Unruh
Well-known member
Jeff, that vise stand is amazing!!!
Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT DIY Shop
- Thread starter Jeff Ivers
- Start date
Workspaces between 705 and 1200 squarefeet.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
For Christmas, my oldest grandson wanted a rack to display a pool cue horizontally on. Of course, I found out about this 6 days before Christmas! Couldn't finish by Christmas, so presented him with a "coupon" and delivered the item by the first weekend in January.
Before I could complete that, I first needed to create a dado blade guard for my table saw and a dado sled.
After creating those "tools" and completing the cue rack, I kept coming up with ideas for some additional projects.
A box to store my trading stock in.
And a display case to display some smalls in.
Before I could complete that, I first needed to create a dado blade guard for my table saw and a dado sled.
After creating those "tools" and completing the cue rack, I kept coming up with ideas for some additional projects.
A box to store my trading stock in.
And a display case to display some smalls in.
Nice work!
Question about the pool cue rack - any concern about the cue warping over time? Or maybe it doesn't really matter all that much given his age. I've always heard that you should store cues vertical, either in a case or in a rack. Sorry, not trying to ruin that nice gift you made for your grandson, just curious is all.
Question about the pool cue rack - any concern about the cue warping over time? Or maybe it doesn't really matter all that much given his age. I've always heard that you should store cues vertical, either in a case or in a rack. Sorry, not trying to ruin that nice gift you made for your grandson, just curious is all.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
That is a good point about warpage concerns - probably explains why I couldn't find any horizontal racks. My grandson is 14 and does not have a pool table at home and doesn't go to pool parlors - he just wanted a way to display the cue which says "OU Sooners" on it - thus the request for a horizontal rack.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
I am continuing to enjoy spending the cold weather piddling in the shop with minor projects. Years ago, I acquired a workmate knockoff that has seen almost perpetual use as a tool stand for my belt/disk sander. The top pieces on this were made from press board and were deteriorating.
I had some leftover pre-finished oak flooring that is about 3/8 of an inch thick.
I decided if I glued up some pieces of that back to back with offset joints I could create some 3/4 inch plywood with a finish on both sides that would make a good replacement.
The result:
The trickiest part of this was creating the holes with the proper dimension for accepting those plastic stops used when using the stand as a vise. The holes are between 3/4 and 13/16 inch in diameter and I did not have the correct size drill bit. Using a 3/4 bit and then a few laps with a 1/2 inch disk sander took care of the job.
Since I was doing so much gluing on these projects, I decided I needed a "glue station".
I am always needing some blocks of wood to chock something or space something up that I am working on. Sine I don't keep spare lumber in the shop, I had accumulated about 10 blocks all about 3.5 inch square and they were always in the way. So, I created a little wall rack just for them.
I had some leftover pre-finished oak flooring that is about 3/8 of an inch thick.
I decided if I glued up some pieces of that back to back with offset joints I could create some 3/4 inch plywood with a finish on both sides that would make a good replacement.
The result:
The trickiest part of this was creating the holes with the proper dimension for accepting those plastic stops used when using the stand as a vise. The holes are between 3/4 and 13/16 inch in diameter and I did not have the correct size drill bit. Using a 3/4 bit and then a few laps with a 1/2 inch disk sander took care of the job.
Since I was doing so much gluing on these projects, I decided I needed a "glue station".
I am always needing some blocks of wood to chock something or space something up that I am working on. Sine I don't keep spare lumber in the shop, I had accumulated about 10 blocks all about 3.5 inch square and they were always in the way. So, I created a little wall rack just for them.
That is probably the nicest workmate top and glue station I've ever seen!
Also, I am going to borrow that block rack idea for my garage. Having a dedicated storage spot for blocks is something that I never would have considered, but now that I've seen it, it totally makes sense.
Also, I am going to borrow that block rack idea for my garage. Having a dedicated storage spot for blocks is something that I never would have considered, but now that I've seen it, it totally makes sense.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Thanks! The best part is now I can open a cabinet door without the blocks all falling over!
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Continuing my rash of small wood-working projects, I decided I needed a table for my drill press.
The size was determined by the fact that I chose to use up a scrap of plywood that had been languishing in the barn. My existing metal table has 4 diagonal slots in it and I decided I wanted to clamp this table by inserting clamp bolts through those slots from the bottom. So, before I laminated the two sheets of plywood together, I installed some t-nuts in forstner bit drilled depressions in the top of the bottom piece.
I also finished an oil can display rack for the shop office.
The size was determined by the fact that I chose to use up a scrap of plywood that had been languishing in the barn. My existing metal table has 4 diagonal slots in it and I decided I wanted to clamp this table by inserting clamp bolts through those slots from the bottom. So, before I laminated the two sheets of plywood together, I installed some t-nuts in forstner bit drilled depressions in the top of the bottom piece.
