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Is carpentry and woodworking a good hobby to start?

Woodworking is a craft that is non-exclusive, and inclusive; almost everyone can do it!

Tennessee six pack carrier with bottle opener, Great gift idea, made in the chenkin workshop. painting by Kathy.

Carpentry has a great breadth – from Birdhouses and signs to elaborate carvings, models, Home repairs and functional cabinets. Carpentry also is a means to acquire tools, videos, books, and friends who share their love of the craft and knowledge of how to make objects out of wood.

  • Carpentry also brings together metal working (signs, hooks, table legs, hinges)
  • Painting – finishes, stains, decals, more
  • Repair work and upgrades
  • Reading and how to books

And much more!

Fireplace mantle with marble trim, Custom built for a client, courtesy of The Chenkin workshop.

The best way to get started is to Build, fix, or plan a project. Pinterest has tons of ideas, if you need inspiration.

Based on what you want to build, you will need to get some tools.

Pallet wood jewelry holder. product of the chenkin Workshop, finishing by Kathy.

Before you know it, you are on your way!

Of course, I admit I am biased. Carpentry is a Great Hobby to start!

Shameless self promotion (from my website):

Best of Luck and I hope to see you posting your projects on-line on Pinterest or Instagram!!

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Do you believe Ikea makes quality furniture?

Ikea carries several lines of furniture. some are inexpensive and designed for people on a budget, and some are very high quality that wear well and have better wood components, hinges, levelling feet, etc.

Almost all IKEA furniture is based on 32mm “RTA” (Ready To Assemble) construction methods, and requires some attention to detail when assembling.

True32 Flow Manufacturing Kindle Edition

The 32mm system, using materials and hardware (designed for RTA cabinetry) enable IKEA to ship cabinets flat in boxes, so that more product can be carried in trucks and containers. it also provides a standard assembly method for almost all IKEA casegoods.

The Truth about IKEA: The Secret Success of the World’s most Popular Furniture Brand — Amazon

Many of the better pieces have panels made of MDF instead of particle board and laminated instead of printed finishes.

How to spot quality furniture at Ikea — Curbed

While you may not consider all IKEA furniture quality, their products are functional and serviceable.

My opinion is that you get a good value for the money, just don’t expect something to hand down to your great grandchildren.

Disclaimer: I shop at IKEA, and am an Elite Tasker for Taskrabbit — which is owned by IKEA. I repair and assemble IKEA furniture for Taskrabbit. You can read my blog on woodworking here.

I will say that IKEA is known for it’s food. I love the meatballs.

IKEA’s Real Swedish Food Book

For laughs and giggles you can take to the bank:

Ikea furniture could be worth a fortune in years to come

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What tools do I need to turn a small log (10in/ 25cm diameter) into 1/4″/6.5mm thick boards?

If your log is green wood (freshly cut, or “wet”), you will need a bandsaw with a throat larger than 10″ (and capable of dealing with the irregularity in a long 10″ diameter log).

I would recommend (on the modest side) a 14″ – 18″ bandsaw like this one by Laguna Tools:

Laguna 18″ bandsaw

Then you would need a sled, or carriage to transport the log through the bandsaw.

This is a homemade log cutting jig for short logs: Super Simple Band Saw Log Sled, from Instructables.

If your log is long, you will need to make a support or rails so it will slide evenly through the saw without binging or cutting at an angle or curve.

https://amzn.to/2ECgytEIf your logs are larger then 10″ and heavy, your best solution is to purchase a small sawmill.  This book is available on Amazon, and worth reading, so that you understand the principles and capabilities of a portable saw mill.

If the log is green, you have to allow for drying and shrinkage, so you may cut the pieces 1/2′ thick and then use a thickness planer to get it to the final 1/4″ thickness, after allowing the wood to dry to dry. (8–10% moisture content before planing). This is some good information on how to dry wood; Cutting And Drying Logs Into Boards – Woodworkers guild of America.

after the wood is dried to 6-10% moisture content, you will need a thickness planer.  Thickness Planers are available from big box stores, Amazon, and eBay.

