Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Shop Update: It's Been a While


It's been quite a while since I've posted anything on my shop progress. Honestly, with the heat we've been having the last month or so, progress has been a little slow; but I'll show you where I'm at with it.

The electrical is all run on the  inside for the plugs, switches, and lights; just waiting to trench in the wire from the garage to the panel in the shop. All the walls are insulated with the interior sheathing up and three of the walls painted. Still unsure of whether or not I'm going to paint the wall that the stairs are on. I've trimmed the windows on the west and south walls, with the west wall window having gotten it's final coat of paint.

I'm half way across with the above stairs floor/below stairs ceiling. This has been rather slow going. I'm using T&G pine again from the Amish mill, but this time it's v-grooved on the side that is the main shop ceiling. I'm painting the ceiling side and to avoid the pain of painting between the rafters, I'm painting it after I cut a row to fit, but before I install it. It's slower going this way, but it sure makes for a nice look.

 There is one or two things I may have done differently in retrospect, but overall, I'm thrilled with the way it's looking. For me, the painted horizontal pine boards on the walls are just the look that I was hoping for.







Oh, and the big news this week is that yesterday morning I ordered a Mitsubishi Mr. Slim split ductless heat pump/air conditioning unit. I know, not exactly 18th century, but I am SO looking forward to having a nice, comfortable, conditioned space to work in year round. I have to think that all my hand tools will appreciate it too rather than having to endure the extreme heat and cold and damp of unconditioned space. Got an e-mail this afternoon saying that it's been shipped. :)

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Happy Day, Happy Day!!!

Finally, after 20 years of wishing, hoping and praying, and a month of waiting for the delivery, the package arrived today. Seasons 1, 2, 3, & 20 of The Woodwright's Shop. Roy has been my woodworking hero for a long time and I'm so glad that they are finally putting The Woodwright's Shop for sale on DVD; at least the first 28 seasons. The four episodes I just received are the only ones available now, with more to follow later this year and next year. Many thanks to Roy, Meagan Fitzpatrick, and Popular Woodworking for making this happen!

Roy is a treasure trove of knowledge and an icon of hand tool woodworking. He has worked tirelessly for 32 seasons on The Woodwright's Shop and for years prior to the show teaching the craft to others. Then, in 2009, he opened The Woodwright's School in Pittsboro, NC. I was fortunate enough to take a class with him at his school last year. He is the most friendly, down to earth person you'd ever want to meet, and a great teacher. I hope to get back down there again soon.

Can't wait to get into these. I foresee sleep deprived nights in my future.

(  Shown in the picture below is the official tool for removing the shrink-wrap from The Woodwright's
   Shop DVD's.  )