Woodworking Projects

[Debow]

So I have always had an interest in woodworking, I made many things in high school and some after. I always but tools when they are on sale chop saws, table saws, routers, jig saws, drills...ext. So I decided to start some projects that would benefit me, the first being Adirondack chairs. I have always love them and they add a nice country feel to the house. So I made a pair and going to make another pair. I plan on spraying them a light gray or white but not sure yet.
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[John_Nicholson]

Very nice.

-john

[Debow]

Thanks John. First time in some years I have built something.

[Phillydubs]

Those look awesome! I will take 4!! Hahaha

[DJW]

The way to test an Adirondack chair is to put a glass of cold beer on the armrest and see if it stays level. :)

[rickztahone]

I love wood working and I love having masses of tools to choose from. Reminds me of Tim Allen growing up, lol.

Nice chairs. Adirondack chairs are actually the logo of the place where I work, and you can see them all through our hotel :)

[DJW]

When the kids were small I made some that were exactly half scale. Of coarse they outgrew them by the time they were 3 years old, but they are still around.

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[brewmaster15]

So I have always had an interest in woodworking, I made many things in high school and some after. I always but tools when they are on sale chop saws, table saws, routers, jig saws, drills...ext. So I decided to start some projects that would benefit me, the first being Adirondack chairs. I have always love them and they add a nice country feel to the house. So I made a pair and going to make another pair. I plan on spraying them a light gray or white but not sure yet.
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Be by in a few hours to pick them up.:bandana: They look great!

[two utes]

Nice work! I imagine that you would get lots of satisfaction using them knowing that you made them with your own hands. Not familiar with American timbers, but it looks like you have used some type of pine? If so do you need to waterproof them in some way before spray painting them your favorite color? It would be a shame to see them rot at the bases if moisture is absorbed during out door use.

[Debow]

Those look awesome! I will take 4!! Hahaha

You have the same idea my friends have. Once people find out they all want some. Lol

[Debow]

The way to test an Adirondack chair is to put a glass of cold beer on the armrest and see if it stays level. :)

I plan on putting them to the test this weekend!

[Debow]

Be by in a few hours to pick them up.:bandana: They look great!

Al, these would look great in your neck of the woods for sure ! Thanks!

[Debow]

[QUOTE=rickztahone;1216381]I love wood working and I love having masses of tools to choose from. Reminds me of Tim Allen growing up, lol.

Nice chairs. Adirondack chairs are actually the logo of the place where I work, and you can see them all through our hotel :)[/QUOTE


I'll have to post a picture of the garage I have more tools than space wood working, metal working, yard tools and machines. I most definitely am a tool guy. I have to have a tool for each task, may not need it right away but when I do I'm so happy it was there.

I have a sweet spot for adirondack chairs, it's the signature of relaxing.

[Debow]

Yes you are correct, pine is cheep, light and easy to work; But you have to finish it in paint, stain or varnish. I will be painting these. I plan on making a set out of cedar but it's 2x the cost. Poplar is a hard wood and only cost a little more but that has to be finished also.

[Ardan]

Nice work!:)

Ardan

[alron2]

Nice work. where did you get the plans? Did you draw them?

Ron

[Jack L]

looks good, making foot rests?

i would be tempted to make them out of trex though...

[Debow]

Nice work. where did you get the plans? Did you draw them?

Ron

Found them online and tweked them a little.

[Debow]

looks good, making foot rests?

i would be tempted to make them out of trex though...

Foot rest will be nice, and trex is a good idea but might be really heavy, never worked with it.

[DJW]

Devon, those are sturdy classic Adirondacks. Over the years people have modified the design to include curved bottoms for fatter butts, and curved backs for a more sedentary lifestyle. For these more modern designs it is better to use a band saw with a tilting table, but a scroll saw will do well enough after some cursing.

Old Norm Abrams had that TV show in the 90's called New Yankee Workshop. He was from Connecticut or someplace like that so when said the word "drawers" he pronounced it "DRAZZ". Anyway, he has a book with a good Adirondack design, here,

http://www.amazon.com/Classics-New-Yankee-Workshop-Snyder/dp/0316004553

I made 12 of them in a small production run, and they have held up well, but with a little side-to-side loosening and movement. The wide front board in your chairs will eliminate that problem and I would guess they will live as long as the weather allows.

[Debow]

So I sold one chair to my buddy that collects old Wheel Horse tractors. I put 2 nice coats or polly over the Wheel Horse logo. He loves it.
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[Debow]

Devon, those are sturdy classic Adirondacks. Over the years people have modified the design to include curved bottoms for fatter butts, and curved backs for a more sedentary lifestyle. For these more modern designs it is better to use a band saw with a tilting table, but a scroll saw will do well enough after some cursing.

Old Norm Abrams had that TV show in the 90's called New Yankee Workshop. He was from Connecticut or someplace like that so when said the word "drawers" he pronounced it "DRAZZ". Anyway, he has a book with a good Adirondack design, here,

http://www.amazon.com/Classics-New-Yankee-Workshop-Snyder/dp/0316004553

I made 12 of them in a small production run, and they have held up well, but with a little side-to-side loosening and movement. The wide front board in your chairs will eliminate that problem and I would guess they will live as long as the weather allows.

Ya, I saw many styles and I like the classic look and sturdy design. I might have to buy that book! I plan on making a few, at least 4 for my self and a few will get shipped to NC for my father.

