The Folding Rule

Episode #129 - Shop First Aid Kit

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:30:00 +0000

Click HERE to download a PDF file with Contents List • Medical History Form • SHOP-FAK Label

The most important tool in your shop is your brain exercising common sense (this works politically as well!). Know the limits and safe operation of your tools. Always use eye - ear - lung protection with proper fitting hearing protection, safety glasses and dust mask. Additionally, have a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and phone close at hand.

Be safe and have fun!

Check the links below to my woodworking blog for the injury to my wrist:

Wrist Injury

Wrist Injury Follow-Up

CONTENTS LIST FOR THE SHOP FAK

Stanley Organizer
Gloves
Antiseptic Towelette
4x4 Gauze Pads
2" Ace Wrap
SAM Finger Splint
Super Glue Pack
Butterfly Closures
Steri-Strips
Eye Wash Cup
Eye Wash Solution
Irrigating Syringe & Irrigating Tip / Zerowet
Non-Adherent Pad
Petroleum Gauze Pad

MEDICATIONS

• Burn Jel
• Ibuprofen
• Tylenol
• Neosporin Multi-Use Tube
• Mastisol or Benzoin Tincture

Band-Aids

• ½" Band-Aid
• 1" Band-Aid
• 1-½" Band-Aid
• 2" Band-Aid

SELF-ADHERENT ROLLER DRESSING

• 1" Roll
• 2" Roll

ROLLER GAUZE

• 1" Roll
• 2" Roll
• 4" Roll

TAPE

• 1" Perforated Plastic Tape
• 1" Cloth Athletic Tape

INSTRUMENTS

• Scissors
• Splinter Tweezers
• Pointed Tweezers
• 4' Hemostat
• Nail Clip
• Safety Pin
• 18ga Needle
• Butane Lighter

EMERGENCY AMPUTATION MANAGEMENT KIT

• Cold Pack
• Water Pack
• 4x4 Gauze Pads
• Loksak Carry Bag
• Loksak Storage Bag

Episode #128 - Another Batch of Beeswax Screw Lube!

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:15:00 +0000

Episode #127 - Hot Tip on Discounted Woodworking DVDs

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:55:00 +0000

I have a hot tip to share! As you may know from my last blog posting, Thomas MacDonald has teamed up with WGBH to produce a woodworking show. As a result, he is updating the branding of his website. This means awesome savings for woodworkers since he needs to clear his shelves of “MLW branded DVDs”. The DVDs have been seriously discounted. The Tool Box and Step Stool set is available for $40. You can also pick up individual DVDs ... the Tool Box for $25 and the Step Stool for $20.

Once the shelves are clear, Tommy won’t be able to offer these prices in the future. He also won’t be selling them direct any longer since he is working on offering them in stores soon. Please consider taking advantage of this incredible offer while it's still available. Currently, his inventory is about 100 of each DVD.

THE 207 ONLINE STORE

Click here to check out the Fine Woodworking Blog entry announcing Tommy's venture with WGBH.

Episode #126 - Thomas MacDonald & WGBH Announcement

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0000

WGBH announced today at the New England Home Show plans for a new woodworking show featuring Thomas J. MacDonald. Fans can expect Tommy to raise the bar and bring quality woodworking skills to a wider television audience.

The new, yet to be named show, will consist of basic woodworking techniques, weekend projects, field trips to museums, woodworking schools and other woodworking venues. Featured projects will include a Drum Table, Four Post Bed, Side Chair and other projects to push your woodworking skills. The show will also feature the latest in hand and power tools. Tommy will be fielding viewer questions from blogs, tweets and email.

If you have a great idea for a show name, leave suggestions in your comments.

Episode #125 - Pen Turing with NBSS Student Mark Ferioli

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:43:00 +0000

Pen Turning with North Bennet Street School Student Mark Ferioli - Part 1 of 2

Pen Turning with North Bennet Street School Student Mark Ferioli - Part 2 of 2

This 2 part video series featured Mark Ferioli at the lathe. Mark is a Cabinet and Furniture Making student at the North Bennet Street School in Boston. He had furniture on display at the 60th New England Home Show in Boston. Mark was one of a number of NBSS students that were featured in a booth hosted by NBSS alumni Thomas J. MacDonald from Thomas J. MacDonald Fine Woodworking and The 207 Woodworking Community.

