Character

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” - Lance Armstrong

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." - Friedrich Nietzsche

I remember talking to my father after his first heart attack. He was home from the hospital and on the mend. He was not yet ready to go back to work, but he was allowed to take walks. He had his nitro tablets if he had any chest pains. I sat at the kitchen table with him one morning and asked where he walked. He said he did not go far from the house because he might have pain. I found this a funny response. He knew everyone in the neighborhood. If he had any discomfort, he could sit on someones porch and take a nitro pill. I guess he did not want to bother anyone if there was an issue. But how would you know your limit? You have to push the edge a little to find your limits (we all have them).

Today was one of those days.

I went for a 34 mile yesterday. The winds were light, it was in the high 40's, and I had a good ride.

Today was tough. It was around 35 degF went I left. The winds were around 15 to 20 MPH from the south. It was cloudy. With the windchill, it felt like 25 degF!

Today was to be a hill day. I chose a route to do some hill work for the first 10 miles, head into the winds for about 5 miles, turn east for more hills for another 7 miles, and then ride 13 miles north back home. The headwinds and cold temperatures just drained the snap from my legs. I would get to the top of a hill, then freeze as I accelerated downhill. The headwinds felt like pedaling through molasses. By the time I got through the hills and headed north, bu toes felt like ice, my legs were stiff, and I just couldn't get my legs to turn fast. I plodded home.

When you have one of these type of days, you think of cutting the ride short. I could have just called the wife and have her pick me up. Though my speed was well under what I would have liked to see, I was not cramping nor did I feel like I hit the wall. I powered through it all.

It is expected to be in the high 60's and 70's by next weekend. I hope this character building only makes me stronger next weekend. We'll see . . .

Auction Update

We did get the winning bid for the metal cooler. $10! The wife got a call today from the auction house. The tractor bell went for 'way more' than the $25 we bid. The cooler reminds me of the coolers we had on our porch. The milk man ('Old Man Miller') used to deliver milk in glass jugs 3 times a week (we were big milk drinkers). You still can get milk delivered in certain areas, but home delivery of milk is now a vestige of a simpler time.

A Similar Kamp Kold Cooler

We've seen similar coolers for as much as $100! Ours has a slightly different handle and is not in as good shape. The wife bought it for its decorative appeal. A fun find.

Nice Weather

The last 3 days have been beautiful. I had Friday off from work. The wife andI decided to visit my sister,who also had the day off. I rode my bike out towards her place. My wife followed in the car. It was cold when I started, though I made good time. At about 22 miles, I headed into the wind and my speed dropped off. My wife had started out a few hours later and caught up with me at mile 44. I was glad to throw the bike on the rack and jump into the car to get out of the winds. After a quick shower at my sister's place, we all went for lunch. Italian - yum!

We headed home later in the afternoon and stopped by one of the local auction houses. We put a couple of absentee bids out for a bell (it had a tractor on it) and an old-fashion milk jug cooler for the porch. As we didn't hear anything, guess we didn't get them.

We came home and I did a little cleanup in the yard. The roofers had left 2 large pieces of roofing which I dragged into the barn. The new roof is done and it looks great.

New Metal Barn Roof

New Roof Over Gym

Saturday found me working in the yard. We spread some topsoil around the new well and where the crew dug out the old village water line. I hooked the roller to the tractor and smoothed out the soil and pushed down the tread marks from the heavy equipment. I did some raking, collected all the sticks from the yard, did some work on the barn gutters, and used some roll sheet metal to cover a hole the birds had made in the garage (pesky varmints)! I went for a 26 mile ride in the early afternoon. As it was nearly 60 degF, I did not wear any of my cold weather kit. It felt nice riding. I saw my first bluebird. What a nice ride. We fired up the grill and enjoyed the warmer weather.

