Hold on tight

I have been getting by with a makeshift holdfast and bench hook for some time now. Sometimes its good though to have things especially made. Justin Fletcher has made me these fine holdfasts and bench hook, which will be getting immediately pressed into service on my bench tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in spoonworld.

The viking longships invaded from the north.

But it was not genocide. The longships bred with the local spoon population. and soon both tribes lived as one.

In peace..... and impracticality!

Country seat at a country seat

In situ

Off she goes.

Blessings to all who sail on her!

Reluctant fledglings

My new scraper plane arrived. I tried it first with a straight cutting edge, which wasn't very succesful! Then I gave the edge a crown and it was marvellous.

Perfect for scraping the shallow curves of the settle arms. Where it wouldn't go, I resorted to a spokeshave.

With the fine weather, I decided to do a bit of homework and shave the pegs by my fishpond at home.

Accidentally producing lots of s-scrolls in the process!

In with the pegs.

And on with the first application of custard.

And its nearly time for you, my young fledgling, to go to your forever home.



But what's this, this settle doesn't want to leave. Its trying to climb back onto the nest.

But go you shall, young settle, for I have more settles to hatch.

Scraper convert

With all the main construction done its time to clean up all the parts before I join her.

I've not been too concerned with getting a perfect finish on my joined furniture so far. My feeling is, its the imperfections that give it character. However, bearing in mind this settle is going outside, too many imperfections might catch too much rainwater. Not good. So some scraping action is going to have to happen. While I am waiting for my new scarper, sorry, scraper plane to arrive ( I like the idea of a scarper plane) I'll just have to make do with some chunks of modern panel saw.

And when I've realised that pushing is better than pulling....its the same revelatory feeling as when I first used a scrub plane.

Maybe I am a closet cabinetmaker after all! Or is that a cabinet closetmaker?

And here's a mushroom.

All coming together

Frames and panels, frames and panels, frames and panels. Frames and panels, frames and panels, frames and panels. Frames and frames and frames and frames and panels. Frames and panels, frames and panels.

As this settle is going to live outside, I am taking certain measures to help it survive as long as possible. I am aiming for no completely horizontal surfaces. I have bored holes through the bottom of those mortices that are facing upwards i.e. in the middle and lower rail.

This is Devon and it rains a lot. Frames and panels, frames and panels and rain!