Mark also put on an excellent pen turning demonstration which he kindly allowed me to video. I am sure you will agree he is a dynamic and skilled instructor!

Check out Mark's website at MJFwoodworking.com

Additional Related Links of Interest:

North Bennet Street School

Thomas J. MacDonald

207 Woodworking Community

Episode #124 - Concord Museum Field Trip

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:40:00 +0000

A quick field trip with some 207 Forum guys (swedishiron & FloridaWoodRat) to visit the Concord Museum. This was a "required pilgrimage" for us to see Thomas MacDonald's serpentine Bombe done in the Boston style. It was absolutely beautiful, a sight all woodworkers would appreciate. We also saw Eli Cleveland's tilt top table and other work on display by North Bennet Street School students.

Concord Museum

North Bennet Street School

Thomas J. MacDonald

207 Woodworking Community

Episode #123 - Preshow Interview with Justin DiPalma

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:11:00 +0000

A Skype interview with Justin DiPalma, a custom furniture maker from Vineland, New Jersey who specializing in creating solid wood furniture mostly from the Queen Ann and Chippendale periods. Justin will be showing some of his work while being part of the crew at Tommy MacDonald's booth at the 60th Annual New England Home Show in Boston this February 25-28, 2010.

Justin DiPalma Fine Woodworking

Neil Lamen's Interview with Justin at the 2008 Wheaton Arts Craft Fair

The New England Home Show

Episode #122 - Preshow Interview with Tommy & Eli (Part II)

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:26:00 +0000

Part II of our pre-show interview with Tommy and Eli for the 60th New England Home Show this February 25-28th in Boson. If you are a Boston local, be sure to stop by The Major League Woodworking booth hosted by Thomas MacDonald and visit with some of your favorite woodworkers!

Episode #121 - Preshow Interview with Rick Waters

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:17:00 +0000

A Skype interview with Rick Waters, the host of The Splintered Board Podcast and The Sawdust Chronicles. Rick will be one of the crew at Tommy MacDonald's booth at the 60th Annual New England Home Show in Boston this February 25-28, 2010.

The Splintered Board Podcast

The Sawdust Chronicles

The New England Home Show

Episode #120 - Preshow Interview with Tommy & Eli (Part I)

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:32:00 +0000

Another quick pre-show interview. This time, Tommy and Eli join us for a 2 part video and discuss what they have been up to while preparing for the 60th New England Home Show this February 25-28th in Boson. Tommy and Eli give us a behind the scenes peek at some of activity happening in Tommy's shop during the months and weeks preceding the show.

If you are a Boston local, be sure to stop by The Major League Woodworking booth hosted by Thomas MacDonald and visit with some of your favorite woodworkers!

Don't forget to check out our pre-show interview with Neil Lamens!

Episode #119 - Preshow Interview with Neil Lamens

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:30:00 +0000

A quick pre-show interview with Neil Lamens of Furnitology Productions. Neil will be one of many great woodworkers at the 60th New England Home Show this February in Boson. If you are a Boston local, be sure to stop by The Major League Woodworking booth hosted by Thomas MacDonald and visit with some of your favorite woodworkers!

Episode #118 - Bench Top Vacuum Infuser

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:39:00 +0000

This bench top vacuum infuser is the perfect accessory for a woodshop vacuum pump. A vacuum infuser allows you to evenly dye veneer and small pieces of wood. You can also infuse wood stabilizing products such as acrylic resin, sanding sealer or Miniwax Wood Hardener.

The applications for a vacuum infusing are broad, ranging from colored veneer for marquetry to colored and stabilized pen turning blanks to colored and stabilized custom knife scales. I for one am looking forward to dyeing my own veneer for future marquetry projects.

For starters, try 15 minutes of vacuum infusing for coloring veneers. Just remember, experiment and have fun!

Stay tuned for the completion of the inlay series.

Happy Woodworking!

