Woodshop layout

I spent the weekend starting a new laout in the shop.
Started by rearranging my shop bench and hand tool area. The cherry case holds all my planes, chisels and dovetail saws.
I will put up lumber storage racks next weekend.

I also put all my powertools on wheels.

I will show more pics next weekend.

Tung Oil an oil based wood finish

Tung Oil or china wood oil as it is sometimes called is an oil based wood finish. Tung Oil is made from the pressed seed of the nut from a tung tree.
Most tung oil products sold at retail are not pure tung oil. They may have tung oil as the major ingredient but have other additives such as varnish.
Pure tung oil can be bought at places like Woodcraft or Rockler.
Pure tung oil is non toxic and has been approved by the FDA for food contact. Pure tung oil is water resistant, will not darken with age. It penetrates well. The down side it is it dries slowly and takes 3-6 coats to give good protection.
The the surface should be dust free. Any filling, sealing or staining should be done prior to oil application. Apply a liberal amount of oil, wait 20 minutes for it to soak in and then wipe off exceed. Check back in an hour to make sure there is no draining and if there is wipe again. Allow to dry for 24-48 hours. Use fine steel wool between coat and apply 3-6 coats.
http://nokeswoodworks.com

Carving in the woodshop

I decided this weekend, that I wanted to do a carving project, so off to the wood store I go. After looking though all of the books, I decide I want to learn to do a caricature carving.
So I pick out a book. I go over to the carving section and pick out a new detail carving knife, I have a couple of knifes already but a new project should have a new knife. I also pick up a block of basswood. Now I'm ready. I have competed several carvings of birds and animals but never cared a caricature before.
The book I picked out is called: Caricature carving from Head to Toe. A complete step by step guide to capturing expression and humor in wood. The author is Dave Steton. Published by Fox Chapel Publishing.
I picked this book because it has step by step pictures of how to carve. It has information on carving knives. How to make models in clay, how to carve faces with expression and goes into painting.
After reading the book, I found it teaches both composition and technique. It also teaches you much more than just he projects in this book. I will start the project today, starting with a rough out.
Randy Please visit my web site.
http://nokeswoodworks.com/

Pen Making and other Mini Lathe Projects

A mini lathe is great for Pen turning. I have a Jet mini lathe I use for all of my turning and woodworking. In addition to turning pens on my lathe I have also made the following projects.
1. Wine stoppers
2. Small bowls
3. Candle Holders
4. Tables legs for shaker tables (can be seen on mt web site)
5. Small birdhouses
6. Knobs for other woodworking projects
7. Tool handles
8. Duck call
9. Lidded boxes
10. Key rings
11. Small plates
12. Doll house furniture
I'm sure there are other items but this list may give you an idea of what a small lather can be used for. I have an extension for my lathe but rarely use it. In fact the only times I have used it, is in turning table legs and one time I made a cane. So an extension is not something I would buy right away. Be careful with a mini lathe, it can become addictive.
http://www.nokeswoodworks.com/

WOODWORKING, GLUE SPOT PROBLEM

Glue Spots, Ways to avoid when woodworking.

One of the problems most woodworkers have is glue spots which show up during the staining or finishing process. Once a project is stained and spots start to show up, it can be very difficult to correct or touch up...
There are a few things we can do to help with this problem.
Some woodworkers solve thee problems but pre staining there wood parts before assemble. This way any glue squeeze out is on top of the stain and can be wiped off with a wet rag. I don’t like to use this method. I always seem to do something to the finish during clamping or assemble that is almost as hard to touch up as the glue squeeze out or the spots.
The next helpful thing is to tape around joints before assemble, so that glue squeeze out goes on the tape and not the wood. Be careful not to get the tape into the joint. It makes for easier removal.
The last thing we can do is to let the glue squeeze out semi dry to a gel. Once this has happened, you can use a scrapper on a flat surface to scrape away the glue. If you are in a corner or at a joint, you can use a chisel to remove the glue.
One thing you do not want to do is use a dry rag to wipe away glue squeeze out. I do noe even like doing this with a wet rag. You still can have glue spread around on the wood which makes matters worst.
Please check out my web site http://nokeswoodworks.com

