First there were spoons; now there are benches

[hrj]

Well, actually the bench-making workshop for the Perfectly Period Feast (tm) didn't produce any finished benches yet. We were all horribly organized and set up into work-stations to get the advantages of repetitive mass-production techniques. So there are completed sets of all sorts of partially-finished things, waiting for further work and assembly. None of it was very intensive labor, but it was continuous for the whole afternoon and I'm feeling deliciously wrung-out. I think it was the first time I've used a router. I'm having woodworking-shop envy again. Why, if I had a garage, just think of all the expensive power tools I could have sitting around waiting for me to have time for a project!

Comments

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

I have all my husband's tools, now I need to learn to use more of them. I was pretty much out of focus last month. I wish I'd gone to the workshop though. It sounds really interesting. Maybe they'll offer it again next time.

[gunnora.livejournal.com]

If you really get excited about the idea of a workshop, let me suggest renting a storage garage in one of those strip storage areas.

The ones that are climate controlled are absolutely necessary in Texas, where you are you could probably get the cheaper garden-variety one. Just make sure they have electrical outlets.

You can set up this sort of shop in a business area so there won't be noise complaints about running power tools after 9PM.

The pain of having to make the monthly rental payments would probably also compel you to use the space, invite students and guests, and generally make teh most of it.

[albionwood.livejournal.com]

Dunno if there's a store near you, but Woodcraft will rent shop space by the hour. They have all the equipment and take care of it so you can just show up and use it. Makes a lot of sense if it's convenient.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

If you're interested in the PPF project, there's a yahoo mailing list where we discuss research and planning and announce workshops. The list name is PerfectlyPeriodFeast@yahoogroups.com.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

It's an interesting thought, but I'm not sure how well it would work for my personal work-habits. (If there's one thing I know, it's my own pathologies!) For general carpentry projects, I just work in the backyard or on the deck -- but that means I can't have large standing tools (like table saws) or a permanent workbench. Actually, I've thought about building a weather-worthy workbench in the backyard (or even on the deck, although I'd rather not take up permanent space there). If it were bulky enough it wouldn't be likely to walk off on its own (and it might be possible to attach a few things like vices that similarly would be unlikely to walk off). But that's not quite the same as having a lockable garage where I could have a more elaborate set-up. (One of those "garden shed" type structures simply wouldn't be proof against the possibility of local scavengers.)

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

Thank you.