Having finished my toolbox, I'm able to start choosing my my own projects. I decided to start with a small splay-legged table (I need to find a better name for it). It's actually got a lot of interesting design and construction problems.

Also, I finally took a look at Bobvila.com's "My Project" thing. It's pretty cool. You can just post a picture, like we do here, or do a step-by-step project, where you post a series of pictures with explanations. Here's mine: http://www.bobvila.com/MyProjects/SplayLegged_Table-P1882.html

NBSS Student

Hey Eli:

Nice picture project Eli!!! How does that work at school, you complete the tool box, get a certain grade then you can select your own projects???? Curious about that.

I have a question.....On the pads of the leg turnings, how high are they before meeting the bottom of the foot??

Picked up on an already started project that has a Bun foot, I reproportioned the foot but now that the turning is complete, it looks to delicate and the possibility of chipping out intuitively is evident. I beveled it in slightly also which doesn't help, looks nice but functionally it may be a problem. That little pad has been an issue from drawering the full scale template. Interesting!!!

Any thoughts there??

What's the tool box look like???? Like the maple your using on the table. What finish are you thinking about???

Nice work Eli........Neil

Hey. I added a couple of pictures to my project page, including the magic block.

Thanks, Neil. Your problem first. I've seen bun feet with tapered pads, so there's nothing wrong there. I think as long as they aren't outrageously small, you should be fine. My pads are 1/2" tall, but I left them long because I'm going to cut them off at an angle, so the sit flat.

After we finish the toolbox and a small candle box (a proficiency test) we meet with the instructors. They review the boxes and give you feedback on your work. This meeting is a chance for them to gauge your progress, get feedback from you on the process, and talk about where you are headed. I believe they do grade us, although I never received an explicit grade. After the review, you are free to propose your own projects. The instructors go over the proposal and work with you to find a suitable idea. Their main focuses are that you learn some new techniques and that it can be completed in a reasonable time. With each project, you are given more freedoms and more time.

I had my toolbox photographed last week, so the pictures should be back soon. I have most of the process on my website: http://homepage.mac.com/sundu/PhotoAlbum35.html

I think I'm going to stain the table. It seems like a shame with such nice maple, but it's how the piece would traditionally be finished, so, to me, it's worth learning.

Eli

NBSS Student

Eli.......thanks for the explanation on your training. Must be a great experience to be trained as you are. COOL!!!!

You're a regular Ansel Adams with the camera, looking forward to seeing the photo you show having seen it in progress now.

I'm going to knock the bevel back on the bun foot. When I re-proportioned the turnings down in size, the pads are small as you mention. If I take the bevel out and have a straight edge on the pads it should work. The area I'll watch is to make sure I have a good transition from the final arc of the foot to the pad. Can't stop that line to soon.

Thanks Eli.........Neil

Hey Eli, thanks for sharing the pics.... I appreciate all the effort it must have taken to put that together...

I'll have to check out that My Projects thing... kinda like a blog.... Maybe I'll get my project organized now

If my wife didn't have a monster loan from her Masters degree, I'd be doing what you are.... thanks for sharing your school experience with those of us that aren't able to do that kind of thing right now...

later

Dave

I finally got the pictures back! I guess I have to post them one at a time. Here's lid closed:

NBSS Student

So I guess the picture goes above the words. oops.

I'll have my table in finish tomorrow and I picked up the lumber for my next project today.

Neil,

Tom told me about your podcast so I checked it out. It's really good! I already said this on iTunes, but I love seeing such craftsmanship and attention to detail being applied to contemporary furniture. For anyone that hasn't seen it, it's called Furnitology. Check it out.

Eli

NBSS Student

Hi Eli......the official badge of the NBSS, very nice. You know what Eli, there's so many talented woodworkers that could build the same piece but it never would be like coming through the hallow halls of the NBSS. The comradery, resources, alumni...the total experience will get you so much closer to tapping your FULL potential, not just a piece of your potential.

In a way Eli, I wish I had a Beautiful Badge, just like yours.

Neil

Thanks to Tom and this forum, we can emulate the education and community at NBSS. I don't know that a forum, or a podcast can fully recreate the experience at school, but look at what we've got: we are learning from each others projects and knowledge; every person brings a different background and different point of view; we even have our own Masters to ask questions of! Maybe we could make a project section of the forum so we could all build something together, a Rough Cut Badge.

Eli

NBSS Student

Eli what a great idea,

Tommy I would really like to attend one of your classes in Boston, but the travel and acccomadations would be too cost prohibitive. A private web class to complete a class project would be obtainable. Of course, I would expect to pay for your time of instruction. I understand you would be required to do a lot of behind the scene work and you should be paid for your time.

At the end of the project, everyone could post a picture of their completed project for your chop,chop review.

Chuck