I also finished an oil can display rack for the shop office.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
This is a great time of year! Since the grass isn't growing, I get to spend a lot more time in the shop!
I decided it was time to refresh my creeper stool that I have had for years. The plastic parts tray had disintegrated and the seat upholstery was shot. Of course, I forgot to take a before picture.
Next, since I had been doing a bunch of small woodworking projects, I had acquired several new router bits, one of which would not fit my existing bit case. So, I decided to make my own case that would hold my entire bit collection.
I decided it was time to refresh my creeper stool that I have had for years. The plastic parts tray had disintegrated and the seat upholstery was shot. Of course, I forgot to take a before picture.
Next, since I had been doing a bunch of small woodworking projects, I had acquired several new router bits, one of which would not fit my existing bit case. So, I decided to make my own case that would hold my entire bit collection.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Anybody believe in karma?
On the 22nd of April, I took delivery of this:
New Kubtoa BX2380 with attachments.
On the same day, I was trying to finish the mowing of my 5 acres with the Husqvarna LGT2654 that I have bee using for the last 2 years. Heard a loud pop and the unit started acting really squirrely. Pulled it into the shop and discovered this:
Frame snapped completely in half on both sides just ahead of the rear wheels. Warranty company picked it up yesterday and said they had seen another unit with the same problem. They said it took 3 people and entire day to install a new frame to repair the unit.
On the 22nd of April, I took delivery of this:
New Kubtoa BX2380 with attachments.
On the same day, I was trying to finish the mowing of my 5 acres with the Husqvarna LGT2654 that I have bee using for the last 2 years. Heard a loud pop and the unit started acting really squirrely. Pulled it into the shop and discovered this:
Frame snapped completely in half on both sides just ahead of the rear wheels. Warranty company picked it up yesterday and said they had seen another unit with the same problem. They said it took 3 people and entire day to install a new frame to repair the unit.
Denee007
Well-known member
Incredible! First congratulations on the awesome Kubota! The Husq looked like a pretty decent "tractor"! I guess it even looks a little weak at that spot, not much meat per say!
dne'
dne'
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
In 2002, we had a barn built (36x36) with a 6' lean-to on the south side. this is where I have stored firewood and have the "John Deere" bench on which to rest my weary bones when they get that way.
For a number of reasons, I decided it was time to have a matching lean-to added to the north of the barn. Once the crew finished their work, I decided to use up some accumulated materials to "pave" the area under the lean-to.
excavated
weed block
first row
done
For a number of reasons, I decided it was time to have a matching lean-to added to the north of the barn. Once the crew finished their work, I decided to use up some accumulated materials to "pave" the area under the lean-to.
excavated
weed block
first row
done
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
I have a separate thread on my gas pump restoration, but since it is finally finished, I thought I would cross post some celebratory pics.
From this:
To this:
From this:
To this:
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Thank you.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Sorry for the delayed response - just got back from vacation - narrow gauge train ride from Durango to Silverton, Mesa Verde, 4 corners and the Unser museum.
Actually, I bought 2 partial pumps and made one restoration. Don't have enough parts to economically restore the second pump, but thinking about turning it into a display shelf.
How many pumps should I have?
I think the Justone More formula applies to vintage gas pumps...
X=Y+1
Where X is the total gas pumps you need and Y is the current number of gas pumps you have. Same formula can be applied to all sorts of things like c-clamps, hammers, etc.
Unruh
Well-known member
Last edited:
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Well, duh! Thanks for clarifying that for me. Guess I'll have to start looking again. Although it is a lot easier to store one more clamp or hammer!
I’m pretty sure my wife uses that formula for purses.
Great work on that Gas Pump!
Thanks, Unruh!
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Since I finished the floor for the north lean-to on the barn, I needed another log rack. Of course, I forgot to take under construction pictures. However, here is a pic of the rack after I got it back from powder coating. It is just made with 2" square tubing.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Years ago, my uncle took one of the axles from the last horse-drawn wagon owned by my grandfather and made it into a bench which he gave to my parents. They used it outside their log house and I eventually inherited it when they passed away. About 20 years ago, it was looking a bit tired, so I cleaned up the wheels and painted them John Deere yellow and made new seat and back, which I painted John Deere green. I have always referred to it as my JD bench, even though I have no idea of the origin of the wagon.
Here is the bench a few years ago:
I recently looked at the bench and realized it was looking a bit tired again. I took it apart and had the wheels powder coated. I had always thought the bench seat was a bit high off the ground, so I modified the support structure to lower the seat.
