Narrowing Minded

Tonight, our initial project sketches are due. The Instructor has cautioned us repeatedly to consider our skills, talents, experience and budget, as well as the limited space and time available in the workshop.

I have ruled out a dining table, as Michael and I remain unsure what size and shape we will want, and we think it would be best to spend some time in the space before making a big move. As the Instructor has also noted - this first project is sure to be flawed - perhaps not seriously flawed, but flawed nonetheless. So, don't make it a project whose perfection is paramount.

As I've noted before, a custom desk for our new library/den/guest room would be terrific. We anticipate using this as our primary tv-watching space, as well as our work space during the day. I haven't seen a desk that is designed to accommodate a work surface as well as open storage for the Blu-Ray player, cable box and receiver. I did some really rough sketches last night, and one upside of this project is that it could be simplified if and as time runs out and things look difficult. It could have two or four electronics cubbies. It could have a raised hutch or not.

Box in a Box

A brief trip to New York has a few noteworthy effects. It reminds me that, given my work and travel responsibilities, I have no time for a hobby, and I certainly have no time to learn a craft. But, I am undeterred!

It also reminds me of my first true carpentry project, this half-assed bed I built for our funny little apartment on 2nd Avenue. We bought 2x4s and sheets of 1/2-inch plywood at Lumber Century, the odd hardware store at the corner of 97th and 2nd Ave, and carried them three blocks by hand, which was far more exhausting than expected. (Carrying all six pieces of our living-room sectional was far easier.) I believe we paid about $200 for essentially one sheet of plywood, ripped in half, and two 2x4s cut into four boards - a small price to pay for a thrilling if fleeting sense of accomplishment! My co-designer was a civil engineer whose experience with materials did not translate into expertise with furniture.

In the picture below, this bed was brand-new. Two simple platforms that could be easily moved in and out of an apartment. You can't see the mattress-snagging screwheads sticking out here and there, but I had screwed the whole thing together without guideholes (or measurements!). I never finished the project as intended by installing a cross-brace. Consequently, within weeks the whole thing was a sloppy, saggy mess.

But, we slept on it for four years. If the M15 stop outside our window wasn't going to keep us awake, neither was a shoddy bed! This past Christmas, we gave ourselves a proper bed - made of aluminum.

Not Afraid of Fear Itself

There is a certain comfort in having one's fear realized. Such an experience confirms that your anxiety was rational, not paranoid, and it can also breach a defense that would be tiring to maintain. Last night I really revealed my inexperience and uncertainty, but at the same time freed myself to take up a learner's role without pretense or reservations.

Since I first considered taking carpentry class, I knew I would struggle with measuring and math. Of course, I do these things every day! But, at home, there is no embarrassment in measuring, remeasuring, re-remeasuring, and drawing a dozen diagonal lines on a 2x4 to gradually discern a right angle. Additionally, one of my worst math skills is subtracting with fractions - Good God, let there be metrics! - which was revealed to be a core competency required for last night's project, and for the whole practice of carpentry in North America.

In a week, this little board will feature a box joint, blind mortise, through mortise, hinge recess, dado joint and rabbet!

A Dream Deferred

Instructor says that all woodworking in this course will be based on right angles only. I suppose this eliminates the prospect of building an traditional round vineyard table as my project. Alas.