David

The Folding Rule Blog

Infusion Dyed Cherry Veneer (left to right)

GREEN - ORANGE - NATURAL - HONEY AMBER - LEMON YELLOW

Bench Top Vacuum Infuser

Close up of top cap with heavy duty stem valve

Close up top cap with vacuum tape seal

Close up vacuum gauge showing -28mmHg

BENCH TOP VACUUM INFUSER BILL OF MATERIALS

PVC 4” Pipe Caps - 2 each
PVC 4” Pipe - 24 inches
Heavy Duty Stem Valve - 1 each
Vacuum Hose Connector - 1 each
Vacuum Tape - 12 inches
Base - 8 x 8 hardwood or plywood
Truss Head ¾” Screws - 4 each
Clear Silicone - 1 small tube
Gasket Material 4’ Diameter - 12” square sheet from an auto store

VACUUM INFUSING RESOURCE LINKS

JoeWoodworker.com
Veneer Supplies
JoeWoodworker Vacuum Infusion Article
Heavy Duty Stem Valve
Vacuum Hose Connector
Vacuum Tape
Order TransTint Dyes
Hints & Tips for Using TransTint Dyes
TransTint Color Samples

Episode #117 – Inlay Series Part 5: Inset Routing

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:56:00 +0000

This episode demonstrates cutting the leaf inset and routing the leaf shaped recess using the template guide and the router inlay kit. We start of by quickly adding the cherry veneer from the previous episode. The router inlay kit made short work of cutting three leaf inserts from the stack of veneer. Reinforcing the thin and delicate veneer sheets with gummed paper tape provides enough protection to insure sharp clean edges and an unbroken leaf tip. Remember to make this cut without the bushing collar. (Don’t ask why I am emphasizing this obvious point!)

Once the leaf inserts are free, we reapply the template to the stock that receives the recess. This cut is made with the bushing collar. Depth of cut is set just shallow of the leaf insert thickness. This results in the leaf insert being just proud of the surface when inset into the panel recess. Later the leaf will be scraped flush to the panel surface.

Despite having the video equipment set up and ready to go for this episode, I ended up with no audio. Seems you have to remember to turn on the receiver for the wireless mic! It was impossible to re-shoot the video. So, after realizing this stupid mistake, I added some background music and voice overlay.

Episode #116 - Inlay Series Part 4: Inspiration & Extras

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:13:00 +0000

This episode is a quick break in the inlay action to cover the inspirational resources for this procedure and to answer a comment from episode #2.

Chuck Middleton, a prolific period woodworker and active MLW 207 Forum contributor at Major League Woodworking, questioned “Instead of using a pin nailer, could you use thinner cardboard, such as, from a cereal box and than use a hand stapler to hold the packet together?” The short answer is yes, with some limitations. Stay tuned and see how this low cost alternative works out!

Bird's Mouth V-Block

Download plan for Bird's Mouth v-block

Silas Kopf Website

Silas Kopf: Book & DVD

Paul Schurch Website

Paul Schurch: Tools - Supplies - Books & DVD

The Marquetry Course by Jack Metcalfe & John Apps

Craig Vandall Stevens Website

The Art of Marquetry by Craig Vandall Stevens

Episode #115 - Inlay Series Part 3: Cutting the Motif

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:23:00 +0000

This episode continues exploration of an inlay process that combines techniques from marguetry and the standard router inlay kit. A scroll saw is used to cut along the leaf central vein. The leaf parts are then recombined with 2 inch gummed paper tape. Because the veneer blanks were orientated 90° to each other, when recombined we now have the grain orientated approximately 45° off the central vein. At the close of this episode we will be ready to use the router inlay kit to cut out the veneer leaf insert.

Episode #114 - Inlay Series Part 2: Make The Packet

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:22:00 +0000

This episode continues the Inlay Series by demonstrating how to make the veneer packet using lightweight bookbinder's sheet cardboard available from an art store and veneer from my small collection. Bear with me as I shot this footage while working in between the tripod legs while watching the small monitor screen on the camera!

Episode #113 - Inlay Series Part 1: An Overview

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:32:00 +0000

A Novel Approach to Inlay Combining Marquetry and Router Inlay Kit.