Drill Bits, A quick run down

Drill Bits
There are several types of drill bits out on the market today. The drill bit on the left is a twist bit and comes in steel which is inexpensive but does not stay sharp very long. You can also get these in High speed steel (HSS) which will last much longer. You can also get them titanium coated and carbide tipped which will both last longer but cost alot more. The next bit is a brad point bit which prevents skating and has wide flutes keeping it cooler longer. These are my favorite bits for drilling in wood. Especially wood pen blanks. The third bit is a bullet point drill bit, the ones I have are from Dewalt. These are also very good bits for drilling in wood and I would highly recommend for all wood projects even pen blank drilling.
The 4th bit shown above is a forstner drill bit. Used for drilling plug holes, clock inserts or any where a flat bottom hole is needed. The last bit pictured is a spade bit, used for drilling wood. I don't use this type bit very often. It is something I use if I have to drill a hole in a 2x4 to pass wire through.
The most common drill bit is the twist bit, which is very versatile and when purchased in HSS is a good all round bit.
Please visit my web site under general for more information on drill bits.
http://nokeswoodworks.com

New Sharp Chisels

When you go to the store to buy chisels , the first thing you have to do when you get them home is to sharpen them. Looks like if you bought a new chisel they would come sharp. And the truth is I hate to sharpen chisels. So why don't they come sharp. Well my guess is cost. Well last week I was bought a couple of new chisels and guess what they were sharp! Yea right from the store they were sharp. I have been using PFEIL Swiss made carving gouges for years, now they have come out with a set of bench chisels and they are great. First they are sharp and ready to use. And IF they hold an edge like the carving gouges they will be a pleasure to work with. If you get a chance try one of these babies out, I'm sure you will like it.
Please visit my web site at http://nokeswoodworks.com

Milk Paint a child safe finish

I like to use old fashion Milk paint on any project that needs to have a non toxic finish such as a child's toy. I also use it on almost all of my early american country projects. It comes in a powder form and is easy to use. You just mix it 1 cup of water with 6oz of powder and stir. Best mixed at room temperature. On most projects you will need two coats. You will need to wait two hours before appling the 2nd coat. It is soap and water clean up. If the wood has been sealed or painted you will have to add extra bond to the mix or it will peel off. So best used on clean new wood projects.

After the 2nd coat has dried you will want to seal your project using Clear Coat another product from old fashion milk paint company. It is a water borne acrylic. It will protect your project from water spots, dirt and wear and tear. It will dry clear and leave no odor. It takes abour one hour to dry. It comes in several colors and colors can me mixed to come up with even more colors.
You can purchase Old Fashion Milk Paint at : Wood craft , see sidebar for a link.

Please visit my web site for more finishing information: http://nokeswoodworks.com/

Cast Iron Rust in this weather, WOODSHOP TIP

During this time of year, one of my shop concerns is rust, which may start forming on my cast iron table tops or tools. My shop is in the garage and there is alot more moisture than I would like in my shop. There are three things i use to try and keep my tools rust free. I like a spray on product sold at woodcraft called TOP-COTE. I use this on tools, that I my not use for a couple of weeks at a time. It is fast and works reasonably well. During normal times, when I'm in the shop alot, I like to use car wax on my tools. This is a good preventive measure. I use turtle wax.
There is one other product which will work in a pinch. That is baby powder. In fills in the small holes in the cast iron and prevents moisture. It will not affect wood finishing and it makes the surface very slick. So it is a good low cost choice as well.
If you do get rust on your table tops or tools, get a rust eraser. These work great, they come in fine, medium and corse grit. Just use it like an eraser on the rust. Use only when light rust occurs. You can pick these up from Lee Valley, Woodcraft or Rockler.
Visit my website for more infromation http://nokeswoodworks.com

