Thread: My first project - hardly Krenov, but still...

Nice workbench Needles! Leaps and bounds over mine.....no workbench.... haha. Man my MRS would have a fit of I ripped down board in the house!

So I just screwed n glued butt joints for the ply box (terribly sophisticated joinery, I know!)

Here are the sides of the box, with a broom (apparently the most important thing this masterpiece is to contain) for scale...

Originally Posted by Willbur

Nice workbench Needles! Leaps and bounds over mine.....no workbench.... haha. Man my MRS would have a fit of I ripped down board in the house!

As I said, it's an uneasy inter-departmental truce!
Also part of the reason she has Editorial Control over the choice of project - if she wants it, she has to put up with it!
As we live in a flat with an extremely small balcony there are not too many other options (the other configuration is with it set up in the living room!)

Originally Posted by Needles

As I said, it's an uneasy inter-departmental truce!
Also part of the reason she has Editorial Control over the choice of project - if she wants it, she has to put up with it!
As we live in a flat with an extremely small balcony there are not too many other options (the other configuration is with it set up in the living room!)

Mate, props for making do with the space you've got and getting the job done! Any inter-departmental truce that ends in building time is a good one! Haha

Having made the box, I decided the rest of the project would be made as much as possible with handtools only, as this would minimise friction with SWMBO - less noise, less dust all over the flat etc. etc.

This was not possible when drilling the pilot holes (and countersinks) for the merbau decking cladding, however!

So I just used some 8mm dowelling for the plugs for the top, and a crappy Bunnies flushcut saw (which is already pretty much trashed from the one project, all bent out of shape!)

In the second photo you can also see my ingenious way of lending my bench a little bit of stability (it is otherwise liable to slide around all over the floating floorboards) - my weights set jammed up against the legs!

So here is me trying to cut all the mitres for the corners of the cladding by hand - I figured that if nothing else, it's plenty of practice in cutting straight to a line!

(And then having to true them up a bit with the ol' block plane afterwards owing to complete lack of the above ability)

(Also not helped by the fact my little carcass saw has a cutting depth less than the width of the cladding!)

Getting there...!

As you can see from the above photo, the lack of planning is starting to become apparent - I placed the screws and plugs on the top of the box 'aesthetically' (i.e. for a balanced look), and didn't take into account the fact the placement of the screws on the sides is determined by the position of the cleats in the corners and middle, leading to a a decidedly juxtaposed look...

There is also the discrepancy in overhang on the sides compared to the front and back...
The missus didn't want overhang at all...
I thought that looked too 'boxy'...
So we've ended up with about 15mm on the ends, and five-eighths of bugger-all on the f/b, which is actually where it needs some, to make it easier to lift the lid...

Bit of a canine's early meal...

Dont be down on yourself. Without exception each and everyone of us had to start from a zero knowledge and skill level.

Each time we did something we gained knowledge and skill, a process that never stops.

The next project you do will be better and exponentially the projects after that.

Have a look at my tag line.

I do like the contrast of the dowels, gives it some character

Originally Posted by rwbuild

Dont be down on yourself. Without exception each and everyone of us had to start from a zero knowledge and skill level.

Each time we did something we gained knowledge and skill, a process that never stops.

The next project you do will be better and exponentially the projects after that.

Have a look at my tag line.

I do like the contrast of the dowels, gives it some character

Indeed, it's all a Process...
I feel I have already learned heaps for the next attempt... Namely, that no skill worth learning comes easy!

That has also been my one Iron Law for future design briefs - I want each project to give me an opportunity to learn/practice more skills; next: M&T joints, by hand... Just waiting for my chisels and shoulder plane to arrive from LN so I can tidy up my initial attempts in Style!

I was initially just going to use the dowelling on the top, but the Minister for Domestic Affairs has subsequently decided she likes the look also, and wants it on the sides too...

Assembled (no hinges or feet yet)...

It looks great!
So the measurements are out a bit here and there - I can't tell. (One of the bits of trim at the bottom is missing though.)
A (circular) saw connected to a dust extractor (vacuum cleaner) makes working conditions more enjoyable and reduces clean up. One of first purchases 30 years ago was a pair of folding saw horses. I still use them today.
Your boss is giving you lots of encouragement and I hope you enjoy what you make.

Looking Good and a nice WIP.

So the necessary questions;

1. Does the 'Minister for Domestic Affairs' like it, and
2. Has she placed her order for the next 'I would like...', and
3. Does the next (something) require an exciting addition of the tool collection...?