The last two days I have been working on the top crossbar and wing doors. They are being made from black walnut I have cut from logs given to me by my Mentor (Rabbi) in the LE PPC world, a Retired Marine/Police Sergeant who has looked over my shoulder for more than twenty years. Grumpy, Grouchy, and easily qualifies as all the seven dwarves. A good guy, but the Officers in the department either loved him or hated him, depending on the quality of the officer. (Good Officers loved him, I'll leave it at that.)
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
There are those here who will know what I mean. He was the Range Sergeant, AND at times a Patrol Sergeant in a very bad part of town...
Anyway.... I digress.
I had gotten tired by the time I cut these slabs and had NOT done a very good job, so IT cost me. The grain was NICE.
![01 rough slabs.jpg](./download/file.php?id=16505&sid=ab389dd2f1884bdc0be8390fa14daa20)
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BUT, you get lazy now... you pay later, as you will see. The slabs I cut six months ago... were NOT flat like the ones I started out cutting, they were "slightly" warped.
(Slightly warped like slightly pregnant.)
![02 a little warped.jpg](./download/file.php?id=16506&sid=ab389dd2f1884bdc0be8390fa14daa20)
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This meant a LOT of work. So, first I cut the two inch slabs into bookmatched slabs after first trimming them into squared edges... a must for bookmatching on the bandsaw.
Then I measured the center of both ends, struck a line and cut VERY carefully to the line thru the slab. THIS gave me a flat straight side.
![03 bookmatched.jpg](./download/file.php?id=16507&sid=ab389dd2f1884bdc0be8390fa14daa20)
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BUT, I still had panels that were too thick to use as the winged edge doors I had envisioned hanging from the center panel. I measured off a half inch from the flat side and ran back across the bandsaw, staying to the outside of the 1/2 inch line. Then I ran all four panels thru the planer, getting nice smooth flat panels that would work once jointed and glued at 8" wide. Doors for the two sides. The center panel was also trimmed and planned to 5/8"
![04 trimmed.jpg](./download/file.php?id=16508&sid=ab389dd2f1884bdc0be8390fa14daa20)
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This is an idea of what I envision, but the wing doors will angle down about 45 degrees to meet the 12" sides. Following the coffin sides.
![05 concept.jpg](./download/file.php?id=16509&sid=ab389dd2f1884bdc0be8390fa14daa20)
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I may... MAY... put a maple trim piece on each end with a lip under the edge to strengthen the panels, and a maple brace under the doors at the hinge point. I'll use some of the highly figured spalted pieces I have saved, which should really pop against the walnut and serve as both supports and accents. I'll fiddle with it during the next steps, and see if:
a) it looks good
b) it might be needed.
more to come.....