Staying Busy and out of trouble, 2020-21?.

[Old Greenhorn]

The seat is 14" wide (customer requirement) so it will fit through the 15" loaner planer I have. I am thinking the sled idea might work. Headed out to the shop to evaluate these options now. Today is a good day to think about it and piddle with it slowly. Obviously I want to take off as little as possible. Thanks for getting me started.

[btulloh]

Winding sticks are old school and still new school. Couldn't exist without them here.

When you putthem on your bench blank you can sorta mark the high corner to see how much material needs to be removed. You can use the same measurement to mark the opposite corner (diagonally) the same amount. Then connect the marks on the edges and ends with a chalk or ink line and you'll see what you'll have left for a finished thickness. That also gives you a reference to handplane to on one face. (That is old school). A thick piece can end up pretty thin btw when all the twist is removed.

If you don't want to handplane, which takes practice and time, you can make a sled for the planer and block up one corner of the workpiece and use the planer to do the first face.

Twist is evil. A nice 2" piece can end up as 3/4" thick depending on the amount of twist. But dealing with twist is part of the deal with woodworking. Too bad they haven't perfected the delrin tree.  :D

Add: looks like Doc covered this while was typing on the ipad one finger style. I left off the jointer technique because most of us don't have a 20" oliver, although i hope to one day. 

[Tacotodd]

Sure "they" have!   It's just going to be so long in making the raw material that we don't have enough time for it, at least not in OUR lifetime!

[doc henderson]

if the twist is enough, you can put it back on the mill and flatten it, and then re-plane it.  you can shim equally under each high end.
many of my dimensions in a project, correspond with the limits of my equipment.  

[btulloh]

if the twist is enough, you can put it back on the mill and flatten it, and then re-plane it.  you can shim equally under each high end.
many of my dimensions in a project, correspond with the limits of my equipment.  

Roger that Doc. A man has to know his limitations!  As stated by Clint Eastwood. 

[doc henderson]

or "go ahead punk, make my day, and flatten that slab"  lol

[Old Greenhorn]

You guys are kind of kicking the bar up way high for me! I need to look at it and think on it. In the meantime, my remote switch for the dust collector just arrived, so I think that gets done first while I ponder the other issue.
 Thanks again. This think tank that is the FF continues to keep me from straying to close to the edge. ;D :D

[21incher]

Have you ever thought about building a simple router sled for flattening slabs?  I have used one for years and they cost basically  nothing to make. Whiteside makes a lower cost 2 inch bit that works good  but I have also used simple 1 inch router bits that are a little slower.

[Nebraska]

 

   Tom you could  make a sled to ride your mill rails, granted it's not handy to use this time of year.  But it does work to flatten things wider than my planer will. 

[doc henderson]

I have done a stump table with 2 x 4 rails and a plywood sled, with a router.  good idea.  can be inside.  if the mill is out of service due to the weather.

[Old Greenhorn]

Yeah, I have thought of that and it is on my mind. But in this case it is not a slab, it's planed boards. But between slight imperfections in the wood twist, edge meetups, etc, it all added up and shows up at the end. The chickens have come home to roost.  ;D (Somehow the chickens always get involved, why is that?)
 Anyway I took a shot at the method Doc proposed today taking the higher corners with a power planer then sanding out the lines. It worked fairly well and I reduced it by half (the rock) on one side. However about 3/4 of the way through this exercise I realized there is more than one way to skin a cat. To put it another way, sometimes you don't need to raise the bridge, you can also lower the river. So I have another idea I think will work just fine.
 I am having some difficulty working on this job now with the dermatitis which I had knocked down yesterday. Todays work flared it back up even with gloves and full forearm coverage. (I guess I have to escalate my response to this dang rash.)
 But as soon as I feel up to it I will start on the other idea. I have two benches in work, I need to deliver one, so I have a safety factor built in. Stay tuned on this one.

[WV Sawmiller]

Tom.

   You may ask your doctor for some (Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP .1%) steroid cream. I get mine in a 1 lb tub but my wife has some in smaller tubes. It did pretty good on mild dermatitis but I am trying Dupixent for some heavy duty dermatitis/Eczema. Good luck.

