Milling little boards---The Sequel

I've built another little log mill, this time for my band saw. I saw a video of a store bought version. I had a very similar idea 20 years ago for my table saw, where I built the jig with the sliding fence, pinching the log between two clamps. With that one, I'd slide the fence over to a measured increment and keep sawing 

and moving the fence. It worked and I've used it alot, but the thickness of the blade wasted alot of wood and it was hit or miss accuracy-wise. (I can get around that now, with my thickness sander.) The premise behind this jig is to cut two sides square, then use a re-saw fence to mill down the boards.

It's kinda funny because here I've got a $100.00+ beautiful Kreg re-saw fence mounted on an old 1940's band saw that was found at a flea market for dirt cheap.  And yes I had to rig it up to fit.  But anyhow....the store- bought log mill is nothing like this, I just used the premise.

This is the front of the jig. I "borrowed" a plastic bench dog from a cheap little work table, the kind that

opens up and closes flat, to use for the back clamp. I drilled a series of holes to accept clamp and even though it was cut in a grid pattern on it's face, I added some of that non-slip stuff. For the locking clamp, 

I found the perfect thing in a "box of cool junk". Junk is your friend :) (I had to cut off one side, and make the plywood clamping surface, again with that non-slip stuff )I drilled two holes in it for the knobs and another series of holes in the fence. 

This is the back of the jig. (I've gotta get to Woodcraft, I'm all out of knobs....hence the mis-matched ones here....) I made two slots in the platform for the fence to ride in.

This is the bottom, showing the miter bar. I put tiny screws in the side of the bar to micro adjust it to the miter slot so there would be no side to side play.I didn't have any T bolts so I had to use carriage bolts in the fence slots.

Here it is mounted in the miter slot of my saw, ready to go.

Last year I cut some little sassafras trees from around my electric pole. No it's not like Green Acres, I don't have to climb the pole to answer the phone :) A whole bunch of these trees have encircled the pole. It's pretty in the fall. I took a little log, cut in half and decided to use it to try out the new log mill.

I ran the log through the blade creating a flat side. This will now be turned to ride on the platform in the next step.

And here I've made the second pass creating a 90 degree square.

One side rides flat on the saw table and the other against the Kreg re-saw fence.

I adjusted the fence to about a quarter inch and ran the little log through.

I like this wood!

I got a really nice re-saw blade from a favorite woodworker supply company " Highland Woodworking" called "The Wood Slicer" They custom made it for my odd sized beautiful old band saw.

Little baby bunny with his mama

This adorable little duo is hand carved wood with every attention to detail then furred. I was inspired from a real nature photo of a baby bunny climbing up on his mama's back. I have so many sweet  bunnies in my yard this time of year. Lots of little babies.

little 1:12 scale Yorkie

This little 1:12 scale Yorkie is hand carved hand painted wood, but! I furred him :)

My first venture into the crazy world of dollhouse miniature animals with real fur.

I had alot of fun taking woodcarving one step further. He has the usual carved eyes, toes and paw pads.

And his little pink belly skin!

And here he is before his fur:

Well, he's obviously a "her" but my model was a sweet little neighbor dog who is a boy!

I've listed this little dog on EBAY

Very large work...

...well for me anyhow! Considering I've made entire drawings the size of one dog's eyeball. These two pencil drawings are each 8" x 10" :

And here are the original photographs:

The Time Machine

In the 1960 movie "The Time Machine" with Rod Taylor, he was given a scale model of the real time machine, in a beautiful tantalus box. I was recently commissioned to make a scale model of the scale model! It was quite the mental workout. But it was alot of fun and I got to work with lots of different materials.

Here is the little time machine, made of pear and walnut wood and brass. The tiny  seat has turned legs, and I got to turn brass for the gizmo that hooks to the screen behind the seat.

The tantalus box is incredible. As you lift the lid the front of the box folds down. It is attached to the lid with hinges.

The box is mitered but the two sides are made in two pieces and attached with piano hinge.

The sides then fold out to reveal the contents.  The lid is also attached with piano hinge.

The box I made from cherry. It is completely hand painted.

Below are a couple photos I worked from of the real model:

Everyone's going to want one of these!

 

I have found the most wonderful tool! It's a dental lab handpiece and mirco motor. It is amazing, you can't even feel it running. Absolutely no vibration.  It goes forward and in reverse. You can crank up the speed as needed.

The handpiece has a 3/32" collet. One twist of the middle section releases the bit for incredibly quick changing. And one of the best features of all is it has a foot pedal!

And I already had so many great 3/32" shaft bits, some actual dental bits I got some 25+ years ago.

 

 I had these tiny drill bits but I was so glad I found a 3/32" shaft micro chuck! I also bought some micro drill bits with a 3/32" shaft.

I can do things with this excellent tool that I can't do with a Dremel or flex-shaft!

I bought this on ebay and while there was some price swing, you should be able to get one for under $200.00

Another painting

actual size

This oil painting is also going to Chicago. I think it will make a good contrast to the floral still life.

It measures 3" x 2.5"

Oil painting

I've been wanting to do some oil paintings. It started a while back when I needed to clean out and move all my paints to a more easily accessible location. (Everything had been crammed in a small toolbox for 35 years!) I work mainly in acrylic, painting the wood animals and, well, everything that is not stained is painted in acrylic. Much to my surprise, my oils were all still good! I did buy a new set over the summer too. So  here is a floral still life, the result of many hours of work. 

The painting measures 2" x 3". I am sending some paintings and other pieces to Chicago. My work will be on th IGMA Gallery of the Guild table.