Adam Johan Bergren
08-16-2009, 7:11 PM
I had a ton of fun with this project, and it was outside my comfort zone since all of the major work was hand tools (except for a select few steps). Details of the build here that give specifics:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=117088 (http://forum.canadianwoodworking.com/showthread.php?t=28152)
This was especially fun since it was from a single cherry board, 10' long, 8.5" wide, and initially 5/4 thickness. After flattening and thicknessing by hand, it is 1" throughout. The layout was done such that the grain runs around the stool, all in the same direction. Thus, the step was cut immediately from the side, etc., where possible (see build thread for pictures).
Although there are numerous small errors, such as a few gaps in the dovetails some very small mis-alignment of the side-step joint (okay, this one is being a bit crazy- I was off by 1" on the top step because of the taper), it is nice to see the result of something build by hand. Also, there are no exposed joints, so everything is there for viewing. All-in-all, this was a great project to elevate my skills, although I still have a long way to go. I think I'll build a bunch of these if I can find appropriate stock to see how much faster and better I can make them. With hand cut dovetails, each time I do them (grand total of two project), I get a little bit better. Also, I am realizing that with a proper hand tool shop, I can work nearly as fast as with power tools, especially for a small project like this. Thicknessing and flattening by hand actually goes pretty fast if you have the right tools!
Any comments, good or bad, certainly welcome!
Thanks for looking!
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125462&d=1250395432
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125463&d=1250395432http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125464&d=1250395489http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125465&d=1250395489http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125466&d=1250395511http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125467&d=1250395605
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=117088 (http://forum.canadianwoodworking.com/showthread.php?t=28152)
This was especially fun since it was from a single cherry board, 10' long, 8.5" wide, and initially 5/4 thickness. After flattening and thicknessing by hand, it is 1" throughout. The layout was done such that the grain runs around the stool, all in the same direction. Thus, the step was cut immediately from the side, etc., where possible (see build thread for pictures).
Although there are numerous small errors, such as a few gaps in the dovetails some very small mis-alignment of the side-step joint (okay, this one is being a bit crazy- I was off by 1" on the top step because of the taper), it is nice to see the result of something build by hand. Also, there are no exposed joints, so everything is there for viewing. All-in-all, this was a great project to elevate my skills, although I still have a long way to go. I think I'll build a bunch of these if I can find appropriate stock to see how much faster and better I can make them. With hand cut dovetails, each time I do them (grand total of two project), I get a little bit better. Also, I am realizing that with a proper hand tool shop, I can work nearly as fast as with power tools, especially for a small project like this. Thicknessing and flattening by hand actually goes pretty fast if you have the right tools!
Any comments, good or bad, certainly welcome!
Thanks for looking!
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125462&d=1250395432
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125463&d=1250395432http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125464&d=1250395489http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125465&d=1250395489http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125466&d=1250395511http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=125467&d=1250395605