Episode #85 - Newest Palletmaker of the Month

Meet The Newest Pallet Maker of the Month

Chuck Middleton: Woodworker, Cyclist, & Dedicated Family Man


Well it was no surprise to me that the newest Pallet Maker of the Month over at The Rough Cut Show is dedicated Rough Cutter, Chuck Middleton.

It doesn’t take long to see that Chuck’s woodworking game is at a high level and very deserving of being The Pallet Maker of the Month. Below are some photos of Chuck's work (used with his permission).

Check out Chuck’s current project which is a spectacular set of two Steve Latta (FWW #180) inspired Folding Federal Card Tables. I was very impressed with Chuck's crisp detailed work. The complicated folding knuckle that is a hallmark of these tables is absolute perfection. Chuck is bringing everything to bear while completing this project including his vacuum bag for laying up the curved apron.

Bottom line, when you clear off your bench and focus on woodworking we all are woodworkers! (phone conversation T-Chisel 12/08) Raise the level of your work . . . Join Pallet Makers Local 207 Today!

Episode #84 - A Spiritual Gift

My conversations with Todd Clippinger are always interesting and stimulating. This one is no exception! As we approach the holiday season and reflect on the many things that bring joy to our lives, I am thinking of the many fellow woodworkers that I have had the pleasure to interact with over this past year. Via the magic of the internet, I have found inspiration and support for my own development as a woodworker. It is hard to not think of these guys when I'm working in the shop . . . you almost feel they are peering over your shoulder ready to offer advice if needed!

Todd Clippinger, American Craftsman, is not only a very talented furniture builder and designer, he is also has a passion for sharing his woodworking skill and knowledge. As a frequent contributor to Lumberjocks.com, he has supported and encouraged a number of woodworkers that share his passion for excellence in woodworking.

Lumberjocks.com is truly a unique community where woodworkers of every skill level can gather and share the pleasures of woodworking from the pride of posting the newest project to sharing a skill or technique and the thrill of teaching and mentoring.

Todd is contagious with his enthusiasm. No doubt fellow Lumberjocks Mike Shea, Blake Weber, The Timber Kid, and Allan will get a thrill when they get a special shout out in this video conversation with Todd Clippinger.

So, the real question remains. Will Shea Planes be featured at the 2009 Popular woodworking Woodworking in America Conference? Stay tuned . . . !

Watch another video conversation with Todd

Todd Clippinger’s website: American Craftsman

Mike Shea’s website: MS Wood Creations

Blake’s website: Blake Weber Woodworking

Callum’s website: The Timber Kid

Allan Fyfe’s website: Lethenty Mill Furniture

Episode #83 - A Simple Woodworking Project

This is a simple woodworking project that would be fun and easy for anyone to build. The construction features durable cedar from my scrap bin with simple and strong joinery using Miller Dowels and waterproof Titebond III Glue. My shelf, with five iron towel hooks, was built for outdoor use. The possibilities for variation are endless by altering the shelf length, width of top shelf and back support and details of the corbels. Of course the hooks are optional and there is a wide variety of hooks available.


I am always puttering around our vacation home in Sisters, Oregon. This Thanksgiving was no exception. My wife Beth and I have wanted a place to put a wine glass or two and hang our towels close to our hot tub. I put this project together over two afternoons before we departed for the Thanksgiving holiday. I completed the shelf with some wonderful hand wrought hooks Beth purchased from The Ponderosa Forge in Sisters, Oregon. All that remained was a good oil finish.



No complicated plans exist for this project except some sketches on a sheet of legal-sized printer paper. I sketched the outline of the corbels on the sidebar of the sketch. Then I made a full-sized copy on a full sheet adhesive label. After cutting out the corbel pattern, I cut the rough shape out on the bandsaw. The two corbels were then stuck together with double stick tape and sanded to final shape with an oscillating spindle sander.




After the case, I played around with a rendering on Google SketchUp just for fun and to pass some idle time and exercise my fledgling SketchUp skills. This is a great program for woodworkers. I use the free version available for the Mac.



Related Links

Corbel

Google SketchUp

Sisters, Oregon

Titebond III

Ponderosa Forge

Miller Dowel Company