More Outhouse
It’s snowing sideways and 17 degrees. Perfect weather for some wood working.
You remember that I mentioned splitting some Diamond Willow for the outhouse posts. It was Shellie’s idea, I don’t think I’d ever come up with it on my own. In fact, I was a bit skeptical at first but when she walked me through her idea I could see the possibilities.
We selected two sticks I had scavenged a while back as they were too short and heavy for walking sticks or canes. Here is how they looked before splitting. Actually, they have already been split, I just neglected to get a “before” photo. But when I saw the results of the bandsaw work, I knew I had to share.
I spent some time agonizing over the best possible axis for the cut. All the while my subconscious was working on how to do the actual splitting. I didn’t want to lose any more material than necessary in the cutting so I settled on using a bandsaw, since I didn’t think I was going to find a laser in Homer. But Colin has a Laguna Tools band saw (truly the best bandsaw I’ve ever seen) and that is almost as good as a laser, no smoke either.
After a consult with Colin and Rock, I built some sleds to hold the sticks. Then I shrink wrapped them and used spray foam to hold them firmly while we fed them through the saw. Again, this is after the cut, so some of the shrink wrap has already made it to the trash.
Then came the moment when we finally found out if this was going to work or just make scrap out of some fine sticks. I was blown away! After carving on so many of these sticks to try and reveal their inner beauty, I was still amazed at their inner complexity. I’m planning on fiberglassing the flat side with epoxy and a light fiberglass cloth. That will hold the whole thing together while I work on removing the bark. I also want to see if this could be a new type of stick or cane; light and strong with a total reveal of the stick’s beauty.
This is going to be a LOT of fun.
Stay tuned, and stay safe.
So far I've reached acceptable proficiency at the following, in chronological order: Silversmith, infantryman/door gunner, helicopter pilot, fireman, carpenter, residential contractor, FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist and crotchety old retired guy. Currently, I'm learning to fly again and that is what this is all about. 7/7/2020 edit: As I have had the opportunity to reflect (old people do that a lot) on my actual proficiency level at the above occupations, I feel adjustments are in order. The term "acceptable" depends on the observer, their own proficiency and experience level. Acceptable to me might be woefully deficient to the master. I think it would be more accurate to claim that I have earned a living wage at all of these occupations but never got rich. Actually, I feel that I have gotten rich at the last one. I have what I need and am profoundly grateful for all of it. The future looks bright indeed, as I have learned to fly again. For that I have all of you to thank. Thank You!
Troy! You could be the next Bob Ross (LMAO). Correction, you would be better than Bob. Just need to grow an afro and get HGTV to put you on the air. I would be your number one fan! However, I am sure that would not compare with all of the groupies that would follow/chase you around Homer!