christmas Tote
Welcome! / Forums / Project Series / Carrying Tote / christmas Tote
- This topic has 23 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 3 months ago by Mark Armstrong.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Hi everyone,
This is my first post, nevertheless, my fourth Paul Sellers project. After a Workbench and two dovetailed boxes, I managed to start a Tote as a Christmas gift for my father.
It is made from an imported pine from Uruguay, It is rather pretty, it has some purple and grey hues.The design was spontaneous, I wanted to do it different from the other projects in the gallery, and had some ambition for its design, but decided to go go halfway since it is taking me too much time to finish it.
I had several problems (mistakes) from the start, here is my log:
1. Measured the housing dados with only one surfaced face, when the dado was finished, I realized that surfacing the the other side would leave it loose.
2. Tried to use my new spokeshave for the curved vertical edges, but it looks I need to work on setting and sharpening it. Given that, the sides are not as accuarate with the template.
3. Glue up was a disaster,eventhough I made dry glueup rehersals, i managed to get confused on all sides, and edges with its dadoes and got glue all over the pieces. My weakest ability in Woodworking is glueup and need to work on it, diligently.
4. Used a spade bit for the handle holes, Big mistake, There is a big step on one of the holes that left a BI>G gap on it.
5. i had to make the handle from a 1.5″ square stock, and had to size it to the holes, I used too much force and ended up craking an vertical edge, in the photo, I am glueing the crack.After I finish it, I will put some Super Blonde shellac, made from scratch from flakes, also, first time using shellac, I will post some photos, with the finished product as soon as it is ready.
happy New Year,
MH
4 January 2014 at 1:58 am #25175I think it looks really nice Mario. Glue up still makes me nervous too. We all make mistakes, it’s how we deal with them that matters.
Good work and be sure to post photos when it’s finished.4 January 2014 at 2:46 am #25177Thanks for sharing, the good and the lessons learned. I am sure your father will love it.
I dont know about you guys and gals, but all my projects always look awful until the midst of finishing it.
After they take the final coat of finish and polish, I always fall in love with my project, mistakes and all.
Hmm, and I also have another weakness in woodworking… I always end up giving everything as a gift… I still have to keep anything I make… And everybody who receives the gift end up loving it…
update: Finished cleaning up the glue up misshaps, and finished rounding the handle… As I said before, I Made the handle, not from round 1.5″ stock but from 1.5″ Square stock. I first marked the square stock with 1.5 Diameter circle in the end grain, and planed the square into an octagon, the octagon refined until it resembled a cylinder, I left it intentionally rough so it doesn´t slip the users handling of the tote. Here is the picture from stock to semi finished handle… Tomorrow, I start finishing it.
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.Ola!
I think it became very nice!
I also had problems drillind with spade bits, because i usually bought cheap ones and put them in very high speed… I’ve learned my lesson and you too! LOL!I’m kind telling to myself “keep on going”…
Ay que trabajarOh! I’m from Portugal
4 January 2014 at 9:22 pm #25247I really like your design Mario, the shape of the sides really adds a lot to the tote. Great job!!
Hola Antonio y Steve… Sorry for the late response but I had problems with my Masterclass account and Payment via Paypal… Overnight I became a non paying member and couldn’t log on but I think my problem is now solved.
With this cold weather, I haven’t been able to finish the project, the wood is cold and the shellac too, so I better hope for a sunny day to finish.
When I get home I’ll post a photo of the tote, I am now really liking it!
I am all too weary now using electricity for my Woodworking, I feel I lose so much control with it. After this experience I will definitely watch for a brace, and as Antonio says, we need to get woodworking to get the experience and motricity control…
Update:
Here is the finished tote: I just put the first coat of shellac or sanding sealer coat?
This is my first experience with shellac. I don’t know if I like it, really, I have had the best experience with wiped on poly, and comparing them is difficult.
I feel that shellac is very runny and liquidy and dries extremely fast. I feel like I don’t have time going from piece to piece… I also see several places were the shellac runned. So I don´t know, Maybe is something I need to practice, maybe with the next coats…. Here are some pictures:
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.10 January 2014 at 3:42 am #25661It looks really good! Well done. Shellac has a learning curve for sure. Once you get used to it, it is a quick and beautiful finish.
10 January 2014 at 5:53 am #25666Looks really good Mario, I agree with Greg, Shellac definitely takes some getting used to. I use a spray can from time to time, and have also thinned it with Alcohol. I have had much better luck putting on very thin coats.
I do love it though, I recently was rushed to finish a project and I was able to spray three thin coats and then put on a coat of wax within one hour.
11 January 2014 at 2:19 am #25729I’ve used shellac quite a bit for classic bicycle handlebar wraps. After a few coats it really starts to build up and produce a beautiful finish that will develop richness of character over time.
Mario, the shape of the ends is very nice. The tote is a great project and gift. And the little imperfections make them unique and are proof that they are hand made. Paul made mention in one of the dovetail box videos that it was the signature of the old craftsmen to have at least one saw cut a little deeper than it should be and showed that it was hand made. Not in so many words but that was my take on it. Keep up the good work.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.