A close friend turned 50 last weekend and gathered a small group of family and close friends to his cabin in the UP to celebrate. That’s my kind of vacation. Since I can’t just sit around, it’s also good if I can help out with a project … or even just sharpen kitchen knives.
Joe and I have a history of projects shared (in person and over texts). So when I saw three vintage doors in the cabin, I knew the weekend would be fun. If only I had brought some tools along. After breakfast on Saturday, Joe asked if we could get one of the doors installed. His brother Matt and I decided we were going to do all three. And we did.
Matt handled the task of adjusting the trim and head jamb around the doors. (The old/new doors were a bit shorter than the hollow core versions.) Joe tackled the removal of the doors and then joined Matt. My task was to cut and adjust the hinge mortises on the doors to match the existing locations. The latches needed some help as well.
Joe was certain there was a chisel or two in the shop downstairs. This is what he came up with. The cabin has been in the family for 60+ years. And like all good family cabins, has needed repairs/remodeling/whatever over that time. The shop accumulated a variety of old tools. I had to remain focused on the doors and not get distracted by the fun treasure hunt among the island of misfit toys in the basement.
This grinder came to the rescue to put a straight edge on the chisel and give me a decent bevel. I sorta flattened the back on the side of the wheel. Since the core of the doors is pine, it was all I needed to go to work. In about 3 hours, we had all the doors in and operational. The adventure was a good reminder of how fun it is to tackle a group project. More importantly, it’s not (necessarily) about the tools. The skills we gain as woodworkers are what’s important.
Side note, the cabin’s primary cutting tool is a DeWalt Black & Decker R-1350 radial arm saw from the 60s. I hadn’t used one in a long time. Turns out it's the ideal tool for a cabin shop. We used it for both ripping and crosscutting. Both instances it worked just fine. I have a new stand and table/fence system that I want to make for it.
On Buying Lumber
On this episode, John talks about his process in preparing project parts and materials for the Woodsmith Shop. His work is seen in every episode. The show wouldn’t flow without his behind the scenes activity. In addition to the “how it’s made” information, John and Dillon talk about ordering lumber, working with cutting diagrams and materials lists that apply to any kind of project.
Plywood Design Secrets
Dillon joined this episode and talked about the ways he’s been approaching plywood recently. Sure a lot of it is going to look like various rectangles. But there’s more than meets the eye. Construction and joinery details can vary. He talks about breaking away from a reliance on Baltic birch plywood. Considering the use, as well the visual appeal when choosing and making projects from plywood. This is the MDF-on-the-outside plywood we’ve begun to use for shop project and jigs here at Woodsmith.
Logan's Shop Tour
Kreg Tool visited Logan's shop ... and home base for Popular Woodworking. Don't worry, he's already rearranged it since the video was recorded.
This episode of the ShopNotes Podcast is brought to you by Grizzly Industrial. Purveyors of fine woodworking machinery since 1983, buy direct & save at Grizzly.com
