Jim Randolph

Tips from Sticks in the Mud – August 2016 – Tip #2- Free Woodworking Wood

Jul 312016
 

No Southern-fried Southern boy wants to be called a Yankee, but we share the characteristics of shrewdness and thrift. Thus, each month I share a money-saving tip. It’s OK if you call me “cheap.”

If you have any pride, you might want to stop reading right here.  If your desire for a bargain can overcome your pride, read on!  There is a world of building materials and other treasures available for the person willing to open his/her eyes.  Not all of the treasures involve Dumpster-diving, either.

See this great plywood? Three pieces, free for nothing. It’s 1-1/4” thick and as flat as your torsion box. I found it on my morning 3-mile walk and picked it up in my car on the way to work. It’s no longer pretty, but it’s going to add a ton of strength to some project someday.

See this great plywood? Three pieces, free for nothing. It’s 1-1/4” thick and as flat as your torsion box. I found it on my morning 3-mile walk and picked it up in my car on the way to work. It’s no longer pretty, but it’s going to add a ton of strength to some project someday.

The spruce studs supporting these stools being finished? Came from a neighbor’s house right down the street. He was throwing away a whole ton of valuable stuff. By lugging it home during my morning walk, I added it to the calories I burned. They aren’t furniture-grade, but they will get used one day. In fact, several more are on the floor under the stools; about six altogether, I think. A good haul!

The spruce studs supporting these stools being finished? Came from a neighbor’s house right down the street. He was throwing away a whole ton of valuable stuff. By lugging it home during my morning walk, I added it to the calories I burned. They aren’t furniture-grade, but they will get used one day. In fact, several more are on the floor under the stools; about six altogether, I think. A good haul!

This 4x6x10' white pine timber was lying in the mud in front of a Family Dollar store being built in our town. A little washing and scraping and it was ready to go into storage, awaiting its eventual use.

This 4x6x10′ white pine timber was lying in the mud in front of a Family Dollar store being built in our town. A little washing and scraping and it was ready to go into storage, awaiting its eventual use.

The day after I found the spruce studs, another neighbor threw away a perfectly good half-sheet of 3/4" CDX plywood. Full sheets sell for $30-$35. Half-sheets sell at a premium because stores want you to pay for the convenience and the cut. Toted this home for $0 and about 150 calories.

The day after I found the spruce studs, another neighbor threw away a perfectly good half-sheet of 3/4″ CDX plywood. Full sheets sell for $30-$35. Half-sheets sell at a premium because stores want you to pay for the convenience and the cut. Toted this home for $0 and about 150 calories.

This was a “Made you look” moment. I was on my way to lunch and made a mental note to stop at this pile if it was still intact after lunch.

This was a “Made you look” moment. I was on my way to lunch and made a mental note to stop at this pile if it was still intact after lunch.

However, upon closer examination, I could see plenty of rot in the plywood and the 6" PVC pipe was thin-walled. I wasn’t interested in taking home any termites, even if I cut the bad parts out of the plywood. Even I draw the line somewhere!

However, upon closer examination, I could see plenty of rot in the plywood and the 6″ PVC pipe was thin-walled. I wasn’t interested in taking home any termites, even if I cut the bad parts out of the plywood. Even I draw the line somewhere!

Jim Randolph is a veterinarian in Long Beach, Mississippi. His earlier careers as lawn mower, dairy farmer, automobile mechanic, microwave communications electronics instructor and journeyman carpenter all influence his approach to woodworking. His favorite projects are furniture built for his wife, Brenda, and for their children and grandchildren. His and Brenda’s home, nicknamed Sticks-In-The-Mud, is built on pilings (sticks) near the wetlands (mud) on a bayou off Jourdan River. His shop is in the lower level of their home. Questions and comments on woodworking may be written below in the comments section. Questions about pet care should be directed to his blog on pet care, www.MyPetsDoctor.com. We regret that, because of high volume, not all inquiries can be answered personally.

Tips from Sticks in the Mud – August 2016 – Tip #1- Repurposing Milk Crates

Jul 302016
 

Welcome to “Tips From Sticks-In-The-Mud Woodshop.” I am a hobbyist, not a professional, someone who loves woodworking, just like you do. I have found some better ways to accomplish tasks in the workshop and look forward to sharing those with you each month, as well as hearing your problem-solving ideas.

