So-
I was making a pair of stools-
The legs slope outwards in two directions, and there's two braces on
one side and one at the right angle. So it was frickin' critical to
keep track of which mortises went with which tenons, as well as which
part was for which stool, since they were a little different.
Asking for it, I suppose? Well, I've just completed one and thought it
would be easier. Not easy, easier.
I kept pretty good track of what went where all the way through,
marking pieces and everything. The last thing I did was a final dry
assembly after which I took them apart carefully, marking each piece
one last time.
What could have gone wrong?
Well, the marking sort of didn't make it clear that the legs were in
mirror-image pairs, not in any way interchangeable because of the
differing joinery on two adjacent sides. When I got a mismatch where
there should have been a good fit, I'd already assembled one "A"
shaped side, with a wedged tenon. so - I blew a fuse, taking out my
commonsense, and just reshaped the misfit tenon till it fit the
mortise I had.
Gloriosky, the legs have one side mortise on the WRONG side now. Each
one of them on both stools. I got four hard-won mortises to fill, and
four new ones to cut.
I'm not sure if I'm simply too lightheaded to do the best work (said
in all seriousness) or if I still have a deep-set habit of ignoring
things I should stop and question carefully. Even if I have glue
drying-
Man, I had a tantrum, just about. "If I did the best I could and still
frick it up, maybe I'm not really that good at woodworking!!?"
James
[email protected]
http://[email protected]
On Sat, 09 Aug 2003 01:24:50 GMT, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Shhh .... If you look closely at the little glass topped, A&C coffee table
>on my web site, current projects page, you will see that EXACT solution to
>the same, EXACT, problem. ;>)
Good on ya, Swingman!
Better to dissemble than to disassemble.
Regards, Tom.
Thomas J. Watson-Cabinetmaker
Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania
http://users.snip.net/~tjwatson
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On the opposite sides of my, ahem ... "artistic" mortises, after they were
plugged, I simply cut very shallow 1/2" mortises and "plugged" them also
with small, square "tenons", properly beveled, that make them appear to be
some type of "through tenon", in the best A&C style.
Actually, very few have remarked upon them, and those that do tend to think
it is some difficult feat of purposeful woodworking skill ... I simply hang
my head modestly, shuffle a bit, and try hard not to blush.
As my builder friends say, "The difference between a tract home builder and
a custom home builder is the quality of his patches".
There's also something about lemonade ....
In any event, 'break a leg'. ... sincerely hope it makes you feel better. :)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 7/28/03
"brocpuffs" wrote in message
> On Sat, 09 Aug 2003 01:24:50 GMT, "Swingman" wrote:
>
> >Shhh .... If you look closely at the little glass topped, A&C coffee
table
> >on my web site, current projects page, you will see that EXACT solution
to
> >the same, EXACT, problem. ;>)
>
> Swingman, it's so great of you to point out your beautifully
> redesigned slipup on that terrific table.
>
> Even if I do this (and it looks like a good idea fer sure) I will have
> to cut four more mortises in the "wrong" place on the four "good"
> legs- or are they the wrong legs after I cut four mortises? Well, they
> don't have to be deep.Ah, there's room for more mortising practice.
>
> Truly, I can now see people looking over my little stools, do a double
> take, look REAL close, then stand there with wondering brwilderment
> filling their faces. I think I have just been introduced to one of the
> Great Secrets of Woodworking. Thanks, guys. I will do my best to show
> I deserve the tip
>
> Do I need tranquilizers? I mean, ALL the time, not just when I'm
> beating up on wood?
>
> Thanks-
>
> James
> [email protected]
> http://[email protected]
>
On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 20:56:04 -0400, brocpuffs <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Gloriosky, the legs have one side mortise on the WRONG side now. Each
>one of them on both stools. I got four hard-won mortises to fill, and
>four new ones to cut.
Ah, but wouldn't it be fine to slip fit a false tenon into the unused
mortises, let 'em stand a bit proud, chamfer the edges up nice, wedge
'em, and confuse the hell out of those that look upon the little
fellers.
You may have turned the corner from craftsmanship street onto the
boulevard of art.
Escherlike, fer sure but Artlike, certainly.
Regards, Tom.
Thomas J. Watson-Cabinetmaker
Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania
http://users.snip.net/~tjwatson
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