Saturday, October 29, 2016

A Ming-Inspired Cabinet (76)

Lotsa pics today.

As I fit the demountable panel frames together, I fitted the assembled outer frames, rails and stiles, to the carcase:


In most cases, I found the frames just a hair tight for their openings, which was more or less by design and closely adhering to target dimensions. Final approach, size-wise, was made by hand plane:


I found that a saw horse is a handy planing beam as the frame can be assembled, or slipped, around it quite easily:


Everyone should have a joined Japanese irregular slope splayed sawhorse for this very reason. :^)

When the frame is in place, I swung around the other side to see how the miter lines were meeting the junction of rebate and infill strip:


That was the entire reason for the unequal miters.

Here the upper two panel frames have been fitted to cabinet 1:


The front faces of the frame corners have miters, as mentioned, and I omitted pics last time, so how about one today?:


Otherwise this is a standard sorta haunched mortise and tenon connection:


I will glue these connections, and wedge the tenons.

Cabinet #2 with the three rear frames fitted:


And same then for cabinet #1:


A closer look at a confluence of parts at the back, with the back surfaces of the demountable frame members still, obviously, needing a finish planing:


 Another look from inside the cabinet:


Next task was to adjust the panels so as to fit the frames, having left the panel rebating depth a little on the fat side previously:


The panel is just hanging there of its own accord, not a terribly tight fit but not so loose that it would fall out at this juncture.

Next the middle panel is adjusted to fit:


And then the bottom one:


Same process was repeated for cabinet #2.

Once the panels were good to go, I assembled the battens part way onto the panels and then drew up a rail:


Then, by sliding the dovetailed battens forward, I was then able to scribe the mortise location directly on the inside face of the rails:


Said mortise then met its fate at the land ‘o the hollow chisel:


Rebates were also processed on the rails and stiles, the location of the panel dado carefully worked out in advance so as to just fit between tenon and the mitered flap housing:


 Time then to put a frame and panel together:


Clamps helped for that last few millimeters:


Next, the stiles slide on, and since the arrangement of tenons and mortise here is reversed to that between battens and rails, a self-locking assembly is realized:


Another view:


One stile in place:


Everything is just dry-fitted for the time-being:


The batten tenons are left long along one side, as they will form part of the mechanism by which the panel assembly is attached to the cabinet carcase:


A view from the front of the first assembled rear upper demountable panel assembly:


The panel is standing in the same orientation as it will reside in the cabinet, and I took care to place the panel such that it’s quartersawn grain figure, which had a slight curvature, bowed upward.

A closer look at one side:


I’ll adjust the gaps between panel and frame later on to some suitable size and evenness.

I’m thinking another shop session should seem me through the completion of the other panel assemblies, and hopefully their fitting to the cabinet carcases. Another day after that to do the panel clips. Once the rear panels are in, I can move on to the final fabrication task on these two cabinets, namely the front doors.

Thanks for visiting the Carpentry Way.

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Friday, October 28, 2016

My Journey As A Creative Designer - Woodworking and Beyond #1795: Product Test - Krylon Gallery Series Fine Art Fixativ

Today’s post will be pretty much to the point. I have already been out and back and have a multitude of tasks that I need to work on today. It is all a great deal of fun though, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 



Most of you have seen my completed pastel drawing of my dear cat Pancakes:



I have had such a wonderful response to it that I can’t express my appreciation for your wonderful support. It really helps me feel as if I am heading in the right direction with my art and my work. Again – I am very grateful to Jason Morgan as well, for sharing his knowledge and love of art with us. I encourage those of you who are looking to learn from an expert to visit Jason’s Patreon channel and consider supporting him. You will certainly be glad you did. I have learned more from him in the short time I have subscribed to his channel than I can ever tell you. 



With the drawing being complete, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma …



What can I do to protect the fragile pastels that I used to create this piece? 



Unlike watercolors or paint, pastels don’t ‘set’ or 'dry’ and they remain workable and movable on your paper until you fixate them in some way. Even if they are put under glass, they are still exposed to the elements (although to a lesser degree) and susceptible to damage. 



Because of their fragile nature, you can’t just use anything to 'fix’ and seal them. While I was creating the drawing, I had used a high end product that was meant for 'fixing’ colored pencils and set the eye, as I had reached a stage when creating it that I thought was good. I wanted to 'freeze’ the eye into place so that I wouldn’t smudge it or ruin it while completing the drawing.  But once I sprayed the product, I noticed that many of the highlights were dulled and knocked out. The entire image appeared to be somewhat darker. 



