December 12

We had B&B guests this weekend. 2 great couples from Austin. Peggy had to work on Saturday so I was in charge of the cooking. Let me tell ya, I make a pretty mean buttermilk biscuit! Just saying. I was able to work on the DC system Saturday and Sunday afternoon and I got some done. Spent all day today on it and all the duct is installed! Still have to run a new circuit and I started pulling wires for that a few minutes ago. Decided to stop since I'll have to turn off the power and it's too dark for that now. Thought I share some before and after pictures.

This a panoramic view I took last Tuesday when I finished cleaning the shop. 

Last Tuesday from the front looking back.

Left side of the shop looking back.

This is how we look now. The collector and the planer.At the right foreground is the drop for the table saw and jointer.

A better look at that and the shaper and floor sweep in the back right.

I built a hood for the miter saw. I'll have to see if this works . If not we'll go to Plan B!

The drum sander in front and the band saw in the back.

Looking from the back of the shop.

I wonder how loud it's going to be. Find out tomorrow. Have a good evening!

December 10

Got going on the duct for the dust collection yesterday. A lot of boxes and a lot of fittings! Everything goes together well and they provide a crimp tool if you need to make one end smaller to fit in the adjoining pipe. The plan provided is very detailed and easy to read. The only adjustments needed are in the straight sections of pipe. They are all 5" sections and they are not snapped together which makes for easier cutting. Still this is 26 gauge metal so it's pretty robust.

Some of the fittings.

More fittings

This is the line going to the shaper and floor sweep.

The other end of that run.

Floor sweep.

The shaper has 2- 4" dust ports, one off the back of the fence and one that draws from below the cutter.

These are the blast gates. They are used to control which line is in use.

December 9

Yesterday I got started assembling the dust collection system. I got back from Boerne about 1 pm, had lunch, and went to the shop. Lots of pieces and parts. I spent about 4 1/2 hours getting the collector together. This is one heavy thing! It consists of 4 large pieces; the heaviest is the motor and fan assembly. And it goes on top. Today I'll start the duct after I get the collector in it's final spot.

This is it! It stands about 8 feet tall and the large appendage in the front is the filter.

I was just starting one of the 3 legged tea chairs when the truck showed up on Wednesday. This chair is for Nancy Stroud in Denton.

This is what the final product will look like. We will travel to Denton next Saturday and my hope is to finish it by then. So I better get to work!

No More Dust

Yesterday the dust collection system was delivered. This morning I'm going to Home Depot to pick up a few things for the 30amp circuit used to power this baby.

It arrived on 2 pallets. The one on the right has all the components for the collector and the left has all the duct and fittings.

Before pictures of the jointer, planer, and shaper (right to left). Drum sander and bandsaw in the background.

Jointer, table saw, sander and miter saw. I'll post more this evening if I get enough done.

It's cold!!

Texas is not supposed to get this cold. I got up this morning and it was 23! I guess I'll have to turn the heat on in the shop in a few minutes. Today the dust collection system arrives! I hope to have it all installed by the weekend. I ordered from Onieda Air. They will provide a detailed layout of all the duct and fittings for free when you order a 3hp system or larger. If it's smaller they have a $200 charge. Not bad. I ordered the 5hp Pro 2000. I have to run a new circuit for the system. No problem.  I spent the day yesterday designing a new bed for us using Google Sketchup. This a really good 3d design program that is free. Free is good! Takes awhile to get to know it but the more you use it the easier it gets. I designed the latest project,a  kitchen and bath cabinet job, with it, and it came out nice. The ability to see your design in 3d is great. I finally finished the second dining chair. It's in the shop waiting to get more coats of finish on it. I also spent the weekend getting the shop cleaned out. Sometimes you hoard too many scraps and with the burn ban finally lifted I got the lumber storage pared down to a workable amount. Still have to build a sheet goods storage rack and some additional tool storage cabinets but I'm getting there.

This is the bed I designed with Sketchup yesterday. I was inspired by furniture maker named Mark Love. His studio is in Wimberly, Texas. He builds beautiful Asian and art-deco inspired furniture.

I'm Back!

After many months away from this thing I'm finally back.There's been many changes in our lives since I was last on. I completed my Dad's house and we sold it rather quickly. In fact we had several offers the day it hit the market. He passed away a couple days before closing but thanks to some great friends we were able to easily take care of all the business without any hassles. My father was buried in the National Cemetery in Irving with a very respectful and moving service officiated by my nephew Travis Armstrong. Family and friends made a very difficult time easier to endure. I spent a bit of the summer settling his estate and trying to get back into routine here in Utopia. I designed and built a few pieces for the house and recently finished a cabinet job for a new house here in the area. So long story short, I'm going to make an effort to keep this thing current. I am inspired by Travis' wife Stephanie who is a faithful blogger. They just left today after spending the last five days with us. 

                                                                                           

Ava is 2. She likes the loft.

 

Carter Armstrong. A very busy guy!

Travis, Stephanie, Ava, and Carter Armstrong

     

The latest chair. Had to have a little woodworking! 

                                               

My Review of 15HH 15-in 1-Phase 3-Horsepower 230 Volt Deluxe Planer with Byrd Shelix Cutterhead

Originally submitted at CPO Powermatic

15HH 15-in Deluxe Planer - 1791213. Byrd® Shelix® Planer Cutterhead. Extension Tables. Closed Stand with Built-In Casters. Cast-Iron Infeed and Outfeed Tables. 4-in Dust Port

15HH 15-in 1-Phase 3-Horsepower 230 Volt Deluxe Planer with Byrd Shelix Cutterhead

Love it!

By Ron Duvall from Utopia, Texas on 9/14/2011

 

5out of 5

Pros: Good Design, Powerful

Best Uses: Home Use, Big Jobs, Professional Use

Describe Yourself: Professional

This is one fine planer. Considered the 20" but didn't see the need for larger capacity. The Byrd head is great! Smooth cuts and very quiet! I was using a Dewalt 735 the last 4 years and my ears would be ringing. Not with this one. Had it about a month and I'm very pleased!

(legalese)