This episode is the first in a series showing a method I worked out to inlay an aspen leaf motif. The technique combines methods from marquetry with a router inlay kit. In this episode we get an overview of tools and materials.

I am enjoying a chance to finally get back into the shop after a busy summer. As summer approached I had grand plans of completing a few projects and a couple of video series. Things did not work out quite as planned. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to post a blog entry since July!

Shop time ended up being family time and I have no regrets. A fellow woodworker and blogger that I admire told me that he never has big plans for the shop during summer and actually said it is the slowest time because of other commitments. I wish I had that bit of advice back in June!

Episode #112 - Help Out a Fellow Woodworker!

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:45:00 +0000

Todd Clippinger . . . American Craftsman

Join me in supporting a great woodworker, patient teacher and a talent craftsman in his bid for the DIY StudFinder 2009 Contest. Watch the video and click on the link to give Todd your vote of confidence!

Todd's Gallery on Lumberjocks.com

Episode #111 – A Simple Set of Planter Boxes

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:33:00 +0000

This is a great weekend project. I used extra materials from previous projects so this was a double bonus as I got to clean up the shop a bit.

Comparison of Planter box (left) finished with Krylon Spray Stain
and Unfinished Planter Box (right)

This set of planter boxes was built with two 1x6x8 and 6 1x4x8 pieces of cedar, a half sheet of ¾ CDX exterior plywood and a half sheet of 3/8 clear cedar soffit.

The Kreg Jig

Assembly was simple and fast frame and panel construction using the Kreg Jig.

Krylon Spray Semi-Transparent Stain Pallete

The finish was also simple and fast using Krylon Spray Exterior Semi-Transparent Stain which is a new product by Kryon.

Planter box (left) finished with Krylon Stain & Asphalt Emmulsion
Unfinished (right) planter box

The interior of the planter boxes was waterproofed with asphalt emulsion. Since this is an outdoor project, final touches include wire screen covered drain holes and TiteBond III Exterior glue.

It was a pleasure to get a chance to try out Krylon’s newest product. A number of other Internet woodworkers had the same opportunity. You can check out their awesome reviews by the links below.

Well, this project was a sorely needed distraction. It was fun to build something quick and fast with some immediate gratification in less than a weekend! This weekend I have no excuses so its back to work on the engagement chest.

UPDATE: The planter boxes where delivered this weekend. They look great on the deck . . . now we just need some flowers!

Frame Shop for The Clearwater Gallery
Sisters • Oregon

To help inspire your own planter box, a set of SketchUp plans for a deck planter box and a window planter box are available for download.

Episode #110 – Planing Wedges Make Great Clamps!

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:33:00 +0000

Close-up of front panel of an engagement
chest camped against the bench edge
with a leather faced planing wedge

Having lived with my Modified New-Fangled Workbench for sometime, the two of us have enjoyed a love – hate relationship. However, there are a number of features that I have come to appreciate and depend on when working at the bench. Chief among these are the planing beam and planing wedges.

Today was no exception as I utilized the planing wedges to firmly secure the casework of an engagement chest to clean up the joinery between the front and end panels. A heavy fleece blanket protected the end panel resting on the shop floor.

The planing wedges slide along the upper edge of the bench on a T-track. They are leather lined and are locked in place with two ¼-20 T-bolts and star knobs. By securing the rear star knob first while the forward knob is loose, it is possible to gain an extra degree of clamping pressure by tightening the forward star knob against the work wedged against the leather face. The leather provides a firm grip while protecting the work.

I am considering a new bench in the near future, however at the top of my list of desirable features is the planing wedge and beam.

Episode #109 - Ancient Caves, Historic Rustic Lodge & Antique Furniture

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:25:00 +0000

“We were just making furniture”
George Mason
Mason Manufacturing • Los Angeles • California

Well, a bit of time has passed since my last post due to a lot of work to complete before going on a short summer holiday. We surprised the kids with a layover at The Oregon Caves Chateau and I discovered a unique opportunity to examine a wonderful collection of Monterey Furniture. Beth & I stayed in Room 211 and the kids stayed in Room 304. I enjoy the architecture of the National Parks, so this was a real treat on many levels.

