Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Lower back brace

I've been working mostly on another project the had to be completed yesterday so I'm behind on this build again.  I just finished the lower back brace today.



Not much chance of getting caught up with Mark till well into next week.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Side Leg & Front Apron

After milling the side leg stock to size I cut the 17 degree angle on the tenon end.
Then the tenon was cut with the Leigh Jig.
I also cut the back brace mortice with the Leigh jig. It is not really designed to hold the work piece in this orientation but a couple of expanding clamp accomplished it.  I was concerned that it may not be adequate clamping but it did work.
The curves and cloud lift were done in the same way as Mark describes in the video.

The tenons in the front apron were made with the Leigh jig. I used the Festool MSF to make the slots.
I was not sure about getting on the ramps correct just chiseling as Mark did, so I made a guide ramp that could be clamped to the apron. I set it close to the router cut hole to start and then moved it back slightly as I worked.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Making the detail at the bottom of the leg

Rather than make the jig that Mark used I had a Festool MFS ( http://www.festoolusa.com/search.html?q=mfs&page=2 ) and thought it would work as well.  (For more on use of the MFS see Brice Burrell's site http://www.burrellcustomcarpentry.com/subpage66.html ) The MFS creates an adjustable opening for using a router with a guide bushing.  First it was necessary a reference line down the center of leg. I used a Bridge City Toolworks Center Scribe for this.  http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/tools/layout-tools/cs-2-centerscribe.html 


The MFS has a scale that that makes setting the opening easy.  Adjusting for the Guide mushing I needed a 40mm wide opening.

I marked the center of this opening which I could line up with the previously scribed center line. The length of the opening is longer than the actual routed distance so the the bit would come well off the wood at the end of the pass.  One end was placed a guide bushing distance below the bottom of the detail. A wood wedge was placed under the other end to raise it the appropriate amount.
 The router was then run on this 'ramp.'  I used a 1/2" spiral up cut bit.
I used a oscillating belt sander for the round over below the detail.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Adirondack Chair with a Greene & Greene influence

For those that may stumble on this blog and not be familiar with Adirondack Chairs they are generally something like this.
The Wood Whisperer Guild build one has added some G&G elements.

The front legs each have two mortices, one for the side legs and one for the front apron.  I cut these using  the Leigh FMT ( http://www.leighjigs.com/fmt.php )
The top of these legs have short square tenon, a quarter inch on a side smaller than the leg, that will fit in the bottom of the arm.  These were were made on the router table.
Next will be creating a G&G detail at the bottom of these legs.