Potato and Onion Bin

[markiver54]

I would do the same thing Jim. I admire your attention to quality and detail!

[BrokenolMarine]

Back out in the shop after lunch.

Had been thinking about the base and the top. Bottom and top. I had drawn the sketch and had ideas but I don't start work on something until I firm the rough ideas up.
I had intended for the base to be part of the sides and then a trim piece across the front, but that seemed like cheating, so... I gave it more thought. I think while driving back and forth to the VA, the Grocery, the dump. We have a long drive everywhere, plenty of time to think.

So, I decided to cut the front and sides out of the maple and the back cross piece from the extra ply, and then have a square ply for the upper part of the cabinet to rest on inlaid on the base with the cabinet securely fastened, with a couple screws. So, the first step in the process would be to cut a piece off the slab from which to cut three 2" tall pieces, one of which would be 18" wide and the other two would have to be about 11" wide to reach the back. I won't cut them to length until the cabinet is assembled sometime next week.

(I ordered dowel centering rigging pins, and some short assembly dowels from woodcraft, which I will pick up Tuesday night when I go in for my Plane Tuning class. It's 90 minutes EACH way to woodcraft, not gonna make that drive until then. ) I will use the dowels in assembling sections of the cabinet, so it can wait.

The slab was cut and then the two live edges cut off on the band saw.

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Once that was done, I ran it thru the planer and got it nice and smooth. The grain on this piece is really popping.

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Inspecting the planed piece did reveal a couple knot holes that needed attention.

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I can repair/stabilize those using a favorite technique I have used for years, using sawdust saved from previous projects, CA glue and spray activator. I also use a square of painter's tape on the back that is not shown in the pic here.

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Fill the hole with some sawdust, chosen to match or accent, your choice. Then a layer of CA glue, spritz of activator. (without that, you wait several hours between steps.) Repeat the steps until you have built the hole up proud. Let the repair cure until you are sure it's solid then sand it flush. The CA glue won't stain, but it will appear as smooth as glass, and the knot won't fall out later. I usually let them cure overnight and sand smooth the next day.

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For the top, I decided to go with a bit fancy. (Surprise!)
I am going to attempt a cutting board top made with Spalted Maple and Black Walnut, so I cut another slab and trimmed it, then planed that smooth, then several sections of Black Walnut from my stash. (Thanks JStraw for the help.)

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Once they were all planed, I ran them across the table saw cutting them at 7/8" widths.

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I was approaching my limit for this session, so I shut it all down. Tomorrow I will lay out the cutting board top, get it exactly the way I want it and then glue it up. Once it dries overnight I will trim it to size and that will be one step closer to the end game. I have some work to do on the base pieces after they are cut, I am going to use the antique molding planes to shape the edges. Yup, can't just do simple.

[Ernie]

Looking very nice, I do like the idea of the cutting board top. Nice touch.

[BrokenolMarine]

I doubt it will ever be used as a cutting board, it's just for looks, mainly. But, I'll likely finish it as if it would be. Most likely Tina will sit something on it, like a vase.

[BrokenolMarine]

Whew! Lot's done today. I kept wanting to get out in the shop last night and get busy laying out the cutting board, if for no other reason than to see how it would look. I resisted, as I didn't want to exceed my limit yesterday. I came out this morning after a light breakfast and got started. I laid out the cutting board kit, and started looking at the various grain patterns, and trying to decide what went where... the wood would tell me. No, really.

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The maple was easy, it was full length, the walnut was a pain. I had to square off both ends, then for every pair, one had to be trimmed to length. The length wasn't critical, as the board coming out of the clamps later will be about 1-1/2 to 2" too long, but... it needs to be close to make clamping easier. after about an hour spent fitting and trimming, the layout was done. I had a test pattern and Miss T gave it a "Nice" of approval.

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There were just a few leftovers after the pattern test. Too bad I am not a pen maker, the cutoffs are the perfect size for turning walnut pen bodies. Oh well, I'll find a use for these eventually, if not on this project, on a box project or something down the road.

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I took everything out of the bench dogs, moved it aside in ORDER, then redid the wax paper underneath. Got ready for the glue up. I set up the glue, got the water bottle and rags handy, and prepared to work...

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After about an hour, the Cutting board was in the clamps and ready to rest.

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Before going in, I decided the shop needed a mid-project cleanup. I was a bit tired of all the sawdust and the tools and supplies laid out. I put away all the tools, rolled the equipment to one side and prepared to sweep.

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A good half hour of attention, not detail cleaning, just put away and a decent sweep, made a big difference.

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I came back out this evening and turned some attention to the cutting board again, now out of the clamps. I used a cabinet scraper to remove glue bleed out, then ran the panel thru the planer on both sides. It's still over wide, but that won't be adjusted until the cabinet is assembled. You do get a good idea of what it will look like though... Miss T likes it so far.

29 out of the clamps.jpg (179.46 KiB) Viewed 4299 times

Still plenty to do.

I have to cut the tenons and mortises for the doors and seat the front braces when I begin the assembly of the case. I have to make the base pieces and once the case is assembled, cut them to size and assemble the base. I will cut some transitional trim for the top of the cabinet to go under the edge of the cutting board top. Plenty to keep me busy.

[ESquared]

Wow, just fascinating and fun to watch the process. It sounds like you have the tools and expertise for just about everything, and the creativity and perfectionism to make it all come together.
Can't wait to see the next chapter. Thanks so much for sharing.

[BrokenolMarine]

Thanks, sometimes I try things just to see if I can. I made the Cherry display case for my Henry Big Boy 357 Carbine... For just that reason... To see if I could.

