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

 

Rikon

Hey there' 

I want to thank the good folks at Rikon Power Tools for the much needed donation of a bench top belt/disc sander and a slow speed 8 inch grinder. A slower speed means less heating up and less burning of the tools.
Thanks again 
I greatly appreciate it
To see a catalog of what Rikon has to offer visit www.rikontools.com
As always
Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Vintage, Slabs, and Whirligigs

We spent part of the day perusing around our favorite antique place. Bernat Antiques. I love visiting Bernat. I try to get there at least once a week. I go mostly to get inspired. I have many sketchbooks full of project ideas for the show but you never know what you're going to find at Bernat.

Today I saw a really cool vintage modern vinyl record album storage cart. I found a simple desk that would make a great computer desk project forthe show. I also saw a shelving unit made out of large slabs of wood, And my favorite were the two fantastic whirligigs i saw hanging from a pole. I love the mechanical whimsy of whirligigs. Nothing speaks of American folk art more than whirligigs. They're quite ingenious if you ask me.

An eclectic mix of objects to use as inspiration. I love it''
If you have a whirligig that you made or your neighbor does please send me an image. I love projects that evoke happiness. Whirligigs are just fun. What more can you ask for?

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

Spring

Spring is in the air'''

Well- sort of'
It's a day late but I wanted to share my tip with you.
It's actually not a tip but just a suggestion. Spring clamps' If you don't have any, buys some. You can pick them up for a couple of dollars at your local home center. I have a collection of small and large ones. I use mine all of the time. I have them stored by my work bench for easy access. I use mine 
more as a third hand than for clamping things. If you work alone in your shop then you'll be amazed at how handy they are.

Attached are a couple of images taken from the video of the latest episode Tool Box and episode 10, Dinner for two. In both episodes I use spring clamps to help hold some boards in place while I work on the other parts.

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

 



Found it'
I found the Dura seal information. I'm not sure if it's still made by Min-Wax or if it's an independent company but here's the link to the product.
http://www.duraseal.com/
On the web site you'll se a link to distributers.  I saw that there was one in RI and two in MA./

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

The finish line

 

 

I've had some inquiries about what kind of finish I used on the mallets.

Around 15 years ago I was introduced to a product called Dura seal by the Min Wax corporation. 

It's made for hardwood floors but it works great on furniture.  It's kind of like Watco oil except, I find , it's a little more durable.  It comes in neutral or with pigments in it.  It's as easy as it comes.  Brush it on, wait 15 minutes, wipe off the excess and let it dry.  I wait a day and then usually apply a coat of wax.

  You won't find it on the shelves at your local home center.  It's a specialty product for floors.  I had to order mine from Sherwin Williams  ( they bought Min-Wax ) .  It only comes in 1 G/4 L  cans.

If there's a flooring shop near you ask them.  They might have the product or can order it for you. 

It seems to last for quite a while in the can.  I've had the same can for over six years now.

I gave it a shake, poured it out and it still worked beautifully.

I searched the web and couldn't find it anywhere.  I sent an email to a Min- Wax rep to see if it was still being made.  I'll let you know as soon as I hear back from them.

 

 

Trash day'

Yesterday I was at the dump and saw a few pallets piled up by the garbage bins. I saw a large piece of wood that I thought was ash, a fantastic hardwood used for tool handles, etc. I brought the piece home and cut into it and sure enough it was ash. The piece was squirrely, not good enough to be used in furniture but perfect for mallets.
I just made a couple of tool boxes for the show so what a perfect complement for each box. I love making my own tools. Malle...ts are easy too make, take an hour to do, and give you great satisfaction when used.

I cut two pieces approximately 5 inches long at angle of 7 degrees. The angle helps relieve fatigue in your arm when used. I drilled a 7/8 inch hole in both blocks. I cut a slot in the top of the dowel. I glued the dowel into the blocks and then used a hardwood wedge to spread the dowel open at the top and secure it place. I cut and sanded a slight curve on the tops. I contoured the handle to fit nicely in my hand.
I love how they turned out. I sanded all of the parts and finished them with an oil and wax finish. This was a true repurpose project. The dowels are from two fishing nets I took apart and used in the foosball project I made for the show.
Maybe I'll do a episode on making your own hand tools'
As always - Thanks for following.
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Book Report

Check out this great book we found while rummaging are way through the Berkshires this past weekend. It's titled 'Household Discoveries.' 'An Encyclopedia of practical recipes and processes'
By Sidney Morse. Published in 1908 by The Success Company, New York.
...

This book has everything you ever wanted to know in it. How to cook anything, how to fix anything and how to build anything. I love it. It's pretty amazing. As I was sifting my way through it I was impressed by how many household how-to's have stood the test of time. There's a home workshop section starting on page 332 that tells you how to make a variety of different adhesives. Other chapters include how to make your own finishes such as milk paints and varnishes.
The small sturdy workbench on page 332 reminds me of the one I'm building for the show.
If you love old timey recipes and fix its I highly recommend this book. If nothing else it's a great read with fantastic illustrations.
As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Close one door and another one opens'

I love driving down an unfamiliar road and discovery a new place to rummage through. You never know what you mind find. From some cool materials to some inspiring objects. Check this place out. I was in the town of Sheffield, MA in the Berkshires this weekend and came across this awesome place.
I don't know why I didn't but I wanted to buy some old barn and outhouse doors to use in a project. You know the ones with the half moon cut ou...t of them' I don't know what I'd use them for but they were fantastic.
I'll be back in that area in a few weeks so I'll be sure to return to this inspiring place.
Ignore the image that reads No Photos'

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

 

Now Playing

The latest episode of The Garage with Steve Butler is now ready for you to view. Please check out episode 13 Tool Box.
I can't thank Barry Giles and Cameron Clark of UCTV enough for getting this one out there. We have another episode waiting in the wings  to be edited. These guys are work horses.
Thanks again....
All episodes are also available on you tube
The show will be resume on Rhode Island PBS in July, after their fundraising break.
I hope you enjoy the video.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT7UY950G_Q



By the time I get to Woodstock'

We spent the day roaming the back roads of Woodstock Connecticut today. I love history and this area has loads of it. We dropped into a great antique/thrift store where I purchased a fantastic old turned mallet. It looks to be made out of ash. I also picked up what I think is a roofing hatchet. There's a notch in the blade to take out the old nails in the old shingles and the hatchet was used to split the new wooden shingles to size. The ...hammer head end would be used to nail the new shingles in place.

I love making my own tools. Maybe I'll do an episode of the show where I make hand tools. I really didn't need any more hand tools but these two are gems. They just feel good in the hand. I couldn't resist.
As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Almost there

I spent the day hanging out with Cameron at UCTV going through footage. Cameron's a very busy guy so I appreciate him allowing me to crowd his workspace and watch him edit an episode of the show. I'm learning a lot about the process. Imagine taking three days of footage and condensing it into 28 minutes. This also includes the same amount of footage from a second camera.
We shoot using two cameras so Cameron has to sift through hours of footage from two camer...as. Crazy'

We are working on the tool box episode and are almost there. We only have a few minutes of footage left to edit and then we have to add the captions and music and we should have it;
As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve