Posted by jerry on December 29th, 2004 — Posted in DIY, Journal, Woodwork
Day 2: The day dawned cool and bright. Today would be the day of the cupboards. I set to with gusto levering off the floorboarding that comprised the bench tops. Whoever put this together must’ve used a whole carton of nails! After a close examination of the bench tops I made gentle but firm use of the oft-maligned ‘wrecking bar’ or crow bar.
There was an unholy screeching sound as the nails came free, and I quickly had a large pile of really grotty floorboards cluttering up my carport. Then a revelation… this was not one integrated cupboard set, but three units bolted together!
So it was time for a re-think and a coffee. This opened up new possibilities for re-engineering the existing cupboard space. I checked out the mess in the other corner:
Hmm. Time for another coffee… perhaps I should have a little lie down until the spring cleaning feeling passes. I went back for another look and a think. Meanwhile the other inhabitants of the shed came out to see what I was up to, and whether I would disturb their plans for an afternoon nap on a sunny part of the cement floor.
At that point, inspiration struck – I could reconfigure the cabinets to produce a continuous bench along the entire width of the shed. So with much grunting and emptying of cupboards, a relocation of the stored melamine-faced chipboard, and a relocation of my timber off-cuts stash, I set about moving the cupboards into position.
I settled on a straight across configuration after considering the merits of building another corner cupboard, and with the cabinets in position I fitted new tops to form a continuous bench. With the tops screwed into place I moved the bench I had made off to the side where one of the cabinets had been. I then brought the power tools back in and found suitable uncluttered cupboard space for them. And here is the result at the end of Day Two – a big improvement so far (compare with the before photos!):
Tasks for Day Three: purchase some pegboard to organise my loose tools and attach it above the mitre saw, I also need to fit the corner cupboard door (I did cut one to size but I still haven’t been out to buy hinges), and build perhaps two more standard overhead cupboards – I’ll post the design when I build them – tomorrow or the next day
cheers
Jerry
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Posted by jerry on December 28th, 2004 — Posted in DIY, Journal, Woodwork
With the rush for Christmas projects over I went out to the shed to have a play on the lathe, when I was confronted with my own slack work practices! Just look at how cluttered this corner is!
So that was that. It is time for a major reorganisation and de-cluttering of my shed – I have ten days in which to transform the shed into a an efficient workspace.
After checking out the excellent Fine Woodworking site for some ideas on good workshops, I decided to build some more cupboards, saving money where possible by re-engineering some existing cupboards and building in some decent storage.
I figured that kitchens were equivalent workspaces and so I looked for plans for kitchen cupboards – especially corner cupboards which i figured would present the greatest challenge. There are plenty of cupboards to buy and assemble, but no plans!
So here it is folks:
How to build a corner cupboard.
First a detailed plan is needed to get the sizes right:
Then select some chipboard – you can use MDF – I had a piece 1800x600x19mm (6’x3’x¾”)
Measure and cut three squares of 600x600mm (3’x3′). This will form the top, bottom and middle shelf.
Then draw a diagonal and measure 300mm along two adjacent sides and draw a diagonal to join these marks – this is then cut leaving you with a diamond shape. Repeat for the other two pieces.
From the opposite right angle corner measure out about 100mm along the two adjacent sides and connect with a line and then cut along this line so you have a truncated diamond shape – repeat for the other two pieces. The top, bottom and shelf are now ready.
Now take another sheet of MDF and cut two rectangles 450mmx300mm (1’6″x1′) for the two sides and one piece 450x150mm (1’6″x6″) for the back
Using sturdy corner clamps connect the top and bottom with one of the sides and screw, dowel and glue the side to the top and bottom pieces. Repeat for the other side.
Before adding the back, slide in the shelf and clamp it in place leaving a gap of around 250mm between the shelf and the top, and 300mm between the shelf and the bottom. Screw it into place with the two sides.
Now add the back. The corner cupboard is now ready for mounting on the wall.
