2013/07/31

Quickie Work Bench : A table from six scraps

Last year I pulled these six scrap boards from of a dumpster behind an old Ingles. They're pretty badly cupped but otherwise solid, hard yellow pine 2x12s.
A sharp, functional work bench is quickly constructed from rescued hard yellow pine boards. (easy DIY work table) 
It's amazing what people get rid of during a tear-out.

I squared up the boards and made some rips.
A sharp, functional work bench is quickly constructed from rescued hard yellow pine boards. (easy DIY work table)
All of the wood for this project is stacked on the left. The only scraps are on the right.

You may have noticed that for way too long I have worked without a bench. Cuts were made out on the deck and most pieces were assembled on the floor.
A sharp, functional work bench is quickly constructed from rescued hard yellow pine boards. (easy DIY work table)
So this is long overdue. 
A sharp, functional work bench is quickly constructed from rescued hard yellow pine boards. (easy DIY work table)
 It's a simple design from scrap lumber and it went together quickly. If every project could be like this...

A sharp, functional work bench is quickly constructed from rescued hard yellow pine boards. (easy DIY work table)
 I won't be making any more cuts out here.

This helper really digs it.
A sharp, functional work bench is quickly constructed from rescued hard yellow pine boards. (easy DIY work table)
 He also helped me install additional bracing from the leftover cutoffs.
A sharp, functional work bench is quickly constructed from rescued hard yellow pine boards. (easy DIY work table)
Little known fact about furniture biology: tables asexually reproduce more tables. It's a fascinating life cycle.
] j [

2013/07/27

Paulownia bed legs and the Big Eyed Elater

My landlord cut down an invasive tree on our property and I snatched up some pieces a while back.
invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
 It took some time to ID it, but I have arrived at Paulownia, or Princess tree. It is native to China and grows at an alarming rate. I had already decided it would make great legs for my daughter's new loft bed before I learned of Paulownia's traditional uses in China and Japan. One tradition is to plant one when a daughter is born. It will mature when she does and the tree is then cut and carved into various items as wedding gifts. Most common of these is a chest or dresser.
invasive Paulownia is also used quite successfully in reforestation projects
 Paulownia sports enormous heart-shaped leaves.

invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
 (preparing to rip it down the middle)

invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
(mark for the outside rip)

invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts


invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
 I discovered the heart wood is much like styrofoam. Growth rings would indicate this tree is only 3 or 4 years old - it was at least twenty feet tall and this wasn't the thickest part of the trunk.
invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts

Then I had a startling encounter:
Big Eyed Elater, marvelous click bug over 2 inches long
 A very large beetle flew up onto the porch.
Big Eyed Elater, marvelous click bug over 2 inches long
 It is the Big Eyed Elater, a beautiful click bug over 2 inches long!
Big Eyed Elater, marvelous click bug over 2 inches long

 And back to work . . .
invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
 I split the two halves and used a grinder to debark the quarters.
invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts


invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
 Magic oil!
invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
 (the oiled posts have a nice luster)
invasive tree cutting rescued for use as curvy bed posts
These posts will be used to elevate a donated bed. It hasn't arrived yet, but when the time comes I will use more of the same Paulownia for the ladder and railings.