I didn’t panic because as I said – I was still in the drawing process. I simply re-applied the highlights as I continued to work. But it left the question in my mind as to how I would protect and fix this drawing while keeping its colors true. 



I asked around some of my forums, but didn’t find a definitive answer. I realized that it would be up to me to try some things and experiment and I am pleased to let you know that I think I found an acceptable product. 



A while back, I invested in Krylon’s Gallery Series Fine Art Fixatif.







I say “invested” because I think this 11 oz can cost me over $17. That is about twice the price of the usual Krylon Fixativ that I have used. I had originally bought it to use on my watercolor and colored pencil drawings, but have not used it as of yet. 



As you may be able to see, the label states that it provides “Invisible protection of artwork without dissolving whites and lights.”  



That was good. It was as if they knew exactly what the problem with the other fixativ was.  It also said specifically that it “Safeguards pastel, charcoal and pencil from dusting, smudging and fading." 



Yay! That meant it that they had pastels in mind when they created this formula. Hopefully, it also meant that they were aware of the above mentioned issues that  I had encountered. I saw promise. 



In the old days of creating, I would have run right out and given ole’ Pancakes a spray with it, hoping for the desired result. But call it age or experience of intelligence, I had learned in the past that things don’t always do what they promise. I was using Krylon’s Temporary Spray Adhesive for applying my scroll saw patterns and the quality recently had diminished so much that I won’t touch the stuff anymore. I had hoped that this wouldn’t be the case here (especially since it cost so much!) and I have LEARNED to TEST on a benign piece first.  (Ahh – you CAN teach an old girl new tricks after all!) 



So here is what I did … 



I took some white Pastelmat paper (the same type of paper I used on Pancakes – only WHITE) and applied a range of pastel colors. I also applied white over them so I could check for the highlights fading out. 



For good measure, I took the end scrap from the same paper I did the Pancakes drawing on. I also put a variety of colors on it. 



I then placed a sheet of cardboard over half of the drawings and taped them to a board. I sprayed a good, solid layer of the Krylon Gallery Series Fine Art Fixatif over it:



Below are my result:



I tried my very best to take the photos in the same place in the same light and not adjust them at all.  You can see that the Krylon did pretty well. 



The division line is barely discernible. I used the red arrows to show where it actually is. There is a very (VERY) faint difference between the two sides, but even side to side, it is hard to see. These were taken in pure, indirect daylight. 



Even on the dark paper on the bottom, you can’t see any fading to speak of. 



I think we have a 'winner’. :) 



Now I am sure you are waiting for the photo of the Pancakes picture sprayed, and I must admit that I am still getting my nerve to do it. Even though the tests came out well, I am sure my artist friends can empathize with my reservations about actually spraying it. I am mustering up the courage to do so later today. 



I invite anyone else who has had experience with this product to share it with me. Good or bad, I would love to hear from you. 



In other things, my pumpkin is in the oven and on its way to being worked on today:



My Merry Christmas is also on my painting table and the first stage of painting is nearly complete. (YES – I WILL have the wood cutout available on my site for those who want it! I have already been asked by several people. :) )



(Sorry the picture isn’t the best!)



It will be a busy and creative weekend. I need to shoot a video with some of the techniques that I am using on the pumpkin, too. That is going to be a really fun project. 



I wish you all a great Friday today and a wonderful weekend ahead. It is overcast, cold and rainy here in Nova Scotia. I made a large pot of vegetable beef soup and I have some bread to go in the oven (after the pumpkin is out, of course!) and it is a good day to stay in and curl up with my art supplies and kitties. I think I will spend the entire weekend doing so! 



Enjoy your weekend as well and do something wonderfully creative! You will be amazed at how uplifting it can be! 



Happy Friday!



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Thursday, October 27, 2016

My Journey As A Creative Designer - Woodworking and Beyond #1794: Multi-Tasking

It has been quite busy, as usual here for me these days. I was truly grateful and overwhelmed by everyone’s response to my drawing of Pancakes. It truly makes me feel that I am on the right track with things and I am doing something right. Again – I have to give a huge ‘thank you’ to teachers who present online classes for us to learn and expand our artistic horizons. It his world of negativity and sadness, it does wonders to focus on something as simple as creating as an 'escape’. I am often asked how I can remain so happy all the time. Like everyone, I have my issues, but for the most part I try to focus on things that are positive and uplifting, and I try to uplift others as well through my art. It is hard to stay sad when you see the happiness you are able to bring to others. Making even a small, positive difference in others’ lives really makes a difference in my own. Again – thank you.



So what do I have planned for today?  



