Suffering from reader’s block, I thought this must be the ideal book for me. At 44 pages in length, there was a chance that I could get through it in four or five reading sessions. If nothing else, I could learn some tips that would improve my surfing technique.
The Plot
I think it is common practice to write something like spoiler alert. I can’t be bothering. No one I know, in their right mind, would read this book. It just isn’t worth the effort. Margot is married to Drum, but she is bored with her relationship. Now she is conniving to get Drum in fall in love (again) with his old girlfriend, Hadley. Margot feels that the jealousy and rage this might invoke, just might be enough to convince her to fight for her marriage. Then again, she might just be content to walk away.
I was surprised when the story suddenly ended on page 23. I expected to be about half way through, given the page count.
Here is a summary of the negative and positive aspects of the book.
Negative: 1) No surfing tips. 2) The text from page 23 to the end of the book on page 44 mainly consists of outtakes.
Positive: 1) The book ended.
Goodreads rating: Do you really expect me to put this on Goodreads? If one reads the Goodreads comments, one discovers that most people are offended that they paid $2 for 23 pages of text. In terms of public relations, this is an absolute failure.
Time. It passes so quickly. I estimate that we have had one particular painting now for about 30 years. It measures 605 x 950 mm. The stretchers are approximately 12 x 40 mm with mitre cuts. The artist attached drawings with the painting, so it could be framed, but that was not done.
Product Design
The artist suggested using 1 x 3 lumber. Rough sawn, it is 25 x 75 mm; dressed 4 sides, it becomes 19 x 65 mm. I will be using 21 x 70 Nordic pine, pre-painted in white. This colour was specified.
The frame will be made from 8 pieces of wood, four pieces are on edge, forming a perimeter protecting the painting. The other four inside will provide a flat surface for the attachment of the artwork. There are at least four ways to put these pieces together, as shown below. I believe the artist suggested design 2. This is what I will be making.
Drawing of 4 designs for a simple frame. I believe Murray’s drawings for the frame where similar to Design 2.
At the moment, the design distance between the painting and the frame is 35 mm. Reflecting on this, it seems too generous. Excessive. Before anything permanent is done, I will make a jig, and invite comment. I suspect that the gap will be changed to somewhere between 30 and 10 mm. I suspect it will look best if the distance is the same as the thickness of the frame on edge, 21 mm.
If any change is made in this dimension, then the cutting list becomes invalid. A new one will have to be produced. It is good that design activities like this are actually fun! Have I considered using a spread-sheet? Yes, but my brain needs the opportunity to calculate more than I need instant gratification.
Production Design
Materials
3 each 21 x 70 x 2400 Nordic pine lumber, pre-painted in white.
masking tape
wood glue
1.2 x 40mm brads
white paint
4 each spacers Ø = 15mm x 10 mm
screws 4,0 x 40 mm
Equipment
cross-cut saw
brad nail gun
90° assembly jig
Torq T20 screwdriver
Process
Using a cut list that details the cuts to be made on each board, place masking take on the board where it is to be cross-cut. Measure the length and cut. Remove masking tape.
Assemble the pieces one corner at a time in the assembly jig, fasten with glue and brads. When all four corners are complete measure diagonals to ensure the frame is square. Adjust as necessary. Clamps should not be necessary.
There should be 4 ends, each 21 x 70 mm, that require painting. Paint.
The stretcher of the painting will be attached to the frame using stainless steel wood screws to prevent damage to the painting. The painting will only be attached at four points. Two screws will be attached onto the top stretcher, and two onto the bottom, 60 mm in from the side and 20 mm in from the top/ bottom. Between the frame and the stretcher there will be a 10 mm thick spacer.
Wood screws are preferred connectors in wood work spaces. They are strong, and allow connections to be made between parts made from solid wood, as well as sheet goods such as MDF and plywood. They eliminate the need for complex joinery. They have uses from the start to finish of a build, from jig and form construction through to mounting hardware and trim.
Screws are available in a variety of metals: aluminum, brass, silicon bronze and stainless steel. While there can be reasons for using something other than steel, including non-magnetic, corrosion resistance and decorative attributes, steel screws are the most useful for wood projects. Attributes include affordability, availability in a range of shapes and sizes, durability and strength.
Drywall screws are used by many wood workers. These are made from a relatively hard steel, allowing them to be driven in quickly, without pilot holes. They are often chosen because they are inexpensive. Unfortunately, they are also brittle and may snap. For projects requiring strong connections, they are a poor choice.
Production screws are hardened with sharp and strong points and threads capable of penetrating hard woods and other materials, including some metals. Their heads and shanks can withstand high torque driving with a power drill or impact driver, and can withstand stresses commonly experienced in furniture. Unfortunately, they are not weather resistant. Deck screws are production screws that have been plated and/or coated to increase corrosion resistance.
