Chet Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 1 hour ago, Jamie said: she is 8 but in a few years butterflies won’t be so cool. Yea, I don't agree with this. Your not talking about butterfly stickers or something like that, you are talking about something that is hand crafted and that never goes out of style. 2 Quote "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 Nice job! No gaps to deal with! Personally, I like Dutchment that are more narrow in the middle.. Often times, I freehand them at the bandsaw, clean up the edges, and then cut the mortise to fit.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 I agree with Kev on the thinner towards the middle. But man those are tight! Looking good bud! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 Made some progress on the desk learned a lot along the way. Started out putting a couple Dutchmen into the top. Came out really well! Using the router jig is a very simple process, make a template, rout it out and use the same template with a bushing removed to cut the fill in pieces. Only a little sanding on the corners to match the bit to make them fit. I did also chamfer the bottom edge of the ash piece to make it start easier. Shop helper was in and out of the shop but checked in on me quite a bit. She was happy with the progress. Decided on 2 of them. Wanted to get a 3rd on the far end, with the curve of the tree it got pretty thin on the edge so didn’t want to risk cutting through. Found this nice grain in my stock of ash, was a section of the board between 2 knots. This pic hasn’t been touched by a sander. Looked quite a bit better with a little random orbit sanding. Move on to the epoxy at this point, and where the learning came in. I went against better judgment and decided to pour from the top down. The bottom side of the slab has the wider crack than the top. I didn’t get any pictures of this step. I used what I thought was an overkill amount of tyvek tape to seal off all the cracks. Was happy how it looked and felt. I then placed the slab on top of 4 sticks to allow airflow to get to the bottom side per the directions. All leveled up and ready to mix. A little instruction and she was set! All was looking well for about the first 15 minutes. Bubbles popping wasn’t an issue. I did crank the heat up in the shop according to the instructions to 77 degrees. Needs to be there for 72 hours. Then there was a little drip that hit the table. Then a couple more drips. Then you could see the level in the crack starting to go down. All hell was breaking loose! Looked between the slab and my bench top and noticed the tape was starting to sag with the weight on the epoxy or a chemical reaction with it. Decided to pull the shims out from under it and let it sit on the bench. This in turn pushed a bunch of extra epoxy back up onto the top. At this point I was at a loss on what to do. I did try putting extra tape on where I could to no avail. After babysitting this for a few hours and checking on it every hour late into the night I decided to just let it sit. This morning I came out to the shop to find about half the epoxy drained out. It’s still not set and is sticky to the touch. But it did set enough that the slab is stuck to the bench. Later in the day I did try to pry it free and the epoxy wasn’t lifting with the slab. Going to let it sit for a few days and see what happens. Shrinkage. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 14 hours ago, Jamie said: I then placed the slab on top of 4 sticks to allow airflow to get to the bottom side per the directions. I understand the theory behind getting airflow under the slab but it seems to me that besides the challenge you ended up with, having the slab off the table would have the epoxy on the underside drying unevenly just because of the weight of the epoxy. 14 hours ago, Jamie said: Shop helper was in and out of the shop but checked in on me quite a bit This sound like you hired her for a supervisory position more then helper. I hope you adjusted her pay scale, at least put a little more into her 401k. 1 Quote "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share Posted March 16, 2021 Well good news! I got the slab off my bench top! A couple of pry bars and some wood shims. A few choice words and a grunt and she let go. Bad thing is part of my bench top is now stuck to the slab. shouldn’t be to bad of a fix. Will use the router jig to shave the particle board off. Really am impressed with the strength of the epoxy. Never in my wildest dream did I think it would stick to a melamine top like that. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 DAMN! At least your next pour will be a lot easier. Did you use a propane torch or hair drier to remove the bubbles? Probably didn’t need to as much as you lost but might try it on your last pour. So neat to see her involved in this project! Priceless! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share Posted March 16, 2021 6 minutes ago, Coop said: DAMN! At least your next pour will be a lot easier. Did you use a propane torch or hair drier to remove the bubbles? Probably didn’t need to as much as you lost but might try it on your last pour. So neat to see her involved in this project! Priceless! I used a propane torch. Just had to touch the epoxy with the flame to get them to pop. I have made quite a few fishing rods and use an epoxy to hold the guides and wraps on, with the clear you can really see the air bubbles and they pop super easy with very little heat. Emmi is a pretty good little shop helper! She comes up with some pretty neat scrap projects! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted March 17, 2021 Author Share Posted March 17, 2021 Pour two. Figured out where the leak was coming from. Filled it with hot glue. Crossing my fingers on this one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 I hope it goes better this time for you. 1 Quote "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 Jamie, do you have a belt sander? If not, you may have to go back to the router leveling table as as that stuff don’t take kindly to a ros, especially with a slab with that much surface area. Also, I found on a recent deep pour that a slight 3rd pour after sanding was in order, then a slight finish sanding with the ros. Looking good bud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted March 18, 2021 Author Share Posted March 18, 2021 On 3/16/2021 at 9:20 PM, Coop said: Jamie, do you have a belt sander? If not, you may have to go back to the router leveling table as as that stuff don’t take kindly to a ros, especially with a slab with that much surface area. Also, I found on a recent deep pour that a slight 3rd