Wood Idea: 2014

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Small space woodworking the bedroom workshop

Paul Balm from The Netherlands is studying furniture making in Amsterdam. (Plus, hes a homebrewer. Two pluses!)

Think youve got a small wood shop? Check out Pauls. Its in his bedroom! Thats woodworking dedication.

As I mentioned before, Vikings are crazy about their woodworking. And crazy good at it.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Trivets

Here are two really simple trivets you can make. Ill make the third trivet tomorrow on my live show. Hope to see you then!

2010 ZERO1 Symposium highlight

This year’s symposium focused on the issues concerning environment, policy-making, urban planning, sustainable design, and related practices by artists and scientists. It brought a number of great speakers over a 2-day event. I’ve attended the most of it except the panel discussion on the first day due to class - which was a shame as a list of panelists looked interesting! (Did anyone attend this? If yes, how was it?)

Day 1 was run by LEONARD. As I was already familiar with their style (I go to their speaker series at SETI in Mt. View periodically), it was predominated by a perspective from scientists and technologists. Regardless, overall I thought LEONARD and CADRE complimented each other very well over the course of a 2-day event.

All speakers presented his or her expertise on the issues with passion, which was informative and very inspiring (although the problem and idea was nothing new.) But it certainly made me feel good to be part of this - the experience of being there and made me feel even more strong about the issues as an artist and a human being.

Day 2 was hosted by the CADRE Laboratory for New Media in the School of Art and Design at SJSU. I was particularly intrigued by the panel discussion by the Climate Clock teams, which was medicated by Joel Slayton and the focus was around their design strategies. They were posed hard questions (by Joel) and I was curious about their responses as well as enjoyed watching how each team interacted as a group and between teams (but ultimately as a competitor), etc.

Prior to the panel discussion, there was also a great introduction about the Climate Clock initiative by the Public Art Director for the City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, Barbara Goldstein which helped me to understand better from a different angle (a big picture), followed by the presentations by each group which was still work in progress so it was a little bit hard to visualize clearly (but seeing them up on stage was helpful).

One of the Climate Clock teams, Amorphic Robot Works (Chico MacMurtrie, Geo Homsy, Bill Washabaugh, and Gideon Shapiro) also showcased a gigantic sculpture “Inflatable Architectural Growth during the festival on the First Street for Absolute ZERO (and held days of workshop at South Hall). I had a chance to talk to Chico and met his team members during Absolute ZERO and I was totally impressed by their robotic artwork as well as their teamwork. Looking forward to working with them when they will begin their residencies at SJSU and Montalvo Art Center in January.

A great drill press table

If you have a drill press and still havent built a proper table for it, what are you waiting for? Duane made this video showing how his works.

What a nice, simple design. When I built mine, I approached the fence as it it were a fence for a saw. I was needlessly concerned about keeping it parallel with the table. Well, gee...when you are drilling holes, the fence doesnt need to be aligned with anything really. So Duanes design features a single pivot point. Brilliant.

Helping hand

Bill Wilson sent over this short video of what he calls a "helping hand". Very clever way to attach sandpaper discs to random orbit sanders. Just need a board and three dowels. (Bonus points for the Chicago music.)

*****
Mere Minutes

Shot this on Saturday, but just had a chance to upload it. A couple more uses for bender board and I finally got my tomatoes planted.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

WWMM Facebook highlights and tools you dont need

Looking for woodworking project ideas? Here are some of my favorites from the hundreds posted on my Facebook page in the past week. Follow Woodworking for Mere Mortals and you wont miss out!

April Nadeau Meadows

Bob Kovacs

Vaino Liivson

Steve Taggart

Lenka Oujiří

Rich Andrews

Stefans Holzwerkstatt

*****

Tools you dont need?

01 Post finally

There is a reason I dont keep a personal blog--I sort of hate writing in them and can never remember to update them when Im anywhere near a computer and can do anything about it. Apparently that applies to school-related blogs as well....but Ive got me, my zero-one notes, and an internet-connected laptop all together in one place now, so here it is:

Jahnavis Zero-One Thoughts:

First, like many of my classmates, I was disappointed by the presentation qualities. I had not attended the event before and from the way people had been talking about it I had expected something a bit more polished. I know these people are all artists not public speakers, but its very hard to pay attention to a talk when the speaker, however knowledgable, is wandering all over the place and it seemed like a lot of the speakers went up in front of the mike unprepared.

Perhaps because of that my favorite group presentation for the Diridon Station climate clock was that given by Usman Hawks team--the group that was not actually present and had therefore had to prerecord their talk. I felt like I came away with a clear sense of what they wanted to build and why. They wanted to create a self-building, self-maintaining park that drew that worked with the project goal of measurement, computation, and communication. They would have three main robotic devices/attractions: 1) named Huey (and yes, the goofy working names made me smile), also known as the accretion mounds, builds tower out of junk pulled from the air, making larger, thicker ones on bad years. 2) Dewey/sampled box in which 10,000 cloned daffodils (to avoid any genetic variation in results) are planted in batches of 100 every year on site and harvested and saved as a sample of the air that year. 3) Louie/data packer crawls (very slowly) around the park pulling up dirt and packing it into soil sample cubes (with a neat daily data point stamped into the side for kicks) as another measure of the areas health. I like the idea of localized visual feedback devices as art--its like getting a report at the end of the year. The public could look at the proposed pieces and see how well they (and everyone around them) have done for the year in terms of atmospheric pollution. I think it has potential to work in terms of changing peoples actions a bit: I personally do not like to see visible reminders of my failures and I think that seeing a giant mound/tower of crap that was pulled out of the air on a bad year would make me try harder to avoid contributing to it as much the next year. I was also charmed by the concept--I like the machines built from super simple parts and processes that should side-step becoming obsolete and that largely draw their power from nifty things like the sun, temperature change, being wound like a clock, and so on.

I had no idea what the second group (Wired Wilderness) was presenting by the time they got to end of the their presentation, aside from the fact that whatever it was would involve a series of artists. They were one of the more wandering groups--my notes are full of key words and catch phrases for them, but I didnt feel like I came away with anything at all.

The last group presented their Organograph. I felt like they explained themselves well enough, but for some reason it just didnt capture my imagination like the first idea did--it sort of sounded like a fancier version of the Childrens Discovery Museum with a focus on climate. The only bit that really charmed me was the part about wanting to tap into the visceral connection to time humans get from the ticking of a clock and the way it seems to link heartbeats and the passage of time and that was only a minor aside.

The panel was very hard for me to get interested in. I did like Joel Slaytons introduction about paradigm shifts and wanting a project that dealt with computing and sustainability as such, but then it just got very dull and the nature of the answers again made the presenters seem less than perfectly prepared.

The artist presentations after lunch were much more fun. "Particle Falls" is a pretty neat idea, and again I like the localized visual feedback idea--people dont like to see that theyre messing up, its a good sort of reminder to change. I also quite enjoyed Robin Lasser and Marguerite Perrets presentation on "Floating World"--the piece is lovely and I liked the idea of an encampment for displaced voices on all levels. I also really liked the descriptions of the publics interaction with the piece--very cool. I had to leave after Robins presentation to go throw my grandmothers birthday party, and apparently I missed one of the better talks as a result.

Starting in on next weeks project

Im getting a head start this week! Ive already bought lumber and have a working design for this weeks project: an herb planter. Keep up with my progress by using #herbplanter on Twitter or Keek.

Apr 6, 2013 | Designing the herb planter. #herbplanter by SteveRamsey on Keek.com

*****

Mere Minutes

Monday, March 3, 2014

Wooden Gear Clocks

One of my experiences as a child was watching my Father repair almost anything he found or was given. One thing that he inherited from my Grandfather was an old wooden gear clock made in Germany. My Father spent a lot of time corresponding with companies in Germany to find replacement parts. One of the hardest things to find was the "paper" bellows that was used for the cuckoo (the little bird that popped out of a little door on the clock to announce the time). But in the end we had a working wooden gear clock that was really unique.

Having this memory I decided to surf the internet to see if wooden gear clocks still existed.

I found someone who was making some gears.

Much to my surprise I found a site that sells plans to make such clocks. I could not find one that looked like the clock we had but I found some very very interesting designs.

The creator also has a short YouTube video sowing the clocks in action.

The best video of all is this one about using shop tools to make a clock.

Woodworking Routers and Router Bits The Right Tools for Modern Homeowners

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Doss]Ryan Doss
Do you sometimes wish you can create an artistic piece out of timber? Do you see yourself completing wooden item repairs with a little help? Have you often considered using machines to help you with these future tasks? If you answered "yes" to all, you should consider getting woodworking routers and bits soon.
What is a woodworking router?
It is a power tool used to create different forms and shapes in wood. Oftentimes, the machine is used to form shapes at the edge of wooden boards or is used to hollow out its centre.
The tool we see today is but a memory of what it used to be. Before electrical-powered machines became available, the router was but a simple hand tool made up of a wide-based wooden hand plane with a slim blade protruding from its base plate. This peculiar look earned it its sobriquet "Old Womans Tooth" among workers and capitalists involved in the woodworking industry.
Patternmakers and staircase workers employed woodworking routers during these times. These were very useful since it can create basic to complex designs. The cabinet-making industry also preferred to work with these devices as it proved handy in the trade. Designs it executed showed careful artistry and in turn attracted many buyers to purchase cabinets and cupboards with intricate layouts.
This manual device continued to be popular even when electric powered equipment were already present on the market. Many workers and manufacturers alluded to its usefulness and continued to work with it until demands for more production came to place. This move eventually gave way to electric tool usage in the USA and other industrial countries.
What are the different types?
The tools available today come in two forms: (1) handheld and (2) table routers. Handheld ones have switch buttons often placed on the motors body or at one of the handles. This device usually has two handles on each side and a working motor placed at the middle. This feature aids users when manipulating the machine. A person using it can easily glide and control the motions as it cuts or shapes wood.
Table routers are machines mounted on worktables. These are often useful for creating smaller pieces that need more design details. Various wood artists and aficionados often cite its usefulness in this aspect as it offers precision cutting. Novices can also enjoy working with it as the wood used is secured in place.
What are router bits?
Router bits are implements used when working with routers. These come in different shapes and sizes with specific functions. For instance, a straight bit is useful for making straight or vertical cuts. Its also useful for hollowing out wood. Several workers also state its efficiency in removing materials in increments when it is attached to a specialized router.
Why should I have these tools?
Purchasing is practical if you want to execute DIY wood projects. With the right materials and practice, you can also repair and restore wooden furniture, cabinets, and much more.
Buying woodworking routers and bits through the Internet is easy. Make sure to read customer and business reviews on which online suppliers offer quality equipment at reasonable prices.
Ryan Doss is a DIY enthusiast who bought [http://www.timbecon.com.au/]woodworking router and [http://www.timbecon.com.au/products/torquata-router-bit-sets-345_0.aspx]router bits recently to begin a cabinet-making job.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Woodworking-Routers-and-Router-Bits---The-Right-Tools-for-Modern-Homeowners&id=6647985] Woodworking Routers and Router Bits - The Right Tools for Modern Homeowners

Outdoor Woodworking Designs

This collection contains woodworking designs for the outdoors. Included in these outdoor woodworking plans youll find projects for your yard or garden. As with several of the projects on this site, many of the designs were originally developed to be given as gifts.

One thing to pay particularly close attention to when building outdoor woodworking projects is the wood species. If your project doesnt need to last very long, there is no need to pay premium prices for moisture and insect resistant woods like Cedar and Redwood.

However, less expensive woods like Fir and Pine need to be well protected with paint or outdoor wood sealer. Otherwise, they will become moldy and rotten after only a couple of seasons out in the elements.

I have chosen to use Cedar in most of my projects. Personally, I like the look of natural wood and dont care much for the chemicals in outdoor wood sealers. Also, where I live Cedar is readily available and less expensive than Redwood.

I just let the wood weather naturally. It would last a bit longer if I coated it with wood sealer, but Im happy with the look and the project lifespan without the use of the chemicals.

Pressure treated lumber is also available that resists rot and insects. However, its probably not suitable for many of the woodworking designs here. The biggest problem with using pressure treated lumber is that you cant cut or sand the wood without creating chemical-laden sawdust.

Also, most pressure treating only reaches a short distance below the surface of the wood. Anywhere the wood is cut, you need to apply end-cut treatment to the cut surface in order to maintain the rot-resistant properties.

For my money, I simply prefer a wood species that naturally works well outdoors with no further treatment. Barring that, any wood species will work fine outside as long as you keep it well painted or well sealed. This is usually necessary about every other year.

Whatever wood you choose, I hope you enjoy building the projects from these free outdoor woodworking plans.

Want to make some birds in your neighborhood happy? Take a gander at these bird feeder plans and youll be well on your way. By following the link or clicking on the picture, youll find more details and drawing files in PDF format that you can view or download.

Return from Outdoor Woodworking Designs
to Totally-Free-Woodworking-Plans Home

Click Here and Start WoodWorking

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Rustic Pallet Bench

Hey there! Have a good weekend? My hubby and I worked on a pallet project together and we had so much fun! It was just one of those great weekends, you know? We worked on this and then he surprised me with a special date night. Something we havent had time to do in a while so it was extra special. And then we had a fun family day on Sunday. Those are the best kinds of weekends.

Im so glad hubby was there to help. Those suckers are heavy and it was just plain fun working on something together. We recently purchased a vintage record player, yes, I said record player, for our outdoor "studio", so we popped on an old Dean Martin album, turned up the volume and got to work. Fun, I tell ya! :) Heres what we started with, a pile of free pallets.

And heres how it ended up.....

