I"ve written before on ways to store your oil-based wood finishes like urethanes or even paint, but admittedly found only limited success …. until now!
Without a doubt the best way to store finishes is by using Bloxygen: an inert gas that “eliminates thickening and skin-over.”
Bloxygen provides a layer between the air and the finish that protects your product.
My “go to” finishes are General Finishes Arm-R-Seal semi-gloss for my spindle turned pieces and GF’s Wood Bowl Finish (or SBF: Salad Bowl Finish) for my bowls.
These finishes work so well that I get many compliments from my finished products, yet at roughly $13 a pint or $20 a quart they are costly enough to want to get every drop for your dollar.
The problem with most small shop owners is that we don’t use these every day, so storing them properly for the next use is important. Countless times I’ve come back to a half-filled, well-sealed can only to find the remainder of my product transformed into a useless gel.
Bloxygen (at about $12 a can) has fixed this. You have to do the math to see if it’s worth it to you, but I’ve found it to be cost efficient. The can is about 9” tall and feels like its empty, containing .41 oz of gas – but they claim you will get about 75 uses in quarts. I haven’t counted out the number of sprays I’ve used but their claim is likely accurate.
My method is simple: I take a new can and pour a useable amount into a smaller container. I’ve found that clear plastic prescription medication bottles work well enough for the project at hand, so I can spray a couple blasts of Bloxygen into the larger can and seal my lid, leaving it perfect for the next use.
This method works well even for the prescription bottles I use. Simply tilt the lid slightly open, spray a few “shots” into the bottle, and twist on the lid. Although these are not airtight containers, they seal well enough for me to get 3 or 4 coats of finish on my wood piece while keeping my primary container from continuously being reopened.
If you want something that works, give Bloxygen a try! The company claims it preserves stains, varnishes, chemicals, resins and more. The Prodigal Carpenter says 2 thumbs up!
I love the handles on the level which make it easy to carry with one hand and lightweight enough to hoist up on high places like shelves or holding against a wall. The level is well balanced and the straight edges are true.
Although it’s difficult to write more about a level, this one has everything I need and is perfect for any carpenter or builder. How tough it is will only be determined in time but for now this is 5 star all around!
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Every craftsman or "maker" of products knows that customers often help define how we look at, modify and sometimes even conceive of the things we make. We come up with an idea or conform to traditional concepts in the quest for what the buyer will like and then watch and listen
Here's an example.
A good friend suggested we include pen blocks in our product line over a year ago. Since this particular friend is an avid pen lover and enjoys attending Pen shows, she enlightened us about the market for a way to display favorite writing instruments for pen lovers such as herself.
Over time we added a number of original design pen blocks to our inventory.
Then recently, at an artist's market we participated in, a customer who purchased every pen block we had on display revealed that he would be utilizing them as artist brush holders. He is a painter and had been looking for a better way to keep his various brushes organized and accessible on his workspace.
Within a couple of hours of purchasing our pen bocks, our new friend texted photos of his new "brush holders".
And "voila", a new product is born.
Since the market, Gary ( the customer) has graciously shared feedback and suggestions about what "works" and what modifications might improve function.
We love feedback that helps us improve what we make.
From handcrafted wooden tongs that a customer pointed out were perfect "toaster" tongs........to the reminder that "left handed" spatulas addressed a specific need......to offering smaller lightweight"prep" boards for those cooks who prefer a "one handed" board for quick kitchen prep....... we listen and learn .
And often ask ourselves.......
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It's that special time of year in the South when the outdoors beckon and nature "teases" with alternating days of gentle warmth and the last vestiges of cold. The daffodils have put on their early show, as well as the forsythia and Bradford pear trees, while the dogwood and azalea are preparing for their stage entrance.
We have bleeding heart in our garden which is like the "trumpeter" of Spring .... emerging from the ground and offering it's pink blossoms in what seems like a matter of days...
Following closely behind, the hosta starts to emerge from the ground
And the Dogwoods prepare to join the azaleas in their floral display
Besides the urge to go outside and "play in the dirt" and bask in the mild spring days, every artisan knows that these things also herald the coming of seasonal festivals and markets. We have two on our spring schedule in the Atlanta area. We'll be updating everyone soon to add them to your calendar if you live in our part of the country or plan to visit . Think hundreds of vendor booths, artisan wares, music, and food trucks.
In preparation for this time of year, we've been busy turning out a beautiful array of artisan grinders, cutting boards, candleholders, pen blocks, and other handcrafted treasures. We love the unique beauty of each wood that goes into one of our products, never ceasing to marvel at the detailed, infinite variety of the Creator's handiwork.
Intricate woodgrains, amazing colors and patterns seem to echo the breathtaking palette of a Spring landscape with limitless variety and endless surprises.
Watch any experienced woodworker lovingly paying homage to a piece of walnut...... or reverently admiring an exotic wood and it will be evident that these "craftsmen" look to pay tribute to the handiwork of the Master Craftsman.
Spring rejuvenates.... it brings renewed energy, restored spirit and a fresh wonder at its display of new life in all it's intricate, amazing glory.
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Although different woodworkers offered different solutions I found the “marbles” tip most effective.
Here’s how it works:
Order a sack of clear glass marbles that you use to replace the finish as you go. I ordered a bag of about 500 marbles for roughly $13, and each time I use my finish I add a few of the marbles to the can.
The marbles sink to the bottom but the finish rises to the top, leaving little room for air to remain in the can. It’s not vacuum sealed however the lack of air reduces the risk of a film developing on the topcoat.
I still recommend following my other tips (like not shaking the can), and while the marbles fill the void in the can they are light enough to still allow for thorough stirring to get all the chemicals in the finish to blend.
I’m told that when the can is empty you can clean the marbles in mineral spirits and then reuse. I haven’t reached that point yet, but so far so good. I’ll keep you posted as I go.
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Some love to cook. some don't. Some want a well equipped kitchen, others aren't that into it and just want the basics available when they venture into their cook space. Some are aspiring "chefs", and some are microwave aficionados.
Among those who really appreciate fine culinary tools and equipment, there are still personal preferences that dictate choices or the details that matter most. It's one reason we try to offer something for everyone..... from the minimalist home cook to the expert chef........we believe quality is still worth investing in .
The Prodigal Carpenter product line includes a full range of cutting boards, from small "Bar Boards" to large finely crafted end grain chef sized cutting boards.... and much in between.
Here you see a sampling of our Bar Boards:
These lighter and smaller edge grain boards are just right for "whipping out" in smaller spaces (like a wet bar ) or for quick sandwich or small prep jobs. Sporting combos of beautifully contrasting hardwoods and affordably priced at just $30 each, they're a tremendous value and truly practical.
Then there are our medium sized edge grain boards. For the cook who prefers a somewhat larger prep space, but who isn't ready to invest in a larger chef quality end grain board........These too come in beautiful hardwood combos and serve most needs for the average cook.....or as a great addition for the more prolific home cook who likes having an alternative choice when prepping food. These boards are available in the $50-$60 range.
Of course, our End grain Cutting Boards remain our premier product and what we're known for. , Check out information on End Grain, Edge Grain and care and maintenance here https://theprodigalcarpenter.net/pages/end-grain-cutting-board-use-and-maintenance
When we first began making cutting boards it was our goal to produce uniquely beautiful and durable boards reflecting variety and artisan quality. It remains our hallmark.
Take the "Reality Check Board"
Or the "Maestro Board"
The "Brick" Cutting Board
Or the "Tilted Square" Board
Our original, extra large "Cross" Cutting Board
We never stop looking for new pattern and wood combinations.
So......whether you're a kitchen amateur with a "cozy" workspace or a professional chef with a state of the art culinary habitat.... there's something here for you.
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My wife and I ponder this each time I complete a new product. Based upon a thousand different factors we each arrive at a figure and then we yield to one another to determine a final price.
What are the factors?
1. Data alone (materials, equipment, supplies) : how much did the wood cost? What about the glue? The clamps? How about the table saw and miter saw; and the saw blades on each? The more equipment we own the less time it takes to make a product, and the better the product will turn out; but how do you price this out?
2. Governmental cost (keepin it legal) : I’ve been quite amazed as politicians often state how “America was built on Small Businesses” just how much we have to pay Uncle Sam to build our small business.
It’s not just sales tax or business licenses; it’s the various requirements made by different municipalities. For us, selling at a market in XYZ county is different then selling online. Thankfully my wife stays on top of that area.
3. Time: Another area of challenge with a business.
As they say "Time is money"
I don’t have set hours which can be a blessing and a curse. I can work on 2 or 3 similar items at a time but I can also be pulled away easier for non-emergencies since I am my own boss. I can also stop in my shop at 9 p.m. and do a cutting board glue up or put another coat of finish on a pepper mill.
4. Market: what will a willing buyer pay a willing seller for a piece of functional wood art? Compare one of my $175 cutting boards to a $39 one mass produced in a foreign country. They’re both made of wood right? Not everyone is your market.... know your target market and know who "you" are.
5. Quality of workmanship: now we’re at the ultimate in variables. How do I compare what I make with what someone else makes? It’s easy for me to look at other woodworkers and see their expertise, where often I see my own flaws; so when it comes to quality I have 2 things to go by:
a. Customer feedback
b. Personal use
Our customer feedback has been very favorable, and before we sell any product the first one (or more) goes to my wife. If my cutting boards or pepper mills can stand up to her daily use then they can stand the test of time with others.
6. Reputation: you only get a good reputation through consistent quality and time.
So what’s our final conclusion? We set our price to be what we believe one should reasonably pay for a quality, handcrafted product. The intangible value lies in the artistry and know how that goes into making it....... something 99% of people cannot do.
Our products are unique and they are created to last a long time. Quality hardwood will not break down under normal conditions. This means steady use with reasonable care. If you drop one of our boards on a hard floor it won’t break, if you slam it on the ground, it may. However we take every precaution to educate our customers on how to care for their products to get the best use and greatest satisfaction for years and years.
So as we set our prices, adjust to the times and market, factor in our unique expertise, and continue to learn from our customers and others. We establish the exceptional workmanship of our brand. We put our reputation on the line with each piece we make; but we do so confidently because we know that every piece of every product was put together carefully by a master carpenter.
Our motto is: “beautifully crafted yet inherently durable".