Oregon Caves Chateau
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

Oregon Caves Chateau - Room 211
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

Oregon Caves Chateau - Room 304
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

The Oregon Caves Chateau, considered a masterpiece if rustic architecture, was designed and built by Mr. Gust Lium (1884-1965), a local contractor with an outstanding degree of design talent. Lium’s architectural work stands up well against the great rustic architects of the period. The six-story chateau, straddling a steep mountain canyon, was designed to allow diverted stream water from the waterfall and trout pond to flow through the third floor dinning room.

Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Details of Hand-Wrought Iron
Hardware & Hand Painting
Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Monterey Chair & Writing Desk - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Detail of Hand-Wrought Iron Hardware
Writing Desk - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

The Oregon Caves Chateau is home of the world’s largest public collection of authentic antique Monterey Furniture. The National Park Service owns the furniture collection. Entering the chateau is like stepping back in time to the early 1930’s since the lodge and all the rooms retain the original furnishings.

Hand Painting Detail of
Monterey Desk - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Drawer Detail of Monterey
Kneehole Desk - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Hand Painting Detail
Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Los Angles Furniture Retailer, Barker Brothers, had the foresight in 1929 to contact by George and Frank Mason of Mason Manufacturing to create a line of furniture embracing the Spanish Revival Movement. The design influences were rooted in 16th & 17th Spanish and early California mission era furniture.

Detail of Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Distressed lumber, leather, hand-painted finishes and hand-wrought iron hardware are indicative of the whimsical Monterey look. George Mason’s company produced a full line of furniture and accessories that continued through 1943. Tip a piece over or look on the back of case goods to see the “Monterey” name and sometimes the logo, a horseshoe, burnt into the piece by a branding iron.

Monterey Furniture Brand & Logo

Oregon Caves Chateau
Monterey Furniture NPS Inventory Label
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

Monterey Furniture was instantly popular and the fashionable estates of the time were graced with this unique furniture sold through Barker Brothers Furniture stores. Notable celebrities that owned collections of Monterey Furniture included Will Rogers, Clark Gable, Gene Autry, and Walt Disney. Today, Monterey furniture is a collectible and prices are rising as people rediscover the furniture.

Happy Fourth of July!

Thank you to the brave men & women
protecting our freedom and serving
our country in the Armed Services
of the United States!

Some Interesting Oregon Caves & Monterey Furniture Links
Oregon Caves National Monument
Historic Hotels & Lodges – Oregon Caves Chateau
Architecture in the Parks – Oregon Caves
Roger Renick Fine Arts & Antiques – Monterey Furniture Section
Roger Renick’s Book “Monterey- Furnishings of California's Spanish Revival”

Episode #108 - String Inlay

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:36:00 +0000

Beginning to Experiment with String Inlay . . .

Something to do While Waiting for Glue to Dry

I had a great day in the shop today completing the main glue up of the engagement chest. So, what to do while the glue dries? Well, I have been reading a lot about Federal Furniture. I have read everything within grasp from books to online sources. I am fascinated with the furniture of the time period as our country was coming into its own. This interest has been spurred somewhat by my son's passion for history. I am particularly drawn to the fine embellishments that characterize this furniture.

Spurred by burgeoning success with a handmade scratch stock, I decided to play a bit with stringing while the glue dried on my engagement chest project. This is still a work in progress but I am encouraged.

I made a small in-line stringing scratch stock blade from a 1/4-20 fender washer. I outlined the profile with a drafting template and used my 10 inch disk sander to grind out the initial shape. A large bolt served as a convenient handle. The blade was then honed and polished with a series of graduated wet / dry sandpaper. The teeth were cut with a small triangular jeweler's file.

The blade was then mounted on a 7/8 inch hardwood dowel with a 1/4-20 threaded brass insert in the end. The blade is secured with a brass washer and an allen-head 1/4-20 cap screw. A piece of 4/4 scrap jatoba served as a makeshift stock.

The results were somewhat crude but very encouraging. Many questions arose from this little experiment, not the least of which is how to make sharp beginning and ending cuts. Oh well, enough for now. Time to remove the clamps and go to bed!

