Year Recap 2016 - What a year !
Here we are, the morning of January 1st once again. The fresh start to another year, just leaving another one in the past. From a woodworking aspect of things, it's been moving a lot from my part. Here are a few points to the year recap.
Projects
The bed build
This one has been documented on the blog and has been a few experiences. See the following posts bellow for the details on how it went :
Arts and Craft Bed - Stock Prep
Arts and Craft Bed - Foot Board
Arts and Craft Bed - Head Board assembly
Arts and Craft Bed - Final Assembly
Dust Collector
The upgrade of the dust collector was also another experience that I enjoy made. I believe that it is better then the old one from a collection stand point. Still some upgrade or adjustment to be done. Still need to settle the following :
Bin level indicator : Been bitten too many times where the bin would fill and would over flow into the filter. This one is under way and will be documented here
Bags to collect dust : Well this one is a challenge where I would like to better dispose of the dust/chips and not spend a whole lot while disposing on the per bag basis
Follow the different links for this project
Dust Collector - Supporting Structure
Dust Collector - Up and Running
Dust Collector - Project Usage
Cutting boards
Originally made from scraps from the bed build and doing some experimentation with resaw and some bent lamination, I made some cutting boards to pass some stock. I was able to sell a few of the original and most of them went out as gifts. But the offering to the public landed some opportunities that were very welcomed. More to come on this one.
Tools
Side Rabbet Plane
Tenon Float from Lie Nielsen
Varitas Small Plow Plane
From a tool perspective, I made a bit of cleanup of tools that did not see enough use in the shop. The fact that I lost my job early 2016 permitted me to revisit certain tools that I had and assess there use in the shop.
Let's be clear, these are excellent tools, but did not see enough use in my projects, although I had the best of intentions when I bought them. I found users that could find better use them me.
Here are pictures of some of the tools that found some new homes
So what about 2017
So what about this new year, just starting fresh.... Well, if 2017 is any indication of some of what I believe woodworking success, it should be a very good year.Out of the project listed above, a whole lot went behind the experience bucket. Granted I don't do this all the time, it is not my main professional activity. Otherwise, this portion would be 100 fold if not many more.
I believe that I proved to myself that I could do more and set aside more time to this hobby to be more serious. I found a few techniques that would speed up some operation without buying some new tools. New tools are good but make due with what you got is sometimes as good.From a projects perspective, there are still some shops organisation along the way plus some overdue home projects that will see through the course of the year.
The more time in the shop will advance these projects. Make the house benefit from the shop a little bit and increase what I can do. You never know !