This months shop tour is a bit late, but thats because I got so much done before the since the last tour (and started August with a vacation.
Here we go.

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It was three years ago today that I published my first post here, at the Penultimate Woodshop. It was a fairly routine first post. I introduced myself and thanked the online woodworking community.
As I reflect on it, Im now more thankful to the online community than ever. Im thankful for the help, instruction and friendship that Ive received from the community. While woodworking is often a solo activity, I know that sharing it with a community of fellow woodworkers enriches the experience beyond measure.
So please keep woodworking, keep participating and keep sharing. Thank you for reading (you can keep doing that too).
Dyami
com

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Holy crap! It dawned on me this morning that I started the Penultimate Woodshop mid-summer two years ago. I just checked the blog archive, and my fist post was two years ago, yesterday.

Ye olde original cone monster (hes real).

Its been a great two years and Im striving to keep the posts coming semi-regularly and working to build the online community even more by contributing to the Modern Woodworkers Association.
Id like to thank everyone for reading and joining me on this delightful online woodworking journey. Ive made many good friends and had many opportunities I wouldnt otherwise have had. Thank you all.

An early incarnation of the shop setup (now quite a bit different).

For nostalgia, heres a link to my first post. I wouldnt write it this choice today, but it was appropriate for the time it was written. Thank You, Adam KingIll keep it up and try to get next years anniversary post up on time. At least I remember my wedding anniversary is August 18th. Now, if I could just remember the year . . .

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Having returned from Fine Woodworking Live 2013 last night, Im filled with enthusiasm to jump into the shop and build achoice. I also have tons of photos and other info about the event to share.

I will work on those, and over the coming week I hope to have a post or two about the great event and great time we had. For now, I want to introduce Frank Howarths Lawn Chair 2 video.

Long time readers may remember some of these photos.

It was in the summer of 2008 that I ripped out the sheet rock, insulation and electric from my shop. Though I had every intention of replacing them all quickly, it was not to be. For years I suffered through a shop that had no insulation and almost no electric. My only shop outlet was a single 15 amp outlet on a circuit shared with the shop lights and the hall in the house.

As the removal of the insulation and electric was part of the first phase of my siding project, their replacement languished as the siding project devolved into a multi-year odyssey. It was my friend, +Aaron Marshall, who finally brought me back to the insulation and electric.

Woodworking in America 2011 occurred during the early days of the Wood Whisperer Guild Split-Top Roubo project. Aaron and I were excited about it and talking about workbenches. I explained to Aaron my intention to build a Roubo/21st Century Workbench hybrid from LVL’s and Timberstrand. Though the great hardware available from the WIA vendors was tempting, Aaron convinced me to make even that from LVL and make my own leg vise.

I left WIA excited about my bench and proceeded to begin work on it right achoice. I had finished the leg vise design by the time the temperature dipped - that’s when I knew the bench had to wait and I began rebuilding the wall.

My absolute favorite drill for roughing in electrical work.

Though the rough in of the electric was the first phase, most of the electrical work had to wait until the walls were insulated and sheathed. The insulating work began just after Christmas 2011 and by April of 2012, I was able to begin sheathing the walls. Finally, by April of 2013, the insulation and sheathing work were done and I was able to begin wiring outlets.

Ready for sheathing.

I completed the wiring of the 110V outlets on July 10, 2013. After thinking I was done, finding one I forgot, installing it and then connecting a ground that I’d failed to connect, all of the outlets were live and wired properly. I was even able to use the power detector I made in 7th grade technology to test the outlets.

Theres Power!

Next time I’m in the shop I won’t be swapping plugs to switch tools or blindly feeling for the circuit breaker when the table saw or planer trips the fuse and the lights go out. I now have 3 dedicated 20V circuits with 16 double gang boxes and one single gang box to choose from.

And that’s with just one side done. Once I wire the opposite wall and connect the two 220V circuits still not setup I hope to have more outlets and power than I can use.Read More..

Theres A Sale A Goin On At The Wood Whisperer Store

Its that time of year again, when we take a moment to say thanks for all thing big (surviving Hurricane Sandy) and small (a Tim Hortons Double Double & Cruller actually was good). Its also the time of year Marc, The Wood Whisperer, has his big sale.

So many nice outlets . . .

Thats one fine cruller.

If youre not flush with Wood Whisperer gear already (and maybe even if you are), head over to Marcs site to check it out. Hes offering 25% off Thursday, 20% off Friday and 15% off Saturday, so dont delay.

Yep, this turkey is a great woodworker.

Be sure to pick up a shop apron, as his are the best available. I gave achoice my others when I received it. The pockets are nice and the cross strapping that doesnt bother you neck is the best.

A wicked awesome apron.

From everyone at the Penultimate Woodshop and the Modern Woodworkers Assocation, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

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