Sunday, January 03, 2016

Winding Sticks

I have marching orders to build a small table and chair for the grandpeanut's first birthday this month. Not wanting to rush into things I looked around the shop for a little one day project. A small hunk of Mahogany caught my eye, my guess is this hunk of Mahogany has been following me around the country for over 40 years. It was too small to do anything with but too big to throw away. As I looked at it I figured it was the perfect length for a set of winding sticks. Of course a set of winding sticks must have a light/white insert and nothing in the wood pile was what I wanted. Off to the wood store for coffee and to see what I could find.

Found two things that would work, some Holly pin turning blanks and one of the guys pointed out some table saw zero clearance inserts. Both followed me home.

I used the table saw inserts but next time it will be the Holly. The inserts trap sawdust and I tried several things to bring 'em back to white with no joy. they are not bad but the Holly would have worked better.

Anyway here are some photos of a fun little one day project (if you spend a lot the day geeking and playing with the critters) that uses most of your hand tool skills but doesn't require much butt scratching or heavy lifting.


One more:


Click 'em if you want to see 'em.

ken


6 comments:

  1. I've got a pair of them on my bucket list too. Is that a hang hole or just something to look through on them?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ralph,

    Yep, it is a hang hole. They need one as there isn't a flat spot in the shop with nothing on it :-).

    I've several sets of winding sticks, some metal and some shop made all hanging in the same area close to the bench as I use them both as winding sticks and straight edges. There are also a few straight edges in the area but many times if I need a straight edge I need winding sticks as well and no need to have both on the bench.

    BTW, I've been following Richard's bench build as well. My next bench build may be an English bench. I've been thinking of making a smaller traveling bench along with a tool box so I have something to do while driving MsBubba around the country with the RV in tow. A couple of days sitting in a RV park with nothing to do is my limit.

    I'll post a couple of photos of my planing stops on the blog later, they are usually paired dog holes in the bench with double post stops of different thickness . I'm not sure if that is what you are trying to do but it may give an idea.

    ken

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ralph,

    Yep, it is a hang hole. They need one as there isn't a flat spot in the shop with nothing on it :-).

    I've several sets of winding sticks, some metal and some shop made all hanging in the same area close to the bench as I use them both as winding sticks and straight edges. There are also a few straight edges in the area but many times if I need a straight edge I need winding sticks as well and no need to have both on the bench.

    BTW, I've been following Richard's bench build as well. My next bench build may be an English bench. I've been thinking of making a smaller traveling bench along with a tool box so I have something to do while driving MsBubba around the country with the RV in tow. A couple of days sitting in a RV park with nothing to do is my limit.

    I'll post a couple of photos of my planing stops on the blog later, they are usually paired dog holes in the bench with double post stops of different thickness . I'm not sure if that is what you are trying to do but it may give an idea.

    ken

    ReplyDelete
  4. Funny, I too been following Richard and am seriously thinking of making a Nicholson style bench.
    As for winding sticks Im on the fence between utilitarian and piece of art. having drop them off the bench too many times...
    Currently I'm using the LV pair, but I have an angle piece of aluminum standing by in reserve, as per the Schwarz instructions.

    Bob, not going down much into the shop lately my knees have flared up :-(

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bob,

    I'm of two minds, the Nicholson bench fits my work flow better than a classic French bench and is lighter and cheaper to build. The French bench is so easy and quick to build, I can knock one out in just a few days working at my slower than slow pace of work a little, have tea, work a little, throw the ball and play tug, work a little, geek and have tea, maybe work a little more, and so on.

    The aluminum ones work, I have several, but there is something satisfying about using a pair of nicely made wooden ones and the best part is it is an easy and quick build. BTW, if thy drop off the bench it is no big deal to check and repair if needed. Besides the dings add to the character, don't ask how I know :-).

    ken

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bob,

    I'm of two minds, the Nicholson bench fits my work flow better than a classic French bench and is lighter and cheaper to build. The French bench is so easy and quick to build, I can knock one out in just a few days working at my slower than slow pace of work a little, have tea, work a little, throw the ball and play tug, work a little, geek and have tea, maybe work a little more, and so on.

    The aluminum ones work, I have several, but there is something satisfying about using a pair of nicely made wooden ones and the best part is it is an easy and quick build. BTW, if thy drop off the bench it is no big deal to check and repair if needed. Besides the dings add to the character, don't ask how I know :-).

    ken

    ReplyDelete