Spring Entry

Ah! Spring.

Well, here we go into another season of moderate weather, getting out and about, and enjoying the reawakening of nature. The pole lathe stood its ground through all the snow and cold. Unfortunately I was unable to do the usual woodworking that the winter allows because of the weather. Even today it has gotten chilly enough to need a jacket and something on my head.

Today, I am getting ready to take my “shop” on the road again to demonstrate green woodworking with the lathe, shave horse, and related tools and techniques I have gathered. I’m reassembling my tool kit which has become somewhat scattered because of the different locations I have been working because of the weather. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the snow we had this year which reminded me of the sort of snow we used to get in Delaware regularly when I was a boy. Well, a younger boy. But, just as in the times my woodworking represents, adjustments have to be made in order to keep a it.

First up and out this year is the Spring Fling at Killen’s Pond near the camping area by the pavilion on April 24th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. This is the first time they are having this event so I hope if you see this you will be able to make some time to come out and support the effort. This event is part of the “No child left inside” program at Killen’s Pond.

Next, I will be at Olde Dover Days for a second year. The craft demonstration area is behind the old Court House at the west end of the Legislative mall. A little blacksmithing, spinning, and this year a live traditional musician playing period music on period instruments, maybe with a good pole turning tune.

I will be returning to the Mennonite Spring festival on May 15 from 8:00 am to about 4:00 pm at the Central Christian School, 220 W. Denney’s Road. Lots of crafts, good food, and an auction featuring handmade quilts. Proceeds benefit the school.

Finally, so far, I will be at Blackbird Creek on Oct 23. Not sure about the times yet. Stay tuned for updates.

Hope to see you, whoever you are. Thanks.

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Mennonite Festival 2009

 

So, on May 16, we drove the extraordinary distance of about 2 1/2 miles to the Mennonite Central Christian School on West Denny’s Road for the 23rd Annual Mennonite Festival and Auction. Our hosts were very gracious not only in allowing me the extra space needed to set up the lathe also but in providing a generally relaxed and pleasant atmosphere for the event.

We ate well, sold some stuff, and listened to a fine auction of donated things including a goat that was not good around children (apparently not a strong selling point) and some of the finest quilts I have ever seen all sold to raise money for the school. I spoke with a number of woodworkers who lived nearly as close to the school as I do who I probably never would have crossed paths with except for this event. As usual, there were a few who thought I was working too hard at what I was doing, so I offered to let them have a go at the treadle to see just how easily the whole thing worked. I even gave a short lesson on cutting on a lathe as the wood prefers to be cut to several fellows who didn’t think they were getting good use from their power lathes. I also explained the different levels of sharpness needed for each way of powering the lathe: very keen for greenwood pole turning and not so sharp for powered turning which needs only an 80 grit grind and deburring.

The auction continued as we packed up and left to go home.

The next day it rained half the day while I unpacked the truck, after which I had breakfast with my daughter and son-in-law. After eating, we went to get some free wood; pine pieces that had been cut earlier in the week. All in all a very good weekend.

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Shave Horse Tutorial

In answer to a request, I published this on paleoplanet and have had a lot of people looking at it.

How to build a shave horse- but just this one

The pictures show dimensions that are suggestions. I am about 5 Feet and 10 inches tall so this horse fits me very well. If you are 5 inches taller or shorter, the height of the table might need to be raised or lowered but everything else can be the same. The seat is 20″ high, the standard height for a stool or chair.

First, you might get a piece of cardboard and lay out the general dimensions and shape. From this, transfer the lengths of the main fork, the leg fork, and any incidental measurements to a stick that can be easily carried and could double as a walking stick. Now, get a saw and start walking. (Note: I use hand-powered tools. They’re safer and I’m cheap.) If you will be dragging a chain saw along, please have someone accompany you. It will be good to have help carrying your wood back also. I am fortunate to have woods available to me practically in my back yard. I say here that if you don’t have direct access to gatherable materials, please get permission before removing anything from private or public property.

The seat fits loosely at the end of the main frame fork. This makes it easier to transport but its also a little wobbly. The clamp frame axle is shown sticking out the side of the main frame. The clamp has to be in place in order to set the axle.

All the “mortice” holes are 2″ diameter and the tenons are whittled to fit. The movable table plank is about 1 3/4″ thick X 4 1/2″ X 22″ long. I keep a 2 1/2″ diameter piece of branch which can be used to adjust the distance between the top of the plank and the jaw of the clamp for different thickness of materials.

