Branching Out

In high school I took an agricultural class which also entailed woodworking. In March the little house used for processing paperwork and greeting visitors at my workplace was up for remodeling. One of the main concerns for this remodel (it had been remodeled before and now has a U-shape counter bolted in the center of the floor) was to make it more spacious. So against all reason, the manager pulled out both large office desks the clerks work at 24-7 and threw them out. Well, technically he did it one side at a time so productivity could continue.

In my last hour at work he began and needed a hand with a large sheet of substrate on the portable table saw he brought from his home. A couple of us helped him out, but later after work I stayed and took off my uniform shirt. I did simple things as it was his project, and he was a lot more experienced than my little box or footstool I created a decade ago.


Well, turns out he pulled out the shelving underneath the glass windows and created what is now, essentially, a full-scale "Z" shaped counter top for use with tall swivel bar stools. It looks and works great and we can now run around the office without feeling cramped up. Later on, over the weekend, I came back and we finished up all the details. Over time he has added drop down shelving and a rail underneath to pull or push against when in the bar stools.

So I have ventured back into woodworking and one thing the ladies need is something sturdy, more sturdy than the little wheel around the bar stool base, and I think I can create something simple to do the job. It's essentially a 5-sided box with an open bottom. The idea came from the fact they were using an empty copy paper box to prop their feet on (which is trash and clutters the place). Then, they started using our First-Aid toolbox (um, no). So hopefully after a month of working off and on, I can get my first real project finished.

The problem is, I have been spending a ton of cash to get started. I'm having to clean up the old barn and finding a lot tools such as a Makita reciprocating saw (bought a new blade) and a 15 amp Craftsman 10" circular saw. So what was my first power tool purchase? A Porter-Cable 18 volt 1/2" keyless chuck drill/driver. It came with two batteries, charger, carrying bag and for only $10 USD more I got a combo so it came with a portable circular saw. The saw I am not impressed with, though it does cut, but the drill is like the most useful thing ever. I fixed the door frame which warped outward and just yesterday I changed the entire side-view mirror on my truck after I broke it. That was pretty awesome.

Tip: Use super glue or something instead of JB Weld on partial plastic surfaces.

So what am I doing today?

I'm going to finish up on my truck hopefully. I hit some deer last year on the way home from work and it tore up my radiator, headlight, and grill. I got a friend of the family to fix and replace everything for less than $200, but he doesn't do bodywork. I'm going to attempt to remove the entire front fender from the truck in an attempt to repair it after I visit Google for a while. This is so cool.

Note: I'm also going to do a few reviews on interesting things I have tried lately. One of them is the Gillette Fusion which has, despite all efforts, won me over. Bookmark my RSS feed and stay tuned for updates!