Today I was lazy. I got a 32 mile ride in, but did not get out to the workshop to finish the gate leg table. It was just too nice to work inside. After my ride I grabbed a nap, and then went out to the creek to listen to the water and watch the birds. I noticed the daffodils were coming up. This warm weather (about 20 degF above normal) has really jump-started spring. We are headed back to normal temps and rain over the next few days. Next weekend will only be in the 40's. Oh well. . .

Enjoy the warmth while you can.

Daffodils

It's Official!

It was a beautiful day. I decided to go out for a quick bike ride after work. I had the sun in my eyes on the ride out so I couldn't see them, but I could hear them . . .

Red wing blackbirds!

I had a flat. I fixed the flat and then headed back home. As the sun was setting, I could then see the red wing blackbirds.

It is officially spring!

Spring News Flash

Though I have been hearing them, I haven't seen any robins. Yesterday, I saw my first! Spring is here!

Signs of Spring

It rained all day yesterday and into the night. Today it was cold and windy, but we had a respite from rain. I decided to get outside for a bicycle ride. Though the wind and cold sap your strength, it is more fun than sitting on the turbo trainer watching last year's Tour de France videos.

With the coming of spring, the signs are appearing everywhere that life is stirring. I hear more songbirds calling, but I still haven't seen any redwing blackbirds. When I see the redwing blackbirds, I know for sure that spring has come.

I rode north following the east branch of the Owego River. A few years ago, I saw signs of beaver in the river about 15 miles from my home. Now, I saw beaver dams and a lodge around 10 miles from here. Last spring I saw beaver signs just down the street from our house, though the river is too an large here for them to dam the river. Upstream, the river is slower and there are more small creeks for the beaver to navigate and dam.

The sap buckets are on the maple trees. A nearby neighbor has a small sugarbush just down our street. About 2.5 miles up the hill from our house, there is a sugar shack making syrup. Real, fresh maple syrup is so much better than the syrup you find in the grocery stores. The thought of a hot, steaming plate of pancakes with maple syrup sound real good right now after my bike ride in the cold!

Progress

Spring is soon to come, and the outside projects are starting!

We found a contractor to put a new roof on the barn. They started this week due to the unusually warm March weather (it was nearly 50 degF - amazing we had 18 inches a snow just 2 week ago!). They got the purlins on the main roof barn, and are nearly finished on the east side of the main barn. They will then work on the single-story section over the gym. With the new roof, the barn work will be finished (for now)!

The well drillers are busy around the neighborhood. A number of our neighbors have followed our lead and getting wells drilled.

With the warm weather, the melting snow has brought the creeks and rivers up. Our creek is running high, but there is no worry about flooding.

Gate Leg Table - Part 2

So . . .

From my previous post, I had finished the basic frame elements. I attached the sides to the front and back rails. I then glued it together and clamped it. I also added corner braces at the top (these also serve as a place to screw the top into the frame) as well as several chair braces to the lower rail sections.

Corner Brace

The gate leg is constructed the same as the other sides, but only uses 2 rail sections and 1 spindle. Size the rail sections so that the gate leg assembly swings from the center but just clears the other spindles by 1/4".

Attach the gate leg using hinges at the rails.

Completed Frame w/ Gate Leg

I was going to make the top from oak - but the price of oak boards in ( approx 16 feet 12") would have been around $150! I opted for pre-glued pine sections (one 48" x 24" and one 48" x 18") which totaled around $40.

I cut the top and drop side to size and attached the top. I notched the top rail of the gate leg to pass over the hinges, then attached the hinges to the top and the drop side.

Notched Section of Top Gate Leg Rail

I need to sand the piece and stain it.

Completed Table

Table w/ Side Down

Overall, I am pretty happy with the piece. The spindles are a little long, so the piece is tall for a table, but it is the right height for a counter. This would be a good piece for a small kitchen to hold an appliance or two but still give you workspace when you pull up the drop side. I might shorten the legs a few inches. Only time will tell . . .

Simple Gate Leg Table - Part 1

I was inspired by my daughter to attempt a table without using any complicated tools or mortise and tenon joinery. This was in part based on an approach she saw on another blog for simple furniture building.

