Bark Bangle Bark Bracelet

January 25, 2013, 5:36 am

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I made all my girls bangle bracelets for Christmas 2012. Maw Maw, Momie, Madeline [5], Bridget [2]. The woods I chose was Ambrosia Maple and Box Elder, but for Maw Maw I needed something special. I had a Walnut burl that had a lot of bark on it. I decided that this would be the wood. 1st one blew up in the lathe immediately, Next few were closer to completion before un-repairable voids showed up. Then I got one turned. CA glue was a big help. This is definitely a “one of a kind” Bark Bangle Bracelet for my wife. My other girls were happy too.

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Tree Cutter [scratch build]

February 21, 2013, 3:37 am

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The property bordering ours is being timbered and that gave me a chance to view up close the powerful equipment used in logging today. With a model at my everyday disposal, I set out to build the first of a series of tree harvest equipment. I will build, the Feller/Buncher first. These are not glamorous pieces of equipment but they represent an industry that is overlooked in model building. The operation is simple. you drive up to a tree, clamp your arms around it, cut it, pick it up and carry it to a pile of 4-5 others and lay it down. The skidder comes and drags the huge pile of trees to the yarder where the limbs are stripped and another pile of logs are made awaiting trucks to haul them to a mill. My tree cutter articulates. The head raises and lowers and tips forward also the cutting wheel spins. Cab is as detailed as a real one and there is even a CAT engine in the compartment. I made up the diorama to show the cutter in action as this is not something everyone has a chance to see up close everyday. Oh, those wheels, I thought my wheel jig would make any wheels and tires I would ever need, guess what, I have made another wheel jig now. Built from Yellow Heart, White Oak and Walnut. Comments welcome. Doug

One Square Foot Truck, Challenge-15

March 3, 2013, 4:09 am

≫ Next: Cowboy Hat Blocker

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Well I took the challenge to make something from 1 board foot of lumber. Since most of my projects are about trucks and equipment I thought that a simple truck of my own design would be appropriate.
I started with a block of Poplar that was 12×12x1 after sizing it with a plainer and table saw. I knew that layout would be critical so I made plastic templets to place on the block before any cuts were made. I figured that using layering of wheels, sides, top and bottom would allow me to squeeze a panel truck from the wood. I re-sawed the block on my table saw and band saw to mostly 1/4” Other thicknesses were necessary, like the wheels so they had to come off the end first. The dowels were something I had not made before but with some L/J tutiorial on making dowels I turned out a couple that allowed the wheels to turn freely. I chose Poplar for ease of working, and I had a piece the right size. The stain is Merlot for accents and the wheels are the black latex stain I use for all my wheels. Titebond II holds the whole thing together. Spray on poly was the final coating. Oh, the last picture was what was leftover.

Cowboy Hat Blocker

March 14, 2013, 3:57 am

≫ Next: My last project for awhile

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Some call this a hat stretcher, but in truth we do not stretch a hat, we only keep it in it’s shape. If a hat gets wet they will dry back differently. All hats get wet, not just from the elements, but sweat. So maintaining a hat is important. Be sure to taper the blocks to fit the natural angle of your hat. Glue the threaded rod into one side.
I made a couple of these for a trial and they work great. Western Red Cedar for the blocks. Store bought threaded rod and nut make it work.

My last project for awhile

April 7, 2013, 4:35 am

≫ Next: Pakistan Match Stick Truck

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Just before I left for Islamabad, Pakistan I made a few new sandbox toys for my granddaughters. This is my own design that fits little hands. No exotic woods used here, just scraps from under the bench that are glued together and made KID TOUGH. I got to see them in use and they work just fine.

Pakistan Match Stick Truck

June 29, 2013, 7:33 pm

≫ Next: Bird House Ornaments

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It has been 80+ days since I arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan and I have only one small project to show for my time here. Problem is I have no tools. I had hoped I could secure some here but to date that hasn’t happened. I did bring a bag of matchsticks, tube of white glue and a razor cutter with no idea what I would build. The base is just a block of plywood. The wheels are cut with an electricians hole saw from a pallet. The treads were turned with a battery drill and a hack saw blade. The wheel attachment is not wood, but 1/4” drive anchors. Multi angles accented the build I thought. My plan is to add mirrors but I have decided to wait till ti is home due to shipping it. For a finish I was stuck and almost did not apply any. Then I came across a spray can of clear industrial finish. Hay it worked good and made the whole thing shine slightly. The coin is a Pakistan aluminum coin with a 2013 date. Another coin will be the steering wheel when I can get some CA glue.
A tough build to say the least. I am heading home for R&R next week and will bring back some tools to make life better. Doug

Bird House Ornaments

October 11, 2013, 3:55 am

≫ Next: L/J's inspiration

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I have been making these little bird houses for years. I was recently RE-INSPIRED by fellow L/J Calgary Bill when he posted his using some little feathered friends to spice them up. I have plenty of aged Hickory so I set off to turn out a few for some friends. So far most have been in the rustic theme showing the bark ring of the tree. I have added a few Cherry ornament types shown in pic #2. They are 2-3 piece operations so I can hollow them out and then glue them back together. I build the display rack to take some down to a local shop on consignment, but they were all sold first, guess it will be back to the shop to turn out some more today. Mentone’s Colorfest is next weekend. http://mentonealabama.gov/
I won’t be one of the vendors, but some of my stuff makes it into local shops.
Doug

L/J's inspiration

October 15, 2013, 3:58 am

≫ Next: As Lumberjocks Age......