[rickztahone]

That is just lovely. I don't see how your friend could not have liked that. I liked that little detail touch right under the arm rests.

[Debow]

Another wood project in the works, I started making a coffee table for my wife. We got a new couch and she wanted a new coffee table that was longer than the one we had. She wanted a rustic/reclaimed look so I decided to make our own. The wood consist of 2''x8'' and 4''x4'' and one 2''x4'' I will be testing a epoxy top coat for the top about 1/8 thick, will look like a piece of glass when finished.
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[rickztahone]

that's beautiful. Nice work.

I literally just finished my stand for my SW tank.

[bikerdude]

nice to know there is a fellow woodworker and discus lover on the forum.

[DJW]

Looks good Devon. I'm wondering if you joined the end boards in a way to take some movement/expansion. Its just narrow enough that it might not be a problem. Where I live, the humidity swings are huge, so I need to watch for that.

[Debow]

Thanks,

I Kreg Jigged all the joints.

[Kingdom Come Discus]

Nice. I love working with wood.

[Jack L]

looks nice, is it pine?

[Debow]

Douglas fir

[Debow]

Well I had some time and my wife has wanted a few things for the house. First was a wine rack to replace our free standing floor type and second was a shelf/candle holder so I made the wine racks for Mother's Day and the shelf just because I love her. Here are a few pictures. As far as the shelf goes i tried a Japanese method of burning the outside wood and then brushing off the char. This serves several purposes, first it colors the wood, seals, hardens, and protects. It is called
shou-sugi-ban. I like it and it's all natural. The wine racks are just a dark walnut stain.

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[two utes]

Great job as usual! I really like the finish that you achieved. I'm going to give that a go some time.

[Debow]

Thanks it was fun doing it to!

[brewmaster15]

Devon those are super cool! What a great idea and project. I love DIY projects like this. I will be 100% honest here....I am borrowing this idea for a few projects here!:)

Al

[Debow]

Thanks Al, I posted this because like me I never knew about it. I want others to see different methods and give them a try for themselves. I have build all my living room furniture and wall decor for around $150 in material and it is built well and will last. You just can't get that from a box store, and saving money where you can makes it easier spending it where you need to. Pluss it builds skill and there is a certain satisfaction. about making something with your hands and putting it to a practical use.

[Discus-n00b]

The burning looks really good, cool technique. I actually like the look of it more than a stain.

[Debow]

Ya I will start using this method more in the future. Takes the same amount of time.

[Debow]

Well I started and finished another project that my wife wanted. She wanted a hallway table for our basement and gave me a few ideas that I worked off of. First I found some very old red oak boards that were reclaimed from some factory that a heavy equipment mover had in there free wood bin. I sanded all the boards to remove the bulk of the grime and dirt built up over the last century and left most of the imperfections and stains that gave it character. I then ripped down one of the 2x4's into 2x2's with only one side with a fresh cut. I then cut and carved out all the mortises for the legs and the boards. The tricky part was getting the vertical center board to run through and line up with the opposing mortises. All the joints fit together great and didn't need any any glue but I added some anyway. I stil need to add some boiled linseed oil for the finish but over all it came out how my wife wanted. It feels good to have a piece of furniture that is made from wood that once served a purpose in someone's day to day life and now serves me a purpose.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4284/35565428852_f3bb2ff57b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WbN7Vb)Reclaimed red oak table (https://flic.kr/p/WbN7Vb) by devon cropley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152419998@N06/), on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4265/35694601146_17815660f4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WodakG)Reclaimed red oak table (https://flic.kr/p/WodakG) by devon cropley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152419998@N06/), on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4014/34893262334_4bd7b20e6a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Vap6eh)Reclaimed red oak table (https://flic.kr/p/Vap6eh) by devon cropley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152419998@N06/), on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4097/35694551796_186758ac47_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WocUEQ)Reclaimed red oak table (https://flic.kr/p/WocUEQ) by devon cropley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152419998@N06/), on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4261/35694601756_16747faf85_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Wodawd)Reclaimed red oak table (https://flic.kr/p/Wodawd) by devon cropley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152419998@N06/), on Flickr

[rickztahone]

Man, you are so talented. Kudos.

[brewmaster15]

Devon,
Thats a really great DIY project! You and your wife make a pretty good team! I really like the end result...so simple in design but perfect.

al

[Debow]

Man, you are so talented. Kudos.

Thanks, It makes my wife very happy to get what she wants lol

[Debow]

Devon,
Thats a really great DIY project! You and your wife make a pretty good team! I really like the end result...so simple in design but perfect.

al

Thanks Al,
We make a great team and that one of the many reasons she is my better 3/4's. She has a image and I make it a reality.

[Debow]

Added to the home collection this weekend and made some more wall decor. Reclaimed project with some mason jars, and copper wire. Appolgize for the sides ways pictires.
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[IamPhenomenal]

Oh, very nice pictures. I like your style of working because it seems to be very romantic in the end. I was involved in a couple of woodworking project and some of them were successful. One day my wife asked me to create a shelf for her new cabinet in our house (she's working in a marketing company). And of course I wanted to create something special for her. I honestly didn't sleep nights thinking about that shelf. I've even got the best scroll saw (https://mitersawjudge.com/best-scroll-saw-reviews-and-buying-guide/) on the market in order to make everything perfectly for her. And you know what? She didn't like it in the end because she expected something else made of other materials, lol.