Check out our product catalogue here at
theprodigalcarpenter.net
Before I begin I’ll tell you what I tried previously:
1. Minwax Paste Finishing Wax: a nice starter product that applies easy and protects the wood, but hardly an “eye popping” finish
2. Boiled Linseed Oil covered with Instant Bond Wood Adhesive: better, but not great
3. A variety of other finishes I saw online but again, none matched the success below:
My process for finishing is as follows:
1. Sand the wood thoroughly. On my lathe products I’ll go up to 3000 grit but that’s probably overkill.
2. Wipe the wood with a tack cloth to remove all sawdust
EITHER PUT ON A MASK OR MOVE OUTSIDE; PREFERABLY BOTH,
THEN:
3. Apply a layer of sanding sealer: I use either dewaxed shellac cut 50/50 with denatured alcohol or sanding sealer cut the same. This stuff dries fast and a thin coat is all you need. It will seal your wood and provide a base to build your finish on
4. .Wait a few hours, (overnight does best) then lightly sand with Zero steel wool or the highest grit sand paper you have (1500+)
5. Apply a thin coat of General Finishes ARM-R-SEAL (Topcoat). I use either Satin or Semi-gloss depending on how much shine I want.
HINT: when you put the topcoat on have a paper towel handy; lightly wipe the excess off so you don’t get drip marks.
I put my turning products back on the lathe to get a well distributed finish.
6. Let sit overnight; your wood should be dry to the touch with no tackiness at all. Believe me, if the wood feels tacky you put too much topcoat on and have to either wait longer to dry or sand and start over. (I speak from experience and I don’t like waiting!)
Repeat steps 4-6 until you get the look you like. I use a minimum of 3 coats That’s it!
Take a look at the finish you get; if you’ve got sweet grain patterns to show off this will do it!
MY KEY STORAGE TIP: Shellac’s and urethane’s all need to be stirred well to bring all the chemicals into suspension. DO NOT SHAKE THE CAN, I REPEAT, DO NOT SHAKE THE CAN! Before you remove the lid for STIRRING mark the top of the can with a sharpie or other permanent marker. Run your line over the edge of the can so that you will always put the lid on the same way!
I use a disposable brush to apply my finish, this way I can control spillage better; and I’ve learned to take my time….:)To the educated woodworker this may seem like a no brainer but I have wasted far too many cans of finish by rushing the job; shaking the can, then trying to get the lid back on while all that finish goop has gotten into the grooves.
Believe me, this works!]]>
We have several of our products including our cutting boards for sale at a local shop in our hometown of Cartersville GA. Recently a customer asked about the safety of the wood we used, particularly in our products that come in direct contact with food.
While all woods possess different qualities and many of them contain natural toxins that could be harmful, the primary threat of these toxins are to the woodworker and not the customer. Breathing in the wood dust which happens easily when cutting or sanding wood, poses the greatest risk of harm, primarily to the lungs and usually due to extended exposure;
however there are also reported allergic reactions of nausea or sensitivity of the skin or eye. (Again, these rare reactions are generally only found with prolonged exposure to the wood during the process of sawing, sanding, etc)
But how does that affect the customer? Because people can be allergic to almost anything we would be naive to say our wood products are 100% food safe for everyone.
We use a variety of woods from the standard maple & cherry to black walnut all the way up to the “exotic” woods (meaning imported) that have the stunning colors like purple heart, padauk and bubinga.
The exotic woods have been questioned mainly because these woods contain natural oils which some are allergic to. Although the possibility exists, it would be quite rare for food to sit on a cutting board long enough for a sufficient amount of this oil to “leach” into the food in order to cause illness.
Here’s an excerpt from one of our resources: "Despite the very long list of woods below, very few woods are actually toxic in and of themselves. But what a great number of woods do have the potential to do is cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This risk for finished wood projects is greatly lessened (but not eliminated) with the application of a food-safe finish." See: http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
That said, the wood we use is safe for food contact based on the following:
We believe that natural wood products are in fact safer than many alternatives (like plastic) and stand by each of our pieces (please see our blog on 2/27/17 titled “How Safe Is Your Cutting Board”).
Our desire is that our customers are not only satisfied with our products but also informed so we have included several sources of wood experts below.
And if you have questions about a specific product or finish.... you can always email us at theprodigalcarpenter@gmail.com.
]]>We have several of our products including our cutting boards for sale at a local shop in our hometown of Cartersville GA. Recently a customer asked about the safety of the wood we used, particularly in our products that come in direct contact with food.
While all woods possess different qualities and many of them contain natural toxins that could be harmful, the primary threat of these toxins are to the woodworker and not the customer. Breathing in the wood dust which happens easily when cutting or sanding wood, poses the greatest risk of harm, primarily to the lungs and usually due to extended exposure;
however there are also reported allergic reactions of nausea or sensitivity of the skin or eye. (Again, these rare reactions are generally only found with prolonged exposure to the wood during the process of sawing, sanding, etc)
But how does that affect the customer? Because people can be allergic to almost anything we would be naive to say our wood products are 100% food safe for everyone.
We use a variety of woods from the standard maple & cherry to black walnut all the way up to the “exotic” woods (meaning imported) that have the stunning colors like purple heart, padauk and bubinga.
The exotic woods have been questioned mainly because these woods contain natural oils which some are allergic to. Although the possibility exists, it would be quite rare for food to sit on a cutting board long enough for a sufficient amount of this oil to “leach” into the food in order to cause illness.
Here’s an excerpt from one of our resources: "Despite the very long list of woods below, very few woods are actually toxic in and of themselves. But what a great number of woods do have the potential to do is cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This risk for finished wood projects is greatly lessened (but not eliminated) with the application of a food-safe finish." See: http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
That said, the wood we use is safe for food contact based on the following:
We believe that natural wood products are in fact safer than many alternatives (like plastic) and stand by each of our pieces (please see our blog on 2/27/17 titled “How Safe Is Your Cutting Board”).