Lots! 



As I look on my desk at all the things I want to tackle today, I know I will be having quite a bit of fun. It is filled with new  projects, trying new products and general creating for patterns and classes. 





I don’t know where to begin first! (What a wonderful problem to have!)



I’ll start with the pumpkin that I am creating for an online class for Toletown. I am privileged to be a member of their design team, and I have projects with videos up for the months of November and December. I haven’t done videos in quite a while because with us moving and all, I have had to get my footing in my new studio and environment and figure out how I was going to do things. My previous videos were done in our small apartment kitchen and the lighting and so forth were not really what I would call “optimal”. I had to hang the tripod off of the microwave behind me to hold the camera and while it worked, it certainly didn’t give the best result. 



Now I have a big, bright place to create in. Keith built a stand for my camera that should allow a great 'bird’s eye’ view of what I am doing. I can’t wait to try it out. Hopefully this will mean more videos in the future. I like doing them, but since I have so much time in between them there is a learning curve every time I go back and do another. I hope to build up the library on my site and YouTube Channel so there is more information on woodworking, painting and yes – even embroidery. I hope you stick with me or check back to see how I am doing for that. 



In any case, I liked the way the glass pumpkin came out that i did using Kim Christmas’ pattern that I decided I wanted to make one for my own class:



Of course I won’t be doing the same design, but I have some ideas of my own that will use this glass pumpkin that I picked up for under $7 at our Bulk Barn and use some cool DecoArt products to create a cool, unusual piece:



I can promise it will be unlike any pumpkins you have ever seen! :)  (Keith tilted his head to the side when I told him what I had planned and said “Huh?”)  I suppose that you are either going to like it or not. That is what creating original art is all about, right? 



My next project of the day is to finish off this word art pattern for my scrolling followers. I suppose there isn’t really a mystery involved with this project, but I want to offer a couple of versions of it so that if you want to dabble in painting, you can give it a try. I think you will like the result for that project as well, and I hope it encourages some woodworkers to try their hand at painting! ;) 



And finally – I want to try out the Krylon Gallery Series Fine Art fixatif for protecting my pastel picture of Pancakes.



This isn’t the 'regular’ fixativ from Krylon – I got it from an art store and it cost about twice as much. (La-de-DA!) But as you see on the can, it is supposed to protect artwork without dulling or killing the highlights and it lists pastels specifically on the label. I tried another fixativ when I was drawing Pancakes to 'set’ his eyes, and it did kill many of the highlights. I wasn’t too concerned, as I still had a while to go with the drawing and I just added them back in, but now that it is finished, I don’t want to ruin it by dulling everything out. Yet I feel I need to protect it. I will certainly post the result for everyone to see. 



So there is the plan of the day. I also want to make a nice pot of vegetable beef barley soup. I picked up some fresh corn and beans and it is another brisk, yet sunny day today. Soup will be a welcome treat. 



I wish you all a lovely day today. I will be back tomorrow with progress on my several projects at hand.  I can’t wait to see them all get finished up! 



Happy Thursday to you all! 




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Online Scroll Saw Class - Incredibly Fun Adventures in Scroll Sawing #14: Multi-Tasking

It has been quite busy, as usual here for me these days. I was truly grateful and overwhelmed by everyone’s response to my drawing of Pancakes. It truly makes me feel that I am on the right track with things and I am doing something right. Again – I have to give a huge ‘thank you’ to teachers who present online classes for us to learn and expand our artistic horizons. It his world of negativity and sadness, it does wonders to focus on something as simple as creating as an 'escape’. I am often asked how I can remain so happy all the time. Like everyone, I have my issues, but for the most part I try to focus on things that are positive and uplifting, and I try to uplift others as well through my art. It is hard to stay sad when you see the happiness you are able to bring to others. Making even a small, positive difference in others’ lives really makes a difference in my own. Again – thank you.



So what do I have planned for today?  



Lots! 



As I look on my desk at all the things I want to tackle today, I know I will be having quite a bit of fun. It is filled with new  projects, trying new products and general creating for patterns and classes. 





I don’t know where to begin first! (What a wonderful problem to have!)



I’ll start with the pumpkin that I am creating for an online class for Toletown. I am privileged to be a member of their design team, and I have projects with videos up for the months of November and December. I haven’t done videos in quite a while because with us moving and all, I have had to get my footing in my new studio and environment and figure out how I was going to do things. My previous videos were done in our small apartment kitchen and the lighting and so forth were not really what I would call “optimal”. I had to hang the tripod off of the microwave behind me to hold the camera and while it worked, it certainly didn’t give the best result. 



