A Learning Adventure in the Workshop

Galootaclaus 2007 sighting in Sewickley, Pa

Galootaclaus (who is apparently from Armadillo Works in Texas), dropped a package off on my porch again this year....As I said last year,  if you don't know what/who Galootaclaus is, I recommend that you join the OldTools email list and find out.

When I opened the package, I found a plethora of galootish tools!  A very nicely made reproduction Stanley Odd-Job (gold thing with the ruler), a patented old-tool that looks like some sort of unusual screw driver made to look like Mickey Mouse (I will look up the patent to see the purpose), "The Handplane Book" by Garrett Hack (not shown) and a beautiful galoot-made router plane.  What a haul!

See below:

Thanks Galootaclaus!
Matt

PS...after further research....

Apparently, the unknown tool above is not a "Mickey Mouse" tool as I called it, but it is known as a "Snoopy Tool" or DZUS Tool and it is used to remove panels from aircraft.  This one appears to be fairly old.

Cool!

Riverfront Park Website Upgrade

I maintain a website for a relatively new local Sewickley, Pa. Park called "Riverfront Park" that includes a few full-size railroad artifacts (including an H.K. Porter steam engine and a "bobber-style" caboose).   Its also a great place for the rail fan because it has an overlook for one of Norfolk and Southern's busiest current rail lines.

I have recently moved the park's website over to the same Typepad style blog/website that I use for this blog.   I like Typepad and it is easier for me to maintain the site through this interface.   Also, Typepad's recently added "pages" function makes it easier to set it up like a more traditional website rather than strictly a blog.

If you are interested in see the new site, click www.riverfrontpark.org .

First Desk Leaves the Shop

The first G&G desk carcass FINALLY made it out of the shop this past weekend and into our home office for my wife.   The desk is complete, minus the finish on the drawers, but she has pressed it into service while I finish the drawers.

The finish has turned out OK, but much darker than I would have liked (much darker than the samples that I did indicated).   I've had this problem with aniline dye before...I always make it too dark.  But, the dark looks pretty good anyway,  it just doesn't show off the ebony accents as much as I'd like.

I used a pre-mixed  Behlen Aniline Dye (alcohol based) in their "medium brown mahogany" color.  I did not dilute it (I should have).   I also used a water-based "General Finishes" brand Poly/Acrylic Satin finish as the topcoat (5 coats of it).   This was my first time using the newer water based varnishes, and I mostly was pleased with the result.  It was certainly nice to have less toxic smell in the basement.

I hope to finish the "finish" on the drawers for my wife's desk this weekend, and then move on to the finish on the 2nd desk.....after that, this project can finally be put to bed.

Overall, I like the design of the desks a lot.   I am relatively pleased with my woodwork on the desks (maybe an 8 out 10) and am much less pleased with my finish on the desks (maybe 6 out of 10)...but, these desks have been a great woodworking learning experience, and that was the point.  When I started the desks, they were somewhat beyond my ability, but I pushed through it and learned a lot, and my next projects will benefit from them mightily.

I will post pictures soon.