Walnut Wall Clock 1978

This reproduction walnut wall clock goes way back.  In June of 1978 while I was a student at Fresno State working on my Industrial Arts degree, I took a wood machining class during the summer session.  The class was pretty laid back and only required a project of sufficient difficulty, a drawn plan, and a required number of machining competencies to build it.

I was lucky to find a clock brochure at a shop in Fresno that sold high end clocks of all sorts.  Give me a picture with basic dimensions to keep the proportions correct and I can build it.

This was my first experience working with walnut.  Walnut is a joy to work with... it has it's own natural color and grain pattern.  It machines nicely.  It's expensive, but worth the cost. 

The little buster in the photo is my son, Thad.  He was four at the time and always curious about what I was up to.  He is now 36, living in San Francisco and works for Wells Fargo Trade Bank. He is in a wonderful relationship with Amy and her little Yorkie, Capone.   

Fireplace Mantle Shelf

I built this fireplace mantle shelf a while ago for a friend.  The material I used is 4/4 poplar. Poplar is a knot free lumber that works easily and takes paint exceptionally well.

The first step is to cut the parts to the dimensioned sizes. After the parts are cut and edges shaped with the router, assembly begins. Because poplar rarely splits, assembly was easily done with the nail gun and woodworkers glue.

The main body is basically a box that is open on the back side. This opening fits on a hanger board that is bolted to the studs on the wall above the fireplace. Careful measuring is done so the box fits on the hanger and is properly aligned and centered with the top of the fireplace.

After careful sanding, I started finishing with a coat of primer. Primer seals the wood and provides an even surface for the finish paint to bond. Two coats of finish paint were sprayed for an attractive durable finish to the mantle shelf.

Ripping lumber to width on the table saw

Assembling with the nail gun and glue.

Assembled shelf prior to finishing.

Brushing primer.

Too Hot in the Garage!

It's been a little warm to be working in the garage.  It's one of the drawbacks of living in Central California.  People say, "at least it's a dry heat"... so is a welding torch!

I plan to post some previous projects completed in the past soon.