From big to manageable

I've started the Greene and Greene display top coffee table from this slab of 8/4 quarter sawn white oak and Madagascar ebony inlay.

Here's how I process large slabs to more manageable pieces to take in to the shop for further processing. A few months back I purchased the Festool TS 75 EQ plunge saw for breaking down large pieces. I've been very pleased with it's performance, it has plenty of power for a small machine. The guide rail system is an awesome feature for long straight cuts or even crosscuts. Now, I'm able to start working the lumber in the shop, squaring, resawing, and planing the pieces for further milling. Just a little update.

Ralph's Wall Sconce

Okay, so this is the finished wall sconce.

It turned out pretty awesome, if may say so. The mica is a great contrast to the sepele, curved top gives a unique focal point.

Just, a little update for y'all.

INCA 259 Slot mortiser gives "MY BABY BACK" brackets

First, wanted to thank everyone for the overwhelming support of the blog. It's been fun sharing my experiences with you.

Here are a few photos of the brass back brackets I'm making for the sepele wall sconce. They are kind of heavy duty but, that's just way I like to build things. Started with a 1/8" sheet of raw brass plating. Marked out the outline, cut and bored a hole for the screw head a little larger then the slot for the screw to sit in. Counter bored the holes for the screws, for fastening to the back. Nice and square, and polished. Now, I'm ready for the mortises. Started with chisels, and my hand router plane to get the right depth setting. The brackets fit beautifully,ready for the wall, but before that happens a couple more layers of oil and now "MY BABY'S GOT BACK ".

This was a very fun and challenging project from the curved top, to the wiring, and the brass brackets. I'll post more pictures of the finished sconce later.

Starting next week I'll be getting started on a "Greene and Greene Coffee Table" with a glass display top, breadboard ends and ebony inlays, and a dovetailed drawer. Man that was a mouth full. A side from the woodworking, and for any of you fisher people-outdoor enthusiast the fall runs are looking great and I have had fanatic luck this past week yielding two Native Western Red side Rainbows over 20" and a couple respectable Browns, next time I go out I'll take my camera and post the photos. Anyway, till next time.

From paper to almost finished project.

Here's my most recent commission piece that I'm building for a client in Seattle. It's an outdoor wall sconce made of ribbon sepele, almond mica and brass. Here's a few photos of the process.

B-DAY Party on the Washington coast.

Birthday celebration, chanterelle hunting and totem poles!Everything a guy needs to survive in the wilds of Washington.

Here's a little tour of my micro shop space located in the basement of my house.I have two INCA machines #1 the INCA 259 table saw with mortising table and all the gadgets - love it! and INCA 570 jointer/planer that I got when i was working with Mark Duginske. Very nice for small machines. Minimax E16 precision bandsaw, a couple of festool hand helds and a very old but in excellent condition Delta-Rockwell 17" Drill Press, a hard maple hand tool bench that Mark Duginske and I Built together in his shop last year "By the way THANK YOU Mark for the help!!!" Too Many hand tools to list, but love all of them the same. Great Space, but not enough lighting.

Small Curved Leg Walnut Lamp