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Winter Preparations

So, with winter coming, I am redoing my work space out in the yard. First of all, the blue tarp-which is practically a rag after two years- has been replaced with a heavier duty brown tarp that will blend in with the surroundings. The new tarp also provides more covered area and headroom. Tish is quite pleased with how well it blends in as we live a rental community that has some guidelines for property appearance that we have sorely abused lately. I’ll have to rake about a million leaves out of the yard also.

I will continue to work out there in spite of inclement weather. The people who used the implements I have acquired for my craft with would have continued just the same and I accept the conditions as part of the overall experience. Staying dry is the greatest necessity since dampness ruins tools and saps my strength as well as affecting the drying and curing of the wooden wares I will be making. I am hoping to participate in more craft show events so I will need to continue to produce things in the hope of selling them and supporting my endeavors.

I wish you good holidays and all the joys of the coming season.

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Blackbird Creek Fall Festival (Report)

At our second outing/craft show/demonstration, there were not so many people due to inclement weather and a fairly secluded location. Also, the local newspapers were not very cooperative with their advertising. All in all, we had a pretty good time. The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve hosted the event and did a very good job of providing us with facilities including a huge tent for shelter and several food vendors.

Special thanks to Kim Cole who managed the whole affair. Once again, Tish kept shop and managed to finish a bracelet she had been working on. I sold a few flowers and tree hooks.

As I worked on the spring pole lathe, a number of people made comments and asked questions. One on-going discussion was about muscle over development which I said was not a problem as I switched legs often enough either due to fatigue (mostly in my standing leg) or to get a better position to hold the tool. Also, as with any regular activity, muscle development reaches a point where it is simply enough to do the work. I think people have an image of Arnold Schwarzenegger (I got the spelling from a copy of The Terminator) with his bulgings and svelteness. Body builders build their bodies. The rest of us “build?” only what is necessary for what we do. So, even though one arm might be more developed for a carpenter who swings a hammer all day, there is a limit to how much development will take place.

The main question was of course, what is this and what are you doing. My answer usually starts out that I am making a mess which I follow with a little history of tool and simple machine making. It all begins with spinning a stick between the palms to make a hole or to cause enough friction to start a fire. Add a bow to increase the number of rotations and speed things up. So far, the stick is a tool. By mounting the stick between centers but still using a bow to rotate it, a second stick/tool can be used to shape the stick into a third product, perhaps a stool leg or a handle. Finally, a large frame with a spring pole can produce larger objects. The principle- reciprocal motion- remains the same. One woman actually called the lathe primitive although most people were fairly amazed at the effectiveness of the whole thing.

Later in the afternoon, several elementary school aged kids got to “help” me. While they worked the treadle, I did a bit of turning near the the waste end of the stick. I shall have to get a box for them to stand on so they can better see the effect of what they are doing, but a good time was had anyway. Later, it started raining again. At this, I remarked that it must be time to pack up and go home, and that we did.  On the way home we stopped at the Hartley firehouse for two chicken and dumpling dinners.

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Blackbird Creek Fall Festival (photos)

From Blackbird Creek Fall Festival

From Blackbird Creek Fall Festival

From Blackbird Creek Fall Festival

From Blackbird Creek Fall Festival

From Blackbird Creek Fall Festival

From Blackbird Creek Fall Festival

Some photos from the Blackbird Creek Fall Festival, by Life On The Edges. For full album (20 photos) click here.

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Autumn At Abbott’s Mill (Photos)

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

From Autumn At Abbott’s Mill

Photos by Sir Thomas The Gun For full album (148 photos) click here.

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Abbott’s Mill Report

We had really good weather and about 300 people came through our area. Tish and I both sold a few things so our gas was covered as well as lunch and a few culinary acquisitions for later.

Tish really enjoyed playing “shop” and took care of the retail duties. She sold some of her jewelry and knit things as well as a few hobo flowers and other wood stuff. She particularly enjoyed talking with a young man from Seaford who seemed to only be able to admire the craft of others but is unable to do such things himself. Tish pointed out that he should add “yet” to what he was saying and that he might not be able only because he has not tried.

The pole lathe made for some interesting discussions throughout the day. Most people enjoyed and appreciated the work I was doing although one fellow jokingly directed me to the local building and home center to get a real lathe. It is always interesting how interacting with others can help me to understand, define, and improve my craft as well my own view of how and why I do the things I do. Its always good to get encouragement from others as well as affirmation of personal points of view. It has been said that “Iron sharpens iron” and ” If you like what you are doing, its not really work” and that. I really liked what we were doing there.

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Welcome!

Welcome to the online home of my real-life business, For Woodness Sake! I’ll be posting upcoming events, including festivals and other venues where I’ll be selling my wares and/or demonstrating my springpole lathe and other tools. I’ll also be posting samples of my work and products available for order or for sale.

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