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Since I have returned to the states I have had a lot of inspiration from fellow L/J’s. Maybe because I read L/J’s every day just waiting till I could get home and back in my shop.
I have a 10 year old girl that stops by the shop with her daddy. She had a birthday since I last saw her last and was wanting an American Doll bed she didn’t get. Right on Q there was one posted on L/J’s posted by KERUX2. I emailed him and asked if it was OK if I used it and like all L/J’s he said sure, why not. I made 4 total. One for a birthday present that started all this, one for our granddaughters that my wife added the fancy canopy and bed clothes to, one for the upcoming Harvest Festival at our granddaughters school next month and one for the shop. Oh, they fit cats too.
Doug

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As Lumberjocks Age......

October 21, 2013, 3:49 am

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As all of us Lumberjocks age we find ourselves requiring a few RX’s to take daily. Bottles on the counter just won’t work for most of us and the plastic unit from Wal-Mart just would not due for a real woodworkers use. I build a simple WOODEN daily use RX box. The wood is a mystery as I made the box from some hardwood flooring pieces I got from a local flooring company. I think it is Brazilian Cherry. I know the lock isn’t “child proof” but we keep it up from the grand-kids.
Doug

Imagination Box

November 5, 2013, 3:40 am

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This may be the greatest creation I have made to date, and it has been in my shop for years. When I went to post it L/J’s asked if I made it and it is completed, well I will always have help in the building of every part of it and god knows, I hope it is never finished. The box has sat under a bench for years and kids have made so many things from the carefully selected scraps that get put into it. There are bottles of water based paints, school glue, cutouts from all sorts of my projects. I even take the time to completely cut out things like the bird house shown in pic. #3. I also salt it with wheels and such. Last Sunday the box got a name as my granddaughter and I were out making things. We decided to call it the IMAGINATION BOX. Now you can see why this project will never be completed, but will yield so many hours of creation.
The last picture says it all, A child’s smile is payment enough.

Veterans Day Tribute

November 11, 2013, 3:31 am

≫ Next: Fall is the time for HICKORY

≪ Previous: Imagination Box

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This historic WW 1 picture had hung at my grandfathers home all the time I was growing up. Somehow the frame was lost and I have had the rolled up picture boxed up way too long. A simple project, but one I needed to complete for a tribute to all the men who have served for our freedoms on this Veterans Day 2013. Panoramic photography was in it’s infancy when this picture was shot in 1917 of the 302nd Ammunition Train as they left Camp Upton, Long Island, NY for France. The original frame was painted black, but I decided to use some Black Walnut cut from my properties to enclose this historic picture for the next 100+ years. My grandfather use to laugh when he told about one of the men who ran from one side, behind the camera and was photographed on the other side also. To all veterans, Happy Veterans Day. Doug

Fall is the time for HICKORY

November 16, 2013, 3:44 am

≫ Next: Christmas Imagination

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During a recent visit to my saw mill buddy’s barn I found a pile of air dried Hickory. I dug out several 5/4×10” boards. These were real dry and didn’t even show a reading on my moisture meter. So I sharpened my tools and went to work. I made several when I got a call for a set of 6 by Thanksgiving. I explained that I did not mass produce anything and make every plate just a bit different. “NO PROBLEM, just what I want”. #1 shows 5 of 6 done. #2 is a knot I just had to use in a serving plate and my wife took that. In all I made over a dozen and sharpened my tools many, many times.
Finished with food grade mineral oil. Each one come with written instructions for care of wooden plates too.

Christmas Imagination

November 29, 2013, 3:56 am

≫ Next: "ROLL" top desk

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I started a series of what I like to refer as Imagination Toys I cut them out Drill the necessary holes and lightly sand them, then into a bag they go along with the plugs for Headlights and tail lights, wheels and axles.
Then the child’s imagination takes the creation from there. My granddaughter has painted one already. I also offer a companion bag with either a tear drop camper or a haul wagon. The tear drop truck has optional fenders. This project will evolve some more I feel. Feel free to copy them. Doug

"ROLL" top desk

December 10, 2013, 3:35 am

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This started out as something to shield the clutter on my desk. That was several months ago. The idea of making a Roll Top desk came into play and I went off the deep end to make one er two. Now remember, I am a toy maker, not a furniture builder. We also did not want the desk to be tall so I had to remake all the dimensions from another desk to fit. #1 is the results of the start of this build. #2 is the second build, Hay after seeing mine my wife wanted one too! [no finish on this one yet] #4 – #5 are construction pictures. I am glad this is nearly done. It certainly had an impact on my Christmas building.

Haullen'Logs

December 23, 2013, 3:22 am

≫ Next: Alabama NUTCRACKER

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This truck has taken a long time in coming. 9 months in Islamabad kept it’s frame on a shelf at home. Like almost all my trucks, tractors and equipment I don’t copy a particular model. This is my version o a heavy hauling truck. All wheel drive. All axles on the truck and trailer have air brakes, Twin stacks denounce a big V8 Diesel under the hood. Inside the cab a Walnut burl dash shows an array of gauges, radios, and shifter’s and air seats. The trailer couples up and hoses attach the brakes and lights. If this load was to scale it would be some old growth Hickory, a heavy haul for any truck, even this one. This bunch of Hickory logs/limbs weighs a tad over 12 pounds. The diorama shows some of the other pieces in my “LOGGING SERIES” Now I need a skidder and a loader.

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Alabama NUTCRACKER

December 27, 2013, 5:44 am

≫ Next: Mother Nature turned the inside, I turned the outside.....

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My wife has a collection of nutcrackers from all over the world. She thought it would be a good idea for me to build her one too. So I got a few pieces of wood and turned my version of a nutcracker. I call him the Alabama Nutcracker. I used Cedar and Poplar woods. Kids water-based paints, and clear gloss poly over it. The beard is from the tip of a Alabama White tail deer. Hair is from the mane of a European Moose. The last picture is of the Alabama nutcracker with the rest of the more elite group on the mantel.

Mother Nature turned the inside, I turned the outside.....

January 16, 2014, 4:17 am

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Mother Nature turned the inside, I turned the Outside and my wife added the Long leaf Pine rim. I recently cut down a Red Oak that had a limb that had been hollowed out by whatever critters had lived there. It was just to tempting not to chuck it up in my lathe and see what was under the bark. The inside is just as nature had made it except for the rim where I turned it smaller to accept the Pine Needle rim. I drilled 3/16 holes 1/2” apart around the rim for the woven natural pine needles. The outside is nothing special except what I found under the bark, beautiful grains in several directions and natural voids that came into view. For a base I used a simple Walnut disc with a small detail. The joint venture was a first for my wife and I on such a project. She makes baskets from Long Leaf Pine and jewelry, might be the start of something new for us.

Woodworkers bottle openers

February 1, 2014, 3:18 am

≫ Next: 1800's Horse Drawn Fuel Wagon

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I made one of these some time back and a friend just saw it. He just had to have “several” for his family and friends that work with wood. So the band saw went to work on some Red Oak and now there are[almost] a dozen HAND SAW openers ready. I PUT PENNY’S IN WHERE THE MANUFACTURES BADGE WENT.

1800's Horse Drawn Fuel Wagon

February 19, 2014, 3:44 am

≫ Next: Refrigerated Trailer

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Most of you know I ”build to the beat of a different toy builder”, and this one is truly another one of a kind. My long time interest in Petrolina lead me to the building of the 1800’s horse drawn oil wagon.
Research for the build was 100% internet and the knowledge from building other wagons of that era. Like all my other wagons the steering and braking systems are unique to the piece. A bit of explanation here…... this is built as a very H/D rig. The wheels are heavier and have 16 spokes, axle hubs are larger. This may not seem like much of a difference to my normal 12 spoke wheels but it is very tough to build. The room for error is [0]. I had to build a whole new set of jigs for these wheels, front and back. This process is quite time consuming with my limited tooling. Several hubs were discarded before the final ones were accepted. Pictures 3 & 4 Picture 5 are all the homemade jigs I use to make my wagon wheels. Pic #6 has the wheel rim drilled and being parted off the blank.
The Woods I used brought out the real beauty, that a picture just can’t do justice. The cab alone, although it looks simple has 5 different exotic woods, as well as the painted white pine seats. The hose box has has 2 of the same hard woods as the cab has plus another beautiful wood with red streaks that makes my nose run like crazy when I sand it. The tank is a solid cherry block, straps are turned out of it and stained black. Brass nails were cut to 1/4” and drilled into the simulated straps. The fill openings on the top are yet another exotic, purple heart,
Let me say here that I do not know the names of all the exotic woods. I buy pieces from a hardwood flooring supplier from time to time that they have left over. They are, what they are, but they are all pretty.
Now for the newest addition to my builds. The LETTERING. This is a first for my builds and I am very pleased with the outcome. A friend, Charlotte Gentry, did the beautiful art work and I hope will share the success of my work in the future. There never was or will be a Mentone Oil Company, except in the Mentone Toy Makers shop.
I don’t think I will build the hook up for the horses as I never display them with the other wagons and they take up a lot of room on the shelves.
Comments welcome.

Refrigerated Trailer

March 16, 2014, 3:56 am

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I have had a BOX trailer on my “TO DO” list for some time. I was waiting for just the right woods for the sides. When I picked up this piece of spalted poplar it seemed the time was right. The sides are split from the same board but you would never know it as the spalted pattern looks so much different from side to side. The top is Red Cedar, trim is Walnut. Wooden hinges hold the doors on and swing as they should. Wheels are modified store bought. The truck is from my logging truck post #94107. I will make another new truck someday, but for now this is just the refrigerated trailer.