Our desire is that our customers are not only satisfied with our products but also informed so we have included several sources of wood experts below.
And if you have questions about a specific product or finish.... you can always email us at theprodigalcarpenter@gmail.com.
]]>One of the alternatives we offer to our “end grain” cutting boards is a slightly less expensive but equally durable “edge grain” board. As the term indicates, these boards use a different portion of the wood (edge) for your cutting surface. Although these boards do not possess the same qualities of end grain they do offer some distinct advantages.
First you get a far different grain pattern from the edge of a piece of wood than you do from the end. (Below notice end grain top left, edge grain middle and lower left)
Second, because less of the wood “fibers” are exposed, edge grain boards tend to hold their color longer than end grain. This can be particularly rewarding when choosing a board with stunning colors such as Padauk and Purpleheart. Finally, edge grain boards provide a slightly harder surface than their companions. Typically butcher block countertops are made from either the edge or the face of a particular piece of wood.
Why are these edge grain boards less expensive? The basic answer is that it costs less for us to make so we reflect that benefit to our customers. Endgrain boards take longer to make, are much harder on saw blades, and use more wood.
The flip side however is that since there are less cuts and glue ups in preparing an edge grain board, there is less waste. We can also make edge grain boards much thinner than their counterpart while maintaining the board’s strength. Thinner, lighter cutting boards provide an advantage to any chef who wants a board they can grab with one hand and quickly put to use.
By the way; we use the same high quality FAS (First and Seconds) hardwoods for both of our cutting board options and we stand by our products. We even offer free resurfacing (sanding/finishing) to any of our cutting boards, requiring the customer to provide only the shipping fees or arrange to have the board dropped off and picked up.
As with any choice I always like to know the preference of the one creating the product, so I’ll offer mine. When it comes to cutting boards I prefer end grain boards for 2 reasons.
First, endgrain allows me more opportunities to make unique patterns and designs (like our previously pictured 3D Diamond boards or “Tuxedo” board below).
Second, I enjoy the challenge involved in the end grain process and the particular qualities of them. (my wife has one of my early ones she uses almost daily).
Regardless of your choice our boards have proven to offer years of service with only periodic maintenance, giving the user a functional piece of artisan beauty. We like to say our boards are “Beautifully Crafted yet Inherently Durable”.
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This past weekend we enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of festival life as we took our woodworking products for the first time to the Fall Fest at Candler Park located in Atlanta, GA. The weather was gorgeous, which is typical for this time of year in North Georgia; our sales were good and we received a lot of positive feedback about our work. Combining this with several folks inquiring about our online store in preparation for the upcoming Christmas holidays led us to deem the weekend a success ,and the festival one we would gladly return to.
For those who have attended festival’s, it all looks pretty routine as you encounter one canopy tent after another stocked full of various specialty items that vendors are trying to sell. As with anything like this, there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to how each booth gets set up and ready.
For us, setup is the most challenging time of all, especially at events we haven’t done before. There’s a boatload of uncertainties ranging from parking to how our space fits into the event to what the weather will be like, but the logistics of getting our supplies unloaded (tent, tables, display racks, products, etc) and set up is the daunting. (Wood is Heavy!)
Enter our dear friends Paul and Missy. This is a couple we met about 2 years ago at our church, and they have been active supporters of our business every step of the way. For this festival, not only did they plan to attend to show their support, they offered to help us unload and set up our booth hours before the event began! This was their idea mind you, and to them it was not a big deal, however to us it was enormous!
It takes 2 vehicles for us to bring all our supplies and products, and the basic rules of setup when you have numerous vendors, is to get your vehicle unloaded quickly, get out of the way for others to access their space, then set up your booth.
Having extra sets of hands was invaluable.
We were able to unload our first vehicle quickly as it contained the larger items such as tent and tables. As I removed and parked the first vehicle,,the team began unloading the other vehicle. By the time I returned to our location we were ready to set up our tent/canopy; and again having four people doing this made it as simple as it could be.
Paul and Missy are the type of helpers you dream of because they epitomize true servants. They trust our experience in setup and understand this is not the time to reinvent the wheel. Instead they offer to do whatever is necessary, large or small, all the way to parking our other vehicle. (keep in mind that, as was the case for this event, vendors often must park some distance from their site) What normally takes us a couple hours was accomplished in less than one; and since we were on a time schedule every minute mattered.
Our well stocked booth display turned out great and we owe so much to our friends; but they weren’t done. In another selfless display of friendship they stuck around after the festival opened to walk down to the food vendors and pick up lunch for us. (Vendors can't leave their booths unmanned) You just don’t find friends like this often; we know that God uses them in our lives to example the servanthood that Jesus modeled; and they do this in countless ways.
They encourage our hearts with practical help and kindness.... and how grateful we are.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:2
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." ]]>Here in the South Fall is a fickle thing... teasing us with crisp days here and there, then sending the temperature back up into the 80s to remind us that perhaps it's a little premature to be packing away the shorts and breaking out the sweaters. But we live for those cool, crisp, sunny days that are sprinkled through the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
A special "treasure" of Fall is the festivals and markets that occur in surrounding towns throughout the region. Any vendor of handcrafted items looks to this time of year to choose the right ones to market their goods. And so do we.
