The journey continues...
Knife and Fixtures
The work on the chef's knife continued today: The epoxy for side two cured overnight. I removed the clamps, and trimmed the sides down to near the tang, all the way around, using the scroll saw. Sanding the knife handle was a multi-step process. This first phase used a couple of sizes and grits to get the wood down to the same profile as the tang. I used mini-sanding drums in the drill press for the task. Then I drilled through the rivet guide holes from the other side, then finished drilling the rivet profile in the handle. 0.177" ∅…
Continue reading...Knife Work
I suppose that means different things to different people. To me, in the context of this week, it means "repairs." The chef's knife handle was going to pieces: The cracking has been present for a while, but it started getting loose, which is a recipe for damaged knife-wielder, so it was time to fix the problem. It didn't take much effort to get apart, and it looks like there was a fair bit of rust and corrosion pushing things apart. One crack leads to this, eventually. The next step involves picking some new handle material, and preparing for reassembly: I…
Continue reading...Wood working
I'm getting going on the new office project. Remember that? Anyway, today I went shopping at Exotic Lumber in Gaithersburg. Sadly, I don't have budget for any actual "exotic" lumber, so I got ten sheets of maple 3/4 ply, one sheet of cherry 3/4 ply, and three each of maple in 1/4 and 1/2 thickness. To get all this home, I rented a U-Haul truck for a few hours. I loaded it all into the garage, then set up for parting out the plywood. The configuration is easy. Lightly glue (I used a low-tack spray adhesive) some foam to a…
Continue reading...A Week Off
I'm taking this week off of work. I'll still check email from time to time, but mostly I'm going to do some chores around here, organize a bit of woodworking, and get caught up on my reading. Wrapping up school: Late this week, the grade for the last course should drop. On the 30th, the degree should be conferred. Fun stuff, really. * * * Our condolences to the families, friends, and units of these fallen warriors: Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, died of combat related injuries suffered Dec. 8, while supporting operations near…
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