Several types of heads are available. Pan heads have a low disc with a rounded, high outer edge with large surface area. Button or dome heads are similar to pan heads, but with a more rounded top. These are not commonly used. Round heads have a decorative dome-shaped head. These are not designed to be used structurally. Truss or mushroom heads are specifically designed to prevent tampering. Flat or countersunk heads are conical, with a flat outer face and a tapered inner face. It is designed to sink into the material. Oval or raised heads are decorative with a countersunk bottom and rounded top. Of these the countersunk head is the most common in woodworking. Where a large surface area is needed for structural purposes, a pan head is used, with or without a washer, to increase the area.
As a Canadian, I used Robertson screws when I built my first sailboat in 1962-3. There were two qualities that made these an appropriate choice: stick fit and cam-out resistance. Stick fit is the ability of the driver to hold onto the screw without human intervention. This frees a hand but, more importantly, it allows screws to be driven into hard-to-reach places. Cam out is a problem with Phillips screws, especially. When torque exceeds a screw’s capacity the driver will slip out of the head of the screw.
Star (aka Torx) drives offer the same advantages as Robertson drives. Since these are universally available in Norway, these are preferred drives for woodworkers willing to make rational choices.
Standard screws at Unit One are Heco TFT Woodscrews, which can be used for interior and exterior purposes. They are in corrosion class 4, made of herded steel.
Heco TFT Woodscrew
Standard sizes are: (Torx 20) 4.0 x 30, (Torx 25) 5.0 x 40, 5.0 x 60, (Torx 30) 6.0 x 90 and 6.0 x 160.
ISO Standard 12944 specifies corrosion classes described in the table below, with examples. These classes show the situations where iron and other metals are to given corrosion protection.
ISO 12944
Impact
Interior
Exterior
C1
Very low
Heated buildings with clean air, such as offices, shops, schools, hotels, etc.
None
C2
Low
Unheated buildings, where condensation may occur, such as warehouses and sports halls.
Atmosphere with low pollution. For example in the country.
C3
Middle
Buildings for production with high atmospheric humidity and some air pollution such as food manufacturers, breweries, dairies and laundries.
Urban and industrial areas, moderate sulphur dioxide pollution. Coastal areas with low salt content.
C4
High
Chemical manufacturers, swimming baths and ship- and boatyards by the sea.
Industrial areas and coastal areas with moderate salt impact.
C5-I
Very high – Industry
Buildings or areas with almost permanent condensation and with high pollution.
Industrial areas with high humidity and aggressive atmosphere.
C5-M
Very high
Buildings or areas with almost permanent condensation and with high pollution.
Coast and offshore areas with high salt content.
At the Unit One work space, it has been decided that class C4 offers sufficient protection for products produced and used. This means that from now on, all fastenings must offer class C4 corrosion protection or better.
This weblog post was updated 2021/12/21. to eliminate Needs from the title. This post formed part of a Needs, Seeds and Weeds website that belonged to my daughter, Shelagh. In addition, other things are also out of date, or my opinions have changed. Apart from the title, updating the text to a block format and other minor formatting changes, the text above this paragraph remains as it was before. Any significant content changes are found below this paragraph.
Even the most notorious motorcycle gang has a set of core values that is hung on the wall near their club house entrance, for all to see and follow. The same applies to the Unit One work space.
Mission Statement
By appointment to the citizens of Ginnunga Gap, the Unit One work space is a supplier of a work area equipped with tools and machines, and helpful people with insight, skill and knowledge, all organized to transform individual and collective visions into practical products that make the world a better place.
Core Values
Work at Unit One is comprehensive. It involves using one’s brain, as well as one’s body. Creativity finds expression through mental and physical work processes.
In terms of health, safety and the environment, the work space is equipped with fire fighting and first aid equipment, bright lighting and air purification equipment. Workers are expected to use protective equipment including, but not restricted to, ear plugs, gloves, respirators, safety glasses, safety shoes and comfortable workwear.
Researching and developing useful and environmentally friendly products and services is an essential part of the work space experience.
Training is an ongoing activity. Almost all tools require a safety checkout or training to ensure that all users have the necessary skills.
Products and services require documentation. These may take the form of technical drawings, written notes as well as videos. Everything made in the workshop shall be open source design.
Power to the workshop is provided by renewable energy.
Material used in the workshop are organically or technically recyclable, using cradle to cradle principles.
Socially useful products and services are to be made in the workshop.
This post is especially for three ladies who have been subjected to lofty ideas about making geodesic dome greenhouses, when all they really wanted was to learn how to make a wooden spatula.
Minni, the minimalist maker from Finland, shows them how to do it in a three minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZZtGSctCUw
TOOLS: Pen, spatula template, band saw, belt sander, sandpaper
USEFUL TIPS: After sanding, wet the spatula to raise the wood grain. Let dry, and sand again. This makes the surface very smooth.
SAFETY NOTES: Safety first! Always be careful with dangerous tools and make sure you know how to use them correctly.
MUSIC BY Henbrix
Here is the spatula template from her website: https://theminimalistmaker.com/shop/7k7o6c3lkngpjisbi7cyc0e41xg9vt
The Unit One work space has a band saw as well as a belt sander. There is an alder tree on the property, but it is too young and small to be used to make spatulas.
