What We're Making

[Winemaker]

Temperature control is important, but not necessarily difficult to achieve at all, depending on the style. Lagers require low 50's (F), and often a ramp-up to room temperature to finish, but most ales can be fermented at cool room temperatures (low-mid 60's preferred, but there is some latitude there as well). There is even a new yeast strain that supposedly ferments a 'clean' ale from low 60's to mid 80's.

I won't go into too much detail in this thread, but briefly, my personal suggestion to a new brewer is that if they like stouts or porters, make that your first brew. The flavor comes from that roasted grain, and that will cover up any slight imperfections that might be detected in a lighter, more 'delicate' style.

If you want to know more we could start a new thread, and/or point you to the brewing forums (though like any hobby, those can sometimes be overwhelming for a newbie).

-ERD50

I'd like that, as I brew beer and make wine year round.

 

[Ronstar]

.....Lots of inspiring work here, it will take some nerve to post any of my stuff. I've done a bit of woodworking, a few things I'm somewhat satisfied with, but nothing close to what Ronstar has done.
-ERD50

Thanks, but I'm finding that woodworking projects are more easily accomplished by a good set of tools.

Next up - my niece is buying this bed for her 2 year old daughter. I need to replicate the trim to fill in the top part that is missing. But I'm not doing fancy stuff in the middle like the footboard has. I'm sure I'll need some new tools to do this.

 

[braumeister]

I'm sure I'll need some new tools to do this.

Oh, darn!
Well, if you must, you must.

 

[ERD50]

Thanks, but I'm finding that woodworking projects are more easily accomplished by a good set of tools. ...

Well, I have been very impressed with your woodworking skills.

Speaking of tools, ~ 10 years ago, I made a desk for DW that I am mostly satisfied with (a few imperfections that bother me). It has a contoured teak edging, and I 'justified' getting a nice hand plane to help me get it shaped. While there is so much emphasis on cool power tools (and I have my share), there is something very satisfying in using a good quality hand tool.

No noise, it makes shavings that fall to the floor instead of a cloud of dust that gets in your lungs and over everything. It can be relaxing to quietly shape a piece of wood using a good hand tool. Scrapers are another nice approach over a sander.

So maybe I'll get around to getting decent pictures of the desk, table lamps, and a simple, but somewhat interesting standing corner-shelf I've made. But my photo skills aren't up to your level either!

-ERD50

 

[davemartin88]

Thanks, but I'm finding that woodworking projects are more easily accomplished by a good set of tools.

Next up - my niece is buying this bed for her 2 year old daughter. I need to replicate the trim to fill in the top part that is missing. But I'm not doing fancy stuff in the middle like the footboard has. I'm sure I'll need some new tools to do this.

Maybe you could make a piece for the center that could be cut on your nephews CNC machine. I tried to look at the picture of the footboard but couldn't see enough detail. I know the design program I use for my machine has a lot of 3D flourish models that might be a good starting point. Or you could just buy the tools!

 

[Ronstar]

Made a stool out of walnut to match my architect's table.

 

[MBAustin]

You're a great craftsman, Ronstar. Beautiful work!

 

[harley]

You're a great craftsman, Ronstar. Beautiful work!

You really do do excellent work, Ronstar. I have a question though. Are your projects like mine, where everybody thinks it's perfect, but all I can see are my little mistakes/imperfections? Or are you a big leaguer, and can actually do them all the way right? They certainly look perfect.

 

[Ronstar]

Thanks harley & MBAustin.
My projects are like yours, harley. Looks good at a distance, but not as good up close.
Let's see - on this one, I dropped the seat after I had it finished and waxed. I tried to touch it up, but I can feel the bump at the corner. The joints on this one are good - I now finish all pieces individually before assembly - so I can easily wipe away glue squeeze out from the waxed pieces during assembly. But I need to be very careful because I can't sand away any snafus without having to refinish parts of it. There's a couple of very small dents that can be seen if you look close enough.

 

[harley]

Well, that makes me feel better. I made a vanity for our bathroom a while back, and used white formica for the top. There's a tiny tiny blemish at one of the corners, and it's all I can look at when I'm in there. Nobody else has ever noticed.

 

[Exit 2024]

"Biking Bluegrass" cookies

 

[Ronstar]

Very nice! They look almost too good to eat. Almost.

 

[Walt34]

Very nice! They look almost too good to eat. Almost.

They are, aren't they? Little works of art that is almost a shame to destroy by eating them.

 

[davemartin88]

I'm in the process of building some shelves and cabinets in our theater room. They are painted a dark gray to match the walls. Here's a blank for one of the four doors I'm making on the CNC, each one will have a different design. Finished a second one this morning that has a directors chair, hope to finish up this week.

 

[Ronstar]

Very nice! Is that MDF?

 

[davemartin88]

Very nice! Is that MDF?

Yes, 1/2" MDF, carves great and really looks good. Takes paint well, I put a coat of shellac on after carving to raise the fuzzies, then a light sanding before painting. Make sure you have the dust collector working!

 

[Ronstar]

I like the shellac idea! You're right - working with MDF makes a mess.

 

[Ronstar]

Whipped up a wheelbarrow planter from pallets and an old wheel that I dug up. Now to pack it with flowers, etc

 

[davemartin88]

I like the wheelbarrow!

Finished up the shelves/cabinets in the tv room. Here are a couple of pictures.

 

[splitwdw]

Ronstar, Cool planter. Did you add drain holes? I have a big old Philly street vendors cart. I use it sometimes for a planter but I put a plastic mortar pan inside the cart so it won't rot out the bottom. I also put ice in the mortar pan and use it to chill wine and soda and beer for patio parties.
Dave, All I can say is WOW!

 

[Ronstar]

Ronstar, Cool planter. Did you add drain holes? I have a big old Philly street vendors cart. I use it sometimes for a planter but I put a plastic mortar pan inside the cart so it won't rot out the bottom. I also put ice in the mortar pan and use it to chill wine and soda and beer for patio parties.
Dave, All I can say is WOW!

Split - The bottom has individual slats, so water can get out. Like you, I'm going to plant stuff in plastic bins. Cool idea on using yours as a cooler. I'm sure DW has ideas for fall arrangements, etc

Dave - great work on the entertainment center. Your cnc'd door fronts really pop!

 

[Hermit]

DD showed up at the house a couple of weeks ago. she had a big block of black foam and wanted to know if I could cut it. A glass chess/game set had been donated for the Kid's Camp silent auction and the cardboard box it was in was deteriorated. She wanted to put it in a nicer box with foam separating the boards and pieces. Turns out she didn't have a box and was going to try to put plastic pieces together for a box. I suggested we make a quick box while she was there. It probably took an hour and half to make the box using wood scraps that were literally laying outside in a scrap pile. She and her boyfriend stained it and brought it back out and I put a finish on it. Funny thing was that there were two sheets of bids on it! I think it went for like $75. You never know what will sell at a silent auction!

 

[Sunset]

Whipped up a wheelbarrow planter from pallets and an old wheel that I dug up. Now to pack it with flowers, etc

Very nice.

 

[davemartin88]

I suggested we make a quick box while she was there. It probably took an hour and half to make the box using wood scraps that were literally laying outside in a scrap pile.

I enjoy making projects that dig in to my scrap pile! I'm terrible at getting rid of the leftover scraps and have piles of small pieces that I dig through when I need a board. I always go to the scrap pile first to keep from cutting something larger. Nice job and outcome on the box!

 

[Ronstar]

Nice job on the box, Hermit! I know the satisfaction that you guys get from putting scraps to good use. Getting rid of scraps makes more room for tools and more wood.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum