Want to share some ideas for “non-furniture” hand tool build, but first a little context; over the last 40 years I’ve mostly built furniture for family and friends, which leads me to my current conundrum: we recently become empty-nesters looking to downsize. As a consequence, the LOML has told me in no uncertain terms there is no room in the house for anything else I might build. Sure I’ve been able to sneak in a couple small boxes/accessories here and there but the fact is 6 months ago I built what I think is a pretty cool Seymour, federal style sideboard intended to be used as a bar. It’s still in the garage.
My most recent ploy was to pitch building barstools to replace our current store-bought versions. That was met with a hard No, however there was the merest glimmer of an opportunity in the suggestion “we might be able to use something outside”. Specifically she mentioned something to raise the welcome mat at the front door level with the threshold and “storage”. Ah hah, the loophole I was looking for!
Inspired by a Lee Valley email about building planter boxes, I got some soaking wet Cedar 2 x 4’s from the local BORG. Turns out the Cedar was hand tool friendly and fun to work. I didn’t manage any build pics but here are the results: mitered 2 x 4’s for the corner posts, glued/screwed lap joints for horizontal rails and re-sawn 2 x 4’s for side/bottom slats.
My key takeaways from this project:
1) Cedar planes easily, makes the shop smell great. I should find a way to use it in other projects.
2) This kind of build required waaay more Titebond III and screws than I anticipated – need to stock up.
3) Cordless pin nailer is absolutely awesome for easily and invisibly tacking joints together. I bought my first one for this project and I’ll never again hand nail another furniture molding.
4) Orbital sander really come in handy for projects like this.