With the coopered door complete it is time to start milling up the other pieces of my cabinet. I have to cut out stock for the top, bottom and sides of the cabinet. Careful detail is taken into account to ensure that the cabinet will hold up to wood movement and at the same time look beautiful (Grain Graphics are very important). This was done by cutting out some simple templates that are a rough shape of the cabinet and placing them over the stock, to align them with the grain. Once I had that laid out, I cut the pieces and I will let them settle for a day before I make more cuts. The boards must settle because I have exposed the edge. This edge was not exposed to the air. Depending on the climate this board is now either taking in moisture or losing it. This can cause dimension changes to the board. As well depending on the grain the board could be under tension and that can cause it to move. By allowing the board to settle it will make it much more stable to work with.
It is now 2:00 and I have three more hours of shop time. What to do?????
I'm gonna make some tools! I have decided to make another Jointer Plane and a Chisel. I get a blank of Mesquite wood and start milling my new Jointer. I have to let that settle too! Instead of buying an Iron for my plane, I have decided to take an old file and turn it into a plane iron and use the rest for my chisel. First off I need to soften the steel from the file. I take the old file and heat it up with a plumbers torch until it is cherry red. Once that is done I have to let it cool on it's own. I can't dump it in a bucket of water to cool it off; that will only ruin it. Once again I must wait but that's okay, I have to start my daily clean up.
I am looking forward to the next few days, along with the progression of my cabinet I also have a couple of tools to finish. It is gonna be a busy week but I will be rewarded with a Turkey dinner at the end of it... So I can't complain.
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