This weekend we'll be participating in a local festival near us in Atlanta.... Fall Fest In Candler Park. http://fallfest.candlerpark.org.
So while the sawdust has been flying... we've also been in a whirl of tagging, packing and planning. We're looking forward to showing our products, talking to folks and hopefully finding new homes for some of our cutting boards, pepper grinders, trays, pen blocks, etc.
Just like the "fickle" Fall days in the South, we've learned that these markets are not wholly predictable, require a lot of work and preparation, and aren't necessarily for the fainthearted.:) On the other hand, the experience of engaging with people as they examine your creations is always rewarding and teaches us something new each and every time.
We've talked before about our "learning curve" for selecting the right markets. We're not experts, but we have learned that doing your homework, asking around (which markets/festivals do people like and look forward to) and even looking at how vendors are chosen ( are all who will pay allowed? or is their a juried application process?) to determine if your target market is drawn to the event is important.
So here's to "Fall" and festivals, and burning the midnight oil in preparation.
Now excuse us while we grab a pumpkin spice latte and dig out a sweater. One can always hope... Right?
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We had been looking forward to our vacation for a couple months and when the time finally arrived to prepare for our trip we had one major obstacle to contend with: Hurricane Irma. Planning a vacation to Florida in the month of September is always risky since it is hurricane season, however we’ve done it before so we thought it worth doing again.
Hurricane Irma was not just a threatening storm, it was billed as the largest and most dangerous storm to our hit our land in any of our lifetime. After watching the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and all the damage that storm did to Texas, this was not something to be taken lightly. So we had a serious choice to make.
As the days approached it became clear that the day we were to travel to Florida was the day the hurricane would make landfall, so instead of making a foolish decision we decided to prepare for our trip but wait until we heard of a more defined path the storm would take. The problem with this is the unpredictability of weather.
Naturally (or so it seems) the eye of the storm was predicted at first to go up the east coast of Florida; then it was changed to go through the center of the state; finally it was determined the system would make landfall on the southwest tip of Florida and make its way north along the west coast of the state. This was not good news for us since our destination was the western panhandle of Florida, specifically near Destin.
]]>Having lived for over 20 years in Florida gave me some experience with hurricanes. Working in the aviation community gave me a little more insight into weather patterns. I know hurricane paths can be predicted (to a degree) by observing other weather phenomena (like high pressure cells) and their cumulative effect. I know the less dangerous side of the storm is the western side, that storms weaken when over land, and that as devastating as the wind might be, water often becomes the greatest threat to man and property. Lastly, anyone aware of my testimony knows I had my own personal encounter with Hurricane Katrina 12 years ago.
The problem with all that knowledge even combined with 24/7 news coverage is that I know the Truth, and that only God in His sovereign ways knows the precise path of any storm!
There’s a 3 hour sermon in that statement alone, but I’ll spare you for now. The final and most important factor I had to consider was that God places the husband over the family and that my priority over anything else was to keep my wife safe.
No room for bravado here; I had to decide what was the best thing to do, not just what I wanted to do. One of the many blessings about following God’s word and ways however is that He does not leave us alone to make our decisions. Sure His word says that man is the head of the household, but that doesn't mean we make decisions independent of our wives. My wife has more wisdom and discernment than anyone I know, so to not consider insight would in fact be utter foolishness.
So my wife and I did what we do so often when faced with life challenges: we prayed.
God never spoke to us and said “GO” or “STAY HOME” instead He spoke to us the way He always does, by saying “Trust Me.”
We watched the storm make landfall and saw it’s projected path; we also saw that the forecast revealed that at the very time the storm effects would be strongest at our destination, we would be experiencing almost identical conditions at our home in Georgia. Neither forecast was life threatening so it became a choice of riding out the storm in our tree filled GA neighborhood or riding it out on the beach in west Florida.
We opted for Florida
and set out that night arriving late in the evening. The storm conditions turned out not to be serious in the Florida panhandle, and we were grateful we had a beautiful following day to enjoy the weather instead of traveling.
We heard of stories from several places in Florida that the storm was not as bad as predicted; some even claimed it was overhyped by the media; yet we were grateful. As the days passed however, news of the storm’s damage became more clear and there the reality of complete devastation and loss of life set in.
There never is a “good ending” based on human terms, to devastation such as this. For all those who were spared there are always others who faced the unthinkable. In times like these one often wonders “where was God?”
Because of our faith we know the answer to that question: God was there….and through the entirety of every life storm, God is there. He didn’t bless us with travel mercies because we are good; instead He is good and thus we were blessed. Our reality is that God is good and He is in the midst of everything because of who He is; His nature is not based upon our circumstances.
Our experience would have been to our ultimate benefit regardless of the outcome. It may be easy to see here, but we have and continue to have excruciating challenges that we would not wish on anyone; yet we know we are sustained by His grace and that the struggles of this life are temporary.
The Christian faith tells us that God works for our good and His glory.
The change that occurs because of our walk with Christ is how we redefine “good,” and the peace that comes after any of life’s storms is when we finally see that His good is our good.
I’ve been a lathe owner for a little less than a year so I am in no way qualifying myself as an expert. That said, I have created several salt and pepper mills and chess pieces that have received high compliments so I am an active lathe user.
