New bench

The new bench is finished and the first project started.   The old bench served for 20 years, but I wanted one a bit longer; this is 30x60" and 36" high.  Got a discounted butcher block top from Rockler; one side had some dents.  I had considered a much more sophisticated bench, but decided simple has worked fine for me, so why change.  A sturdy, basic bench is al I need for what I do.   

Ran across a good deal on a Columbian 9" vise for $55, so when the son gets the old bench it will have the old vise.   I will build the shelves and drawers over the next few weeks.

And I was at Costco today getting new glasses and saw the FEIT LED shop lights for $24.99 for  package of 2.  So I now have a pair of additional lights directly over the bench.  Installation is temporary, will raise them to match the others later.  There are now 14 lights, totaling 70,000 lumens.  Much nicer. 

Also got good news from the eye exam.  I was told by the ophthalmologist about 6 years ago that I would need cataract surgery someday, and I was dreading the results of the exam.   The doc this week said the cataracts are barely visible and that there is no surgery in my future, unless I live past 100.  Told him that's only 19 years away and that is my goal, so I may see him just before he retires.

On a sad note, the first project on the new bench is a box (urn is not the correct term for a box, but I don't know if there is a correct term) for my next door neighbor's ashes.  He was a great friend, a fine woodworker who was always ready to help anyone, and was a resource for the entire neighborhood.  He was simply one of those people who are a credit to humanity, and I will miss him forever.  His wife asked if I would make a special box and I told her it would be an honor.  I started yesterday, with a nice piece of mahogany, and got the first dovetails started.  Today I stopped at the funeral home and inquired about the dimensions of the container furnished, that goes inside the box.  It turned out that the dimensions listed for the box  she had ordered were about 1" too small.  Soooo, started over with a nice piece of walnut.  A sad project.