The first time I ever saw a milk crate, those modern, commercial plastic holders for 4 gallon jugs of milk, was in the early 70s. Rummaging around behind a grocery store, they were stacked 10 feet high. There must have been 100 of them. I thought they were there because they were going to be thrown away. I had no idea that they were to be reused by the milk delivery people.

Yes, I was that young and that stupid.

I loaded a dozen or so into the back of my car and took them home.  I made myself a perfectly fine hippyfied music stand with some old 2 x 4’s and proceeded to place on it my hippyfied stereo to play my hippyfied music.

Yes, I was one of those.

Today, I have milk crates, but I can honestly say I came by these legally, having found all of them on the side of the road or in someone’s yard on garbage day.  I mostly use them as little stepstools that are easy to store.  Except for four that hold my stereo speakers.

Old habits are hard to break.

Two milk crates are just the right height for stereo speakers to be off the floor.

Two milk crates are just the right height for stereo speakers to be off the floor.

 

Some are old and the plastic has become brittle, and brittle is a not a good trait for a stepstool.  Step up on cracking plastic and you could find yourself on the floor, and not in a controlled way!

One day I was on top of this milk crate and heard a “crack.” A very uncomfortable sound that leaves one feeling highly vulnerable.

One day I was on top of this milk crate and heard a “crack.” A very uncomfortable sound that leaves one feeling highly vulnerable.

Alas, there is no need to throw the baby out with the bath.  Simply cut a piece of plywood slightly larger than the outer perimeter of the crate.  Quarter-inch plywood is too flimsy, and won’t add to the safety of this project, defeating its entire purpose.  Three-eighths plywood will probably do.  Half-inch will suit just about everyone.  Three-quarter inch plywood may make your milk crate too heavy, but, if you were ever featured on My 600-Pound Life, go with 3/4″ or even thicker.  Better yet, order an actual heavy duty ladder.  Avoid MDF.  It has little structural strength to begin with and even less if it gets wet.

I settled on this scrap of 3/8” plywood and cut a 13½” by 13½” square. Why, yes, now that you mention it, I did save the jagged-edged scrap. You just never know when you might need a jagged-edged piece of plywood!

I settled on this scrap of 3/8” plywood and cut a 13½” by 13½” square. Why, yes, now that you mention it, I did save the jagged-edged scrap. You just never know when you might need a jagged-edged piece of plywood!

To proceed with milk crate improvement, drill a hole about an inch inboard of each corner.  Drive in a carriage bolt long enough to go through the plywood, through the crate’s web and through something that a nut can tighten to on the inside.  That “something” can be a fender washer or another piece of plywood.

You will have to pay for a fender washer. A 2" x 2" plywood scrap is free. I centered the new plywood top, then marked openings in the web where bolts could go through.

You will have to pay for a fender washer. A 2″ x 2″ plywood scrap is free. I centered the new plywood top, then marked openings in the web where bolts could go through.

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Remember that jagged-edged scrap? Never throw anything away; it pays! I made these 2" x 2" plywood washers from it.

Remember that jagged-edged scrap? Never throw anything away; it pays! I made these 2″ x 2″ plywood washers from it.

Most of the washers I could mark by simply scratching the plywood with the bolt. Once, I couldn’t see the scratch, so I enhanced it with wet Magic Marker, turning the bolt into a quill.

Most of the washers I could mark by simply scratching the plywood with the bolt. Once, I couldn’t see the scratch, so I enhanced it with wet Magic Marker, turning the bolt into a quill.

ough for my 189 pounds now.

Sturdy enough for my 189 pounds now.

Ready for rugged duty.

Ready for rugged duty.

Drill some finger-holes in the middle of the plywood top for easy pickup, but not so close together that they weaken the plywood.

Jim Randolph is a veterinarian in Long Beach, Mississippi. His earlier careers as lawn mower, dairy farmer, automobile mechanic, microwave communications electronics instructor and journeyman carpenter all influence his approach to woodworking. His favorite projects are furniture built for his wife, Brenda, and for their children and grandchildren. His and Brenda’s home, nicknamed Sticks-In-The-Mud, is built on pilings (sticks) near the wetlands (mud) on a bayou off Jourdan River. His shop is in the lower level of their home.Questions and comments on woodworking may be written below in the comments section. Questions about pet care should be directed to his blog on pet care, www.MyPetsDoctor.com. We regret that, because of high volume, not all inquiries can be answered personally.

