Bench dogs arrive Monday / Tuesday, then I can see how good / bad it actually is in terms of being square….

That’s the one thing that puts me off doing this, I would need to make a jig before I’d start.

Posted 2 weeks ago

That’s the one thing that puts me off doing this, I would need to make a jig before I’d start.

Yep, it’s sort of an iterative process, but I figure it’ll be good enough and I can always insert a CNC’ed MFT table clone (£30 off Ebay) into it, if it turns out crap and I need a super accurate section.

I’ve just bought a rail square for my track saw, so I’ll probably be using that to make sure cuts are square rather than just relying on bench dogs etc.

I can see myself making another top in a few months. I quite enjoy the whole process of trying to make something, making loads of mistakes and learning how not to do it etc.

Posted 2 weeks ago

Made a simple clothes rack for clothes that’ll be worn again tomorrow.

Posted 2 weeks ago

Nice geuben 👌

Posted 2 weeks ago

It’s also a great idea. Might stop me getting shouted at for dumping stuff on the floor.

Posted 2 weeks ago

joshvegas- ditto.

Posted 2 weeks ago

That looks a good go at the MFT top.

I find you only need a few dog holes to be perfectly square. I often cut boards over 600mm wide so on my table I drilled (with a cheap Forstner) the 2 holes to position the rail very close to the edges. I have a Benchdogs Fence system MkII (which has improved my speed and quality) and there are 2 holes that I use to fix this and I spent a bit of time reassuring myself that these 4 holes are cock on. I use 2 tall dogs with UJK Rail Clips to keep the rail in place.

2 weeks ago I had a real awkward job: a very fussy client and some white MFC – the sort that chips out at the faintest opportunity. The only way I could get clean cuts was to score one face with my rail saw down to about 4mm deep; turn it over and score the other side, then set the saw depth to 16mm (2mm less than the board thickness) and cut through to meet the 1st 4mm cut. I was super pleased with the result for 2 reasons. First, they were the cleanest cuts I’ve ever, ever made. Second, there wasn’t the slightest trace of a ridge on either the finished side or the waste side. Damn, that table’s square!

Posted 2 weeks ago

Quite pleased with this, just in time to get all the kids stuff hidden away before homeschooling round 2:

Left side is Gratnells trays for lego and the like:

Right side plain shelves for the bulky things:

Eventually will have make some shelves and cupboards above for books, board games and the like.

(edit: was also my first project with an MFT-type top and benchdogs – makes getting square panels way easier!)

Posted 2 weeks ago

I like that Simon

Posted 2 weeks ago

I made this….

Into this….

It’s 2008 SWB low top Transit
It has:

Engine remap
12v system for the lights
12v water pump, sink & single hob
Chinese diesel heater
Garage for 2 bikes with one wheel off
Rock n roll bed
Toilet
Loads of charging ports

5 weeks work while working full time. Next time I’d like to do it in less but 5 weeks is about 18 months less than most seem to take 🙂

Posted 2 weeks ago

@chrisch777 Excellent. I’m in the middle of converting a Citroen Relay. Fingers crossed finished by March. I started in July….

Posted 2 weeks ago

Good luck Phil! I would have gotten a Relay or similar to avoid the rust issues I’ll inevitably encounter but when I bought this in September there were literally no decent vans around!

Posted 2 weeks ago

Also did a whole load of these:

A few minutes on CAD and a couple of prototypes was all it took. Sold 100s on eBay before having to take them down before HMRC algorithms were triggered 🙂

Posted 2 weeks ago

Made some prison gates for some Pointers.
Character Oak, wrought iron spindles and I made the mini field gate latch myself too.
Love getting me mig welder out (but don’t judge my bead! 😂 )

Posted 2 weeks ago

I made another frame and built it up for use on the Frontier 300. I seem to have a thing for painting my bikes pink at the moment.

Posted 2 weeks ago

@jonm81
I really like that! Particularly the colour! Telemagenta? RAL 4010?

I made some tools for servicing a DVO rear shock.

[url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ1zjslFbFW/[/url]

Posted 1 week ago

Can you guess what I got with my tax return?



Took a bit of practice to get the 45º set up properly, I think it turned out ok. Now to tackle something bigger.

Posted 1 week ago

@simon_g – the cupboards are great! How did you get that paint finish? I’m confident with the carpentry but haven’t had much success with finishing…

Posted 1 week ago

Not so much made as restored, since we can’t go out we’ve finally finished restoring an original Art Deco cinema seat so we can have the full experience at home!

Posted 1 week ago

Used up the left over bits from the crocodile to make a paint rack. Now realise I will need hangers on the back as I have more different paint that I thought. Base and upright will be oiled and the arms painted in the different colours that they will hold.

Kiwijohn – I saw a mitre bit for a router that did self locking joints that I was so tempted to buy. Unfortunately they seem to either be <£10 so probably made of cheese or +£70 which is a bit much for something I have no immediate need for but still want.

Posted 1 week ago

Love that cinema seat 👌

Posted 1 week ago

@siwhite – thanks! A couple of coats of Leyland acrylic primer, then a few coats of Valspar eggshell (bought in a hurry from B&Q before last lockdown). Just brush for the fiddly bits and foam roller for the rest, light sanding in between.

Follow this and you won’t go far wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIwNJGlVtwc

Posted 1 week ago

The MFT top is great. I keep thinking I’d like one!

Also I wonder how long before he pointers jump the gate? We used a baby gate for ours, gave up in the end after finding the gate shut. But kitchen raided!

I finished a steam bent lamp from Yew for my partners Christmas.
Ended up slightly twisted, but overall happy with it.

Posted 1 week ago

@WorldClassAccident i need a router now. & a table saw.

Posted 1 week ago

My first attempt at an airbrush illustration tonight…

[url=https://postimages.org/]image storage server[/url]

Posted 1 week ago

Got a table saw so as a practice project I made a little desk tidy for my other half’s desk. Used the left over oak from the clothes ladder.

The base didn’t turn out wonderfully, kind of winged it as didn’t have a good idea what to do for a base.

Posted 5 days ago

Don’t really have the space for woodworking so sewing it is! Bar bag practise using cheap fabric to learn all the things not to do, such as sewing the bottom on inside out… Next iteration will be in vx21.

Posted 5 days ago