These pics show the before and after structure. I also had a problem with the seat having warped. I thought about ways of solving that problem and came up with making the seat thicker, using harder wood, or using a laminate. After being shocked by the price of hardwood, I borrowed an idea from multiple posts on here and decided to make butcher block.
Laying up one board at a time.
The back and seat ready for stain and finish.
Here is the bench a few years ago:
I recently looked at the bench and realized it was looking a bit tired again. I took it apart and had the wheels powder coated. I had always thought the bench seat was a bit high off the ground, so I modified the support structure to lower the seat.
These pics show the before and after structure. I also had a problem with the seat having warped. I thought about ways of solving that problem and came up with making the seat thicker, using harder wood, or using a laminate. After being shocked by the price of hardwood, I borrowed an idea from multiple posts on here and decided to make butcher block.
Laying up one board at a time.
The back and seat ready for stain and finish.
don long
Well-known member
Jeff
Nice little project
I need to do something like that for the western town that I'm building this month.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
Nice little project
I need to do something like that for the western town that I'm building this month.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Don,
You're right that this would look great in your western town. However, in that environment, it would need to be upgraded with either some old barn timbers or some live-edge slabs for the back and seat, instead of my use-up-some-scraps butcher block!
Speaking of which, where on earth have you acquired all the old looking wood you are using on the western town?
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Today, I was able to finish the refurb on my JD bench and move it back to it's home under the barn lean-to.
Now we will see if my efforts were sufficient to prevent warping of the seat.
Now we will see if my efforts were sufficient to prevent warping of the seat.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Thanks bd. I reused some of the painted pressure treated lumber from the original back (that was not warped) by planing off the finish, some scrap 2x6 pine, some 3/4 poplar, some 3/4 red oak, and some 2x fir. In other words, as much suitable scrap that I had on hand supplemented by some purchased lumber.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
One of the things on my todo list has always been to make something from pallet lumber. Of course, one must first have a way to "harvest" the lumber - take apart those pallets. So, I thought I could make a pallet buster from scrap in the shop. A couple of pieces of bar stock, a piece of pipe, a piece of angle iron, and a plumbing fitting into which I could screw a piece of 3/4 black iron pipe as a handle.
The problem with seat of the pants engineering (SPE) is you don't always get it right the first time. The bar stock I grabbed was 3/16 inch thick which turned out to be too thin, allowing the arms to bend. Problem solved by welding a length of 1/2 angle iron to each side of the bottom of the arms. 3/4 pipe is plenty stout as a handle, but I never thought about how thin the metal is in the thread area. Ending up cutting off the threaded ends and welding a piece of 3/4 bar into the end of the pipe. Then, I cross drilled the plumbing piece and the 3/4 bar to accept a linch pin. Took apart my first 2 pallets today.
The problem with seat of the pants engineering (SPE) is you don't always get it right the first time. The bar stock I grabbed was 3/16 inch thick which turned out to be too thin, allowing the arms to bend. Problem solved by welding a length of 1/2 angle iron to each side of the bottom of the arms. 3/4 pipe is plenty stout as a handle, but I never thought about how thin the metal is in the thread area. Ending up cutting off the threaded ends and welding a piece of 3/4 bar into the end of the pipe. Then, I cross drilled the plumbing piece and the 3/4 bar to accept a linch pin. Took apart my first 2 pallets today.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Merry Christmas to all! Thank you to all who have stopped in on my thread and all the great feedback. I am excited because I just brought home another load of pallets. Maybe I will finally be able to start my first pallet project this weekend.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
So, I thought I had solved my pallet buster problems and proceeded to disassemble about 7 pallets. Then, yesterday, I scored 5 more pallets and started taking them apart. I am really excited about one of the pallets as it appears to have a 4x4 post as one of the skids.
Unfortunately, this was enough to result in this:
I had no idea I would be able to bend 3/4 inch black pipe when trying to pry 4 measly ring shank nails out of a piece of 4x4 oak! So now I am going to look for a piece of 3/4 inch rod for a new handle and hope that is strong enough.
Unfortunately, this was enough to result in this:
I had no idea I would be able to bend 3/4 inch black pipe when trying to pry 4 measly ring shank nails out of a piece of 4x4 oak! So now I am going to look for a piece of 3/4 inch rod for a new handle and hope that is strong enough.
I went through a few iterations of my pallet breaker design before I finally landed on something durable enough. It's crazy the amount of force a simple lever can produce and that the those nails are able to withstand that force.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
I've continued busting pallets as seen in the next 2 pics.
After I finish this group of pallets, I am going to pause to sort, cleanup pieces, and figure out how to store all this till I can use it. The pallet in the last pic is the one I am most interested in as it appears to be all oak. The 4x4 runner on it I hope to turn into some nice homebuilt shop clamps.
