For those interested, LIE-NIELSEN Toolworks will be coming to Indy October 16th and 17th. Chris Schwarz will be along to perform demos as well as Alex, the helpful sales associate, from Woodcraft Indy. The location of the event is the John Herron School of Art. It looks like I'm off work on the 17th so, hopefully, I'll see you there!

Storage Chest Completed

        I finally finished the outdoor storage chest from a few posts ago. I went back and forth on the finish to use. I was intending to use this for storing play balls outside so I thought about just painting the thing and being done with it. But after planing and smoothing the top and seeing the nice redwood grain I decided to use some outdoor stain/varnish I had left over from the grill cart project. Besides, I can always prime it and paint it later but not so easily the other way around. I think it looks nice although I did leave a few drip spots. Finishing is definitely an area I need to learn more about and get more practice with. Something that's funny to me about finishing outdoor projects like this is that it looks almost too nice to be left outside, but not quite as nice as I'd like to keep in the living room. I'm sure after some scratches, a hail storm, and after the puppy starts gnawing on it, it will look right at home with all the other weathered outdoor furniture.

Now, on to the next project....

    The lumber is dry, the tools have been acquired, the heat of summer is gone. The time has come to make some real furniture. This photo is borrowed from Swamp Road Woodworks. It's a very impressive site by woodworker Joe Zeh. I really like Shaker furniture and this piece comes very close to what I've been looking for. I'm planning on using walnut that has been drying for a little more than one year by my barn. Both of my boys need new drawers so I'll see what I can do by Christmas.

That time of the year again...

    For the past week I've been busy working on an annual project with my ol' friend Mel. Every year for the past four years we make signs for the Indianapolis Irish Festival. This year we made about 30 signs for all of the restaurants and the entertainment stages. Of course, we had some help along the way. Thanks Jon and Paige!

This is Paige, a sign maker in training.

Here's Mel, making last-minute changes as usual...

    

After I finish this project and at least one more I will hopefully be able to start making some furniture.

This year's Irish Festival will run from Friday the 18th to Sunday the 20th.