include, but are not limited to the following:

Changing oil in the cars.

Replacing water pumps.

Fixing transmission linkage.

Handloading .308 cartidges.

Removing/Installing training wheels on the fleet of bicycles that we own.

Inflating tires on said bicycles.

Repairing wooden baby doll crib for beautiful daughter.

Managing various "projects" of 7 and 6 year old sons.

But my favorite activity is building things for my beautiful wife.

This is the most recent and most dificult project that I have done.  Some firsts: making molding from scratch, first frame and panel door.

It is still in process.  Have to install the drawer at the bottom.

Remember To Ask.

I wanted to share a quick teaching from my study this morning.  Gretchen and I pray for protection for our family every day.  We really do.  

My study this morning brought home the importance of this in the story of Lot in Genesis 19.  

Remember that Lot was living in Sodom.  Yahweh was going to destroy that city and the surrounding cities as well.  But Yahweh decided to save Lot and his wife and 2 daughters.

v29 But when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Avraham and sent Lot out, away from the destruction, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.

And from the study itself:

Then we find out exactly why God saved Lot: in V29, we’re told it was because Abraham had asked him to. It was because the righteous Abraham had pled for the life of Lot. Something we parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters need to keep in mind. The prayers of a righteous person, and if you’re saved you’re righteous before God, can lead to saving the unsaved, or even rescuing the saved but weak. I have no doubt that my father’s prayers are all that stood between me and the oblivion I deserved and was moving rapidly towards, many years ago. Perhaps the only thing that can deliver, or even sustain the life of our children or grandchildren, is our prayers. And, I have no doubt that Lot was oblivious that it was Abraham who had interceded for him and kept him from destruction.

So in your prayer time.  Remember to ask.

Japan Tsunami

Before & After Shots of Japan.  

These are amazing and horrible.  What a disaster in Japan!