Woodworking Apps and TV Shows

Jul 292016
 

There are woodworking apps that will calculate your board feet, calculate your square feet, maybe even calculate your smelly feet.

My favorite woodworking app?

That’s easy!

The TiVo app on my iPhone allows me to watch building shows, woodworking shows, the news, whatever is recorded on any one of our three TiVos while I’m doing mindless things, like sanding.

Having your mind engaged with mentally-stimulating content can help your focus when a task is otherwise not especially capturing your mind.

It’s even easy to listen to music using the TiVo app. Just record an hour, or two, or six of your favorite music channel. Almost every cable lineup has one, and you’ll find everything ranging from music your parents like to tunes that make you cringe, knowing your kids listen to that. Just record the desired length of the desired genre, then listen while you’re working. Run into a song you can’t stand? Fast forward. That old favorite you can’t get enough of? Hit rewind!

And, you’re not stuck listening to the same music over and over: Delete the recording when your session is over and program another block to record while you sleep.

For me, Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford, The This Old House Hour, Ask This Old House, and The Woodwright’s Shop with Roy Underhill are all shows I love to watch. Recorded in advance, originally for when the weather takes me off the street for my morning walk and puts me on the treadmill, I will often have several dozen episodes waiting to be viewed.

Danny Lipford is shown in this screenshot preparing to turn a 50s-vintage home into a market-ready product. My favorite part of the show? Simple Solutions with Joe Truini.

Danny Lipford is shown in this screenshot preparing to turn a 50s-vintage home into a market-ready product. My favorite part of the show? Simple Solutions with Joe Truini.

Network news is something I watch every day. I’ve watched documentaries, comedies, movies, you name it.

Common sense says you don’t watch a screen when you’re doing something that requires your full attention. However, I’ve never sanded through to my bench while watching the TiVo app!

Jim Randolph is a veterinarian in Long Beach, Mississippi. His earlier careers as lawn mower, dairy farmer, automobile mechanic, microwave communications electronics instructor and journeyman carpenter all influence his approach to woodworking. His favorite projects are furniture built for his wife, Brenda, and for their children and grandchildren. His and Brenda’s home, nicknamed Sticks-In-The-Mud, is built on pilings (sticks) near the wetlands (mud) on a bayou off Jourdan River. His shop is in the lower level of their home. Questions and comments on woodworking may be written below in the comments section. Questions about pet care should be directed to his blog on pet care, www.MyPetsDoctor.com. We regret that, because of high volume, not all inquiries can be answered personally.

Write Down Your Woodworking Ideas and Shopping Lists

Jul 182016
 

Are you forgetful? Google “forgetful” some time if you want to see a different photo of me than my profile picture.

Yes, I personify forgetfulness! And it didn’t start when I applied for Medicare, either.

As a child, we lived in the boonies.  Five miles from the nearest paved road.  When we made a trip into town, we had to be sure we got everything we needed, because it was an expensive trip, and not one made frequently.

It’s why my Uncle Sam’s trucks almost never got below half a tank of gasoline.  He would fill up every time we went to town.

But, it didn’t pay for my Aunt Polly to send us together.  She would give us a list, and tell us exactly which stores to go to for each item.  If she didn’t go with us, it was just about a guarantee that we would forget something.  As Forrest Gump would say, “Me and Uncle Sam were like peas and carrots.”

So, I wasn’t surprised when I was running errands last week, got to Walmart, and saw mineral spirits on my list for things to pick up from Lowe’s.  I’d just come from Lowe’s!  And, if that’s not bad enough, mineral spirits was the most important thing I went to Lowe’s to get!

Arrrrgggghhhh!

On that same weekend’s Saturday morning, creativity was flowing as I sat on our house’s screened cedar deck.  Things to write, things to build, things to do, the ideas just kept coming.

Including at least one that made me think, “That’s such a good idea, I know there’s no way I’ll ever forget it.  I don’t need to write that one down.”

Later in the day I was wracking my brain, “Wasn’t there some really good idea I had this morning?”

Maybe it works that way for you, too.  I combat the syndrome by writing everything down.  If there are ideas I have for future projects or ways I want to improve the shop, I put them on this whiteboard.

