Cross Part 1: Old Cross

I my duties at church as sub-deacon I train a lead the alter servers. As part of that I have trained some of the younger ones to be cross bearers or  Crucifer. Do to the young age of these new servers we began using the lighter of the two processional crosses at the church. The wooden one pictured below.  

It was when we started using it more that I realized that it was really showing its' age. As you can clearly see above the dowel that attached the cross to the handle has broken out, and pieces of the border have broken off. I used stain pens to cover up the large colour difference, but that is far from a real fix.


Because of  all of these facts and problems, I have got the permission of the leaders of the church to make a replacement cross. I am very excited about this. It is something I have thought about doing for some time.  

Steampunk

I have recently "rediscovered" my interest in the steampunk subculture. Maybe rediscovered is not the best word because I never really lost it. It is more that I forgot that it had a name. I was raised in a very strong DIY environment, and in fact was exposed to the wonders of steam technology almost from birth. I learned early on that steam as compared to diesel or gasoline is much quieter. I fact that really came into my life when I worked on a ship that had been converted from steam to diesel. The noise and vibration that was made was more then I could stand. many ways what had happened with that ship was what I had done to myself. I had made a change that I thought was for the better, and in some ways it was, but in others it was much worse.


Right now I am working to regain the DIY mind set that I had lost. I am currently making a set of screwdrivers that I have been meaning to make for over a year now. Rather they simply making them plain and boring I am trying to make them in true streampunk style and add a degree of art and craftsman's flair. I am feeling good about it. The end result will be something I can be very proud of and maybe pass on to my children or grandchild as some of my tools were passed down to me.  

Cane

I have always had a great interest canes and walking sticks.  Something about them just kind of speaks to me. In most cases they serve a purpose, but also they say something about the person who uses it.  Often you can tell a great deal about the person, simply by looking at their walking stick.  The most basic is height.  I always heard that my great grandfather was a tall man, He measured in at about 6 feet 2 inches. Something that was confirmed when we found his cane a few years ago when my grandparents moved.

The first cane I ever made was for my Granny. I have made about a dozen since then. When I broke both my feet 3 years ago I made my own cane to use while I recovered. They are not hard to make for most people. You only need basic tools and materials. For someone like myself who has a shop set up and formal training it is easy.  The canes I have made ranged from my first one that was a stick with a brass handle, to one made up of turned segments. What I like most about them is that they are simple, but the range of things you can do while making them are almost limitless.

Summer Project

As the winter term of school wraps up I find myself trying to find a summer project.  My first thought was that I would make a hiking staff.  Something that I have done before, often in fact.  I have made them for others and have 8 sitting in my shop and assorted walking sticks and canes in the far corner of my room.  So my girlfriend has told that I should think of something else to make.  So I have made a short list of things I could make.

1) Cabinetmaker's Tool Chest- a large wooden tool chest that where used to transport a woodworker's tools from place to place.

2) Jewelry Box- A box for jewels to be kept in.

3) Wooden Shield- Because they are always fun to put up on the wall.

4) Wooden Sword- Also fun for the wall

5) Brief Case- Wooden brief that can hold a lap top and papers.

6) Clock- Never made one before and maybe fun.

7) Bird House- Very first grade, but also could be fun.

8) Limber Jack- A wooden doll that you can make dance by tapping a board.

9) Mechanical Toy- A toy or some such that when a crank is turned it does something.

10) A Major Piece- A buffet and hutch or something like that. It would be a large task, but if I can sell it then I could make it work.

So I am going to need to think about this for a bit. Once I decide I will most likely do a few post about it. If any one has any thoughts or suggestions I would be most pleased to hear them.