Alone in the Garage

Re: Tools

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>The important thing about Barry's "How-to" is that he explains lots of different tool sets and methodologies to get the job done. Underlying it all is the raw material, the process and the finished product (and work of art, as well), not the particular tool set. He gives examples of hand tools that will perform each and every step, if hand tools are what you have, if hand tools are what you are comfortable with, if hand tools are what you understand, or if hand tools are what challenge you.

OTOH, if his router with carbide burr and duct tape scares you, the same considered approach to grain direction is necessary with a carving gouge and mallet.

Re: $80.00 or $8.00 Spoons

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>Just don't expect your first one like any of those, or even your first dozen, to be making soup in an hour, no matter what tools you use. Efficiency, competence, or even art, comes with repetition.

The challenge is interesting, because at least the form factor, if not the materials or the tool set, is new to every one of us. If I sat down to make a dozen, by the time I had eleven finished, I'd be pretty quick on the last one. HOWEVER, by that time, since just making them would be getting pretty boring, I'd be thinking about changing some of the tools, changing the order of shaping steps, changing the wood, changing the shape, enhancing the balance, carving that woodpecker's face into the handle, etc :^)

Re: Great story...

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>It's not a contest, it's a challenge.

Re: Handtool Exercise

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Hey, nobody has to do this, Dave. I thought you'd like the opportunity to redeem your honor and have some more fun. :)

Pam

Rules? one last time please

Ernie Miller Topeka

>Jim Wrote

Since this originally started with Dave�s wife�s challenge to him, let�s use that as a starting point. One hour to make a spoon using only hand tools. To simplify the project, the ubiquitous wooden, manufactured kitchen spoon could serve as a model, approximately 12� to 15� long with a bowl approximately 2 �� in diameter hollowed out to a depth of ��. More exotic examples are certainly encouraged but not necessary.

Pam Wrote

OK, but this isn't really a contest so much as a demonstration. The rules are to make a wooden spoon that can hold a pancake's worth of batter with hand tools alone. Make note of how long it takes you, but aim for an hour. It will run through next weekend, ending at midnight, Sunday, 4/10, post photos and stats here.

I picked up a nice #51 spoke shave yesterday. I'll donate it to the One who realy should have had one and attempted to make a spoon with out it doung the best job.