Buying wood cheap for projects or Pens

If you havn't noticed wood is expensive. Here are a few tips on buying wood that have helped save me money.
1. Shorts - I buy from a company on the web called Wall lumber. They sell usp bundles which are 20bf feet and include shipping to my home. They also sell what they call shorts. They sell shorts in cherry, walnut, oak and maple. The shorts are boeard which range from 36" to 52" in lenght of random width. These are great for small projects and the cost is half the price of regular lumber.
2. Lumber grade - I sometimes buy number 2 grade instead of number one. The big difference is that number 2 will have a few knots ot sap wood. On some projects I can cut around that or may even built it into my project.
3. While shopping on ebay for lumber, which is the best place to buy reclaimed chestnut, one of my favorite woods. I can across a local cabinet shop selling cherry, at great prices. I bought some and now when in need of wood, i drive by the cabinet shop and see what they have to offer. Wood can be 60 % od regular pricing.
4. As you can tell , I do shop the internet for wood also. I use ebay, and other wood sources on the internet will offer deals from time to time.
5. Use a lower grade of lumber for hidden parts such as drawers or backs or framework. I often use popular for these parts instead of cherry or oak.
6. A local saw mill can be a source for cheap lumber also. Since you are buying wholesale and not retail. I even found one who through out the spalted lumber because it was no good for the flooring he was producing.
7. Pen makers can save a ton buy cutting there own blanks. Larger boards or scarps from your last project can be cut into pen blanks saving a lot or even getting them free.

BEWARE shopping at the local home store will cost you and is not the place to shop for lumber used in furniture or pen making. It is great for 2x4's buy try buying an oak board..wow
I do buy some ply wood there, which I use in the drawer bottoms.

One place I had yet to find saving is the pen blank market for stabilized woods. These are my favorite to turn but also are very expensive. If any one has a cheap source please let me know.
Please visit my website for more information http://nokeswoodworks.com

Plate Shelf, early american country

I just finished my latest project. It is an early American plate rack. If has two grooved shelves for plates. A top shelf and under the rack are pegs. I made this from clear pine. Most of the detail was cut on the band saw. I used an oak stain first, then painted it barn red using latex paint.

I sanded and roughed up that a bit before finishing using a black latex paint. Letting some red show through. I then applied a coat of wax.

My wife had me hang it in our kitchen. This is an easy weekend project. Looks good an can be finished in colors as well as natuaral.
Please visit my website for more information http://nokeswoodworks.com

Pen Making as a craft business

One of my hobbies which I have turned into a sell-able craft is my pen making. Pens are made using a mini lathe to turn a block of wood or plastic to shape to hold the pen workings, which I buy as a kit. I will use this as an example of my costing process. Pen Kits can vary from $2.95 a kit to 59.95 a kit depending on what kind of pen you want to make. The pictures below are of cigar pens. The cost for this kit is $ 5.95. The wood blank will cost from $1.00 to 6.95 depending on type of wood or plastic. I will use $ 3.00 in this example. The pen kit is $5.95 plus $3.00 for the pen blank will total materials of $8.95. It will take me 1/2 hour to make this pen at $15.00 per hour labor. Now my labor and material total $16.45. I them add overhead and profit. I figure my overhead and profit to be the same as material and labor which is $16.45. This give me a total selling price of $32.90. I i always throw in a case and sell them for $34.95. I have pens which sell for more and I have pens which sell for less.
Please visit my website for more woodworking and craft information
http://nokeswoodworks.com

Bandsaw

The Bandsaw is the most overlooked tool in the shop. My bandsaw has become a do everything machine. I use it many times instead of my tablesaw. Especially for smaller projects. Its the tool of choice anytime I am cutting curves. I use it to make some cuts on dovetails. I use it to trim pen blanks to size. I also use it for Bandsaw boxes. It can resaw thick wood to give me the thin wood I need for small projects. Its great when making pen boxes or candle boxes. I have even used it to cut table legs.
My bandsaw is the Jet 12" floor model. Most people go for the 14" model but to date the 12" model has done a great job.
Any time I want to prepare wood for the lathe for bowl making my first stop is the bandsaw.
For me the bandsaw is a must have tool in the shop.
Please visit my web site for more information http://nokeswoodworks.com

