Showing posts with label an. Show all posts
Showing posts with label an. Show all posts
Monday, February 17, 2014
Building an Outdoor Storage Shed DIY Outdoor Shed Plans Make it Easy
Building an outdoor storage shed and enjoying the benefits of the extra space is not very difficult if you use a good set of shed plans. No matter what size structure you need, you can most likely knock out the project in just one or two weekends, and have enough space for all your garden and lawn tools to be stored safe and secure all year round.
Many people will even build an outdoor storage shed a little bigger than they think they will need so they can grow in to it over time. Couple this with the added value to your property, and this is something anyone and everyone should do.
The most important part of your DIY structure is choosing the right set of plans to get you going. You do not have to be a trained woodworker to read plans if they are written correctly. Here are keys to look for:
Clear Drawings for Each Size : Many times, a set of prints will only be valid for one size, and the drawings do not have the correct size markings on them. This will end up costing you time and extra money. Clear drawings that you can customize and print are your best option.
Complete Materials List: Too often, I have seen plans that are only the drawing, and nothing else. This leaves you out on your own as to materials you will need. Make sure you are getting a complete materials list, with quantities, dimensions, and optional pieces so you can work with ease.
If you have done this right, then you can simply print off the materials list and get all your lumber pre-cut at a local lumber yard very quickly. While cutting, you can get the other fasteners and other items to complete your outdoor storage shed.
Many people will even build an outdoor storage shed a little bigger than they think they will need so they can grow in to it over time. Couple this with the added value to your property, and this is something anyone and everyone should do.
The most important part of your DIY structure is choosing the right set of plans to get you going. You do not have to be a trained woodworker to read plans if they are written correctly. Here are keys to look for:
Clear Drawings for Each Size : Many times, a set of prints will only be valid for one size, and the drawings do not have the correct size markings on them. This will end up costing you time and extra money. Clear drawings that you can customize and print are your best option.
Complete Materials List: Too often, I have seen plans that are only the drawing, and nothing else. This leaves you out on your own as to materials you will need. Make sure you are getting a complete materials list, with quantities, dimensions, and optional pieces so you can work with ease.
If you have done this right, then you can simply print off the materials list and get all your lumber pre-cut at a local lumber yard very quickly. While cutting, you can get the other fasteners and other items to complete your outdoor storage shed.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
An unusual desk project Part I Sylvania Ohio
Ive started work on an unusual desk project, and wanted to share it with you. My customer has asked me to make his desk longer! Here are some pictures of the existing desk. It is a custom built desk, about 7 years old.
There are several major challenges on this project: Color matching the stain, the precision cut to split the desk, and making the entire thing come back together! A word about color matching stains - I cannot guarantee a perfect match. This desk has been in front of this window for several years, and has also endured usage and age, which makes matching almost impossible. But, I think I have it as close as its going to get...
Ok, heres the plan...
Im going to split this desk into two pieces. I will be making a cut to the right side of the existing drawer, and adding a 3 section in between, with a new drawer below.
I will need to add a new support piece also. Here is what the existing looks like...
The desk top is separated with a transition piece. I can section in the new top addition using a similar transition piece...
Now for some shop work. After coming up with a color match and approving it with the customer, Ive started to make the new support legs in the shop. I picked up the angle from the existing supports, so that my new supports will match. Ive also made so new bullnose pieces, and cut the top...
All of the materials are birch. Birch is a great material for a desk, and used to be pretty readily available, but not so much any more. Ive managed to locate what I need, but it took some leg work to track it down. More to come...
So What Does An Old French Guy Know That I Dont
So with my last two posts, you must know by now that I am trying to define a vice that will adapt to the type of work I do, and plan to do. As I plan to make boxes, everything from jewellery to writing boxes, I expect they will be built in an array of sizes and shapes, not all necessarily square. I also have found a new interest; kinetic sculptures. This is a very fancy name for folk art that has moving parts. A more recognizable term for them is "whirligigs". Some of the more complex ones I have looked at lately absolutely fascinate me. I will leave the topic of kinetic sculptures for another day, but I mention them because they explain why I want a vice that will work out of parallel.
So far, my trip into the physics of applied forces hasnt been met with anything that even slightly resembles a, "I say there, Mitchell, I think you might have it, sir". In truth, my plans have pretty much garnered a, "Cute, but it wont bloody work you moron."
So I do what I do best...I do more research.
For my vice idea, I only had to cruise as far as the Popular Woodworking site to discover one of Christopher Schwarzs articles on vices, one of many, an article entitled, "Meet the Etaux from Old Salems Shop".
An "Etaux" is an add-on to a vice and is used for specialty work, much like Moxons Twin Screw Bench Vice. The one Chris was discussing is basically a miniature leg vice.
Chris had a couple of images of this vice that were small and showed less than ideal detail. I went off and searched for better ones, but couldnt come up with any, so I did a little work with Chris to get some of the detail between the uprights to display. If nothing else, these adjusted images will show you why you cant enlarge digital image files - they fall apart.
Bad images aside, the design of this vice results in the question..."Why the hell will this old French guys design work and mine wont?"
Read More..
So far, my trip into the physics of applied forces hasnt been met with anything that even slightly resembles a, "I say there, Mitchell, I think you might have it, sir". In truth, my plans have pretty much garnered a, "Cute, but it wont bloody work you moron."
So I do what I do best...I do more research.
For my vice idea, I only had to cruise as far as the Popular Woodworking site to discover one of Christopher Schwarzs articles on vices, one of many, an article entitled, "Meet the Etaux from Old Salems Shop".
An "Etaux" is an add-on to a vice and is used for specialty work, much like Moxons Twin Screw Bench Vice. The one Chris was discussing is basically a miniature leg vice.
Chris had a couple of images of this vice that were small and showed less than ideal detail. I went off and searched for better ones, but couldnt come up with any, so I did a little work with Chris to get some of the detail between the uprights to display. If nothing else, these adjusted images will show you why you cant enlarge digital image files - they fall apart.
Bad images aside, the design of this vice results in the question..."Why the hell will this old French guys design work and mine wont?"
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| The inset is the original in its original size and the black and white image is the adjusted one, like I had to explain that one to you :0) |
 |
| There is no glide connecting these two uprights to keep them parallel. None, nada, zip. The only parts are a large screw at the top, and a smaller one at the bottom. Now where did I see that design before? Oh ya. It was mine! |
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| Two examples from an early 20th-century tool catalogue, La Forge Royale. |
While I have never seen this vice before, I couldnt help but notice that even the bottom, lighter screw comes at things from the back.
While I cant see it in the photos, the bottom screw may be connected to the front upright in some way. I have emailed Chris and asked him about this. Ill let you know his answer once I receive it.
Peace,
Mitchell
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