It's time, really...

Honestly, I remember wondering how Don could work in the mess he created while working on a job (well, of course I never have said this to him; do you think I could be that insensitive???  ). Well, just another example of why you should never judge someone until you've walked in their shoes!   My garage is a huge, hot mess!

Drills, sanders, and air guns.  Nails and hammers.  Scraps and more scraps!
ONE HOT MESS!

Can you see that I'm even using my table saw surface as additional work space?
Really??  That just seems so careless...
See that cut off saw on the back wall?  I have to drag a huge extension cord over there when I want to use it.
Then I have to remember to step OVER it, or risk tripping on it!

There's got to be a better way to store these big pieces of lumber.  I'm sure of it!  I just can't think of how!!!
I have stuff behind this mess that I couldn't get to without a whole lot of effort!

More and more MESS!  That thing hanging from the side of my work bench - that's the jig  that might have
prevented my finger debacle.  Until just a few days ago I had a finished project stored here,
 and couldn't even get to it.  I can see the floor now, but it's still not the right place to store that jig.

In the house, I complain about the cords that seem to multiply anywhere I have electronic devices.
But, here's a real mess of cords!  And, that box where you see a clamp or two?  Well, I never put my clamps back in there
so I always have to search for them when I need them!

And, of course, there's the saw dust and tiny scraps and CRAP that's all over the floor.  And still, have I stopped to clean up?  Oh no, I just keep on working.  I pile stuff on top of stuff, step over cords, shove things over an inch or two, and mop up my spilled coffee when my shoving topples a hidden coffee cup!

I have a few unfinished projects and I keep using those as excuses for not stopping to clean up.  There's this one.  It's for Linda.  She has this part of it now and is painting it white to match the white on the  end table you see peeking out behind the cabinet.   But, there's a "bridge" piece to build, too.  

                       

 

And, this piece.  This is mine.  And it's kind of embarrassing.  I was playing around, using up some scraps, and this thing that was going to be  "useful and functional"   (I'm not even going to tell you what it is until it's done) just kept getting bigger and bigger, and bigger.  Now, I'm not even sure if it will fit where I wanted to use it. I just want to finish it and see if I can get the paint finish I want. 

Anyone with  a brain would know that it would be so much easier to finish these projects if I just took the time to clean up my space.

Just wait - I think this weekend is the time!  My motivation is high (right now anyway).  I have some ideas for making my small workspace much more efficient.  I was just asked to build a couple more things so I'd better get to it!

Anyone with a brain?  hmmmm.... obviously, I wasn't utilizing my highly tuned brain when I said that!

Back in the saddle again...

Last night, I was able to go back to my woodworking class!  Hooray!!

And, this is what I did.

Are you stumped?  Well, let me explain - I "turned" wood.  Isn't that exciting?!!!! These started out as blocks of wood that were about 1.5 x 2 x 6 inches.  I attached them to a small lathe that looks something like this:

Those pointy things in the open space in the middle hold the block of wood.  You have to try to center the ends of the block as you tighten it.  When you turn it on, the block spins.  Then, using  different shaped chisels to scrape wood off the block, you shape the cylinder.  The chisels looked something like this:

In case you're interested, here's a link to a YouTube video showing a large piece of wood being turned to make a candle holder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp8jgdRXY_0.

It was really fun, and frustrating, too!  I did the piece with all the "beads" first.  The instructor had set everything up for me and then just let me practice using the chisels of varying widths and depths.  I set up the second piece - and then spent a really long time trying to get the block into a cylindrical shape.  Finally, I asked the assistant in the class if I was doing something wrong.  He worked with it and had the same problem I'd had.  Then he realized that the block wasn't stuck tightly enough onto one of those pointy things and it wasn't revolving like it should!  Once he fixed that, it was quick work to scrape off the hard, flat edges and get the cylinder.  By that time though it was time to clean up and head home.

So, I know you're asking "And, just what does she plan to do with this new knowledge?"  Well, even if you're not asking that question, here's what I'm planning.  I think it would be really exciting to be able to turn big, chunky blocks of wood into beautiful bowls and candle holders.  But, I'm going to start off on a much smaller scale.  Next week I hope to make a pen!  You've seen them, I'm sure.  Beautiful, hand-crafted writing pens.  

Can't wait to try it!