What do you do while glue dries?

**derekcohen** · 23rd August 2009, 11:42 PM

What do you do while glue dries?

I never seem to have enough hours in the day. Hyperactive? Heh. Woodworking is generally reserved for weekends - if there is nothing on in the family - and, if I get lucky, an afternoon off during the odd week. I am aware that many do not even get as much time as this. So we have to make every moment count.

The current project is a small freestanding wardrobe (closet) for the spare room for guests. It will have some hanging space and a couple of drawers. Essentially a big dovetailed box. The panels are Tasmanian Oak. Here they are, some glued and some waiting for the glue to dry.

While glue dries I build small things.

For several months I have wanted to make a heavy duty marking knife. I have plenty of detail/dovetail knives for detail work, but I everyone needs a knife you can lean on when scribing deeply, such as shoulder or dado lines which will then be undercut in preparation for sawing.

I bought a couple of $5 kiridashi knives (Japanese laminated steel) on eBay about two years ago. These are ½” wide and perfect. One will do the job. Just need a decent handle, something ergonomic and pleasing to the eye.

I have been mucking about with Indian Ink as a dye for wood. It has a nice effect – you can make it as dark as you like … from an ebony-dark to a slightly transparent-let-the-grain-through tint. I tried for a mid position. It looks darker here.

Back of blade:

I filled in the hole at the end of the handle (from the lathe) with a brass screw…

And it works wonderfully. I ground a new bevel (25 degrees with a 35 degree tip – reduced from about 25 degrees to avoid breakage). Then honed the blade freehand on Shaptons to 12000. It is sharp enough to shave with.

I showed the knife to Jamie, my 16 year old son. His head nodded appreciatively and his eyes gleamed (I know he loves knives but otherwise is not interested in woodworking). Anyway, I had a piece of the kiridashi knife over, so I made him a miniature version. Mine is 6 ¾” long. His is just 4”. It’s so cute.

Oh well .. the glue has dried and it is time to flatten panels ..

So what do you do while the glue dries?

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Pops** · 23rd August 2009, 11:58 PM

Hi Derek,

Very nice indeed. Looks great. Love the shape. Always thought the Japanese knives felt thin and awkward in the hand.

Lets hope you have lots more glue ups, then we can see lots more of your hand-made tools.

Me, drying glue means more time to just drink beer, or a good Red or Port. I could go on.

Cheers
Pops

**Wongdai** · 24th August 2009, 12:33 AM

Lovely knife Derek

Its a good question. I always feel at a loose end when my glue is drying, such as it was today. I ended up watching the Dockers thrash Essendon, which was fun, but not as much fun as making something.

**Christos** · 24th August 2009, 01:59 AM

When glue dries I tend to do other things. Like work.

Very nice knife.

**jmk89** · 24th August 2009, 08:12 AM

I love the marking knife - I am in the middle of the same project and spent the weekend trying a new technique to do split turning for the knife handle. A complete balls up!.

In answer to your question - try to tidy up, get on with other joinery (eg drawers for the carcase). Also, I tend to know when the end of a session will be and save glue ups for then

**Woodwould** · 24th August 2009, 09:02 AM

In works of labour or of skill,
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

Isaac Watts Divine Songs for Children (1715)

**munruben** · 24th August 2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by derekcohen

So what do you do while the glue dries?
Regards from Perth

Derek

I use fast drying glue Derek

. Great work on the knives as usual, Love that little one.

**jimbur** · 24th August 2009, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Woodwould

In works of labour or of skill,
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

Isaac Watts Divine Songs for Children (1715)

like uncramping too early

**IanW** · 24th August 2009, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by derekcohen

So what do you do while the glue dries?
Derek

In order of preference:
1. Get on with some other part of the piece.
2. Do some other smallish job
3. Tidy up the wood pile
4. Go visit a friend
.
.
.
5. Mow lawn
6. Do some of the jobs SWMBO has ordained.....

**RayG** · 24th August 2009, 10:24 AM

Usually, rush around looking for more clamps, and try to get it all square BEFORE the glue dries...

I am going to start a new workshop regimen, where I take the phone off the hook, turn off the mobile, and hang out the "do not disturb" sign whenever I start a glue up...

Regards
Ray

**rrobor** · 24th August 2009, 11:17 AM

Well when you get up a bit in years, its not an issue. I just go for a cup of tea and a quick glance at the newspaper. After a bit I find the newspaper on the floor, the tea is stone cold and the glue is dry

**two fingers** · 24th August 2009, 03:07 PM

I go to the fridge and get another beer!?!?

**jmk89** · 24th August 2009, 03:45 PM

Further to my post, this entry in my blog talks about my "progress" on my heavy duty marking knife

**funkychicken** · 24th August 2009, 09:44 PM

No one's mentioned sniffing. Probably a good thing

**Eldanos of KDM** · 24th August 2009, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by IanW

In order of preference:
1. Get on with some other part of the piece.
2. Do some other smallish job
3. Tidy up the wood pile
4. Go visit a friend
.
.
.
5. Mow lawn
6. Do some of the jobs SWMBO has ordained.....

I Love how you left 3 spare spaces between what you want to do and things that you HAVE to do

I'm the same:
.
.
.
5. Clean the house
6. Clean my wardrobe and room

Gotta love visiting friends

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