As the Penultimate Woodshop is a Blogger blog, its easy for me to integrate with Google+ using Google+ comments. Google+ comments mean that comments to a blog post or to the corresponding Google+ post will show at both locations.

Should I use Standard Blogger Comments, Google+
Integrated Comments or would you rather mail in
a comments form?

When Google+ comments first came out, I tried them out. I found that they allowed for much more interaction around posts and more conversation.
As much as I liked this, I turned them off when I found that they required a Google account in order to comment (no more anonymous).
Since then Ive watched, and almost all of the comments I receive are from people with Google accounts. So, Im turning Google+ comments back on. I really enjoyed the increased comments.
While doing this, Im not looking to exclude anyone. So, if you find that youre not able to comment because you dont have a Google account, please email me. If I find that Google+ comments is causing problems, or disenfranchising my audience, I will turn them off again. As far as Im concerned the increased conversation is nice, but not at the expense of others ability to comment.
So please, if you find the Google+ comments a problem, let me know. Otherwise, please join in the conversation.

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This post was originally published on the Modern Woodworkers Association site on 12/14/12. Im sorry for the re-posting here, but we feel this is important and I wanted to make sure it was seen and shared. Dont worry, this wont take the place of a regular Monday or Thursday post here.One of the core beliefs here at the Modern Woodworkers Association is that woodworking is a community. We dont care what kind of woodworking you do, what kind of tools you use or what you build. As long as you love working wood, youre our neighbor.

Were all a great big woodworking community.

I mention this in light of Googles new addition to Google+: Communities.

In the MWA Community share your projects, ask questions or just chat woodworking.

I wont go into too much detail here, but Communities are a new choice to share on Google+ based around common interests. When you post within a community, all the communitys members can see and comment on your post, even if you havent circled them. While its not the best place to share birthday greetings to your cat, its a great place to talk about a shared passion . . . such as, I dont know . . . woodworking.

Who wouldnt want to be in a Community with these galoots?

There is already a great general woodworking community on Google+ started by David Bennett & Tammy Capistrant. There is also the Modern Woodworkers Association Google+ Community. You can join as many communities as you like, so please, join both and share. We want to see what everyone is working on and keep the woodworking community growing.
By the choice, to anyone who already joined, please check that youre still in. As we want everyone to join in, weve made a change from the original MWA G+ Community. Its now public. Unfortunately, this meant we had to delete the original private community and start over. So if you were in and we deleted you with the original community, were sorry. Please sign up again and join in.

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Once the pieces were cut to size and shape with a combination of track saw, table saw and miter saw. To cut the handles, I first drilled out each end using a hole saw, then I connected them with the jig saw. The bottoms and can retaining pieces first had their curved outer corners cut with jig saw. They were then refined on an oscillating belt sander. Finally the can holes were cut with a hole saw.

Lots of Caddy pieces.

It was at this point that I realized that I had cut the bottoms as two (2) pieces which would have the handle between them. Unfortunately, I cut the handles to fit on top of a single bottom piece. Once I realized this, I then cut and fabricate new bottoms to make up for it. Two (2) of the mistaken bottom pieces were used to make additional can retaining pieces. With an additional handle and bottom, this allowed me to make four (4) rather than three (3) can caddies.The next step was to cut out for the cans. I accomplished with with a hole saw. In order to hold the pieces still, I made an impromptu jig with scrap plywood. I placed each piece against the jig, and then used a single clamp to lock it in place. I powered the hole saw with my old Milwaukee ½” drill. This was the first power tool I received as a gift when I bought my first house. I can’t say I use it often, but when I do, I’m reminded what a nice drill it is.

The old Milwaukee is a workhorse.

The jig held two faces of the parts. A single clamp locked them in.
The clamp in the background hold the jig to the bench.

The hole saws left a bit of burning on the inside edge of the can holes, so I next took the can retaining pieces over to the oscillating spindle sander and cleaned up the inside of each hole. Unfortunately, I lost hold of one (1) of the pieces while doing this, and managed to break the fence lock-down nut on the sander. Shame on me for leaving it in place.

Be carefull of spinning can retaining pieces.

Now that all the pieces were completely cut to size and shape, I took out my trim router and put an ?” roundover on all the outside edges and the can holes and handle. ?” isn’t much, but I find it’s just right for easing a hard edge without making it too soft (especially in ½” material).

A simple 1/8" roundover makes the edges much friendlier to touch.

In order assembly the tin can caddies, I used 4mm Dominos to joint the bottom and can retaining pieces to the handle. Since the Dominos penetrated in more than ¼”, I ofsett them relative to each other so that the Dominos of each can retaining piece wouldn’t hit the opposite one in the handle.

Setting the Domino against a fence is an easy choice for accurate joinery.

Lots of parts and lots of Dominos.

For glue-up, I simply used parallel clamps. I left the Dominos to keep the parts square. They did a pretty good job of this. All of the tin can caddies look square to the eye and are certainly close enough when put against an actual square.

The Dominos were all it took to keep the pieces square.

For the finish, I wanted to try something new (to me). I use boiled linseed oil. While I’ve heard many things about how heating your BLO allows it to penetrate better, I simply followed the instructions on the can and cut it 2 to 1 with mineral spirits. I then applied it heavily with a rag, and kept applying to keep it wet for 15 minutes. Then I wiped it off and let the tin can caddies dry. I’m still on the fence about how I feel about BLO as a finish, but for this project it was certainly a success. The tin can caddies have a nice warm tone to them.

The BLO sample is to the left (almost faded out by the flash).

The finished Tin Can Caddies.

With the caddies done, it’s now up to my wife to decorate some cans and give them to her crafting friends.An Alternative To Tin Can Carts: Part I

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+Tulus Soemego shared this video on Google+ last week. Im not sure of the brand, but its still fascinating to see how one of the most used items in the shop is made. This video from How Its Made is well worth checking out.

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