ron's custom woodworking
This table and chairs was a 2012 Christmas project for a great grand-daughter. The table and chairs are my design. The legs were made on my hand built router milling machine that can be seen on my Shop/Equipment page. The finish is a water-based Minwax Polycrylic. This project was my first attempt at spraying this finish. The gun was HVLP with no thinning of the finish material. I applied three coats, let it dry for 24 hours, sanded it with 400 grit paper, and applied a finish coat.
This is my first attempt at power carving. I have a Foredom Model SR with maximum RPM of 18,000. The shoe carving started as a block. It was rough cut on the bandsaw and a large forstner bit made the initial cut into the heel area. I have found that the Foredom has other uses in the shop. For example, completing round overs in tight corners when I cannot get into corners with the router round over bit.
This hall table is my design and the result of a need for a table in our entry way. It is oak with tapered legs and mortise/tenon construction. The lower shelf is plate glass recessed in the surround frame.
This project was built more than 10 years ago and still occupies a corner of our living room. It was an interesting project in that it was my first attempt at laminating and bending the runners. Three of these were built with one being donated to a charity auction.
This chest was designed and built to match our bedroom furniture that we have had for sometime. The style and finish make it appear to be part of the original bedroom set.
This TV/storage stand was designed and built to match our bedroom furniture. The style and finish make it appear to be part of the original set.
The design for this chair came from a chair a friend’s wife was given decades ago when she was a little girl. We were able to make cardboard patterns with the original chair in tact. This was our first attempt at caning. It was a chance to learn something new and the results were very good. We actually ended up building six of the chairs. Mouseover the photo for another angle of the chair.
This is power carving #2. After carving the shoe pictured on this page, my next project became this maple leaf. After locating a line art picture on the internet, I started with a block of oak. All carving was completed with the Foredom power carver. It was a good “filler” project……I worked on it between other projects or while I was waiting for glue or finish to dry .
This is power carving #3. While I was serving in the Iowa Senate, I came up with the idea of doing a carving of the state. It now serves as a candy dish on the living room coffee table.
This was a winter project from several years ago. During a typical Iowa winter it seemed right to build a sled. As you can see, it has not been tested in the snow. Mouseover for another angle.
My work table is 64” X 60” and is 39” high. The top is maple with the frame made from two sheets of ¾” plywood cut into 4” wide strips and laminated together. All joints are mortise and tenon. The table is very stable. The 39” height was decided on after much thought, with input from my back. Mouseover the photo for a cloee-up of the leg and support joints.
This armoire was built for my great-granddaughter's nursery. It stands almost six feet. The frame is made out of 3/4" melamine and the door frames are poplar with birch tongue and groove inserts. The doors, pedistool and top trim were all spray finished with primer and three coats of Valspar white latex to match the melamine. The drawers on the inside were made with 3/4" birch plywood. Mouseover for a view of the inside.
This toy box was also built for my great-grandaughters nusery. It is also made out of entirely 3/4" melamine. Easy to clean up. Now I have to fill the thing with toys. That's what great-grandpa's do.