As regular readers know, I can’t throw anything away. That would be wasteful and my Uncle Sam would roll over in his grave. So, when I needed part of a whiteboard for another place, I used the rest of it here as my project to-do list.
As regular readers know, I can’t throw anything away. That would be wasteful and my Uncle Sam would roll over in his grave. So, when I needed part of a whiteboard for another place, I used the rest of it here as my project to-do list.
Whiteboard for future ideas/to-dos.  Otherwise I’ll forget.  You think you’ll never forget such a great idea, but you can!
The whiteboard isn’t my only remembering tool.  I keep scratch paper in my breast pocket for writing down important tasks and ideas.

And, the Notes app on my iPhone is especially handy because you can use dictation (voice-to-text) to make your entries if you’re not a fast thumb typist.

No paper? No whiteboard? No pen or pencil? No problem! Put it on your Notes app!
No paper? No whiteboard? No pen or pencil? No problem! Put it on your Notes app!
Oh, and, yes, the idea finally came back to me and got added to my to-do list.

Jim Randolph is a veterinarian in Long Beach, Mississippi. His earlier careers as lawn mower, dairy farmer, automobile mechanic, microwave communications electronics instructor and journeyman carpenter all influence his approach to woodworking. His favorite projects are furniture built for his wife, Brenda, and for their children and grandchildren. His and Brenda’s home, nicknamed Sticks-In-The-Mud, is built on pilings (sticks) near the wetlands (mud) on a bayou off Jourdan River. His shop is in the lower level of their home.Questions and comments on woodworking may be written below in the comments section. Questions about pet care should be directed to his blog on pet care, www.MyPetsDoctor.com. We regret that, because of high volume, not all inquiries can be answered personally.

Tips from Sticks in the Mud – July 2016 Tip #2 – Tarp Storage

Jul 112016
 

No Southern-fried Southern boy wants to be called a Yankee, but we share the characteristics of shrewdness and thrift. Thus, each month I share a money-saving tip. It’s OK if you call me “cheap.”

My late mother’s childhood was spent in bayou country, South Louisiana.  As a result, I grew up with some very unusual pronunciations.  That white stuff you spread on your tomato sandwich:  “MY-nezz.”  The bowl you run water in to wash the dinner dishes:  “Zinc.”  A canvas sheet you spread over your trailer to keep your load from blowing out:  “tar-POE-lee-uhn.”  If you went into a store today and asked for the “tarr-POE-lee-uhns” or the “TAR-p?-lins,” you’d probably get a strange look.  Hardly anyone calls them anything but “tarps” today. And, there’s no fabric in it anymore.  It’s plastic on the inside and plastic on the outside. When you first purchase your tarp, it’s conveniently packaged inside a cute plastic bag with a handle.  Good luck getting it back in that bag again!  However, it’s doesn’t have to consume 9′ x 24′ of storage space.  Here’s how to make it smaller, no scissors required.

First, fold the tarp to the approximate outside dimensions that your preferred storage spot demands.

You pay a lot of money for premium lumber. When there is a chance of rain on pickup day, it pays to take the time to wrap it up and keep the moisture content low. Whether you call it a tarp, a tarpaulin or a tar-POH-lee-uhn, it’s the item custom-made for this job.

You pay a lot of money for premium lumber. When there is a chance of rain on pickup day, it pays to take the time to wrap it up and keep the moisture content low. Whether you call it a tarp, a tarpaulin or a tar-POH-lee-uhn, it’s the item custom-made for this job.

When first folded, this 9' x 12' tarp takes up a good bit of space.

When first folded, this 9′ x 12′ tarp takes up a good bit of space.

Now you need at least one, two might be better, pieces of plywood as big as or a little bigger than the folded tarp.  If you don’t have a smooth concrete floor to do this job, lay your first piece of plywood on the pavement or ground.  Next, center the folded tarp on the plywood, then put your other piece of plywood on top:  Something of a plywood/tarp sandwich.  No mayo.

In our case, the garage floor is smooth enough that we didn’t need a piece of plywood on the bottom. If I’d been doing this in the street, on asphalt, I would have used one to protect the tarp plastic from puncture damage.

In our case, the garage floor is smooth enough that we didn’t need a piece of plywood on the bottom. If I’d been doing this in the street, on asphalt, I would have used one to protect the tarp plastic from puncture damage.

Now, line up your front or rear vehicle tire on the middle of the plywood and carefully drive up until the tire is roughly centered.

The car’s right rear tire is centered on the plywood/tarp sandwich. Eeeeeaaaazzzzzze up onto the scrap plywood slowly. Too fast and you might overshoot, causing the plywood to lift up in the front, possibly contacting the car.

