Bowling Alley Counter Tops Part 4

I know my post about my projects can really drag out, but if I waited until the project was done to post something then there would months between post and that happens often enough. So thanks for putting up with small updates and multiple part post.

This week during my late night shop time I've been working to patch the holes in the maple edge on the large counter top. There were two larger holes where the lane was bolted down, I am patching those areas. I made a template and then used my router with a guide collar to route out the waste.

1/4" spiral bit with a 3/8" guide bushing does a good job clearing the waste

 After routing I clean up the corners with a chisel and then size the patch to fit, using combination of sanding and planing to make the patch fit.

There were a lot of holes in the edging from the nails. I plugged the bigger holes with maple plugs. There was one spot where the damage was bigger than a 3/8" plug would cover so I chopped out the area and made a small patch.

Next step is to flush trim all the plugs and patches and then clean up the face of the maple edge and glue the top back together. I hope to accomplish that this weekend and get the first coat of finish on.

Hand Cut Dove tails, take 2

Back in July I made my first attempt at hand cut dove tails.  Since I have recently sharpened my chisels I thought now would be a good time to give dove tails another try. 

I cut the tails first, this is the tail board before I cut anything. It's hard to see in the picture but all the layout is done with a knife.

 This second attempt was way better than the first, and this is a very solid joint. But there is a lot of room for improvement.  

 After I showed the pictures to my wife, she ask "can't you make those with your router?"

Sharping made easy

I had been trying to sharpen my plane irons and chisels free hand which wasn't giving me the results I was looking for.  So I finally broke down and ordered a honing guide.  I ordered a simple one that clamps onto the sides of the plane iron or chisel.  I also ordered some 1200 and 2000 grit sand paper. I use spray adhesive to attach the sand paper to a large piece of glass. With the honing guide holding the blade at a constant angle it was fairly easy to get the plane iron very sharp.

Here is the sharpening set up.

I think this is the sharpest I've ever been able to get any blade.  The plane worked very nicely with a sharp blade.

Shop Therapy

For me there is something therapeutic about spending time in the shop, even when I am not working on anything in particular I enjoy just being out there. It helps to melt away stress and calm me.

I mentioned in my last post that I had gotten some new tools. My new chisels needed sharpened and the new block plane needed tuned up and sharpened. This was a good chance to relax in the shop.

I used some 80 grit sand paper on a piece of flat steel to flatten the sole of the plane. Once all the milling marks from the factory were gone I worked my way up in grits. I used 80, 150, 220, and 400 to bring the sole of the plane to a almost mirror like shine. I would have went finner yet still, but 400 grit was the highest grit sandpaper I had on hand.

After I flattening the sole of the plane I cleaned up a few other milling marks on the plane body, then sharpened the blade. I need to get a new sharpening stone and a angle guide, but I did a decent job sharpening the plane iron free hand.

To sharpen chisels you first polish the back of the chisel, then polish the bevel. The chisels like the plane iron would benefit from a angle guide and a new stone, but they still cut nicely in some walnut scraps I had on hand.

This all took place in a couple of therapy sessions. I think I am due for another round of therapy.

New tools!

My birthday was last week, I am lucky enough to have family that cares and supports my hobbies so that means I got some new tools to play with. My wife and I keep a list going of things we would like to have so that when Christmas and birthdays come around and people ask for gift ideas we can share some things we would like. For years now my list has had different tools on it. Some I will get for gifts, others I will eventually buy. Since I am trying to advance my wood working beyond screwing together 2x4's I needed some different tools.

I ended up getting a block plane, chisels, pipe clamps, and a pack Bench cookies.