re: Getting started

Mike, off to the right of the gazebo is the pool. The wife bought me a floating cooler that looks like a giant fishing bobber. It holds about 6-7 beers. I also have a big cooler on the deck near the grills and smokers where I spend much of my time. It holds a lot more than 6 or 7 ;)

Ladylefty, the flowers do attract a lot of bees and hummingbirds. In the 5 years it’s been there, not one sting has ever occurred. My best friend is allergic to bees and always carries his epi-pen. He hangs out on the gazebo all the time.

Now for a sewing box update…

I went to bed last night disgusted with the whole idea of dovetails. I was determined to get up and go to the mill for some walnut to make splined miters.

I got up this morning at 4:30 and had some coffee. Then I slapped myself around and gave myself a good talking too. I’m not going to let a stupid little joint beat me. I spent another 8 hours in the shop today laying out, cutting, paring, fitting, cussing, sawing off, and starting over. Lather, rinse, repeat. Hundreds of little pins and tails litter the shop floor and I swear I heard the chickens in the back yard laughing at me. No matter though. I will get through this. I think I need a better saw and better chisels though. Trying to use a Lowes Kobalt brand backsaw and el-cheapo Kobalt chisels is holding me back. To be honest, I think it’s the saw more than the chisels. I managed to hone them damn sharp, but they don’t hold an edge worth a crap. I think it’s time to hit mama up for some new tools. Shouldn’t be a problem. She’s pretty much given me carte blanche as far as tools go, but I can’t cripple the house budget by going hog wild.

I wonder how hard it would be to cut dovetails with a band saw…