Hancock Shaker Village

We spent the weekend in the Berkshires and visited one of our favorite places. The Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, MA.
Saturday was the opening day of the village for the season, and the weather couldn't have cooperated any more. It was perfect'
The village is also a working farm and the animals were showing off their babies.

I found my bench that I donated. It sits in the entrance doorway to the great brick dwelling house. The bench is stained brown in order to separate it from the original shaker pieces. This way the public is aware that they are meant to be used as public seating, and not something that can't be touched like the originals.
As usual I took a lot of pictures so I'll be posting more in other posts. The village store sells wares in the shaker style and tradition. I was lucky enough to find a shelf with milk paint for sale. I purchased a bag of 'Marigold yellow' . I'm going to paint the other coopered chest with it. One small bag renders approximately a pint of liquid milk paint.

If you like history and living history museums, especially if you love shaker furniture then you definitely should add this place to your list to visit.

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

That's a wrap''

We just finished wrapping up another episdoe today'
We made it through another.
I'm happy with the way the chest turned out.

We are still editing two other episodes so you won't see this one for a little while.
I think I'm going to use milk paint and paint the other chest. I haven't decide which color.

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

Sanding weather

Sanding weather

Yesterday was a great day to do a little sanding outdoors.
After I finished sanding the coopered top for the chest I cut and made some hinges and a hasp for it out of an old leather belt.
You want to make sure the belt is a thick solid piece of leather and not two pieces laminated together.
When I made the original chest I was able to utilize the grommet holes in the belt. This time I had to use a punch to create the holes. I then attach them to the lid with some pan head screws.

The pan head screws have a larger top so they are better to use to attach the hinges, making them more secure.
I shaped the leather hasp and now I just have to punch holes in it and attach it to the lid and the chest.
We should resume shooting on Wednesday and get this episdoe in the can'

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

Ol' No# 3

Speaking of my Old Stanley bailey No # 3 hand plane.
If you'd like to try one on for size for yourself then you need to check out vendor BC Antiques and Collectibles, downstairs at Bernat Antiques.
I love this booth. I took a break from working yesterday and went to Bernat to peruse through the building.
Thanks folks. I'm never disappointed.

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

Rounding over

I did a little work on the curved top of the chest last evening.
I clamped a couple of strips of wood to my bench, creating a cradle so I could work on the top without it sliding and moving around.
I then used my Stanley Bailey No # 3 plane and knocked off the points and tips where the staves meet, creating a radius.
I use the no # 3 whenever i get a chance, it just feels good in the hands.
It worked well. Now I just have to sand it smooth.
I them turned the top over and trimmed the excess off from the side staves , using the same plane. I took a square and drew a line parallel to the sides and trimmed into it was level with the sides, and down to the line.
This is all in preparation for Mondays shoot. There's always a little behind the scenes work to do in order to make the shoot go quicker, but there's still plenty of on camera work left'

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

Put a cork in it'

Have you ever wondered what to do with all of those wine corks you've been saving?
Some grocery stores have areas where you can recycle them.
We keep ours and turn them into bulletin boards.
You simply take a piece of plywood, thicker than 1/4 inch thick. 3/8 inch will do. It has to hold the weight of the surrounding wood and corks. You can buy smaller pieces of plywood at your local home center. Take some thin pieces of wood, molding, etc, and glue them to the perimeter of the plywood board.
Now just take some wood glue and glue the corks to the board. You can have fun with your kids with this project. Lay out the corks any way you want to, it;s your design.

If you're going to paint the board do it before you glue on the corks. Leave the board for a day too make sure the glue has fully cured, or else the corks can pop off.
This project takes only a short time too make and is a great rainy day project. I have one on my wall of the garage and my son has one in his room.
Enjoy ( especially the wine )

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

Crepes anyone?

Yesterday afternoon I was doing a little prep work for this weeks shoot. I was sanding some pine pieces using my bench top disc/belt sander. Pine has a lot of pitch in it and can gum up the sanding belts and discs quickly so you have to use a sanding block to clean them more often.

People thin I'm crazy when I do it but I go to my local thrift store and buy shoes with soles that are made out of crepe rubber. If you don't know what crepe rubber is you'll know it when you see it. Crepe rubber is used in the shoe industry to make soles with, but it is also used in the woodworking/abrasive industry to make sanding sticks(blocks) with.
When a sanding belt gets gummed up, making it useless to sand with, you simply rub the stick against the moving belt and it cleans the pitch off of it.

