My son Logan came to me a while back wanting to make a lap desk so he could have a place to read, do homework, or draw, write, etc.. I told him what was involved and how you had to dovetail the box together. He picked out a piece he found in a shaker furniture book. After I cut out everything and set up to dovetail the sides I decided to get Logan involved and before I new it he was chopping away and with great success.
I don't know who was happier, me or him!
I'll post the completed piece later. It turned out nice and he uses it every day.
The stairs and loft came together fast and has proven very useful. I now have the band saw upstairs hooked to a shop vac. I ran lights and plugs everywhere and have another shop vac hooked to the lathe downstairs. All I have to do when sanding on the lathe is hit the switch and all the dust is sucked away and the noise is upstairs. Notice the brace has been cut away going up the stairs. I guess people watch their feet when climbing stairs because everyone seemed to smack there head on it so it had to go.
About a year ago I ordered bench vises from "Benchcrafted" and a couple weeks ago I finally started building the bench. I reduced the length to 6 feet from the plans. I walk around the bench a lot when carving seats and 8 feet seemed too long. I think it went really well and this bench should not dance around when I carve tough seat blanks (elm).
I still need to wipe on some oil finish and make some dogs. The vises are very strong and seat blanks do not slip in the face vise. I have several classes coming up and look forward to breaking her in right.
What chair are you using the elm seat for? I have a large elm log I was tring to think of a good use for.
ReplyDeleteI made a continuous arm chair for a local customer with an elm seat. I used maple turnings and white oak back. Turned out nice. I made a shop stool (all turned) out of elm with walnut turnings which I think was a perfect match of woods. I do not have pictures of the chair but I'll post one of the stool soon.
ReplyDeleteYour elm log can't be split but sawn to 8/4 could make some nice chairs.
Thanks for posting, good luck with the elm.
No kidding on the splitting of the elm, I think I will have it planked out and give that a try in a year or so, when they are dry. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou should be proud that Logan is taking after you. It's things like this that are going to keep this hobby/profession alive and I would be tickled if my daughter took it up like Logan is. Hope we see more work of Logan's in the shop! Your's is pretty good too! LOL
ReplyDeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. Logan and I have so much fun together in the shop. It is time that I will look back and wish I had more of someday. Thanks Matt
I know what you mean. My daughter in only 3 but I hope she at least has the appreciation of wood, and trees, when she's Logans age. Honestly, you should be so proud of him, and yourself, for getting started in a lifelong battle to work this amazing resource we call wood. It's a battle I never want to win but want to fight it to the best of my abilities.
ReplyDeleteGreg the work bench is great. Still talking about how good it was. My wife loves the chair I made and now wants a whole set. Showed off the pictures and several nurses want to order some. Guess my work is cut out, pun intended, for me. Hope to see you next year for another class. Mac
ReplyDeleteForgot to say Logan takes after his Dad. You have a good boy there. I can tell he makes you proud.
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