[Old Greenhorn]

Yes, Howard, the creams are helpful and I am using cortisone cream a few times a day which helps a little. But this has gotten beyond the 'mild' stage. I am washing regularly and changing clothes at least daily, and covering every area I can when in the shop, but I still have gaps between gloves and shirt cuffs and things like that. Last night I pulled the trigger and started a course of Prednisone. Strong stuff, I hope it works. I hope to have the benches done before the med course runs out. I have to get this pine bench done and out of my life. :D I am running the vacuum like Felix Unger. ;D (maybe that reference is too old for some?)
 I seem to now have irritation on my forehead and neck, but no rash showing (yet). 
 This too shall pass, I just have shorter work sessions. Today I am working on the router table, we shall see how that goes. Quitting is not an option, at least not yet.
 Anything for a laugh, right? Today is another day. I got up at 4 and the shop is already over 63 because the stove is cooking since 5 and the outside temp is a balmy 20. I note that it has been a good while since I have seen any ticks.

[Old Greenhorn]

Well not a bad day today. That prednisone kicked in and seems to be working, plus with my heightened awareness and vigilance of keeping my arms covered, vacuuming everything as soon as I finish a step all seems to be helping. I see some redness in the rash when I am working but it clears after washing and calms down quick. I think I can get through this.
 SO today I took that homemade router table that came with my table saw and put it to use. I made a quick fence to clear a corner rounding bit. 


 
A few months ago I read a comment, made in passing by some body (I think it was one of the 'Don's' but I have no idea what thread or forum) who wrote that when making tables he always took the time to round a corner rounding bit around the edges rather than sand because it looked more professional. Like many of the seemingly small things I read here, it stuck with me as a solid idea. So on this bench it fits and rather than just using the router on each of these small straps and parts, I set up the fence and ran them all through in no time flat. I also put the reliefs in on the bottom of the feet straps using the router for the internal radius and my new found skills with the dado blade set on the RAS to take the rest of the material out. Worked like a charm, all good looking wood. I also ran the corner rounding bit around all the seat edges and dang if Don, or whomever it was, wasn't right, it looks nice.



 

 We have the boys tomorrow and I have to get across the road and give a lesson in proper soldering techniques for electronics to my neighbor and his son who are planning to build a lot of sound equipment components for their recording studio.  I dunno, they bought a boatload of tools and kits, now they need a little help to figure out how to put them together.  If I have time for my own stuff, I will be laying out and drilling all the assembly holes in the bench parts and maybe do a test assembly before I do the final 'adjustment' to get it to sit flat. I have a feeling that may not happen until Tuesday. One day at a time. We have more weather coming in this week too, I hope that doesn't pull me off task too much.
 And... Tomorrow is another day.

[Old Greenhorn]

Only problem is access to the on/off switch is very difficult.

What you need is a remote switch.  ,,,,,,,
On Amazon search
"VONVOFF Wireless Remote Switch,AC 110V/120V/240V/ Relay RF Remote Control Light Switches for Pump Security Systems etc with 328ft Long Range(Black)"

Plus, it works for 120v and 240v equipment.  Being my setup is plug in, I can use it wherever I need when the power switch is not easy to reach.

Yes, I mentioned in an earlier post somewhere that its on my list but the 75 bucks or so they are asking put it on the 'get it soon' list and off the 'buy it now' list.
Then BOOM, there you went with your find. I found it on amazon (who I prefer not to buy from) for 39 bucks, then ebay for 22 and thought OK, then. I'll order it tonight and put it in my watch list. About an hour later I got a 10% off offer from the seller, so I bought it for about 18 bucks or so plus tax. Thanks for the lead!

Just a follow up on this. The unit came yesterday and is clearly marked and the paperwork states "12-72v DC". I went back and check the listing which just as clearly says "110/115/260V AC" so I complained to the seller, that I can't use this. He finally answered me tonight he will give me a full refund and I don't need to send it back. I have no idea what to do with it, but I will find something. As soon as his refund comes through I will buy the right one I found for 29 bucks. I figured that the other one was a little too cheap, didn't think he would misrepresent it though. Oh well, it just adds another week of pushing the switch button with a 4' stick. I am still have for the hoods and blast gates I ordered. The I can start doing proper hookups on each machine and eliminate most of the 'overblow' I am getting with makeshift duct tape setups. It will get done.