Like many of my “turning” friends I started by purchasing a rather inexpensive 12” lathe from Harbor Freight. If you have about $80 to spend (even less with a HF coupon) and want to see if turning is your thing, I highly recommend this route. I burned this lathe out after a few months trying to drill center holes in my ginders.
So, after a few weeks of pondering and reading reviews I decided to purchase the 1221VS from Jet Lathe based on size, reputation, reviews and price (on sale at Rockler for $679.99) although I had to wait a couple weeks as it was shipped in from the company.
Size: The 1221 means your stock can be up to 12” thick (a little over 6” from center to bed) and 21” long. I’ve used mine primarily for pieces under 14” long and 4” thick so it works perfectly.
Reputation: Jet tools has a very favorable reputation among the tool industry.
Warranty: I needed a new controller assembly as mine got fried. Jet replaced it and had it shipped to my door within a few days. Their overall warranty varies based on products however my experience was they stand by their product. For further warranty info see: http://www.jettools.com/us/en/service-and-support/warranty/
Variable speed: 3 separate pulley’s give you 3 separate ranges of speed varying from 60 rpm to 3600 rpm. This range gives you slower speeds for drilling larger holes for things like pepper grinders to the fast speed which is great for sanding and finish work. Changing the belt position is rather easy once you get the hang of it.
Speed Readout: This is a sweet bonus as there is no guess work as to what speed your lathe is running at. The readout is located at the on/off and control knob area on the front of the lathe.
Forward/reverse: this option speaks for itself
Tool rest: The lathe comes with a 6” and a 10” cast iron tool rest. They both work well although I need to occasionally grind down the surface and then wax the tool rests for smoother work.
Overall: I give the Jet 1221VS lathe 5 stars and would add more to it based their warranty (and standing by it) and their customer service (Tony W in Parts Dept)! The machine is solid, well built and turns with precision. I even made a couple of slow motion videos of my turning that showed how smooth and precise the lathe operates.
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Just this past week we spent time with my wife's folks (who are approaching 80) and also had lunch with a church friend who shared her 90+ year old mom's testimony with us. I've talked previously about the value of the aged but not as much about the emotional challenges that aging brings.Our church friend lost her mother nearly a year ago and she's still feeling the void from a lifetime of security that many of our parents brought us. One of the most enlightening parts of the video testimony of this lady was her own realization of how the roles reversed between mother/daughter to daughter/mother. This I have found is one of the unnatural but necessary parts of relationship with the aging; and one I experienced when my own father's health deteriorated as he approached the latter stages of his days.For those blessed with loving parents, they have been one of the most stabilizing forces in an unstable world.When that begins to change there is an unnatural but necessary shift in roles and responsibility.
In order to protect the elderly's value and dignity we have to treat this transition with the utmost of care. Slowly but surely as the paradigm shifts there will be a time of real struggle as one lets go of their role as the dependable one and assumes the place of dependent. Even the most devoted child experiences the resistance because the transition feels so unnatural, and no one likes to let go of control of their life.In my church friends life her mother shared a time when the daughter told her frankly "you're not living alone anymore, you're coming to live with me."What I found was that although there might be immediate resistance there is actually a relief that comes from the parent when the communication from their adult child relieves them of the increasingly difficult or impossible.Experience has shown us that as parents lose control over the day to day things they took for granted: movement, memory, health, etc., someone has to be ready to assume that role, and even the best of plans will not completely prepare us.
As natural as aging is, the emotional shift is equally unnatural.In the case of my father, my mother had become his caretaker and she did this until she could no longer fill that role. As my sisters and I wrestled with what to do next, my wife told us "I think your mom wants you guys to make the decisions for her." Yes we were met with resistance, and even some anger, but withstanding that short period of outburst was beneficial when we witnessed my mother finally relieved of the unthinkable burden of letting go and trusting that her children were now in control.It's a part of life that requires navigating with love and digging deep to find the ways to care for those who once cared for us.
]]>Emotionally, it's a struggle on both sides.Thankfully, there is One who knew the end of our days before the beginning."Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."Psalm 90:12
Once I began to hone my craft from hobbyist to woodworker, my friends began to take notice of the quality and creativity of my craftsmanship. With that came plenty of suggestions: "have you considered making.....?" Although flattered I have also become a realist who recognizes very quickly the limits of my skills or the time and effort that would be involved in trying certain things.
As every woodworker advances we also become more aware of our own idiosyncrasies that we factor into any project. I am one who gets distracted easily so simply making the same thing over and over again, no matter how good I've become at it, becomes less interesting let alone challenging.
Enter new challenges worth tackling.
One of my latest ventures is turning chess pieces on my lathe. At a couple of recent markets some passer by's asked if I made chess sets. ( queries which were prompted by their notice of a checkerboard pattern end grain cutting board) At first I shrugged off the suggestion but after consideration I decided to tackle a chess board. I did my youtube research and made a chess table that dropped into an open table frame I made before.
The next task would be the chess pieces.
I played around with this idea for a few months; turning some pieces to get the feel then setting it aside, not sure the effort would not be worth the reward: 16 pawns all as close to identical as I could create, followed by four each of Rooks & Bishops, and two Kings & Queens....then there was the daunting task of how I'm going to create the 4 Knights necessary to complete the set.
Projects that I start but don't finish never make it to my scrap heap; instead I keep them somewhere nearby where I can ponder the challenge and weigh the cost; this was no different. I finally "chucked up" another blank on my lathe and took another crack at the pawns.
