Not an Uncle John Pirogue Seat

[Kayak Jack]

My Dad loved little "Jenny wrens". He used a dime to gauge the size of the entry hole.

About 12-14 years ago, I made some wren houses, and helped my granddaughter hang them up. A woodpecker adopted one, and remodeled the hole to something bigger than a quarter.

We always had gold finches (wild canaries) and black-cap chickadees here, but haven't seen any in a couple of years.

 

[mike]

Durn little House Wrens nest all over the place here. I have some old Mason jars in the tractor shed they like a lot. Last year, one of them decided to nest on top of the tractor engine. Any strange place you'd never think to look for a bird just might have a House Wren at my place. I like 'em though, don't mess with them.

Mike

 

[beekeeper]

Good looking bird houses Mr. Bee, are the hanging ones, for House Wrens? We keep a couple of bird houses for them close to our house. Love to hear those little birds sing. Dave.

The two with the entrance rests (pegs) have smaller holes to discourage birds larger than wrens from using them. The wrens at my house think upturned pirogues are put there for them. I guess one day I will have to hang some boxes and see if that would divert their attention. These birdhouses and benches went to other homes.

beekeeper

 

[beekeeper]

Making the grandson a table for his key board and gaming controls. The legs are actually book cases he can use to store the games. The top will unbuckle from the legs to disassemble it, when needed. Still need to finish the top and install the hardware. A fun project and should work better than the two TV trays he is using now.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Aye god, JD, you are a handy Grampa to have around! We need to Xerox off copies of you, and sell them on Craig's list.

 

[beekeeper]

Xerox copies are about $.10 each. That's about all I would bring, if anything.
I'm going to coat it with "Table Top" self leveling epoxy. Hope it turns out ok. I have never used it befor.

 

[Kayak Jack]

I don't know, JD. I think you're worth more than that. Twelve - maybe even fourteen cents a copy! ;-)

Now the ORIGINAL you, well, you're pretty much priceless.

 

[beekeeper]

Table top epoxy turned out OK considering it was my first time.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Looks like a little spilled beer won't cause a problem at all.

 

[oldsparkey]

One of the local sea food restaurants on the intercostal waterway did about the same but with a modification. To stay with the nautical and sea motif. They took a table top and put a assortment of sea shells and sea associated items on the top of it. Then they poured epoxy over everything and let it set up.
Every table in there has that decoration on the top and it's just as slick as glass.

 

[beekeeper]

Some table tops I have seen at restaurants have local businesses' advertisements displayed under the epoxy. All kinds of possibilities using this finish.

Be prepared to spend time wiping drips or plan to sand away sagging resin after it dries.

Small bubbles form as the epoxy cures. These can be removed by passing a propane torch above them, or gently blowing on them through a straw. Tip #1, make sure you have a dry mouth when using the straw methoid. Drops of any kind do not make for a smooth finish.

 

[oldsparkey]

Well aware of the pitfalls when using epoxy and that is some good advice you are furnishing everyone.

The wife wanted something as a divider in the bed of her truck. It had to fit across the bed and under the Roll & Lock that is on there. I used a plank or popular with full epoxy coating. Didn't varnish it since it would be under the cover 99% of the time and out of the weather.
That was 14 years ago and it still is like new despite all of the use it has had as a bed divider to keep things ( Mainly bags of groceries ) in the back foot and a half of the bed from sliding all the way to the front of the trucks bed.

Need to carry more stuff and use the trucks full bed. The Roll & Lock is rolled all the way forward and the board just lifts out and is put aside.

Chuck.

 

[beekeeper]

My Dad's axe handle was showing some age. Because it was hand made and balanced better than a store bought one, I bought a hickory board and attempted to duplicate the old handle. I will never be as skillful with the axe as my dad was but at least it still has the same balance and feel.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Nice job, JD. Getting the slope and sjze correct on the top end kf an axe handle must be a long, tedious crafting-type project. Start with a draw shave and end up with sand paper, ehh?

 

[beekeeper]

Jack I cheated and started with the ban saw. There was still several hours of hand work. Only worth it because it was my Dad's. None of the replacement handles were the correct length nor did they fit the hands as well. The handle I replaced was hand made by someone who knew axes, not by a milling machine cutting a one size fits all, generic design. I don't think a fella could make a living hand carving tool handles today.

 

[Kayak Jack]

SNIP I don't think a fella could make a living hand carving tool handles today.

Boy - that's the truth!

 

[beekeeper]

We needed a headboard for one of our beds, so I built this. It don't look "store bought" but we were satisfied with it.

 

[texastom]

Looks great Bee. As always!

 

[beekeeper]

Looks great Bee. As always!

Thank you.

 

[beekeeper]

My wife's mothers ice pick came apart and needed some love. Epoxied the pick to the handle added a brass ban for reinforcement (original lost), and refinished the wooden handle. Still not pretty but it has character and history. Not sure how she made the groove in the handle, but were guessing defrosting ice trays. Young folks will have to Google that.