After the wood is sized to thickness, you will need a jointer and a table saw to clean up a long edge and square the board.

At this point your 1/4″ S4S (surfaced 4 sides) boards are ready for fabrication.

Some caveats: These are powerful machines, and caution must be exercised with each machining operation. Use protective gear like safety glasses, ear protection, dust protection, and gloves. Make sure you have all the machines setup and working correctly, and make test passes before machining all the wood, so the slabs will be uniform and true. (parallel sides).

Depending on your specific application, you may need a larger bandsaw, a tablesaw, a jointer, and more – especially if you make the jigs and supporting tables yourself.

Thank you for reading, and Have fun making your own boards from logs!

Disclaimer: I am a trained woodworker and have my own blog, The Chenkin Workshop

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What type of tape won’t rip the paint off walls? Is there such a thing?

When you are painting or just hanging a sign, you don’t want the tape to rip the paint off your wall.  It’s unsightly and sometimes difficult to repair.  Avoid Duct tape, flex tape, most scotch tapes, and packing tapes.

Masking tape is not the best. It gets old, and the sticky glue can rip paint off a surface too easily, especially if you press it hard and it bonds to the paint.  This doesn’t mean it won’t work, just that it is not “the best”.  You have to use your judgement, and decide what option you are going to go with.

My best experience is with Blue Painters tape and Frog tape (images and links from Amazon:

ProTapes Pro Scenic 714 Crepe Paper 14 Day Easy Release Painters Masking Tape, 60 yds Length x 1″ Width, Blue (Pack of 1): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Frog Tape 82021 Pro Painter’s Masking Tape, 1.5-Inch by 60-Yards, Green, Single Roll – – Amazon.com

And their “Delicate Version”: Shurtape Technologies Frogtape 217143 Multi-Use Delicate Surface Paint Block Tape, 36mm x 55m, 1-1/2-Inch x 60-Yard – Painters Masking Tape – Amazon.com

There are lots of brands that make Painters tape – 3M, Scotch, etc., and most all will work. Try to use fresh tape whenever possible, and don’t leave it on more than a few days at most.  Some tapes advertise that they can be left on for 30 days.

If you need to put up a hook that can come down without marring the wall, you can get these:

Command Hooks, available on Amazon, eBay, or at your local big box or hardware store.  I use them for picture hanging, and keep an organizer box full of them in my van.  Small ones don’t carry a lot of weight, so pay attention to  the weight of what you are hanging.

Here are more tips:

Tips for How to Use Painters Tape – Family Handyman

How-to Use Painter’s Tape for Interior Painting – Behr Paint

Best of luck with all your painting projects!

I hope you found my point of view enlightening and informative. 

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Is it ok to pressure wash cedar siding?

If you have severely stained Cedar siding, you can power wash it with a wide nozzle and low pressure. Cedar siding is durable but can be damaged easily by excess pressure, especially when it is aged or very dried out.  You should only use a wide nozzle, because the narrow stream of a straight nozzle is capable of drilling a hole in the soft cedar.

Let me expand on this:

First, make sure the siding is fastened well to the house.  Even at low pressure, you can break loose cedar shingles.  If you have to secure any loose shingles – ONLY USE SIDING NAILS! (other nails may rust or corrode and streak the siding).  If you don’t have – or want –  a power washer, You can even use garden hose with a pressure sprayer head like this:

Crusar Brass Water Jet Power Washer High Pressure Hose Nozzle Pressure Sprayer for Car Washing Vehicle Washing Pet Washing Gardening Outdoor Housecleaning Window Cleaning – From Amazon, it uses 60 PSI home water pressure, not 1800 psi power washer pressure.  I have one and use it for light duty work.

Second, using a good cleaner BEFORE power washing to remove and brighten the siding will make the job easier with less power washing.