Before I begin, I will state that this may not be the cheapest way to build such furniture, nor will it be the strongest (though it will be a strong as the stuff you buy partially built in the major brick and mortar stores). However, it can be done with just a drill, clamps, a mallet and a saw (I did use a table saw, but a hand saw will work). Some sanding, gluing and screwing will also be required. What is not used is a chisel, router, stacked dado head, etc. you see in other furniture building.

You start by getting your wood. What makes this an easy way to build furniture is you use stair spindles for the table legs, basic 1x3 boards for the frame members, and some 3/8" dowels (which you cut to size). I cut the 1x3's into 4 38" sections (2 sections each for the upper and lower rails for front and back of the piece). You will also cut the 1x3's into 4 18" side rail sections. Make sure all you rails sections are the same length (if you are off slightly, clamp all the similarly-size rails together and sand them on the ends to be the same length). You will also need some angle brackets and hinges, but that will be brought up in a later posting.

Typical stair spindles will have a shorter rectangular (i.e., unturned) area at the top and a longer rectangular area at the bottom.

You get a small (approx. 8") piece of 1x3 and use it for a jig / template for aligning holes for the dowels. You will carefully cut it in half lengthwise. You flip it sideways and then mark a line across it for aligning the dowel holes. This will become clearer when you look at the photos.

Hole Alignment Jig / Template

You lay out the position for 2 equally spaced 3/8" holes in the jig piece. This is the most precise part. Once you align the holes, carefully drill them out. Now here is the key part of the project. The jig can be used from either direction, but you need to be consistent with your usage. I would use 1 side for drilling the holes for the legs (spindles), but the other side for the holes in the 1x3 frame members. By flipping the jig around, any error in your drilling will work itself out in the assembly (trust me this work fine).

Use the jig to align and drill 3/8" holes into the spindles at the top and bottom ends. You will need to drill the holes into 2 adjacent side of the spindles. Make sure you use the same side of the jig when aligning the holes for the spindles!

Jig Used to Align Holes at Top of Spindle

Jig used to Align Holes at Bottom of Spindle

Once that is done, you flip the jig around and drill the holes into the ends of the rail pieces. Pick your rail pieces carefully to that you have the best side facing out.

Drilling the Holes in the End of the Rails

One the holes are drilled, you then cut short sections of dowel and glue them into the rail pieces. You then glue the spindle pieces into the shorter rail and build the sides of the table frame. Clamp it all together and check that it is square.

Detail of Joint

Basic Side Frame Subassembly

Stay Tuned for Part 2 - Finishing the Frame and the Adding the Gate Leg . . .

Keeping Busy

Brrrr!

It was a 'warm' and sunny day. The high is around 34 degF (1 degC). I went for a short (15 mile) bike ride up one of the local hills. The downhills were brutal as the wind felt like it was sucking the heat right out of you. I'd do it again in a heartbeat (once I warm up).

I opened up the jigsaw I got at the auction Friday. I found the speed control board looked like it has a burnt trace. The saw is a Freud FJ85 jigsaw. I got the parts list online. I'll call the customer support line see if I can get a new controller board. The saw sells for around $100 new. It is a 6 amp variable speed saw. If I can get a controller board cheap, it would have been a great investment.

I started on a gate leg table. My daughter pointed me to an approach for furniture making using pre-made stair spindles. Essentially, you use 1x3's and the spindles for the basic frame. I am using dowels to pin the basic frame together, but will mortise the gate leg assemblies together. The forstner bits I picked up at the auction worked great for drilling out the holes for the dowels. I'll post some photos as the project progresses.

I also added a few caps to the end of the axles for the doll carriage we got our granddaughter (it only had 1 hub cap). I touched them up with spray paint. It really helps to complete the carriage.

I'll hit the gate leg table hard next week. I should be able to get the frame together and get the drop-legs assembled and attached. Then I will need to work on the top and sides.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

We went to a local auction house yesterday. They have the outside 'mantiques' (tools, old furniture, etc.) auction as well as the traditional inside stuff (furniture, dishes, toys, etc.).