Now I have a big, bright place to create in. Keith built a stand for my camera that should allow a great 'bird’s eye’ view of what I am doing. I can’t wait to try it out. Hopefully this will mean more videos in the future. I like doing them, but since I have so much time in between them there is a learning curve every time I go back and do another. I hope to build up the library on my site and YouTube Channel so there is more information on woodworking, painting and yes – even embroidery. I hope you stick with me or check back to see how I am doing for that. 



In any case, I liked the way the glass pumpkin came out that i did using Kim Christmas’ pattern that I decided I wanted to make one for my own class:



Of course I won’t be doing the same design, but I have some ideas of my own that will use this glass pumpkin that I picked up for under $7 at our Bulk Barn and use some cool DecoArt products to create a cool, unusual piece:



I can promise it will be unlike any pumpkins you have ever seen! :)  (Keith tilted his head to the side when I told him what I had planned and said “Huh?”)  I suppose that you are either going to like it or not. That is what creating original art is all about, right? 



My next project of the day is to finish off this word art pattern for my scrolling followers. I suppose there isn’t really a mystery involved with this project, but I want to offer a couple of versions of it so that if you want to dabble in painting, you can give it a try. I think you will like the result for that project as well, and I hope it encourages some woodworkers to try their hand at painting! ;) 



And finally – I want to try out the Krylon Gallery Series Fine Art fixatif for protecting my pastel picture of Pancakes.



This isn’t the 'regular’ fixativ from Krylon – I got it from an art store and it cost about twice as much. (La-de-DA!) But as you see on the can, it is supposed to protect artwork without dulling or killing the highlights and it lists pastels specifically on the label. I tried another fixativ when I was drawing Pancakes to 'set’ his eyes, and it did kill many of the highlights. I wasn’t too concerned, as I still had a while to go with the drawing and I just added them back in, but now that it is finished, I don’t want to ruin it by dulling everything out. Yet I feel I need to protect it. I will certainly post the result for everyone to see. 



So there is the plan of the day. I also want to make a nice pot of vegetable beef barley soup. I picked up some fresh corn and beans and it is another brisk, yet sunny day today. Soup will be a welcome treat. 



I wish you all a lovely day today. I will be back tomorrow with progress on my several projects at hand.  I can’t wait to see them all get finished up! 



Happy Thursday to you all! 




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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

A Ming-Inspired Cabinet (75)

The past week or so has involved a little side work at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, repairing some shōji, and putting together an estimate for a Japanese ceiling in a tea room just outside of Boston - wish me luck with that - so progress on the cabinets has been slowed somewhat. Every time I put together an estimate for a job I am reacquainted with the fact that good wood is steadily getting harder to find, and more expensive all the time.

I have made progress on the frames of the demountable back panels on the two cabinets. As these rear panels are viewable on the front face only, the back of the cabinet being against a wall, the joints I chose to joint the frame corners are haunched mortise and tenons, with a mitered tongue for the front face. I will wedge and glue these connections.

As the frames abut against carcase board rebates as well as infill strips, which happen to be dimensionally different, the miters are made unequal so as to have the line of the miters meet the junctions at the corners of the cabinet properly. This is the sort of detail nobody will likely notice, but it’s the sort of thing that, when I see it overlooked in casework or finish carpentry I happen upon, disappoints slightly.

Here are the parts after the rails have been tenoned and rough-mitered, and the stiles have been mortised:


A closer look at the stiles:


I then moved to cutting the miter housings on one end of each of the stiles, after which I could start fitting the joints up:


These 4 stiles were cut at exact length to fit the opening, because I simply had no extra stock to draw from. The rail’s surface sits a hair proud, however when finish-planed that will be cleaned up - same goes for the outer faces of the stiles.

A closer view:


On the other sets, I was able to leave the stiles long, with little ‘horns’, though these might be a bit on the meager side length-wise:


Normally you leave the horns on so as to allow for tight mortise and tenon fits without risking the end of the stile splitting open, and I think in some woods longer horns are all the better. These shorter horns sufficed for the bubinga - they had to.

A view of the tenon exit faces-  I’ll be flaring the mortises to wedge them, so the vertical tolerance could be a little loose:


This is about half of the joints fitted, and horns trimmed down:


I’m not sure why, but I neglected to take any pictures of the miters, however those pics will be coming along in the next post.

Another view:


The next session in the shop, tomorrow, should see me through the rest of the miter joints, and then onto the dadoes for the panels and mortises for the panel battens.

All for this round - thanks for visiting!

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