Rust-Oleum 16003 3-Pound Jar Wolman Deckbrite Wood Cleaner and Coating Prep – (From Amazon) is a typical deck wash.  Avoid harsher bleaches.  Power washing after you put this on will make your siding look new.  You can put it on with a soft dip brush and extension pole (to make sure you get it into the grooves and dirty spots, or use a pump type Garden Sprayer.  Wood cleaners remove the oxidation and mold from cedar siding prior to power washing.  
After the Siding is clean, consider sealing it or staining it to slow down the aging process and prevent the cedar from drying out.  Age and cleaning will dry the cedar, removing it’s adhesion a d resistance to wear and aging.  It will also keep the siding clean and attractive longer.

Cedar siding is one of the best natural siding materials for your home.  It is attractive and resistant to pests and weather.  Keeping it maintained is a very smart investment for your home!

I hope you found my point of view enlightening and informative.  

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Supporting Cellos at Foxes Music

Today we have a unique showcase for displaying Cellos custom built by Stefan Dromlewicz, Woodworking contractor from Waldorf, Maryland, for Foxes Music in Falls Church, Virginia.

The piece was custom designed for the owner, and made from White Oak Plywood panels and solids, hand finished in a water based gloss polyurethane.

The cabinet features steel angle supports, bump rails, and assembly with finish screws for easy modification.  It can hold 13 Cellos.

David with the fully populated Cello rack.
David with the fully populated Cello rack.
David and Stefan with the fully populated Cello rack.
David going to get another Cello…. And another Cello…
View from the back of Foxes Music Co.
SEE? I told you the Cellos would fit….
Finished display rack, spent woodworker!
I built this! Look! (doing happy dance)
A lot of work went into this. (reflective moment).
David and Stefan with completed display!

 

The instrument slots feature padding to protect the neck of the cello, as well as the body, and turn the instrument  approximately 30 degrees for added visibility.

The Cello display is a complement to the Violin display (not pictured).

Congratulations to Stefan and Foxes Music for this wonderful display!

Display Cases You Can Build (Popular Woodworking)

Display Cases You Can Build (Popular Woodworking) – from Amazon Books.

 

 

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Where can I get exotic wood and wood slabs?

Using an exotic wood in your projects can be visually exciting and fun.  It adds an element of unique feeling to your work.  Some exotics have properties in texture, tone, grain, and weight that make your work special.

The “Big Box” stores have traditional Lumber – typically an assortment of S4S Pine, Birch, Red Oak, Maple, and Poplar in varying thicknesses and lengths.  Most typically 4/4″ dressed to 3/4″ finish thickness.  while you are not paying for the waste, you are paying for a “milled to size” and ready to fabricate piece of lumber.

This is a photo of my kitchen table, with and inlaid chessboard , made by my dad in the ’80’s, and refinished by me.  It is a combination of Walnut and Sugar Maple.

Most exotic and special order lumber ordered by the board foot, and is usually rough, meaning you will need a Jointer and a Thickness Planer to machine the wood to it’s finish size.

Traditional lumberyards, and the “pro desk” at a big box store can special order unique lumber for you, and even have it milled to size, saving you time and having to purchase a jointer and thickness planer.

 

POWERTEC BJ600 Bench Jointer with Built-In Dust Collection, 6-1/8-Inch
POWERTEC Bench Jointer with Dust Collection

 

 

 

DEWALT DW734 15 Amp 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer
DEWALT Benchtop Planer (Amazon)

 

Popular Mechanics Workshop: Jointer & Planer Fundamentals: The Complete Guide, Classic book from Amazon

 

If you look, you can see ads for Lumber in Craigslist, and Ebay is another potential source for exotics, as people tend buy much more than they need (I endorse the practice, and usually figure 20 – 25% overage, to cover errors and “oopses”).  If you are really lucky, you can Google “Exotic Lumber” and a local source may pop up!

 

Exotic Lumber – Ads on Amazon 

Exotic lumber on Ebay

(Lots of unusual species and cuts available)

Don’t be afraid to put an ad up in the local lumberyard, or on some woodworking boards,  to see if someone has the species you are looking for available.  When we cleared out my dad’s basement, he had a lot of Walnut,  Maple, Cherry, and other woods that he was “saving” for the right project.  The woodworkers who bought this assortment of wood were excited to have it!  Walnut trees mature after 160 years of growth; architectural grade Walnut from old growth trees is prized.  This is especially true if you want a wider width, or want to “bookmatch” the boards from the same tree.

