When Norm and Roy shake hands

Catchy Title huh? or maybe not
anyway this is a review of my present exploit (project).
The project is an attempt to build a larger food cupboard for an elderly
lady. She wanted to replace the ugly white metal cupboard.
So I sat down and drew up some plans first on paper (very general) for the
benefits of dimensions, then transferred that to TurboCad Learning edition.
After getting an opinion from a couple of guys online I set about finding
wood. Since it was supposed to be white I figured I would go with #2c Tulip
Poplar. Ha, after looking around I settled on Wall Lumber for only 1.08 a
BF. right.
Lesson 1. If the price of lumber doesn't give you a heart attack then the
price of shipping will.

So I found a classified add for Lumber, $1 a BF. Went with the Butternut,
and Hickory for the shelving. (don't worry, they will not be painted)
Lesson 2. Classified adds = good deals

I have never actually worked with either type of wood but had very little
problem.
Hickory is open grained. Machines well despite its density. It looks like a
cross between ash and oak. Chips rough in the planner, instead of fine dust
or chips. Has a tendency to come out stringy when I tried to join it on my
router table. A side warning about breathing the dust. Even the dust is
rough in texture.
Butternut looks like white walnut (thus its other name). It does smell
better, and is more forgiving, not prone to chip outs when subjected to the
router.
Lesson 3. Don't be afraid of trying new woods.

Originally I was going to lock-Miter the corners. Yeah right. My 2HP
Craftsman router couldn't take the stress of running the bit.
However I did come upon a great bit for making finger joints, T&G etc. by
changing around cutter parts and shims. Now I am going for just a lock
joint.
Lesson 4. No matter how much you plan, you will always change them.

My joining technique took a hit this week. Had no problem joining my last
project but this time I can't get a straight edge so I can glue up boards.
So I brought out my trusty, simple, block plane (the only one I own) and put
it through its paces, suddenly I was a Neander! The plane hadn't seen more
than maybe 1 hr. total use its entire lifetime.
Lesson 5. Your hand plane is your best friend, keep it sharp.

Keeping a picture diary of daily work. Lesson 6 Digital Cameras are a must
have for every woodworker.
I'll post a pic on ABPW when the project begins to look like more than a
bunch of sticks and boards.

--
Young Carpenter

"Violin playing and Woodworking are similar, it takes plenty of money,
plenty of practice, and you usually make way more noise than intended"




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