Trying something new

SwarthyGnome

SwarthyGnome

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Nov 1, 2018
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So over the years with CPK, I have amassed quite a bit of wood blocks and scales, I figure this might be a good time to start a new hobby: woodworking.
Never had the space in my previous townhome for a work bench, and never grew up using tools.
As I have had my townhome and now single family home I have attempted to try and do things on my own before hiring out someone to do tasks.
This has lead me to take a leap and acquire some cheap tools to try my hand at turning pretty blocks of wood into functional handle scales, etc. Best part about it is my wife thinks this is cool and impressed thus far!
I will post link to imgur for the process of how it is going.
At current I have hit a stop point as I await Amazon delivery of various tools/ equipment.
I fully expect to fail, hard. I already dropped one scale on the grinder as I was grinding it!
I watched a few videos and thats it so far.


Work station and set up!
https://imgur.com/a/n7Rms03

Work progress:
https://imgur.com/a/T7T7U0R

Thanks for joining me on the process. I will update this thread as I make more progress with the work.
-Dan
 
I can see it already...

il_fullxfull.871420595_a0u0.jpg



22441702_master.jpg



🤣
 
SwarthyGnome said:
So over the years with CPK, I have amassed quite a bit of wood blocks and scales, I figure this might be a good time to start a new hobby: woodworking.
Click to expand...
I've come to realize that the woodworking rabbit hole is one of the deepest that you can go down. First you'll just need one saw type. Then another and some jigs. Next thing you know, your area will be filled with clamps and sanders.

A rabbit hole on par with guns and knives, for sure.
 
Are you going to stabilize them? I was checking out the vacuum systems myself. And it seems like Cactus Juice is the preferred stabilizer. But that’s just from some short lived internetting. I cut trees most days and often I come across some really nice burls or figured grain but it usually just goes into firewood which is income for me. So I am always thinking I should utilize it in some way more appropriate to its value. I do have an Alaskan Chainsaw Mill that I’ve used to build some live edge furniture and barns and such with. I come from at least three generations of furniture builders. I’ve seen pictures of my great grandfather delivering furniture with a horse pulled cart. Good luck with it. Looking good so far. Synthetics may outperform but none can match the beauty of fine wood in my opinion.
 
Mendoman said:
Are you going to stabilize them? I was checking out the vacuum systems myself. And it seems like Cactus Juice is the preferred stabilizer. But that’s just from some short lived internetting. I cut trees most days and often I come across some really nice burls or figured grain but it usually just goes into firewood which is income for me. So I am always thinking I should utilize it in some way more appropriate to its value. I do have an Alaskan Chainsaw Mill that I’ve used to build some live edge furniture and barns and such with. I come from at least three generations of furniture builders. I’ve seen pictures of my great grandfather delivering furniture with a horse pulled cart. Good luck with it. Looking good so far. Synthetics may outperform but none can match the beauty of fine wood in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I am using wood either stabilized by K&G, in house from specific sellers (likely cactus juice), and eventually some woods that don’t need to be stabilized.
This is just my beginning and it is going slow. My 1year old demands and gets the most attention right now.
 
41D50457-E0A0-4AF4-96DD-B4072105E4B8.jpeg
Counter sunk these bad boys.
I def missed/ angled one of the front holes a smidge…
I also got the bit caught in the scale as I was just piercing the back-end.
2FA96094-27F3-4C7A-A635-B4C4D07B3E33.jpeg
Got me a shopvac! A buddy of mine always told me I should have one on-hand for house stuff. Helped clean up the workbench after cutting and drilling the wood.
 
SwarthyGnome said:
I am using wood either stabilized by K&G, in house from specific sellers (likely cactus juice), and eventually some woods that don’t need to be stabilized.
This is just my beginning and it is going slow. My 1year old demands and gets the most attention right now.
Click to expand...
"right now" :)

I remember those optimistic young days as a new parent thinking it would get easier one day.
 
SwarthyGnome said:
View attachment 1942387
Counter sunk these bad boys.
I def missed/ angled one of the front holes a smidge…
I also got the bit caught in the scale as I was just piercing the back-end.
View attachment 1942389
Got me a shopvac! A buddy of mine always told me I should have one on-hand for house stuff. Helped clean up the workbench after cutting and drilling the wood.
Click to expand...
This is all about the set up. I was trying to guess how you might mess up the countersink operation. I would clamp the piece securely, checking that your setup is square, and make a small pilot hole, say 1/16" using your drill press, then drill it to 1/4" (I believe is the size you need) in a second step. Finally I would use a countersink with a smooth 1/4" pilot. Without a pilot, you are prone to slop and jitter.
(if only there was a machinist around here to ask...)
One more suggestion. Beautiful stabilized scales are expensive. I would get a few chunks of say African Blackwood from Bell Forest and practice all this for cheap.
 
Richard338 said:
This is all about the set up. I was trying to guess how you might mess up the countersink operation. I would clamp the piece securely, checking that your setup is square, and make a small pilot hole, say 1/16" using your drill press, then drill it to 1/4" (I believe is the size you need) in a second step. Finally I would use a countersink with a smooth 1/4" pilot. Without a pilot, you are prone to slop and jitter.
(if only there was a machinist around here to ask...)
One more suggestion. Beautiful stabilized scales are expensive. I would get a few chunks of say African Blackwood from Bell Forest and practice all this for cheap.
Click to expand...
The pilot hole is def what I will need to do next time around. Because I messed up the holes… I think I can make them better by coming from the back end but we will see.
Thank you for the helpful suggestions.
I looked through my pile and figured this set was an older one I had and figured YOLO on it.
 
I think having a pilot on the countersink will make a big difference. Your screw heads will snug things together, but I hate to watch you swinging it around the sand paper like that
and talking about drilling from both sides. IMHO you want a clean pass from one side. A drill at its best will be round enough, but people like Nathan would ream the hole to size for better precision.
 
Richard338 said:
I think having a pilot on the countersink will make a big difference. Your screw heads will snug things together, but I hate to watch you swinging it around the sand paper like that
and talking about drilling from both sides. IMHO you want a clean pass from one side. A drill at its best will be round enough, but people like Nathan would ream the hole to size for better precision.
Click to expand...
I would like one pass and success. I am also a novice who watched a few youtube videos.
I expect to make mistakes. Sometimes big ones. But also learn from them, like this situation here.
 

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