After I finish this group of pallets, I am going to pause to sort, cleanup pieces, and figure out how to store all this till I can use it. The pallet in the last pic is the one I am most interested in as it appears to be all oak. The 4x4 runner on it I hope to turn into some nice homebuilt shop clamps.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
PUBLIC Safety Announcement:
If your table saw overheats to the point of shutting down, roll it outside and remove all sawdust from up around the motor!!! Leave it outside away from burnable material until it cools down.
Why, you might ask, am I posting such a statement. Yesterday, I was using my Craftsman 10" table saw to try to reclaim some 4x4 oak pallet lumber. This saw is over 40 years old and I inherited it from my father. I know it is a bit under powered for cutting material that thick, but I have done it in the past by making one pass to cut a bit over half way through the piece and then flipping the piece over to make another cut to complete the job.
When doing this yesterday, the saw got hot and started producing smoke and then the thermal switch shut it down. I decided to quit for the day, but went back out about 30 minutes later to check and did not see any new smoke to cause concern.
This morning I went back out to the shop and discovered some black looking sawdust on the wood shelf I built at the bottom of the base stand. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the sawdust was charred and when I removed it, I discovered the finish of the shelf below was also charred.
I think this falls into the category of if you have to choose between being good and being lucky, choose lucky because you will come out ahead. I feel very lucky! Apparently some of the sawdust around the motor became hot enough to start smoldering, then fell onto the shelf below and set it to smoldering. Don't know why I didn't end up with a burned down shop.
If your table saw overheats to the point of shutting down, roll it outside and remove all sawdust from up around the motor!!! Leave it outside away from burnable material until it cools down.
Why, you might ask, am I posting such a statement. Yesterday, I was using my Craftsman 10" table saw to try to reclaim some 4x4 oak pallet lumber. This saw is over 40 years old and I inherited it from my father. I know it is a bit under powered for cutting material that thick, but I have done it in the past by making one pass to cut a bit over half way through the piece and then flipping the piece over to make another cut to complete the job.
When doing this yesterday, the saw got hot and started producing smoke and then the thermal switch shut it down. I decided to quit for the day, but went back out about 30 minutes later to check and did not see any new smoke to cause concern.
This morning I went back out to the shop and discovered some black looking sawdust on the wood shelf I built at the bottom of the base stand. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the sawdust was charred and when I removed it, I discovered the finish of the shelf below was also charred.
I think this falls into the category of if you have to choose between being good and being lucky, choose lucky because you will come out ahead. I feel very lucky! Apparently some of the sawdust around the motor became hot enough to start smoldering, then fell onto the shelf below and set it to smoldering. Don't know why I didn't end up with a burned down shop.
spike99250
Well-known member
So, I thought I had solved my pallet buster problems and proceeded to disassemble about 7 pallets. Then, yesterday, I scored 5 more pallets and started taking them apart. I am really excited about one of the pallets as it appears to have a 4x4 post as one of the skids.
Unfortunately, this was enough to result in this:
I had no idea I would be able to bend 3/4 inch black pipe when trying to pry 4 measly ring shank nails out of a piece of 4x4 oak! So now I am going to look for a piece of 3/4 inch rod for a new handle and hope that is strong enough.
Make a new pipe and run the 3/4 rod the entire length of the pipe. Drill a couple holes to plug weld it. It will be heavy but really strong
I would still thread it if possible.
I had the threads break off on me while using a hickey(rebar bender). I was standing on the bank trying to get some leverage when it broke and if not for the laborer that caught me I would have been impaled.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Great idea! That is basically what I ended up doing.
Thank you. I will be thanking my lucky stars for a long time on that one.
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Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
After my near miss with the table saw, once it was cooled down, I proceeded to finish splitting the chunk of 4x4 oak lengthwise.
After a few passes through the planer, I am ready to start turning this into a deep reach clamp.
Since I am wanting to use a lot of this pallet lumber for shop projects, and since I have now acquired enough bar clamps that I need a better way to store them, I started laminating some of the pallet lumber to make a rack. My solution to prevent the boards I am laminating from sticking to the bench is to raise them off my bench using a couple of chain link fence stretcher bars resting in some slotted blocks.
After a few passes through the planer, I am ready to start turning this into a deep reach clamp.
Since I am wanting to use a lot of this pallet lumber for shop projects, and since I have now acquired enough bar clamps that I need a better way to store them, I started laminating some of the pallet lumber to make a rack. My solution to prevent the boards I am laminating from sticking to the bench is to raise them off my bench using a couple of chain link fence stretcher bars resting in some slotted blocks.