Crosscut Sled

I made my first crosscut sled for the table saw today- a handy little jig no doubt. It is helpful for cuts that would not otherwise be safe on the miter saw. This one here was just a quick and dirty job. The runners are a bit tight, but nothing some wax won't solve. Until I get around to making another, this hunk of 3/4" birch ply and 6/4" sugar maple will do the trick.

Glazed Ceramics

So, what ever came of Saturday Ceramics? I had tons unfinished pieces lying about and finally decided to glaze them. Here are some of the final pieces that I was pleased with:

(and a big thanks to TayWray for photographing my work)

Now it's Game Time

Last weekend I finished my undergraduate studies! The past couple of months took a toll on me, but now it's time to rest up and get back to my projects. Since my last blog entry I've finished some maple butcher block, pulled some pieces out of the kiln, and packed up my shop. During the next week I plan to get the shop set up at home (and buy a table saw!) and get some of these projects posted. Stay on the look-out.

PS, thank you Ohio Dominican for a few years of adventuring (:

Feel the Clay

More Saturday ceramics this morning. My new approach to throwing is going well. I was so caught up in throwing the perfect pot that I wasn't having any success. I now understand that you have to throw a lot of bad pots before you can throw a good one. Out of eight blobs I ended up with eight pieces, not great ones mind you, but nonetheless. My journey continues.

My First Plane!

I got my first hand plane this week- like my card scrapers, it has changed my life (kind of- makes me smile anyways). I spoiled myself with a Lie-Nielsen low angle block plane (#102). It is absolutely gorgeous and such a joy to use. It makes trimming joints flush and removing milling marks a breeze. Time to go practice, cheers.

Saturday Ceramics Update!

I pulled some handles for the cylinders I threw yesterday! Not a terrible attempt at some mugs.

Saturday Ceramics

I got back on the wheel this weekend and had better luck. I threw twelve 12oz. blobs and ended up with eight pieces, not too shabby. Last weekend I was trying to throw identical cylinders and ended up trashing most of them, so today I took a more 'just relax at the wheel' approach and it worked out for the best.