pour after sanding was in order, then a slight finish sanding with the ros. Looking good bud! We are thinking exactly the same way! With the bench top that is stuck to the slab I think ill start with a old chisel and hammer, then on to the belt sander. Plan is to get the bottom cleared off then switch to the router leveling jig for the top to skim it off. I will also be taking it to be run through a widebelt sander. All the more reason for me to continue shopping for the 37" drum sander ? I think for the top coat on this that I might get a top coat epoxy, with as much epoxy that ran off the edge it might blend in better. Will find out more tomorrow night when I tear back into it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 Live has been pretty busy lately and haven’t gotten much shop time in. Have made some progress on the desk..... Put the jointer to use and milled up the leg parts. Was a nice tool to use and really liked the longer bed. The legs are going to be ash. I kinda forgot how hard ash is! Had a little tear out from the jointer and planer. The leg stretchers will be held in with m and t. Figured since I played around with angled m and t on the chairs that I would carry that over to these leg frames. Had a few little holes show up in the top after getting the top sanded. Took a tool out of my fishing rod building room. It’s a little epoxy mixer. Has a metal billet that rides in the bottom of the plastic mixing cup. Spins pretty slow and doesn’t whip air into small batches. Kinda overkill for mixing a small batch but I figured I had the tool so might as well use it. All the pin holes filled. Did manage to get the top sanded up and rubbed some lacquer thinner on it. Was blown away how the epoxy popped! Am leaning towards your guys method of armor seal and lacquer over the top. Would like this top to shine some, thinking semi gloss? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Looks awesome! I think your finishing choice will look awesome! Just make sure the ARS is cured before hitting it with the Lacquer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 Think I lost a post with the server issue...... Havent gotten much time to work on the desk lately. Work is just taking up way to much time! I believe this picture was lost in the shuffle. Had a little dry fit of the legs. I do currently have the drawer cabinet built. Used solid ash panels that I glued up. Made them 14 3/4 deep to fit them through the planer which also ended up being a perfect fit for the desk. The planer handled them with ease! I assembled the box using biscuits for alignment. (Photo of the box coming soon) I also received in the mail the armor seal. Did get a couple coats on the top. Am really happy with the results! This photo was taken right after the first coat. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 Ok had to run out to the shop and snap a few quick photos The drawer box cabinet and legs. Granted they are upside down. Box will be attached to the leg as well as having a through bolt into a threaded insert in the top. The top with a second coat of ars on it. Love how it popped the figure in the walnut! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Looking awesome Jamie! Thanks for reposting the lost and updating! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 You two did a fantastic job on the top Jamie! I’m sure she is proud. Looking forward to more progress. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 You are getting some really nice colors in that top. I said it before and I think it got lost but I think it is a real plus that you left the sap wood alone, to many times people think you have to remove it. Well done. 1 Quote "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 19, 2021 Author Share Posted April 19, 2021 Got back at the desk today, actually got to spend the better part of my day in the shop. Started off making a couple of drawers to fill the case. Decided to dovetail them with the porter cable jig. Haven’t used this jig in a while so took a little time in getting it dialed in. Also attached the leg assembly to the top using threaded inserts and a finish bolt. Pretty easy process that just takes a little time. I mark the holes out by clamping the legs in place then using a Brad point drill bit to mark center by going through the holes in the legs. It is a little nerve racking drilling into a top that has had quite a bit of time in it. The insert in the picture is for the drawer box case. Had to dry fit it all! Need to order some shorter bolts for the drawer box to attach to the top. Also need to install the upper drawer slides. Have the drawer fronts glued up and will get them fitted hopefully this week. Initially wanted to do inset fronts, with the lack of depth in these drawers along with the drawer slides I’m pinched on room and will have about 3/8” of a 3/4” thick drawer front exposed. Thought is to cut a bevel on the fronts edges to give the look of inset. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 I really like that PC jig! To be honest, I wish I still had it! Great work! It's coming out great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 Don’t dare let your daughter take a pic to school with her. You wouldn’t be able to keep up with the commissions! Looking great bud! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 That's coming out real nice Jamie. 1 Quote "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 22 hours ago, Kev said: I really like that PC jig! To be honest, I wish I still had it! Great work! It's coming out great! Thanks! Yes it is a simple little jig. Took me a bit to remember how to use it, had to break out the manual to make sure I did the math correctly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 29, 2021 Author Share Posted April 29, 2021 Been a bit since I gave an update. Well the good news is the desk is complete. Had just a bit of making the fronts and fitting the drawers since the last post. Went with a partial inset drawer front. Worked out that way with the depth of the drawer slides and the depth of the box. Kinda like how they turned out. Put a coat of ars all on the ash parts as well as a couple coats on the walnut top. I then shot a coat of vinyl sealer and two coats of high build lacquer. Emmi has yet to see it all completed and we set it in the living room for her to find it in the morning. I used a self close drawer slide that is super smooth and a joy to play with. Don’t feel like the photos do this top the justice it deserves. Quite a bit of figure in it that the camera doesn’t pick up. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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