Woods

Sigh. Didn't get nearly as much of the handle making done over the weekend as I'd hoped. Not that progress hasn't been made, but there's still a way to go before the grand unvieling of the main body. But a small advanced guard is available. First time I've done leather washers and I'm fairly pleased. Probably could have managed with just two layers in hindsight, but that's what comes of following someone's instructions... The handles on the socket chisels are Anjan, iirc, 'cos those pieces happened to be long enough to accomodate the necessary length. The smaller Marples is right up against the shoulder though, which is annoying - I damn nearly ran out of taper all together despite my best efforts. Oh and they don't match, natch. The butt chisel was reclaimed from my for sale list and given a boxwood handle. Should really have given the butt end of the handle a little more curve to the transition to the flat end, but it feels pretty good in the hand.



Hardly set foot in the workshop on Sunday, what with one thing and another, but had an interesting haul at the car boot sales. It was a bit quiet really, and at first glance there wasn't anything much, but what there was was pretty good. I'll take quality over quantity any day. Saw sets seem to be one of those things folks will buy from me, so I picked up yet another Eclipse 77. Great saw set and this one will clean up a treat I reckon. The chisel, well I dunno what I was thinking really, except I've not had a Ward & Payne bench chisel before and this is an old 'un (octagonal bolster) and a good 'un (octagonal boxwood handle). Of course it'll need a new handle... The ratchet screwdriver is a Stanley Yankee 15a and I've been looking for one for years. My introduction to the Tall Scotsman included one of these screwdrivers; I didn't buy it and I've kicked myself ever since. First one I've seen since, so I pounced - and found the mechanism seized up. But the price made it worth a punt and a quick dismantle of the thing and application of 3-in-1 penetrating spray followed by a dose of 3-in-1 oil (wish I was getting commision for these adverts) got it all working again. Happy me.



But the haul of the day was spotted in an old leather suitcase under an otherwise unpromising stall. I was (wait for it) bowled over. Gettit? Bowls? Bowled ov- Oh never mind. Anyway, can you say lignum vitae? In hindsight I probably could have haggled the price down even further, but I can't honestly complain at one pound sterling per wood.



My good fortune continued into today - a small renummeration for a thing on "My Workshop" for Traditional Woodworking magazine turned up. Yep, just when you thought it was safe to open a magazine... I got asked to do it out of the blue about 6 weeks ago, so I had to steam a bit to get it done on time. But you know me - I'm good at talking about myself. It's out on Friday, iirc, so you know when to avoid the newsagents.