]]>This go around turned out better than expected. I made one which led me to try another; but 16 would test the accuracy of my eye and certainly my skill level as well. To simplify my challenge I used my initial piece as my template and then cut and planed my wood so that all my blanks were identical.
I then used a very sophisticated template (not!) that became my measuring stick.
What I discovered was that the more pawns I made the easier it became (no brainer huh?) but what was more interesting was that the details necessary were sufficient to hold my attention and challenge me to make identical pieces. (Perhaps not a big deal to you.... but a must for me:) I'm near completion of the pawns and they're not all identical; however I have reduced my margin of error to around couple hundredths of an inch.
I can take pride in this type of precision, so the time invested has become more worthwhile by the day. I'll keep you posted on the coming pieces but my bottom line goes back to the saying I heard first in grade school:
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!"
Happy Turning!
Hence, we recently were welcomed to show our wares in a local olive oil and balsamic vinegar store here in our hometown. ( Olive Tree and Vine..... check them out here http://www.olivetreeandvine.com ). We were already personal fans and customers of the premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars... and the owner, Jennifer, graciously agreed to make a space for some of our goods.
If you've never taken the time to sample premium olive oils and vinegars and incorporate them into your cooking, you don't know what you're missing.
My latest project involves "turning" chess pieces to accompany the custom Chess Table I made recently. My lathe as quickly become one of my favorite tools to work with and I'm loving trying my hand at this project. Below are my first "Pawns"....
Twelve more pawns to go and then I tackle the knights, bishops, rooks, queens and kings.
This should be interesting:)
But when completed, some discriminating chess lover will be able to purchase a custom chess game table with handcrafted mahogany and beech chess pieces.
So, New Directions.... New Venues..... New Products.......New Ideas..... and New Friends......
Now I’m not belittling anyone trying to make a buck with their creative woodworking talents. I too own a small business and would love to see the business prosper; however this is not my “mission.” Instead, I would like my work (the art, craftsmanship and attention to detail) to stand out.
I find myself doing the same. I have a stack of lumber that I could take any piece from to start a project, but instead I look, measure, and determine what I can use that will work best with as little waste as possible. To some this may seem a waste of time, but for me the process is as important as the final product.
Woodworking is a joy, I see it in others work and hopefully others see it in mine. That life is not about what you do or what you make but about who you are and how you live. My experience is that when I go about life working to serve the Lord, not only is He pleased but those around me are blessed.
The upside has been the compliments we’ve received on the design of our space (thank my wife), the maximum usage of that space (again, my wife’s doing) and finally the beauty and quality of our products (drumroll please..... the carpenter’s kudos).
Whether receiving input directly from customers or indirectly through other vendors and/or employees; our product line has been praised for being both unique and of superior workmanship. We have been very appreciative of the feedback
Unfortunately, with the upside there often comes a downside; and that has been sales. We opened our space in January so we were expectant of the Christmas season hangover. We also knew we’d have to be patient as it takes time to become “known” and to establish a customer base. That said, our sales have been a disappointment and we now are faced with the reality not uncommon to many small business owners; whether to stick with it or close shop and move on.
There are no easy decisions when it comes to retail. The optimist would point towards the latter part of the year when traditionally sales skyrocket, while the pessimist looks at the potential of a continuing trend of more months with limited sales. Then there’s the realist (which we aim to be) who takes both factors into consideration but focuses primarily on year end projections; cost vs. profit; benefits vs. liabilities and the reality of whether one is increasing their appeal to their target market with time invested.
We approached our decision with our two most effective tools of problem solving: prayer and an honest assessment (aka "realism")
First, through prayer we acknowledge that all we have is provided to us by The Lord (including our time and our talents); and that He would lead us in the path He desires us to take.
Second, we looked realistically at all the factors needing to be considered, both past and future. We know our products are of high quality but that alone does not translate into success. We also know that we have kept our space full by consistently adding new products while also rotating our items to maintain a fresh look. Finally we looked at whether or not our location was matching customer to product; and in this area we found our greatest shortcoming.
Selling handcrafted artisan wood creations that are made to last only targets a select audience. In our “throwaway” society our greatest competitor will usually be the cheap and new, so our challenge is to find the consumer who prefers natural beauty over manufactured and hand-made over mass produced.
What we discovered in our current retail location is that we were not matching customer to product. We’re not blaming anyone (including ourselves) as this truth would not have been revealed without taking the retail plunge; however what we amassed was more wisdom than wallet.
The term “shake the dust from your feet” is Biblical language that referred to leaving the place you were behind you and moving forward to continue your mission. Though Jesus’ application has far deeper significance, we took a portion of that principle and applied it to our business; not by quitting altogether but by moving forward.
Our artisan products will always be available through our online store here at www.theprodigalcarpenter.net...........meanwhile we'll continue to seek the best venues for making them available elsewhere.
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The rough baskets took shape.
These were constructed so that I could assemble them on site, as they were quite heavy and large to transport.
The creative genius of the children's leaders who came up with the idea went to work at this point to turn these rough boxes into Balloon baskets that would thrill the imagination of a child.
Now you might say that putting together a plywood box is no big deal...... and on the surface, I'd have to agree with you. But knowing that these "boxes" were going to be used to excite a kids mind to hear the truth about God and His Word turned it into something much more meaningful that brought a smile to this carpenter's face ....
and gratitude for the gift of time and ability from the One who has poured out His grace in my life.