I picked up a jigsaw for $15 and a set of forstner bits for $30. The saw was a heavy duty saw with nice roller bearing support for the blade and dust collection attachment. The bits were in a wide variety of sizes. I was very happy with the bits, but . . .

. . . the jigsaw doesn't look like it works. I'll work on it tomorrow to see if it is something simple. Oh well, all sales final!

More Toys

We went to a few antique stores yesterday. I am always on the lookout for good antique tools. It is not that I collect them - its just that you can get quality tools for a very good price.

I found a decent spokeshave. It is marked No. 51. Most like a vintage Stanley piece. I sharpened the blade on the wheel and it is good as new. Paid $6. I also found a wooden mallet. The head was tight to the handle. It has seen some use, but it was in good shape. Again, $6!

I am still looking for a decent froe, decent chisels and gouges. I should also look for more bits for the brace I picked up recently.

Happy antique hunting!

The New Addition

If you haven't guessed it, I found a treadle-powered sandstone grinding wheel. It is in good shape, and is a welcome addition for sharpening my tools. At a price of $75, I think it was a bargain. I haven't found a maker's mark on it. I am not sure when it was made. I assume it is early 20th century.

I sharpened my ax, scythe, hatchet, some wood carving tools, an iron from an old block plane, and a half-dozen kitchen knives. The large sandstone wheel spins at a nice rate. The material is not aggressive and gently cleans up a rough surface. It's large surface is great, and the dripping water keeps the wheel cool.

We also found a nice little doll carriage. I am sure our granddaughter will like it . . .

A Great Find!

First - I'll have to keep you waiting . . .

We went antiquing today. I am always on the lookout for tools and other 'mantiques'. I saw some neat old tin signs that would look great on the barn. There were some cool tools, but nothing that I felt I really would use.

Then, I saw it. I've been looking for one of these for a long time. This one was in great working shape, and it had a seat!

I already have a bunch of tools lined up to use the new addition. My son-in-law will be jealous!

We did not have room in the car for it today. I'll have to pick it up tomorrow with the station wagon.

Stay Tuned . . .

Very Cool

I had to go to DC today for a business meeting. I took and early flight and arrived in DC around 9:00. My meeting got postponed, so I spent a few hours visiting a few museums at the Mall.

I first decided to visit the capital building. However, today was the day of the State of the Union address, so the whole capital was off limits. Bummer. I decided to revisit the American Indian museum. My wife and I had visited it a few years ago when it first opened. It was very crowded and we didn't get a chance to really spend time exploring. I got there around 10:00. Being a weekday, it was not crowded.

I came across an exhibit of sculpture by an artist named Brian Jungen. He is from British Columbia. His work was very interesting. I really liked a set of totem poles he created. Can you guess what they are made from (answer below)?

I was really interested in these as we are going to Alaska in June and might get a chance to see some totems. Brian Jungen's work uses everyday objects to build his sculptures.

Okay - the answer is golf bags! He made these totems from golf bags.

Very cool!

Long Overdue

It's been a while since I was in the blogosphere. I have been working on a few projects in the workshop, but the cold weather has kept me away from my unheated workshop longer than I would like. My daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter also came to visit, so I spent my freetime with them (it was a real treat!).

I have started carving a bowl from a piece of wood from my mother-in-law's home. If it looks like it will turn into something nice, I'll post some photos.

I received a few tools as gifts from my daughter and son-in-law. They found a Shelton #14 jack plane. It is in very nice condition and works like a champ. They also bought me a hand brace. Both look to be mid-20th century pieces. I only had to put a few drops of oil on the brace to free up its action. I put a 3/4" wood bit in it and ripped right through a rough piece of wood.

Shelton #14 Jack Plane

Mid-Century Brace

I also got around to making a new frog for a wooden block plane my daughter and son-in-law gave me a few months ago. The old frog was broken on the end and would not hold the iron in tightly.

I ripped a piece of oak down to the correct width, then beveled one side on the table saw. I then traced out the upper curved part, and cut its bevel out on the band saw. The new frog holds the iron in nicely. Now I have to sharpen the iron (it will take a little work).

New Frog for Block Plane

Brrrr ! ! !

Let's see. It's 10 degF (-12 degC) at 3:30 PM. About the warmest it will get today.

I worked out and then went to the workshop. It was very cold in the workshop. I lit the kerosene heater, but knew there was no way it would really warm the workshop up.

I bought bandsaw recently and had some more setup to do on it. I had to adjust the thrust bearings and blade tension. I also squared the table. I then tried out some hardwood dowels I recently bought on the pole lathe. They worked great. I now know that I can turn some hardwood for projects (I can't get greenwood real easily).

After being in the workshop about 45 minutes, I found myself running over to the heater to warm up. I looked at the thermometer - it was only 24 degF in the workshop. It was too cold to keep working. Time to go in.

We had some more snow, so I has to plow the driveway again. Brrrr ! ! !

Antiquing

Happy New Year!

We awoke to a few inches of new snow. Didn't stop us from going to an antique action in a nearby town. It is a big auction house. They had ~ 1200 lots for sale. They run 2 auctions simultaneously. The outdoor auction is mostly 'project' furniture, old tools, farm-related items, and sporting goods. The inside auction is the better furniture, toys, china, rugs, pictures, and other collectibles.

I had my eye of a cast iron bistro table and 2 chairs. The chairs were in good shape, though the table was a little wobbly. I went as high as $30. It sold for $50. I also bid on a box of planes. There were six in the lot. One was missing it's iron, one had a busted handle, 2 were regular metal planes. I went as high as $30, but they ultimately went for $60. We saw some large crocks. They had a plain 5 gallon one that no one bid on. The minimum bid was $10. The wife is kicking herself for not jumping on it. There were a few with blue decorations on them. We did bid on them, but would not go as high as the final price (around $50).

We did see a 5-piece outdoor metal table and chair set. I had my eye on the bistro set which came up later. The 5-piece set went for $20. What a bargain.

I did walk away with a box of assorted stuff (as I always say, 'One man's trash is another man's garbage!). It had 3 ice tongs, a hacksaw, a pump head and a couple of C-clamps. I wanted the pump head to put on top of the new well head (it won't we a working pump, but it will look better than a hunk or iron pipe sticking out of the ground!). I got them for $15.

We decided to leave after a few hours. The inside auction had a long way to go. We put a absentee bid on a large (~ 20 inch) wooden bowl. I am sure we won't get it (we bid $75, but I think it will fetch a lot more than that). If we get it I'll post a picture of it.

We've gone to this auction house before (it is where I picked up by scythe). We'll have to pay more attention to this auction house as it is local and they post teaser pictures on the web. It was a fun way to spend a few hours.

Blue Moon

Today is a blue moon day. It is the second full moon in one month. Concept2 Rowing had a Blue Moon challenge. You had to row two 5,000 meter sessions. I decided to split my marathon into two consecutive half marathons.

It was harder than the marathon I did back in late October. The last 5K was tough. I had some leg cramping and my hands were getting sore, but I did it.

The snow stopped and I plowed out the driveway. The wife and I will be sitting back, drink a little mulled wine, and enjoy the rest of the day.

Happy New Year's Everyone!

Night Visitor

I awoke early. All was still, dark and quiet. I turned up the heat, ate some breakfast and went back to bed.

I awoke again around sunrise. I got out of bed and started to get ready for my rowing marathon today.

I walked out to the barn to get a fews things. The snow had just started. The shoveled areas were coated. There was no wind. It was beautiful outside. I really love such times.

I saw that a deer had come across the yard. It made its way over to the holly bushes. It left tracks in the older snow, but not the new powder. It probably was roaming around at the same time that I first arose. I wonder if I startled the visitor when I got up early. . .

It was a magical morning.