I’ll tackle the doors tomorrow. As you can see, I removed the existing cupboards, and decided to re-engineer them for better strength and fit. The taller one I cut down to 450mm by removing the door handles and sawing the the cupboard along the face and sides down to the first shelf. I then re-fitted the top hinge to the doors and after a clean-up, I re-hung the cupboards next to the new corner cupboard, making sure that the bottoms all lined up to give a clean eye line. By reducing the taller cupboard and raising it a little, I have also opened up the work-bench area in this corner. Here is the result at the end of the first day – total cost about AU$30 for the melamine chipboard and about $2.50 for about a dozen screws and glue:
Tomorrow I’ll do the cupboard doors and replace the bench top. If I have time I’ll build two more cupboards to provide added storage.
Cheers
Jerry
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Posted by jerry on December 25th, 2004 — Posted in Journal, Music
With an electric fiddle and a bodhran (Irish frame drum) as gifts what else must one do other than pass a little time on Christmas Day recording some tunes, with my daughter Eve on mandolin for her Will-o’-the-Wisp fire show that she is taking to Queensland tomorrow for the Woodford folk Festival!
I’d appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on the manufacturer of the electric violin – I believe it was made in Guangzhiao in China but there is no maker’s label. It sure sounds great though! The closest visual seemed to be the Zeta violin, but I’d love to know more about it.
And here is the bodhran
It wasn’t all laying down tracks and burning CDs, Eve managed to test her modified stilts to her satisfaction – the modification worked! You see, when I made the stilts, it seems that I had over-estimated her foot size so the straps were too loose. But a little re-routing appears to have solved the problem, so now we have a very serviceable pair of strap-on stilts (see my previous posts on this subject).
Sharon was most impressed with her new silks and beads 🙂
Aside from that it was a pretty quiet day – a good chat with the folks, an excellent Christmas dinner last night with a few friends, and a bit of a play with the new toys – a good time had by all 🙂
Merry Christmas everyone!
cheers
Jerry
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Posted by jerry on December 21st, 2004 — Posted in History, Journal, Travel
We couldn’t go to China and not see the Great Wall – what an amazing structure!
The wall was completed during the Qin dynasty (221-207BC) although several sections predate this period. It extends more than 6500 km from Shanhaiguan in the east to Jiayuguan in the Gobi Desert to the west. The wall is actually several walls that were joined together under the direction of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. It was built to keep the Mongolians out (notably Genghis Khan). While it failed dismally as a defensive structure, it had what these days might be called ‘undocumented features’ or unintended consequences. When the wall was built, China was far from being a unified country, and each sub-kingdom had its own reasons for maintaining their bit of the wall.
The issue was geography – many people were kept separate by the sharp ridges of mountain ranges – all but impassable to any but the most intrepid donkey rider. Then along comes the wall, hugging the razor-sharp ridge-lines and providing, perhaps for the first time a trafficable path between provinces. As a result, the wall became a trading highway which did more than any decree to unify the country!
The Wall provided a network facilitating communication between people divided by a common language. Ironically the wall continues that tradition by providing a secure elevated structure on which to attach mobile phone repeater links!
The Badaling section of the wall is one of the steeper sections, but it affords a terrific view once you start to gain altitude along the 2000+steps
One interesting custom we encountered was that of lovers bringing a padlock – often engraved with their names – and locking the padlock to a chain provided for the purpose on the Great Wall, to symbolise the enduring nature of their love. Apparently it is not just the wall, but mountains too are favoured for this practice!
And as you near the top you can have a certificate signed to mark your climb. This was all the certificate I needed:
The wall is certainly an imposing structure and you can just imagine what resources it took to build it – in cost, building material, and in lives. It is well worth a visit!
Cheers
Jerry
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Posted by jerry on December 20th, 2004 — Posted in History, Journal, Travel
Okay, you asked for more images and here they are – these ones are of the Forbidden City. If you have seen the movie “The Last Emperor” you will have seen at least some of these…
The mist made modern Beijing disappear as though it were not quite real
One of the hidden corridors
The Starbucks coffee shop is quite discrete…
It’s the details that count – these scenes are painted delicately and high in the rafters – they are slowly being painted over in the ‘restoration’ effort – so catch them while you can!
Here is one of the magnificent ceilings
Another fabulous ceiling in the Forbidden City
This woman was sweeping despite the fog and the lack of leaves or rubbish – unseen by most who passed…
The terraces were bounded by beautifully carved walls and drained by fabulous gargoyles
A small corner in the greater scheme of things
I’ll add more on other parts of our visit soon
cheers
Jerry
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