When you have the cut list for your project, add 20% for waste, and see what you can get.  Be creative.  IPE, a South American Hardwood popular for decks, may be available from local deck builders.  that would be worth a few phone calls.  If you make pens, smaller pieces my be all you need, and a furniture repair shop may have old case goods that have salvageable wood parts. repurposing wood is a very green thing to do.

Woodworker’s Guide to Wood: Softwoods * Hardwoods * Plywoods * Composites * Veneers, from Amazon Books

Please let me know how you do, and share any wood buying tips.  Thanks for reading!

I hope you found my point of view enlightening and informative.  Consider sharing, liking, and upvoting!

Wooden shoes to go with the wooden pants (on ebay)

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How do I winterize my exterior hose bib? (translation: outdoor water spigots)

The easiest way is with a foam cover that holds onto the spigot with a cord.

Click Here: hose bib insulating covers from Amazon

 

This Amazon link illustrates a several types of covers.  Order them NOW, before the winter – Local stores will run out of these, and they are so much easier to put on than wrapping the spigot with insulation, towels, etc.

If it is unusually cold, old timers would leave a small drip of water running, since moving water does not freeze.  I would only do this in an extreme situation.

If you don’t cover the spigot, and it does freeze, you will have to have it repaired or replaced.  this will cost a lot more than a cover.  It is also a good idea to drain your hoses and bring them inside, or in a shed or garage, where they are shielded from the elements.

 

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Can I apply tung oil on a piece of wood which has been stained with water-based dye?

In my experience with water based dyes (Like Aniline or alcohol based dyes, etc.) the water “carries” the dye into the pores of the wood.  After it dries, you need to “lock in” the dye with a sealing agent.  In this case, Tung oil.  There are other finishes that will work too, but you have to consider the use of the wood (Marine-commercial-decorative??) and the appearance you want to achieve.
Tung oil finishes usually take a day or two to dry, unless you rub it in several thin coats.  It is also good for oily woods that need to be restored, as the oil soaks into the wood, renewing it’s luster.  Unless you are familiar with it, make sure you test it on a piece of scrap.  make sure you blow off the piece with compressed air or use a tack rag to clean the open grain prior to finishing.  Tung oil is not a thick “top-coat” finish like polyurethane, it’s usually rubbed into the pores of the wood to seal it.
Here is an Article on using Tung oil as a wood finish: Tung Oil – Woodwork Details

Tung oil is usually a wiped on finish; it’s a good idea to wear gloves and have good rags for wiping and cleanup!  Remember the oily rags are combustible, so hang them or dispose of them carefully.

And here are some things you may want to have on hand:
Now you know how I would do it!  Best of luck when using Tung oil!
I hope you found my point of view enlightening and informative. 
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Taming your Bedroom Closet

My closet demon is messiness, that tends to get worse over time.
I have to make a conscious effort to get rid of old, ill fitting, or worn clothing, and find time to try on everything in the closet that may not fit right, or look right.

How To Organize A Closet: Closet Organization Ideas and Closet Storage Solutions (Organization, Planning and Time Management Book 1)

Some favorite shoes in a pile, that are way past their usable life? – I had to learn to let go.

You also have to put everything away when it comes back from the wash or dry cleaners.

Too many hangers?  gotta go, gotta go!

Get bins for camera stuff, accessories, coin collections, etc. Clear things off the floor, get a shoe rack, tie rack, etc. Whatever makes sense.

It may not happen in a day (without extreme measures), but it can be done.

If necessary, get a closet organizer (from the big box store, container store, etc.) and carefully look at everything before putting it away.  Strong lighting helps identify stained, worn, aging or discolored goods.  Be ruthless – you can always get more.

Good luck with taming your closet demons!  Fight the good fight!