The car’s right rear tire is centered on the plywood/tarp sandwich. Eeeeeaaaazzzzzze up onto the scrap plywood slowly. Too fast and you might overshoot, causing the plywood to lift up in the front, possibly contacting the car.

Now the tarp is being compressed and, over time, more and more air will leave the sandwich, making it what my Uncle Sam used to call “packy.”

Now the tarp is being compressed and, over time, more and more air will leave the sandwich, making it what my Uncle Sam used to call “packy.”

This time I chose to compress two tarps at once. Just call me a madman.

This time I chose to compress two tarps at once. Just call me a madman.

I’ve always done this when I can leave the car on top of the sandwich overnight, but I suspect a few hours would do just as well.

After a sleepover, these two tarps are flat, and staying that way.

After a sleepover, these two tarps are flat, and staying that way.

The idea is to let the plastic take a “set” so it will stay flat while you stuff it into a big Ziploc bag or put it on the appropriate shelf.  Now, your tarp won’t take up nearly so much space until you need it again.

Before and after: Now, the compressed tarp easily fits into this blanket bag (you do save the bags your electric blankets and bedspreads come in, don’t you?

Before and after: Now, the compressed tarp easily fits into this blanket bag (you do save the bags your electric blankets and bedspreads come in, don’t you?) and not take up much room on its shelf.

Jim Randolph is a veterinarian in Long Beach, Mississippi. His earlier careers as lawn mower, dairy farmer, automobile mechanic, microwave communications electronics instructor and journeyman carpenter all influence his approach to woodworking. His favorite projects are furniture built for his wife, Brenda, and for their children and grandchildren. His and Brenda’s home, nicknamed Sticks-In-The-Mud, is built on pilings (sticks) near the wetlands (mud) on a bayou off Jourdan River. His shop is in the lower level of their home. Questions and comments on woodworking may be written below in the comments section. Questions about pet care should be directed to his blog on pet care, www.MyPetsDoctor.com. We regret that, because of high volume, not all inquiries can be answered personally.

Tips from Sticks in the Mud – July 2016 – Tip #1- Dusty Tissues

Jul 082016
 

Welcome to “Tips From Sticks-In-The-Mud Woodshop.” I am a hobbyist, not a professional, someone who loves woodworking, just like you do. I have found some better ways to accomplish tasks in the workshop and look forward to sharing those with you each month, as well as hearing your problem-solving ideas.

As I’ve mentioned previously, I have respiratory-tract allergy problems. That’s the reason I have Kleenex boxes (yes, I use the name brand, they’re just better, and completely worth paying more for) stashed all over the shop.  The obvious problem, of course, is that if one is allergic to dust, pollen and mold, and leaves his “facial tissues” unprotected, he is introducing dust, pollen and mold into his respiratory tract with every Kleenex.

The first solution that came to mind was to purchase some of those decorative covers for Kleenex boxes and put two strips of foil tape over the hole the tissues pop through, one layer of tape from the inside, one from the outside.

They come in plastic, wicker, and church-lady crochet.  The latter two styles would do nothing to keep out dust, pollen and mold, so I set my sights on a plastic cover.  A cheap plastic cover, that is.

I thought about going to the dollar store, but that was out of my way, so I looked at WalMart while I was there.  Nothing.  I asked someone in Housewares.  “We don’t have them over here, but you might look where the paper towels are.”  I assumed the clerk meant the paper towels and facial tissue were close to each other.  Or, WalMart had introduced a new, pop-up box for paper towels.

Whatever the situation, no decorative covers existed by the paper towels, either.

However, while I was searching in housewares, I saw a little plastic shoebox that I thought I could adapt.  Best of all, they were only 97¢.  When I got home I decided to try them in three different ways.

First, on my workbench, upside-down, as a simple cover for the Kleenex.  I instantly discovered an advantage to this box over the original idea:  The decorative cover would have been a tight fit, requiring two hands and a good bit of time to access.  The shoebox engulfed the Kleenex box, so it could be snatched off, a tissue retrieved, and quickly put back in place.

I keep a pretty clean shop, but I typically don’t clean except between projects. So, like any woodworking area, there is always dust around, leading to a runny nose and sneezing. I can never be far from a Kleenex box, but don’t want the Kleenex to make the situation worse. These shoeboxes protecting the Kleenex boxes should help.