[Dahliathemeh]

I want a nice cutting board!!!!
You a blessed woman Miss T!!!!!!

[Ernie]

Just got a Glubot (saw it in your last pic) last week and have not used it yet, got tired of the old ketchup bottle. Made sense to me. What do you think of it?

[BrokenolMarine]

Just got a Glubot (saw it in your last pic) last week and have not used it yet, got tired of the old ketchup bottle. Made sense to me. What do you think of it?

I have had mine for years, and use it a lot. I squirt glue from it into pill bottle tops for small glue ups, or use it to apply glue in dadoes or along edges for the longer jobs, then spread it with either throw away acid brushes or the silicone brushes or rollers. Once the glue dries, it peels right off.

A couple important lessons...

The red cap...
* Put it back ON when you aren't using the bottle
* When you are using it, stick it on the nub in the center of the top of the cap... It's a keeper. Had the dang thing for a while before I realized that.

The tip...
* Keep it clear after each use. If it gets clogged with dried glue it's a pain.
* Woodcraft sells tip kits with replacement tips, and different shape tips for various applications.

Keep the bottle about 3/4 filled, that makes it easier to squeeze the glue at different angles.

But... I do love that thing. I buy glue by the gallon...
Then use it from that bottle. Keeps it fresh.

[Ernie]

Thanks. Bought the kit and the bottle at same time, I figured it would save time. I too buy glue by the gallon. After gluing every strip on each boat I knew I needed to find a better way. I appreciate the tip on the cap. Now that I look at it that makes perfect sense but I might not not have put that together at all and it sure would help to keep from dragging the cap through the glue all the time.

[BrokenolMarine]

Thanks. Bought the kit and the bottle at same time, I figured it would save time. I too buy glue by the gallon. After gluing every strip on each boat I knew I needed to find a better way. I appreciate the tip on the cap. Now that I look at it that makes perfect sense but I might not not have put that together at all and it sure would help to keep from dragging the cap through the glue all the time.

Miss Tina hanging out in the shop while I was doing a glue up, asked me why I wasn't just sticking the red thing on the nub where it was supposed to go.
"I usually do." I lied. Duh....

[BrokenolMarine]

So, back out in the shop this morning, I marked the edges of the Cutting board top, then trimmed them off. Then looked at the gouge in the finished side that the last few passes on the planer had revealed. Bugs cause the spalting, that nice pattern in the wood, but they can also leave hollows. I doubt you can see the gouge in the picture, but it's as much as a quarter inch deep, and it's an inch and a half wide. Since Tina won't be using it as a cutting board, I could leave it, but it's not my style.

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I got busy fixing up some maple paste to repair the gouge. First step was to take up a piece of maple cutoff. (Always save your cuttoffs.) Then sand away the cutoff on a piece of sandpaper glued to a luane panel just for flattening box bottoms. Sand, brush the dust up, sand brush the dust up.

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Drop in a couple drops of the watco oil I'll use to stain the cutting board, since it won't be used, and is just for looks. Mix, then add glue and mix until you have custom wood putty. Then fill the gap and let dry.

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While that dries, I route the edges of the cutting board. Then I mark and cut the panel I had planed yesterday to make the stock for the base. I cut three boards 2-1/2 inches tall and leave them full length. I route the top edges. When I form the square I'll cut the 45 degree joints. BUT, they will have awesome grain.

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I went in and had lunch and let the repair dry hard. Then came back out and sanded the top panel again, and resanded the edges to remove all routing marks. Then... this is the part I love, I applied the first coat of Watco Oil. This is a mixture of Natural and Medium Walnut to make the grain pop. It's popping.

34 top routed sanded and stained.jpg (167.13 KiB) Viewed 5400 times

I'll let it dry, lightly sand it then apply another coat, then sand again, a third coat, then wax it. The top is done. I can begin assembly on the case once I get the dowel kit from Woodcraft on Tuesday Evening during my Plane Tuning class. I am chomping at the bit.

Tomorrow I will begin to assemble the drawer sections. I know how wide they all need to be.

[BrokenolMarine]

I only cut three panels for the base, because the back panel will be 3/4 plywood.

[Ernie]

Your project is coming along nicely.
Bought a foundation book on wood turning this week. Did a little reading and got diverted into checking out turning tool sharpening jigs for my Tormek. Getting back on track as I have not even purchased the knives yet. Wood turning scares me a bit as I envision tools and wood shooting through the shop. Will get through the book at least once (I hope) before I purchase tooling along with PPE and attempt to shred wood with a lathe.

[BigAl52]

Im not seeing any empty beer bottles and some whiskey bottles in that shed Marine. It cant be a man cave without some of those around.

[BrokenolMarine]

Im not seeing any empty beer bottles and some whiskey bottles in that shed Marine. It cant be a man cave without some of those around.

Meh... Don't drink, never have. Every time I checked into a new squadron, they thought I was an undercover narc until they got to know me. I don't mind others who have a drink or two, I just don't deal with drunks unless I'm gettin paid to.

[BigAl52]

Totally respect the non drinking. Its a choice we all have. My dad was an alcoholic and I swore Id never be like that. I drink but only on the weekends when work the next day isnt an issue.

[Mags]

.
That is really really nice! You got a great grain pop!

... this is the part I love, I applied the first coat of Watco Oil. This is a mixture of Natural and Medium Walnut to make the grain pop. It's popping.

[Dahliathemeh]

Did you do this as a career? Or is this a hobby?