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We’ve said, time and again, that end grain is the premium construction method for cutting boards because of it’s antibacterial properties and kindness to our knife edges. A crucial basis for determining the wood we use is in it’s hardness. I’ve found the best online source for wood characteristics, including hardness is: http://www.wood-database.com/
When looking through the database, try to select wood in the hardness range of 850 - 1700; You also want to look for a hardwood with a relatively tight grain pattern, free of knots and other blemishes.
The most common and accessible woods are hard maple, walnut and cherry; others similar to these are padauk, mahogany, and beech. I like the contrast in the colors of these woods and also their distinctive grain patterns; as well as the fact that they can be easily sourced at most lumber places.
There are plenty of other popular woods out there that folks use in their cutting boards; exotic woods like purple heart, bubinga and bloodwood are not uncommon, however these are not as highly recommended because they are actually too hard. The hard dense qualities of these woods defeats the purpose of end grain boards, which is to allow the knife blade to pass between the wood fibers.
Experiment with different woods and do your research, and if you want the opinion of some “experts” (my term not theirs, they are far too humble IMO) try the guys I use; they know their stuff and graciously pass on their brilliance.
http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com
Enjoy your woodworking!
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She has helped with the design details, sourcing and choosing the complementary hardware for each, but every completed project found its way out the door as either a gift to someone special or to our retail marketplace.
So as I took on this new design I decided it was time to rectify that situation.
Here is a link to the "Slovenian Woodworker" who inspired my new board... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cniYoTxiEek&t=48s
After considering his instructions and a bit of calculating, I selected some walnut, cherry and beech and went to work. Lots of cutting, glueing, planing, cutting, glueing planing and sanding ensued...........and here is the final result:
We've dubbed it the "tilted square" pattern for obvious reasons:) With it's various geometric contrasts it shows off the beauty of the three woods quite spectacularly.
We "christened" our cheeseboard with a generous block of cream cheese topped with some of our homemade pineapple habanero sauce.
(Of course we ate it on crackers, though you can trust us when we tell you that even cardboard would be tasty with this simple cheese combo.)
Yum!
We'll share the recipe for that bit of divine goodness with you very soon.
Meanwhile, back to the workshop.
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Being a gardener, I love watching established plantings emerge each Spring..... bleeding heart, lantana, hosta etc.........as well as planting new additions. Some I begin in my small greenhouse, while others are purchased from local nurseries and garden centers.
Hint: We love to scavenge the "sale" areas for plants that are in need of a little TLC and nurse them back to health. With minimal effort we've gained some striking additions for a fraction of what they would have normally cost. i.e "dirt cheap":)
So..... at least for now, the Georgia mornings are affording us a sweet respite we don't take for granted, and a display of color and variety that bring a smile each morning. The showers of April and the temperate days of May are yielding a display of God's handiwork that never fails to lift the heart.
I hate to waste things, especially interesting pieces of wood that I’ve taken the time to cut, plane, and glue after matching up contrasting colors and grain patterns. I’ve discovered that there is another option, and after talking to a fellow woodworker this weekend, I realized I’m not alone.
By taking the various leftovers from my end grain cutting boards I was able to construct a couple of “abstract” cutting boards. There’s still a bit of work involved in piecing the project together like matching sizes and cut depths, but after a little creative artistry a new product emerges with a beauty all it's own.
Another friend of mine is a pen collector, so after talking with her for awhile I came up with another option that incorporates these "leftover" portions of projects too valuable to toss away. Taking my cutting board creations and adding them to a base; drilling several appropriately sized holes, and finishing off the piece properly left me with some dazzling pen holders that even the “pen pros” love.
When it comes to creativity my wife’s gifting far exceeds mine, however I do have enough friends who like to share their hobbies and ideas; some are a little far fetched but others are absolute gems. Growing up my parents often said ” “waste not, want not.” As much as I hate to admit it at times, the older I am the more I have become my parents. But maybe that's a good thing:)
Over the past several days I faced a familiar woodworker's crisis: one of my favorite tools, my lathe, quit working.
I had purchased an inexpensive starter lathe awhile back and put out several nice products including pepper grinders, salt shakers and French rolling pins.
Woodworkers love their tools and I’m no different. Many, like myself, also love the research involved before our next purchase; then there’s the weighing of price, practicality and performance. This is where my #1 fan comes in.
My beautiful wife is not only my best friend but also my greatest encourager. She knows me; she listens to me, and she pays attention. As I was wrestling through my decision my wife simply said to me “I think you should forget about the cheapest option.”
Turning wood is fun, and I love putting combinations of woods together; but oftentimes this means exotic hardwoods that put our tools to the test. My wife knows this, but she also sees the quality products we’re able to produce and knows how much a quality tool adds to our results. So our decision was made: a JET JWL-1221VS! I put the order in yesterday.
I’m spending far more than I originally intended but my wife is far more gracious than I ever deserved, and she helps me to see the bigger picture in a purchase: time, quality, and results.
I’m guessing there’s a lot of woodworkers like me that have a precious bride who not only tolerates our woodworking obsessions but also encourages us while helping us stay balanced. I’m grateful for my wife and I tell her so; which leads me to my “lessons of life” that I’ve found invaluable.
#1. If you want to impress me….. compliment my wife.
#2. If want my respect…..compliment YOUR wife.