[Ljohnsaw]

The unit came yesterday and is clearly marked and the paperwork states "12-72v DC".

Wireless remote for a winch on a tractor or truck?

[Old Greenhorn]

The unit came yesterday and is clearly marked and the paperwork states "12-72v DC".

Wireless remote for a winch on a tractor or truck?

Yeah, that would be a good use (and it's also on my to-do list) but this one is only on or off. I am sure I will think of something. Everything on my Mule is 12v, truck too obviously. Something will pop into my head... eventually.

[Al_Smith]

The battle with the two Makita concrete saws needs to be postponed until this spring it appears .They both run  and they both smoke so I assume they had sat a long time and need some run time .Gummed up !
They are both low on compression ,one being 75 pounds the other a tad over 100 .It could be gummed up ring or just plain worn out .Single ring piston .I need  a pre filter and screen plus two blades, metal and concrete which most likely will be carbide or diamond tipped .They both are set up to run water .
I've got some more sandstone work to do on the patios (three ) and these would certainly a better option that an 8" masonry blade in a framing saw .

[Old Greenhorn]

Maybe dump some 'stuff' down the plug holes to soak while you wait for warmer weather? It might soak in and loosen things up. You probably won't notice the extra smoke when you start them up again. ;D

[Al_Smith]

If it's got residual oil say down in the crankcase the new arrival of fresh mix will eventually blow it out .I've revived enough old saws that might have spent several decades on a barn floor. Smoked of course but then healed themselves .
Fact I've got a McCulloch 700 that was stuck tight as a bulls behind in fly time .I did soak that one and it freed up .Still stiff but limbered up after some run time . 

   If they don't come around I'll pop the cylinder and rering them .I don't know the history of those things. They could have been rental units .Cosmetically they look good  yet might have sat for a winter and would not start .A guy I think in Virginia who sells a couple hundred saws etc a year probably picked them up for a song and sold them to me for next to nothing sight unseen and still made money on them . In good running order I could likely get three times just for one .In new condition these things go for around a thou .

[Old Greenhorn]

I'm sure you will figure it out Al, you always do, right?

 SO I didn't get much done today. I did some tiny epoxy pours in the morning on the bench seats to firm up some of the knots and a few tiny cracks. Tomorrow I will flip and do the other sides.
 We had the boys today, but at 11 I went down to the neighbors and gave him and his son a lesson in soldering and assembling PC boards. Took longer than I thought, but they are off to a good start. Late lunch then back to the shop. The youngest GS followed me out and spent an hour or two helping me drill all the assembly screw holes in the bench leg parts. He learned how to use a drill press and follow instructions, he did real well!



 
These still need sanding and the holes to screw them to the bench top, but are just about there.
 That killed the day and after dinner I sat down and checked email etc and see that the fella driving me crazy with his lumber requests a few months back has started a side business making dance boards with my lumber. ;D
Check this out: Leo Dance Boards He never told me this was his plan, but now he is soliciting orders. 



 
I sure hope I have enough dried wood for him on hand. This is some of that ambrosia maple I milled a while back. I wish him well. Guess I had better look for some more maple. ;D

 Ah well, tomorrow is another day with lousy weather expected, sleet, freezing rain, and rain after a week or two of very cold temps, it will all freeze when it hits untreated ground. ;D

[Walnut Beast]

That's pretty cool. Maybe you can bounce a few ideas of each other on a few other things you could both benefit from 👍

[Old Greenhorn]

That's pretty cool. Maybe you can bounce a few ideas of each other on a few other things you could both benefit from 👍

Well, I would be happy to remain his supplier, but I think I will hold it at that. He has some habits that make it difficult to get past. He gives me a list of what he needs, I pile it up and give him the price, then he tells me what he will pay. I say 'that's not how this works' but wind up giving him some kind of break anyway. It annoys me every time, his cut lists change 3 or 4 times and then he only buys half of it. He tried to get me to plane his boards to an exact size, but said he could not pay for that planeing. He took them raw. I know where there is a planer he can use for free and directed him there, but he didn't go. I have my limits.
 He is taking orders now, which should translate down, but I don't know if I will have what he needs if he gets a bunch. I do have some more logs, but that will take time to dry of course. It will be interesting to see how this goes. Stay tuned. I think the next episode will be around the first week of March. ;D