Resources & Inspiration:

Line-and-Berry Inlay: Add eye-catching inlay using motifs from 18th-century Pennsylvania furniture, by Steve Latta (Fine Woodworking)

String Inlay: Fine lines of contrasting woods add an elegant touch to furniture, by Garrett Hack (Fine Woodworking)

Making and Applying Decorative String Inlay with Jeff Williams, inlay specialist for the Irion Company. A video Tutorial produced by Keith Cruickshank from Woodtreks

Lie-Nielsen Inlay Tools

Episode #107 – Engagement Chest Update & Scratch Stock in Action

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Shop Made Scratch Stock in Action!

I had a very productive day in the shop yesterday. I even had time to shoot a bit of video showing the scratch stock in action. I had time to practice with the scratch stock and developed enough confidence to put it to use on the engagement chest.

Engagement Chest Dry Fit

As an update on the chest, I have completed veneering the 8 panels, cut the curves on the bottom rails, cut the panel grooves in the rails & stiles and cut the tapers on the legs. I even had a chance to scratch quirk beads on the panel rails. They turned out great and it was very satisfying to know that they were done with a tool I made myself!

Episode #106 – Quirk Bead Scratch Stock

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:35:00 +0000

An Easy to Make Quirk Bead Scratch Stock Blade

It was almost a year ago to the date that I built a scratch stock. My inspiration came from a finely written blog entry by Kari Hultman on her wonderful blog The Village Carpenter. Ever the experimenter, I chose to use a cap head allen screw to secure the blade. I also added a couple of steel straps to the top of the scratch stock to reinforce the blade slot from the force of the set screw. The first stock I built broke the first time I tightened the set screw, splitting along the grain at the blade slot.

My scratch stock has been patiently sitting on my shop bench under my hand planes awaiting a profiled cutter. I finally got around to shaping a cutter and giving it a quick test run on some scrap jatoba. I was very pleased with the results. This scratch stock has a relatively long flat face so it is better suited for cutting profiles on flat work opposed to detailing curved work. I cut my blade stock with a jigsaw and metal cutting blade from an old cabinet scraper.

My first profile is a quirk bead. I am thinking of adding this detail to our niece’s engagement chest. We will see. I know I will need to now put in some practice with this seemingly simple tool so I can confidently produce a smooth bead profile.

Kari offered some important advice on her blog regarding sharpening the blade. It is very important to polish and hone all edges! I ended up flattening the sharp tip of the blade which made it much easier to use. This also made for a nice narrow flat bottomed quirk. I also discovered lightly spritzing the wood with alcohol before the final couple of passes produced a quirk bead as smooth as a baby’s bottom! The final result has just the slightest hint of hand work which is very satisfying.

Return Bead • Uncut Stock • Bead & Quirk

Click to download PDF

Scratch Stock Related Links

Episode #105 - Engagement Chest Update

usnerdoc@mac.com (David R. Pruett) — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:02:00 +0000

Dimensioning Lumber & Frame Construction

Things are moving along nicely in the shop. Last week, lumber was rough milled and final dimensioned. While lumber was adjusting to shop conditions, I made a set of full-scale drawings (visible in the background above the frame) and generated a cutting list.

Last weekend I assembled the frame for the chest. Next step is to clean up joinery, shape the bottom rail curves and cut the leg tapers.

The panels will be ¼ MDF with flat cut cherry for the outer veneer and flat cut maple for the inner veneer. I like using light colored veneers inside cabinets and chests because it brightens the inside making viewing contents easier for the owner. I used this technique very effectively on a cherry display pedestal (shown in photo below) last year.

MDF makes for a dimensionally stable panel eliminating seasonal movement and ultimately a solid construction since these panels can be glued into the frame.

The solid wood frame is jatoba (aka Brazilian Cherry in the U.S.), a hard dense wood that machines well. I purchased the lumber locally at Crosscut Hardwoods in Portland with a gift certificate from my very supportive wife. The selection at Crosscut is outstanding. It almost seems like a "wood library" as you walk down the aisles, appreciate the aroma from many varied wood species while reading the descriptive labels at the top of each bin.