So- when I purchase a pair of shoes or boots that have crepe rubber soles I tear the soles off and just keep them. The folks at the front desk think I'm crazy. "Why would I pay for a pair of shoes and tear the soles off?"

The soles work perfectly. The last pair of shoes I bought cost me .99 cents. Much cheaper than buying a sanding stick. Why spend money when you don't have to?

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

Influence

Over the years I've subscribed to Fine Woodworking magazine published by the Taunton press. The magazine hasn't changed much, some years have been better than others but overall I've been happy with the content. In the past, as a teacher, I've used the great photos and illustrations in the magazine as teaching aids, including them in my handouts to students.

I've collected enough of the magazines that now I have a complete set. The set takes up a lot of room in a closet in the garage. The magazine is available in digital form but I, like most makers prefer to look and hold the magazine. The best thing about the magazine is that there is an article index that is available through the publisher. Recently I used this index to help me with the coopered top of the pine chest I just made.
I simply went to the index and looked for articles relating to 'Coopering' and it gave me the dates and issue of the magazine.
I went to the closet and sifted through until I found the issues and the corresponding articles.
I love it. It gets expensive at times but I think I'll keep up my subscription.

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

Christmas in March

I'm always a little embarrassed to post when I receive a donation of product. I'm afraid it sounds like I'm bragging or being boastful. The truth of the matter is I'm extremely grateful. Producing a show such as The Garage' cost a bit of money to do.
So donations are always needed and welcomed.
Also- I think it's only right that the generous folks who have donated get their rightful acknowledgement. It's not why they donate, they rather keep it quiet. I think it's the right thing to do.

Today I received some wood turning tools and accessories from Nathan Esminger of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware.
This isn't the first time they've sent me product. If I need something and ask them, the good folks at Rockler always say yes. This generous donation of product enables me to incorporate some wood turning projects into the episodes.
I can't wait to get turning.

Thanks to Nathan Ensminger of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. Visit them at www.rocklerwoodworking.com
Thanks you'

As always - Thanks for following

Be safe and be creative

Best
Steve

Hancock Shaker Village

Yesterday I returned from a trip to the Berkshires and Hancock Shaker Village.
What can I say? The drive was beautiful. The area is full of great thrift stores, antique shops, all kinds of artisans and awesome roadside attractions.
I delivered the bench to the village. The village was built in 1790
The village is closed for the season but will open to the general public on April 16.
I find everything about the Berkshire area inspiring.
I want to thank curator Lesley Herzberg and Facilities manager
Bill Mangiardi for a great visit.

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

Thos. Moser

Yesterday I received my Thomas Moser catalog in the mail.
I started receiving them years ago. The images of the furniture in the catalog are fantastic. Now- if you're into woodworking and furniture making then you probably have heard of Thomas Moser, especially if you're into Shaker furniture.

Thomas owns six furniture stores around the country that create, build, and sell shaker inspired pieces. The furniture is top notch, highly crafted, mostly made out of American cherry wood.

Receiving the catalog in the mail reminded me of a book I have titled "How to build shaker furniture" This book was written by Thomas Moser in the seventies and was ( and probably still is ) the how to book on building shaker furniture.
The book gives a brief history and background on the Shakers and is full of photos of great shaker furniture pieces as well as hand drafted detailed drawings of shaker pieces. The illustrations were created by Christian Becksvoort, who worked for Thomas and now in his own right is an expert builder and authority on Shaker furniture. Christian also is an editor for fine woodworking magazine.

Thomas,s original workshop is in Maine, and it's still the location of the company headquarters and workshop. Christian Becksvoort lives and works in Maine. Christian authored a book called " The Shaker Legacy" published by the Taunton Press.

My book by Thomas Moser is full of tick marks, and has some tape holding the spine together, But it still inspires me when I look through it. Thomas Moser inspired a lot of woodworkers and turned them on to Shaker Furniture. If you're into furniture making, or even just want to learn more about the Shakers, Than I suggest you pick up a copy of Thomas's book.

Well - I'm on my way to Hancock Shaker Village.
Inspiring'
As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

How bench will travel'

Tomorrow I'm delivering the bench I made in a recent episode of the show to the Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, MA.
The village/museum is going to use the bench in one of their community rooms.

