What did you do in your shop today?

Spent the afternoon cutting up cardboard boxes so they all fit in the recycle bin. Then replaced the pneumatic pistons on the rear window of my camper shell. Now the window won't fall down and hit me in the head all the time anymore.
 
I replaced the worn out upper end on a Husqvarna 50 with the big boar 55 Rancher kit. So basically stepping up from an 026 to an 029 Stihl equivalent. Still have to tune the carb. Put on a new Forester bar and chain.
 
I went thru all of the lathe tools and sharpened them on the 350 grit CBN wheel that I got in August. Got a bunch of old style turning tools with the lathe that are seldom used. Back then I didn't know how nor did I have the proper equipment to sharpen them. The CBN wheel leaves a smooth, shiny surface behind, almost a polished look. It's a much nicer finish than the white wheels left behind.

Since the tools were sharp we might as well make something, right? This bowl is made from the last of the Willow tree taken down in our community last summer. It's 8" around and 1.5" tall. It will wear several coats of Amber Shellac as a base coat.

20241226_203757.jpg

20241226_203805.jpg

20241226_221542.jpg
 
Last edited:
I worked on a couple of my routers and assessed what was still good and what would be replaced. A bosch router and plunge base was severely coroded from the flood when I first moved in here. I was able to save the router but the base is too far gone. So I'll order a new bosch kit soon.
Then I worked on a box for a friend. Finger joints where way to tight so I loosened them up, turns out it was too much. I'll be making some wood filler with sanding dust and glue rather than starting all over again. This box is for a post office box door and the door fits perfectly. So I'll cary on.
View attachment 265836
Greg--if the Bosch router you refer to is a 1617...they had a run of those several years ago where the bases were an incompatible alloy. Bosch WAS replacing them long after any warranty was up, not sure if that is still happening. If you've not trashed that base yet, you may want to contact Bosch to see if that's still happening.
 
Sanded the box down. 20241227_123217.jpg
Made some filler with tb3 and walnut sanding dust.
20241227_123224.jpg
Filled the gaps. And glued the end piece in.
20241227_125958.jpg
 
Last edited:
And while I was waiting for the filler to dry I started on the next project. Prepped up some maple for some large wall crosses I want to try out. 20241227_142548.webp
I cut them out of the boards after tracing the pattern and ran them through the planer.
20241227_150118.webp
Cleaned up at 3/4" Now i have to retrace the pattern.
20241227_152426.webp
Amazing that just a few boards filled the dust collector drum.
20241227_152602.webp
The new planer makes long chips. I think a byrd head is in the planers future.
20241227_153312.webp
 
Sanded up nice. 20241227_165134.webp 20241227_165200.webp
Spraying some water based poly on. Dries quick and its not flammable for use indoors in the winter.
20241227_171844.webp
 
Well, took the Husqvarna to a friend's shop yesterday to adjust the carb, just easier with extra hands. Sounded like it was starved for fuel, so put in a new fuel filter. Still starving. Pulled the carb, looked clean but flushed it anyway. Started to rebuild with new pump and gaskets when I saw a shadow. Ah, getting distracted sucks. Had a phone call mid built the other night. Just enough distraction (40 minutes) that I failed to transfer the impulse tube gasket from the original cylinder base to the replacement jug; thus the reason for sucking air and starving for fuel.

Went home, got the impulse tube jug gasket, returned and installed. A few minutes later with a readjusted carb (likely back to where it was) I had a working saw in my hands. So today I have to go over and take down a birch tree that is over hanging a storage cube as payment. Haven't seen the tree so hope I can handle it.
 
Well, took the Husqvarna to a friend's shop yesterday to adjust the carb, just easier with extra hands. Sounded like it was starved for fuel, so put in a new fuel filter. Still starving. Pulled the carb, looked clean but flushed it anyway. Started to rebuild with new pump and gaskets when I saw a shadow. Ah, getting distracted sucks. Had a phone call mid built the other night. Just enough distraction (40 minutes) that I failed to transfer the impulse tube gasket from the original cylinder base to the replacement jug; thus the reason for sucking air and starving for fuel.

Went home, got the impulse tube jug gasket, returned and installed. A few minutes later with a readjusted carb (likely back to where it was) I had a working saw in my hands. So today I have to go over and take down a birch tree that is over hanging a storage cube as payment. Haven't seen the tree so hope I can handle it.
Nice that your saw is up & running! Be sure to share pics of the Birch tree wood when able. Chuck
 
Nice. You must be planning to cut the opening for the PO door after building the box.
No, one end is open and the door has already been fitted to it. I should have this finished today. I'm giving it to the recipient tomorrow at church.
 
@DLJeffs the door has little tabs to .out it, so I recessed the box a bit to accept the tabs. I just used a forstner bit and then a chisel.
20241228_154829.webp
Here it is set in place. I did use screws to mount it.
20241228_154849.webp
The completed box will be given to the recipient at church tomorrow.
20241228_155439.webp
 
Nice that your saw is up & running! Be sure to share pics of the Birch tree wood when able. Chuck
We had rain last night, so things were iced up. Plan to cut the tree tomorrow. Took the down time take two Poulon 42 saws and make one that works.

Made plenty of mistakes, basically rebuilding the final saw 3 times, to assure I had all the molded parts to fit the form I was using. I was building on one saw when I discovered the oil pump was shot as well as the clutch brake housing. Then switched bases. Assembled to find crankshaft too high in clutch brake housing. Then I realized the crankcases were molded differently. Thus another tear down to switch out the crankcases. Maybe I can get the carb on this one adjusted tomorrow as well.
 
Started a new prototype today. Some changes will be made. I ordered this template online.
Traced the pattern out on the blanks. It's 15" tall.
20241228_171137.jpg
I cut as close to the line as I could on the bandsaw. Blade is too wide to make turns and I didnt have a smaller one. Router speed was way to high and I burned the crap out of this maple before I figured the speed out. I double stick taped the pattern on for trim routing.
20241228_171547.jpg
Small router with a round over bit.
20241228_171608.jpg
Again, too fast, much burning. I flap sanded the burns off.
20241228_172040.jpg
Some spray on water-based poly. This is just a prototype, first one. I think the corners need more radius. I'll order a larger diameter trim bit.
20241228_180406.jpg
 
Last edited:
Started a new prototype today. Some changes will be made. I ordered this template online.
Traced the pattern out on the blanks. It's 15" tall.
View attachment 265952
I cut as close to the line as I could on the bandsaw. Blade is too wide to make turns and I didnt have a smaller one. Router speed was way to high and I burned the crap out of this maple before I figured the speed out. I double stick taped the pattern on for trim routing.
View attachment 265953
Small router with a round over bit.
View attachment 265954
Again, too fast, much burning. I flap sanded the burns off.
View attachment 265955
Some spray on water-based poly. This is just a prototype, first one. I think the corners need more radius. I'll order a larger diameter trim bit.
View attachment 265956
That's looking good Greg.

I know you aren't looking for more work on producing these, but seeing the router burn made me think that if that routered edge was colored, it would really look sharp and highlight the face of the cross.

Couldn't stain it, would probably need to paint it. Could then clean the top with sanding as necessary.
 
That's looking good Greg.

I know you aren't looking for more work on producing these, but seeing the router burn made me think that if that routered edge was colored, it would really look sharp and highlight the face of the cross.

Couldn't stain it, would probably need to paint it. Could then clean the top with sanding as necessary.
Like torching the edges and then sanding the flats color contrasting?
 
Back
Top