This was one of those projects where I just kinda planned it as I went along and when we were finished, we just couldnt stop grinning.

Everything we used for this bench was something we already had so it was FREE! Love that! I really wanted to use rustic barn hinges on this because we have been collecting them for quite a while, just waiting on the perfect project and this was it. The detail they add is perfect for this bench.

Hubby came home with those numbers above the ledge. They are from an old gas station and since Halloween is around the corner, I thought the number 31 would be appropriate and fun.

I cant wait to decorate this area for Christmas!! Any of you have any pallet projects? What kinds of projects are you working on? Would love to hear about em, as always!

Have a great day! Click here to order more bread boards! Ive had several requests for sets of 5 or 6 numbered maple boards. If interested, message me via Etsy and I will set up a custom order for those. Thanks!

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DIY Christmas Gift Tags

Happy Monday to you! Although I wouldnt actually call a Monday a happy day, its a short week and Thanksgiving week, too! I dont know about you, but that makes me pretty happy.

Tis the season, its almost gift giving time, one of my favorite things to do ever, and that means lots of possibilities for pretty packaging. When I saw these oh so cute vintage school styled gift tags at Anthropologie, I just knew there could be a way to DIY them. So how lucky was it that I came across this easy tutorial for them over at Flamingo Toes. Its super simple and cheap, my kind of project, so I spent an evening whipping these things up and I just LOVE them! Heres my version.....

All you need is card stock, red thread, blue thread and thin hemp twine, or whatever kind of twine you prefer. Flamingo Toes even provides you with a template to print off to make it easier. For teacher and coach appreciation gifts, I picked up these fun kraft gable boxes, available here, and some red and white twine, available here.

They reminded me of a lunch box so I thought they would be perfect with the school themed gift tags. Fill the boxes with yummy baked goodies and you have a simple perfect gift to show your appreciation for those that spend so much of their time teaching our children. I cant wait to get to work on mine!

If youd like to make these cute little tags yourself, click here for the easy tutorial!

Have a great day!!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Vintage Cabinet Redo

Hey there! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I was finally able to work on this cabinet that hubby found and let me tell ya, it had me completely stumped. I just didnt have a clue what to do with it.

No matter how much I stared at it, I came up with nothin.

But after some time away from it,

I finally decided to just try to bring it back to its original beauty.

Here is the before pic.

The top had a huge hole in it, so I removed that and bought another top at Lowes for around 10 bucks.

We attached the new top and I applied two coats of Minwax Special Walnut stain.

I decided to just leave the tin sides alone, but I did give them a good cleaning. We removed all the hardware and I spray painted them with Rustoleum oil rubbed bronze spray paint. I also gave the entire piece a couple of coats of Minwax special walnut to match the top and when it was completely dry, I gave it a coat of wax. Heres how it looks now.

I really love the darker color. This pic isnt that great because by the time we were done, it was dark and the kitchen is the brightest room in the house. But after being stumped for days, Im happy with it and even happier that its finished.

What do you think of it?

My hubby and I have some very exciting news to share very soon.
Stay tuned!

I have just listed more bread boards. If youre ordering for Christmas, Im accepting orders until December 16, to get them shipped in time for Christmas.

Click here to order.

Thank you lovely readers!

Monday, February 24, 2014

BRICK MORTAR vintage shopping

In a little town called New Westminister here in the Greater Vancouver area

we have a new vintage shop that goes by the name

BRICK & MORTAR LIVING

New Westminister really isnt a little town but it is one of the oldest.

From the street you are welcomed with fragrant flowers and wonderful window displays.

Many ppl go antiquing in the shops along Front Street,

but Brick & Mortar Living is just around the corner on Begbie Street

The shop is filled with Rediscovered treasures,

and hand made items.

I personally adore this cherry blossom print and have similar photos stored away

in my files. Maybe one day I will be have one of my own to hang on the wall.

It is one of those places you just love to look around at all the creative ideas

and enjoy the atmosphere before you take a little piece home with you.

And Ill tell you a secret ...

the prices are good too.

If you look closely in the picture above

you can see George in the mirror having a chat with the Jenn, the shop owner.

Does this give any of you ladies ideas?

Before I go, let me share a little mental picture that makes my laugh when I think about it.

It includes a vintage typewriter used as a planter (yes Elisa its your story)

If you take a typewriter such as this one below and use it as a planter it looks extremely charming

but do you also realize every child in the vicinity will still hit the keys but now dirt goes flying everywhere.

I just had to share that in the hopes you can visualize it.

When you stop in to see Jenn at Brick & Mortar Living be sure to mention I sent you.

Here is a link with the stores address and hours:

http://www.facebook.com/brickandmortarliving/info?ref=pb

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