Stuck on you...

After a week of planing and thicknessing, it was time for the big glue up of the bench top. The top is made of three pieces of (very heavy) maple which then have to be glued together to create a single piece - just a few clamps required to hold it in place!



Then it's back to the plane to make sure the surface is completely flat...

Getting revved up....

Apologies for the lack of communication recently. I finished my mallet the week before Easter but then we moved on to finishing, which involved sanding and oiling (just the 8 coats) everything I've made so far (winding sticks, breadboads, bookends, mallet). The danish oil seemed to be turning my breadboards a very murky shade of green which sent me into a bit of a panic but Daren assured me it would be fine once the wood dried out. To be honest, I didn't believe him at the time but I did trust him - and he was right. Then it was up north for a few days rest over Easter. Back in Devon now though and back on track.

So, with the starter projects now all done, this morning take our first tentative steps into the machine room. Yes, it's Machine Induction week, after which we make a set of trestles and then it's onto the big one - the workbench. We spent last week working on the technical drawings for said bench - no mean feat, let me tell you (especially for the mathematically challenged like myself!) Anyway, it's done and the wood ordered (iroko for the legs, maple for the top and a few shots of zebrano just for good measure). It should be delivered early this week, hence the Machine Induction in between.

Oh and Life Drawing this afternoon. YIKES.