So I modified my round over bit and I am quite pleased! I did not have to modify my carbide bit after all. Turns out I found an oooooooolllllllldddddd HSS Craftsman router set in the back of my tool box (this kit is at least 25 - 30 years old). Ground off the pilot tip and it worked like a charm.

Headboard progress

So here is the latest progress on the headboard. I have laminated 3 boards together for a total thickness of 2". I did not think using the band saw to cut it out was going to be such a challenge, but turned out the size and shape kept interfering with the band saw body. Since I was limited to marking on only one side of the work, I had to be bit creative to make the cuts. I also salvaged some of the pieces to glue to the top. Now my wife is debating on the size of the tip/point, which it fine since I have not cut that to size yet.

My next move is to finalize the shape of the bottom side and match the beading on my foot board. I have not found a router bit that has that shape, so again I will have to get creative. I think I will have to permanently modify my round over bit by removing the bearing, grinding the bearing land off, and use an overhead pin on the router table. The beading is 3 steps and looks semi-hand carved. Somehow I get it to work.

Repair a Glider Rocker

My wife's glider rocker blew out a bearing and oblonged the stud side mount hole. I needed to support the stud and I wanted something stronger. I got some 7/8 inch heavy washers. I sized the hole to exactly the same as the stud. I took my 7/8 inch Forstner and bored on both sides of the stud hole just enough to flush the washer. Bolted the new bearing in place - TA DA! Better than new. We will see how it bears the test of time.

UPDATE: It is now June of 2014 and the bearing are still holding up just fine.  The increased support prevents the shaft from twisting downward when loaded (ie: two teenagers being silly).  The key is washering both sides of the stud hole.

Title 24 California Lighting

I had to buy a fluorescent bulb today for the kitchen. This title 24 California stuff is such a scam! The bulb cost $8, sitting right next to the incandescent bulb replacement florescent costing $2-$5 each. This bulb lasted 3 years, the incandescent bulbs in my dining light are still running. They are run just as much or more than the kitchen lights. I have to pay extra to dispose of this florescent light (cost is now up to $12). The incandescent can be thrown in the trash for free. This is not about saving energy and money, this is paying back lobbyists. There are much better technologies out there, if any were to be banned it is dirty, toxic, fluorescent not clean recyclable incandescents.

Bah! I don't see the value!

I'm building a bed for my daughter. I need to match the feet on the foot board and make finials. I found this inexpensive wood lathe at Harbor Freight. $110 for the lathe and $10 for a set of tool steel tools and I was in business. Sure it is not a cast iron lathe and the tools are not HSS steel, but it did what I wanted to do, and has a 40" bed so I can do table legs. For a novice that hasn't touched a lathe in 30 years I'm happy! The twin Deli Cat food buckets are my down draft shaving collectors connected to my Jet vacuum.