Thursday Tip

I make a lot of shaker side tables that are the same size.
I have a very simple method for getting equal overhang when attaching the base to the top. You can use this method for any size table base and top also.

Measure your table top and subtract the base from it. Then divide the dimensions by two. The sum equals the overhang.
For example:
Imagine your table top is 72 inches x 48 inches and your base is 56 inches x 36 inches.
Subtract the length of both 72 - 56 = 16
Subtract the width 48 - 36 = 12
Divide both by two = 8 and 6
This is your overhang amount. 8 inches on both ends and 6 inches on both sides.
Now rip a piece of scrap plywood or a board to 8 inches wide. ( the overhang amount ) Cut it as long as the width of the top. In this case to 48 inches. Draw a line 6 inches from one end. ( overhang amount ).
Flip your top over. Clamp your board flush to the edge and set your base on the top at the line. Secure the base to the top.
That's it. No measuring after or fussing.
I drilled a hole in mine and have it hanging up in the shop.
As always - thanks for following .
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

 



Coffee anyone?

We just finished editing the latest episode and we don't start shooting another until next Wednesday. So what do you do when it's a slow day in the garage?
Well- you make a charcoal chimney out of a coffee can of course' ...
We have a kettle style charcoal grill. I love it', but the charcoal chimney has seen better days. I don't like to spend money on something if I can make my own. So today, between doing computer work, I decided to make a chimney out of a coffee can.

The first thing I did was to peel the paper label off and then cut the bottom of the can off. I took a church key ( can opener ) and used it to cut triangle openings every inch or so, approximately an inch up from the bottom. This lets some air in and stokes the coal.
I then drilled some air holes into the bottom and nestled the bottom against the triangular pieces that curled in from the can opener. They support the bottom in place.
I used a couple of pieces of a metal coat hanger and wove it through the bottom and through the sides of the can. This helps secure the bottom so that when you dump the coal out it doesn't come with it.
I took a six inch piece of 3/4 inch dowel rod and drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the center of it. I drilled a mating hole into the side of the coffee can.
I then used a three inch bolt to attach the dowel to the can. I used nuts and washers to secure it in place.
Now all that is needed is to fill it with charcoal and fire up the grill'
I like slow days in the garage'
As always- Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

 



Micro Jig

I want to thank Bruce Wang, the owner of Micro Jig for his generous donation of table saw push sticks and accessories.
Micro Jig products keep your hands away from blades, making woodworking a lot safer.

Thank you again Bruce
You can check out the full line of Micro Jig products at www.microjig.com
As always- Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Zagray Farm Museum

We've been working real hard on the show lately so we decide to take a little break and go on a mini road trip. I mean real mini - about an hour and a half down the road to Zagray farm museum in Colchester, CT.
I grew up in a big city but I love all things farm like. I aspire to be a gentleman farmer, with a few pigs, goats and chickens. We've had a couple of coops in our life. I'd love to live a more self sufficient life. I love going to flea markets..., fairs and farm stands.

Anyways-We went to the Zagray farm museum on Saturday. They had sawmill demonstrations, a flea market, and a car show.
My favorite part of the event was talking to one of the flea market vendors. He was very generous with his information and wit. He travels the flea market circuit and stays on site, living in his awesome sportsman camper/trailer. This vintage camper was beautiful. That's it' I want one. I want to live a gypsy life and travel in this camper. We had a lot of fun.
I did find a fantastic cooker. It reminded me of an old ice box but quite the opposite. It was made out of oak and constructed in a frame and panel construction but had two cooking pots inset inside of it. I couldn't quite find how it worked. If you've seen one of these and have some information on it drop me a line and let me know about it. It was fantastic'
I also saw a great old belt driven planer. I wish I had a space that would accommodate such a planer. It would be fun to see it working.
Enjoy the pictures
As always- thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Music to my ears'

Check this out.
Yesterday I did a quick peruse around Bernat Antiques.
I'm never disappointed. I'm not sure if it's a very old commercially made case or if it's an old homemade case but either way it's fantastic'
...

I saw this great solid wood violin case. The case is beautifully made, using tongue and grove joinery. The rounded ends of the case are awesome. The hardware stands out adding great character to it. If you have any information regarding the case send it along. What a great piece'

Thanks Bernat, you never let me down. I always find inspiring and interesting objects there'
As always- thanks for following.
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

 



What I saw at the thrift store'
Sorry - I can't help it.
Check out this saw I found while rummaging around a thrift store this morning. I don't know how practical it is but you wouldn't have to purchase any other saw once you had it.
Introducing the six in one miracle saw' ( sorry for the fuzzy pics ) ...
This saw consist of a single handle that houses a wood saw, a pruning saw, a tenon saw, a keyhole saw, and the handle makes six. It's made by the royal saw company and is guaranteed Swedish steel. It's kind of like the Swiss army knife of saws. The saw was for sale for only $18. I didn't buy it but now I wish I did. Maybe I'll go back and get it, just for the novelty of it.

As always- Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Thursdays tip'
How to Paint a Crackle Finish on Furniture
Bypass the flea market and go straight to a faux-aged finish
...

Last week when I was wondering around Bernat Antiques I spotted a tool box that had a beautiful crackle finish. The box wasn't painted. I actually think the shellac or varnish finish on it wasn't put on properly creating a condition known as orange peel, but it got me thinking about how nice crackle finishes are'
Below is an article from This Old House
but they don't mention what the miracle medium is.
You can create your own great crackle finish yourself with just some latex or acrylic paint and some wood glue
"Vintage-furniture hounds spend years tracking down painted pieces that have just the right patina, its cracked layers of color just oozing with charm. You can shortcut that journey with contrasting shades of flat latex paint and a special medium that comes out of the can as a milky liquid, goes on clear, and shrinks and cracks the paint color layered on top of it, revealing glimpses of the base shade. Crackle medium ages furniture right before your eyes. Which means you can create your own version of a piece's history, with colors of your choosing, whether you're aging one that's actually old or not. "
A simple recipe'
Supplies Needed
Carpenter's Wood Glue
base coat latex or acrylic paint
top coat latex or acrylic paint
Instructions
Paint wood surface with base coat paint and allow to dry thoroughly.
Brush wood Glue on top of base coat. (A thicker coat results in larger cracks - apply a thinner coat for fine cracks.)
While glue is tacky, brush on top coat.
Dry completely.
Sit back and admire you handiwork'

As always - Thanks forfollowing
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

A little of this. A little of that

There's a lot that goes into the making of a TV show. Even one as small and humble as mine. A lot of time , money and energy go into creating each episode so I'm very grateful for the help I get from others. Two episodes from now I'm building a workbench, perfect for a small shop space. Today I received a fantastic donation from Rockler woodworking and hardware.
They sent me an awesome 9 inch vise for the bench as well as a really cool... tool pouch that attaches to the end of your bench. These are perfect for the project and help keep the production costs down. I owe a huge thanks to the good folks at Rockler for their generous donation. Rockler carries everything you can imagine in the line of woodworking and they have stores everywhere. Check them out at www.rockler.com
I can't wait to build the bench project.

As always - Thanks for watching and following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve