Monday, September 26, 2005

Well "Oil" Be!

Isn't sanding fun?? Eh? No, thats right, it isn't. Nevermind, nearly there. I have put the first coat of oil on the chair and it certainly brings out the colour of the walnut. Can see how its going to be, now. Still some more sanding left (funny how a finish shows up scratches on previously flawless looking surfaces....) and plenty of coats of oil. But the end is in sight!
Spent the weekend painting and DIY'ing it around the house (when not sanding!). Almost a pleasure to be sat around the office "hard at work" today.........

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Cough, Snort!

Oh Dear.......
Sanding on the chair has started in earnest. I don't like sanding-it's smelly, dirty hand-aching work. I have a fine air filter that cleans the air in the workshop and am wearing a powered respirator. Still I have been coughing my guts up the last three days. I won't go as far as to say "I'm alergic" to black walnut dust but it certainly doesn't agree with me. Running nose, aching ears and eyes (?) loose chest. Not good. Thank goodness I only have a couple more hours of sanding left.
On the good side the chair looks great-I am so close to finishing it I just want to get oiling. But every time I return to look at the chair I see something else to tweak. Real close though!

Monday, September 19, 2005

Busy, Busy


Chair is now all glued up, all holes plugged and final shaping is underway. I have a fair amount of walnut sawdust if anyone needs it? ;) Really looking forward to getting the chair finished now-if only to be able to use it.
Had a busy weekend-Friday night in London seeing The Offspring. You certainly see it all in the City! Spent most of Sat and Sunday re-tiling the kitchen. Not the most fun job but it does look good now its done. Why didn't we do this years ago??
The Racket played in Christchurch Saturday night and a lot of fun it was too! I certainly feel happier when the band is so loud the lights keep going out........

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Kinda getting there


So-does it look a bit like a Maloof chair or what??
Yes, progress is happening on the chair, all legs are glued, screwed and plugged. A bit more shaping before the arms are glued on-its easier to shape them at the bench than glued into the chair.Final fitting of the back and then its sandpaper time. Certainly can't wait to apply the first coat of BLO!
Work has been busy so time in the workshop has been seriously limited. Isn't that always the way? Off to London tomorrow to watch "The Offspring"-ear plugs at the ready!

Sunday, September 11, 2005

A Good Weekend

It's been a good weekend! Spent a few hours on the chair and managed to get the main shaping completed on the seat. You can now see how its going to look-even the Missus was impressed!
Went to the Yandles Woodworking Show yesterday. It was pretty quiet there-quite a shock!! The usual suspects I spoke to said it was probably down to the weather forecast and the cricket. Hope it's not just tough times biting deeper. Had a lot of fun though and met up with a couple of "Uk Workshop"ers. Also managed to come away with some goodies-sorry Waka....
Look forward to getting the chair closer to completion this week. Mind you I have a busy week ahead so who knows?

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Boo-Boo

Came up against a little boo-boo today.......
The right leg of the chair featured a small amount of the rounded edge of the plank (sapwood). Thought I'd be able to get away with it-until fitting the arm. No chance! So had to do some head scratching and repairwork. Think it came out o.k.-time will tell if it sticks out like a sore thumb.
The shop looks such a mess at the moment, it really is a bit embaressing. But there never seems to be enough room, even when I re-arrange things. Guess I just need some extra time to sort that out. Hah-don't get me started on time............

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Zoom............

Where did that week go????
Spent Tues/Wed in Exeter fitting a kitchen-went pretty smoothly apart from the kitchen not turning up.......
Played at the Dorset Steam Fair in Blandford on Friday and Saturday nights with my band (Check out www.philsville.co.uk/racket.htm for useless info!)Was a lot of fun-although the locals were a bit scary! Must be all that scrumpy.
The chair is making steady progress. I've final fitted the left arm and am finally happy with the shape. Back is roughly sized and clamped in position and I can sit in it to try it out. Gonna be a nice chair (fingers crossed!)