I keep a pretty clean shop, but I typically don’t clean except between projects. So, like any woodworking area, there is always dust around, leading to a runny nose and sneezing. I can never be far from a Kleenex box, but don’t want the Kleenex to make the situation worse. These shoeboxes protecting the Kleenex boxes should help.

For the less-used box that lives on my rolling tool cabinet, I decided to put the Kleenex box inside the shoebox, with the lid on top.  It was a test to see how long my impatient self tolerated the extra step of removing the lid in exchange for possibly better dust protection.

Now for the test: Will Mr. No Patience be willing to take the time to remove the snap-on lid in exchange for better dust protection for his Kleenex?

Now for the test: Will Mr. No Patience be willing to take the time to remove the snap-on lid in exchange for better dust protection for his Kleenex?

Trial style 3 was to attach the lid to a shelf near the sink, put the Kleenex onto the lid with the shoebox snapped into the lid.  It seems likely that, with the first two styles, dust is going to be stirred when exposing the tissues, partially defeating the purpose of the shoebox covers.  If style 3 proves itself, a compromise for the middle style would be to turn the Kleenex box upside-down in the dust-free shoebox.  Watch my tip column for an update in the coming months.

In my mind I’m picturing that I can squeeze the shoebox and pop it out of the lid, which is screwed to the shelf. Maybe that will be almost as fast as “Style 1,” but still enjoy the improved dust protection for the Kleenex.

In my mind I’m picturing that I can squeeze the shoebox and pop it out of the lid, which is screwed to the shelf. Maybe that will be almost as fast as “Style 1,” but still enjoy the improved dust protection for the Kleenex.

Jim Randolph is a veterinarian in Long Beach, Mississippi. His earlier careers as lawn mower, dairy farmer, automobile mechanic, microwave communications electronics instructor and journeyman carpenter all influence his approach to woodworking. His favorite projects are furniture built for his wife, Brenda, and for their children and grandchildren. His and Brenda’s home, nicknamed Sticks-In-The-Mud, is built on pilings (sticks) near the wetlands (mud) on a bayou off Jourdan River. His shop is in the lower level of their home.Questions and comments on woodworking may be written below in the comments section. Questions about pet care should be directed to his blog on pet care, www.MyPetsDoctor.com. We regret that, because of high volume, not all inquiries can be answered personally.

Poll: Allergy Precautions in the Workshop

Jul 052016
 
In my Tips column I’ve previously written about my struggles with allergies and some of the ways I cope with them.
The last time I made a significant project out of cedar, a hope chest for our eldest granddaughter, I developed a cough that lingered for months.  Repeatedly, I went to my ear-nose-throat doctor, trying different medications.  I don’t think any of them made a difference; I believe it finally just went away.  We never identified a cause.
Truly a labor of love, a hope chest for our eldest granddaughter.

Truly a labor of love, a hope chest for our eldest granddaughter.

At that time I had an overhead room filter, and power tools connected to individual shop vacuums, but no other form of dust management.  Some of the time I wore a surgical mask when I sanded, but I was quite lax about the dangers of dust.
After the cough, however, I changed my ways.
I broke down and purchased a Oneida cyclone capable of collecting several machines at once via whole-shop ducting.  I bought the Elipse P100 Dust Mask and I wear it most of the time and all of the time that I’m creating fine dust.
The Ellipse Dust mask is highly rated and reasonably priced.

The Elipse Dust mask is highly rated and reasonably priced.

Recently I’ve been thinking of my best friend from my Air Force days, Ken Shellberg.  A native Ohioan, Ken taught microwave communications electronics with me at Keesler Air Force Base in the 70s.  Music was hugely important to both of us and we took full advantage of the deep discounts afforded us in military stores, stocking up on electronics and speakers.
After our service, Ken went back to Ohio and began building his own speakers, mostly from prefinished, veneered particle board.  Before long he had developed allergies to ingredients in the particle board and had to quit woodworking altogether.
Lately, I’ve been working on a round cedar picnic table with curved benches for our two youngest grandchildren.
And, the cough is back.
Well, of course, there is no way to know if it’s the same cough, because we never identified the cause for the previous cough, but it’s suspicious. I couldn’t help wondering whether, like Ken, I might have to give up woodworking. Giving up cedar would be bad enough, as it’s one of my favorite woods. Of course, if I sold all of my woodworking equipment, I could afford to get the transom fixed on my bass boat.