The bench is modeled after a bench from the village that was made in the early 1800's.
If you enjoy living history museums, and shaker furniture then you must visit the Hancock Shaker Village. The village opens in early April and offers all kinds of events and workshops.
It's only a couple of hours drive from the furthest points in Massachusetts, located in the fantastic Berkshire mountain area.

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

Wax coating

I waited a few days for the oil finish to fully cure.
I then applied a coat of regular paste wax on the chest. I applied two thin coats and buffed them out between coats.
I waited a full day and then I applied a thin coat of tinted shoe polish to the chest. The shoe polish is made out of wax so it buffs up to a nice sheen. The tan tint in the shoe polish adds an amber patina to the pine.

The best thing about it is that it only used a 2 OZ can of shoe polish and it cost just a couple of dollars for the can.
Perfect'
The wax and polish isn't maintenance free. It will need a thin coat applied and then buffed out every six months or so. I love how the wax looks and feels on the pine.

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

following

House of Windsor

House of Windsor

We spent another great weekend in the Berkshire mountain area.
We spent the weekend at my wife's Grandmothers house. I love going there. It seems like I discover something new each time.
I love making furniture, all types of furniture. My personal favorite aesthetic is mid-century modern but I love all types and styles.

While visiting my wife's Grandmother I noticed there were all kinds of Windsor chairs around the house. Windsors are great in that most of the building is done with hand tools, even today.
There are a few bow back Windsors with woven seats as well as a few comb back chairs in the house.

If you're looking for a great book on Windsor chairs check out a book called a Windsor handbook by Wallace Nutting. This book will teach you how to identify the differences and discover the nuances of Windsors.

If you're looking for a 'How To' make a Windsor chair book then check out a book called 'Chair Makers notebook' by Peter Galbert
published by Lost Art Press. The link is below
http://lostartpress.com/…/boo…/products/chairmakers-notebook. I've had the pleasure of working with Pete and he is a fantastic teacher and an exceptional maker.

Other notable makers who teach chair making workshops are Curtis Buchanan and Elia Bizzarri. I've attached links to all of these great makers websites. Please check out their work, it's quite amazing and inspiring.

www.petergalbertchairmaker.com
www.handtoolwoodworking.com
www.curtisbuchananchairmaker.com

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

Curve appeal

Curve appeal'

I finally decided how, and what type of finish I'm going to use on the coopered lid chest.
I'm using an oil and a wax finish.
Today was a great day to do some finishing outdoors.

I use a product called 'Dura Seal' from min-wax , which is now owned by Sherwin Williams. Dura Seal is an oil based product made for hardwood floors. You can get in neutral or pigmented.
It has a little varnish in it so it cures nicely. The oil penetrates the wood and the varnish cures, adding protection.

You probably won't find Dura Seal at your local home center but you can order it at most Sherwin Williams paint stores or find a local flooring supply store and they might have it. It's incredibly easy to use. You simply apply a liberal amount with a brush, wait fifteen minutes and wipe off the excess. I normally wait a day before applying a wax top coat to the surface. You might have to buy a large container of Dura Seal, I don't think they sell it in small quantities but it's worth it. I've had my container forever and it hasn't hardened like other products.

Instead of regular paste wax I'm going to use shoe polish. You can by wax with a tint in it but it's expensive. I bought a small can of tan shoe polish. Once the oil drys I'll apply the shoe polish. If I apply too much and it's to dark I can simply wipe the excess off.

After I apply the polish I'll wait twenty minutes and then buff it out with a piece of denim cloth. The denim brings up a nice sheen, almost burnishing the wood. The tinted wax will give the distressed pine an aged look.

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

 I am very fortunate to have been asked to try out some new nail guns from Milwaukee tools. I will be working with some sample guns and then giving my feed back. I will post my thoughts and comments and critiques as I use the nailers. The nailers won't arrive til April. Below is a little blurb about the product as it appears on Milwaukee's website

"Milwaukee® Delivers Breakthrough Performance with M18 FUEL™ Finish Nailers "

MILWAUKEE, WI- By harnessing the power, performance and run-time that they are able to deliver through M18 FUEL™ technology*, Milwaukee has announced the next breakthrough for the industry. The new M18 FUEL™ Finish Nailers are the first cordless solutions on the market with the power to consistently seat nails sub-flush to hardwood surfaces with no ramp-up time and no gas cartridges.

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