Come on 8 A.M.

Its 6:58 here, and I can hardly wait for 8 AM so I can fire up my sander and some of my saws. I try to give the neighbors a break and not use power tools until 8AM, thats late for me, but they need their rest and relaxation time before they go to work. Me, I am retired, and have no real place to go, so I stay at home and make things from wood. (Keeps me out of the bars.)

Am mentally thinking of making a four car train that I can give to someone. I know it will be a great dust catcher.

Have had a few people ask me for plans of some ot the things I make, and I have to admit that I do not have any written plans, so I have to type them to them as I remember them. (Some times I slip in some improvements, or shortcuts I just thought about.)

Am patiently awaiting my new router blades to arrive so I can make some puzzeles in time for Christmas.

Cheap Wood

Went down to Lowe's and felt really down when I saw the prices they are getting for "preimum" wood. It's so sad, most of the wood would be good, if I was building an ark, as they have a natural curve that would work for the brow.

Anyways, I went to Home Depot, and saw pretty much the same situation........... Except Home Depot had some Cedar boards, like what you would make a fence out of. They were 6 feet long, and 6 inches (5.5") wide. The boards are rough, but by using the belt sander, I will have smooth Cedar boards that are straight, and ready to work with.

They only cost $1.97 a board.

Wanna be a good Craftsman

I love working with wood, I like starting with a naked board, cutting and shaping it, and putting a stain or finish on it, and giving it away to someone.

I have made things from wood puzzles for young kids to wooden garden bridges (6 plus feet long), and a Civil War cannon (over 8 feet in length). Currently, I am making things for the Senior Citizens Center. Like Banks that look like Brinks trucks, Napkin holders that also hold Salt & Pepper Shakers, and Paper Plate holders that look like Iron Frying pans.

Sometimes I think to myself that I have really done a good job on a project, and then I see a simular project done by a real wood worker, and realize that I am a "wood butcher". But you know what? I enjoy it. I like making things.

My wife goes crazy because when I build things, I have no visible plan. It's all in my head. I can visualize all the parts, and how they will go together.

When I made her a china cabinet, (78" x 34") with two glass doors, (30" x 14") with a fold down writing table, and all the plans were in my head, she just did the best thing possible. She stayed out of my way, and has since enjoyed the cabinet.

I am hoping to talk with other "Wood Butchers", and maybe trade ideas and pictures of projects.