[Old Greenhorn]

Well, just catching up here. The dance board fellow contacted me the very next morning telling me to 'get ready for an order', but of course his size requirements have changed. :D He didn't know how much he would need, or in what sizes, but he wanted to know if I had enough. :D I reminded him I was not home depot...again. More exchanges back and forth and I finally let it go. I finally said let me know what you need. He would like a lighter product and I suggested Basswood for the frame, but he went off on tonal responses in maple and how it had to be maple and he needed the rigidity, etc. I asked him "You do know that Basswood is a tonewood, right? used in guitars all the time, right?" he had no idea. I suggested he do some reading. Time to move on.
 So yesterday the remote switch for the dust collector showed up, the right one this time. So I wired that up and OH what a JOY it is! I also got some of the hoods and adapters in the mail and messed with those. Nice to have something pulling up sanding dust, especially with the issues I am having with this pine affecting my skin.


 

Also nice to be able to turn it off when I'm done without moving. So yesterday I did a bunch of sanding and some small epoxy pours. I don't trust this pine to stay stable enough, mostly because I have little experience with it, so I am going around and dripping epoxy on any and all knots that look like they might dry and get loose.


 

After sanding the epoxy is gone to the eye, but hopefully holds that knot in place. This is on the seat plank where I am most concerned. Don't need no butt scratchers there. ;D I also poured some on the upcoming bar slab, it all adds up, timewise.  The cracks in the bar slab settle as it dries and I have to go back and fill again. Nearly done on the first side (bottom) one long crack which is fairly thin.
 Today we had the boys so my time is limited. I did flip the bench seats and epoxy the other sides, and did more on the bar slab. I also did some more sanding on the seats before the pour. I am at the point now of putting on nitrile gloves, then pulling my long sleeve undershirt cuffs over the gloves, then putting on a pair of light work gloves. Plus I put the dust collector hood right along the work. I am trying to get past this and find a way to work with it, but even with the meds I am just staying even. I want this done and out of the shop. ;D hopefully tomorrow I will get closer to the end.
 After the morning session and lunch I headed over to NYBHH's place to see his build progress on his shop. Wow it is looking good! Actually it seems almost too pretty to make a mess in. Nice clean flat sheet rock walls and ceilings. one wall is a pretty plywood, and the details he is putting in just blow me away. I also drooled a little on his new router table, (Sorry Brandon, I think I wiped it all up) very fancy. Every time we visit, the time just vaporizes and I realized I had to get back to help with the boys, figure the wife would be pretty mad at me (again), but I think she has figured out when I go out to Brandon's we start talking and thinking, and postulating, and figuring, and the time just shoots on by. So what I thought would be a 20 minute visit turned into, well I don't know, but I left the house here at 1:30 and didn't get home until 5:30 (it's a 15 minute drive).
 Anyway, got home and it was all good. I have an understanding wife. I found that my Blue Creeper Prize had arrived after just one day ship time! Many thanks to Blue Creeper, Rite Log, @Tam-i-am  , The Forestry Forum, and @dustintheblood for passing the prize along. I fell guilty taking it because of shipping costs, but I promise to put it to good use. I love the little needle applicators, very handy. Thank you all.
 And tomorrow is another day, at least I hope so. ;D

[aigheadish]

I'm only on page 17 of your adventures, OGH, and you are an inspiration to me to get out and work a bit harder! I'm going to make some comments as I go along. I was waiting until I got caught up but that seems silly, so don't be surprised when my comments are way out of context for what you are currently doing...

Right now I'm reading of your struggle to keep up with fire wood from last year and your first year of wood heating your shop, from the sound of it...

That being said, I saw this on the heavyequipmentforum, and it seems like it'd be handy for you! Yeah, it's likely a $40k excavator log splitter and out of the question for most, but it's pretty slick. https://youtu.be/iEMIkCnkUBA