Posts in: Workshop

Two unlikely dreams re: the Bedford pie safe:

  1. Acquire one of the 16-20 known to exist and preserve it. Something this unique shouldn’t be allowed to vanish.
  2. Build a reproduction. I will never have the skill of an actual 19th century professional cabinetmaker but it would be a heck of a project.

Pickled some banana peppers tonight. Should be about a week until they’re ready to eat.

Work has begun on my next project: building a cabinet for a friend. It’s in trade for some of his grandpa’s tools. He already had the countertop so I’m building the carcass and attaching it.

Before and after on the table and chairs refinishing project for my in-laws. I have one chair (not shown) I’m going to start over. Apart from that, I think I’m done.

Before:

Auto-generated description: A round, wooden table with a slightly worn surface is set on a concrete floor. Auto-generated description: A wooden tabletop is scratched and worn, showing signs of heavy use. Auto-generated description: Three wooden chairs with armrests are aligned in a row on a concrete surface.

After:

Auto-generated description: An oval wooden dining table with six matching chairs is set in a workshop or garage environment with various tools and equipment in the background. Auto-generated description: A wooden chair with a spindle back design is positioned on a white cloth with a cardboard box and other items in the background.

I mentioned recently that this apocalyptic humidity is wreaking havoc on the finish on the table and chairs I’m working on. The lovely and talented Rachel came up with a great solution: finish them in her parents’ garage, which is climate controlled. They agreed and the finish is looking better.

This humidity we’re having. My in-laws want a polyurethane finish on their table and chairs. When I spray a coat on a chair it goes cloudy. (I’m doing this in my detached garage with no AC.) So I’ve brought a chair in to my nasty but climate controlled basement and will try it there. Fingers crossed

I’m nearing the end of the table and chairs restoration project for my in-laws. It’s taking me a long time—thankfully they’re not in a hurry. I’ve had to learn a lot as I go. But now that I can see the end, I’m planning more restorations. Like this rocker. Looks like I’ll be learning rush weaving!

As if I wasn’t already behind on my projects, I picked up a chair today for $5. I don’t know anything about identifying chair styles or age. Obviously that square of wood nailed to the top of the seat isn’t original. Maybe it used to have a drop in seat or was a rush seat?

From American Peasant, a new book by Christopher Schwarz:

So then, what does the craft [of woodworking] demand? 1) An understanding of its essential tools, materials and processes; 2) a commitment to repeating them until they are internalized and performed competently; and 3) a level of competence that allows its knowledge and skills to be taught to others.

And no more.

The craft welcomes you. And it begs you to find your place in it. To unearth a little bit of its history, embrace it and share it with others before we are drowned in a sea of plastic and petroleum by-products.

Went to my favorite junk store and spent a total of $11 for a Winchester and a Blue Grass brace bit plus a Klein folding ruler. I’ve been picking up any Blue Grass tools I can find, mostly because they were based in Louisville (less than two hours from here).