Google Sketchup

Today I woke up and it's 9 degrees outside, so there is no woodworking today. Today I will be trying out google sketch up. I have heard it is great for woodworking projects. Best of all it is free. Just go to google sketchup and down load your free copy. It says it is easy to learn, and after what little I have played with it, I think it will be easy, but will still take several hours if not a full day to be able to really create anything usefull with it. It can do 3D modeling, it has video tutorials and an on line users guide. as well as a quick reference guide.
As I said I have played with it a little and it is very easy to start drawing. It has presective guideline which will help with the 3d aspect. It will work in inches or cm.
One of the really cool things about sketchup is the tape measure. It has a little tape measuse use to measure any line or any point on the drawing. It really looks like a little tape measure. It will measure to 1/16 th of an inch.
Overall I cant wait to get started. i have a few projects that i want to create working drawings, so that when it does warm up , I can get back to the shop and start building.
If you have every wanted to get into computer adided drafting or drawing. This is the easiest way I know. It free, its easy, its great.
By the way it has now been 8 weeks since my knee replacement and everything is going great. I have not had a pain pill in two weeks. I am really getting around good now.

Time for a new Project

Well I'm looking for a new project to start. I have not been in the shop for two months. This was due to the fact, I just had a total knee replacement on my right knee. I had the surgery the week before thanks giving. It has been eight weeks now and I am getting around pretty good now. I'm also itching to get back into the shop.
I think I need to start with a few small projects since I still can't lift much. I also can,t do alot of standing.
I think maybe a scroll saw project or two might just be the thing. I got a Dewalt scroll last fall and really have not done much with it other than cut out a couple of name plates. I used 1" cherry and scrolled the name with a base, so it would set on a desk.
I have a good comfortable stool to sit at the scroll saw. The biggest problem I have with scroll saw projects is that everything seems to be copyrighted. Either you have to make your patterns, pay some one to use there pattern or break a law. Even the books I buy with patterns say, I can make 3 or for copies for personal use only. Does that mean if I wanta make something and sell it for profit from a book that I am not allowed. Even the scroll magazines have a copyright to there pages. Seems if I buy a book with pattern or a magazine, I should be able to make and as many as I want and sell them if I want. As long as I'm not coping the patterns and selling them.
I belong to a yahoo group on scroll sawing and alot of the members as for patterns but I'm afraid to sent them one, because I might break a law.
The whole pattern issue is very complicated. Sure if I make a pattern , I don't want someone stealing it either. But a the same time is I write book with patterns or have a magazine article with a pattern. I can not expect people who have bought the book to make projects and give them or dell them to other people. This woodworking not rocket science.
Any way back to my knee. as I said I'm getting around pretty got now. I do still have some minor pain but I'm off the pain pills, so now I can operate machines. If any one has comments on copy right or on knee surgery please leave a comment with email address.
OK, I'm off to look for pattens. That I can use.
I will spent the day looking for projects.

Inspiration in wodworking projects

Inspiration ....where do you get inspiration to make your projects.. What caused you to make that new side table, or that coin box or that wood toy.

Inspiration comes from several places for me.

I have an 8 year son. He sometimes has given inspiration to me. I made a ride on tractor when he was smaller, I have made banks and a treasure chest for him to keep him good stuff. I have made trophy cases for his baseballs and trophies.

Of course my wife has her way of giving me idea's and inspiration. Such as showing me pictures of this great dinning room furniture set. Which in turn caused me to build a Mission dinning table, chair, sideboard and china cabinet.

I have also seen what others have done and that makes me want to produce something equally as great. I love to visit antique stores and see what was made in yesteryear. there were some truly great woodworkers in our past.

Sometimes the wood will give me inspiration. Such as the time I got some 100 year old reclaimed chestnut wood. It had nail holes and had turned color. I used this to produce a smaller shaker style sewing table. It came out fantastic.

When I produce something that turns out really great it just makes me want to make more. And gives me the knowledge not to make the mistakes I have made in the past.
And yes I make mistakes, I think we have all cut a board short, or drilled a hole in the wrong location.

I love to look at every woodworking book, every woodworking magazine, so I can to gleam new projects. I also look at almost any magazine that has wood furniture or projects to get that one project that I just have to make.

I now have a large collection of books and magazines. I'd love to see pictures of stuff you have made. Maybe you can give me inspiration too!