Monday, July 04, 2005
Woodworking
My grandfather had this wonderful work shop next to the barn. He had a fantastic collection of old wood working hand tools. I remember him building a small sailboat for the lake. He had drawn the plans by hand (this was 1962) and was gathering the wood he would need. I watched as he measured and then cut each piece by hand. Slowly the frame took shape. Then the bottom was added. Next came the sides. This took a bit more work as the wook had to curve to meet in the bow. Grampy would soak the wood to make it flexible, make sure it would bend enough, then fasten it to the frame.
Then he went into the barn and hauled out a log he had cut the year before for the mast. He took the adz and shaped that log into the perfect mast. I was allowed to help with the sanding - by hand - of the entire boat. I don't know how helpful I was but he was very patient and I really enjoyed it.
In the winter he did smaller projects. We still use a cribbage table he build. He drilled every one of those holes by hand!
My father also has a workshop. I grew up in the city so the workshop is in the basement but he still has at least one of every hand tool and small power tool going. I watched him build the rooms in the basement. I was too busy doing other 'teen age' things to help but I took notice of what he was doing.
Then I had my own home. After I ripped out the ugliest bright blue wallboard, tore off the sunshine-yellow counter top in the kitchen, I replastered the wall - the wall board had been put up with contact cement and took half the plaster with it - I bought new counter top. Dad came over and gave me a hand cutting and installing the new counter top and sink.
Next was the basement. It was finished but has this big empty room in it. Some one thought it needed a bar so, over the winter I designed and build by hand a u-shaped bar. I covered the outside with tongue and grove wainscotting, put formica on the counter and the bar, and then added a leather-ette edge around the bar. It still stands today (it's not going anywhere as I bolted it to the floor!) 25 years later.
Not bad for a girl who took one shop class in her life!
Then he went into the barn and hauled out a log he had cut the year before for the mast. He took the adz and shaped that log into the perfect mast. I was allowed to help with the sanding - by hand - of the entire boat. I don't know how helpful I was but he was very patient and I really enjoyed it.
In the winter he did smaller projects. We still use a cribbage table he build. He drilled every one of those holes by hand!
My father also has a workshop. I grew up in the city so the workshop is in the basement but he still has at least one of every hand tool and small power tool going. I watched him build the rooms in the basement. I was too busy doing other 'teen age' things to help but I took notice of what he was doing.
Then I had my own home. After I ripped out the ugliest bright blue wallboard, tore off the sunshine-yellow counter top in the kitchen, I replastered the wall - the wall board had been put up with contact cement and took half the plaster with it - I bought new counter top. Dad came over and gave me a hand cutting and installing the new counter top and sink.
Next was the basement. It was finished but has this big empty room in it. Some one thought it needed a bar so, over the winter I designed and build by hand a u-shaped bar. I covered the outside with tongue and grove wainscotting, put formica on the counter and the bar, and then added a leather-ette edge around the bar. It still stands today (it's not going anywhere as I bolted it to the floor!) 25 years later.
Not bad for a girl who took one shop class in her life!
