Getting to the 'Cross-roads' - no speed limits!

[Loghead]

Hi folks.

I have finally realised it is time to pull in my horns, and grasp the nettle! Sorry for the mixed grammar!

It's time to dust off my hand tools; although it's been apparent for some years! At 83, I can no longer wrestle 12 x 2 planks across a planer, or through a bandsaw. i will still buy my timber in such 'chunks', but I am going to make sure my handsaws and planes are kept in A1 fettle. (I shall retain my Elu 9inch portable circular saw mind! )

In the next few weeks I shall be disposing of some hefty, professional machinery, (watch this space) to return to reducing planks to comfortable sizes, before working by hand. Also I'll have much more space available, something not to be sneezed at!

For the purists, I can't promise to dispose of my routers, Dominos and other Festoolery, as I can still manage those. For a while though they will remain on the shelf, while I resharpen my handwork skills.

I don't know if this is a cause for celebration, but I am looking forward to the challenge. With a touch of heart failure to cope with, and the need to sit down to cut joints, it is definitely
going to be a challenge, but it's clear I shall have to 'slow down' and take it on.

I recently discovered a YouTube channel called 52m. A Polish hand-worker who turns out some delightful stuff; maybe his channel has been instrumental in my transition. I don't know the gent's name, and i don't understand Polish. However he speaks 'Woodwork' and that's what matters.

To close, I shall miss my Sedgwick 12" planer/thicknesser, but I can welcome the 'exercise' I am going to get from hand planing. So if you feel so inclined, wish me luck?

Cheers John

 

[TrimTheKing]

Whatever it takes to keep you woodworking and enjoying it John. Power to your elbow, both figuratively and literally!

:text-bravo: bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[Blackswanwood]

That's a really refreshing and positive approach John. :eusa-clap:

 

[johnward]

Good luck John with your new direction. I too am a hand tool plus bandsaw-and-planer kind of woodworker. I'm sure you will find it rewarding.
All the best.

John

 

[Cabinetman]

Good luck John with your new direction. I too am a hand tool plus bandsaw-and-planer kind of woodworker. I'm sure you will find it rewarding.
All the best.

John

Thanks John, only 67 but thinking along similar lines with my new setup in the States. All power to your elbow!

 

[PAC1]

I hope that when I get to 83 I can make the same decision. At the tender age of 59 the thought of working solely by hand fills me with dread. I like hand work but I have too much needing making to move out of the fast lane.
More power to your elbow.

 

[AndyT]

Jon, I'm a few years younger than you, but I can't help noticing how important it is for physical and mental health to keep as much mobility as you can for as long as you can.

I think you are making an excellent decision and choosing a great way to include something physical into your daily routine. I enjoy moving stuff around, planing, sawing, chiselling but I would be bored immediately if I needed to go to a gym and pick up heavy things just to put them back in the same places. Woodworking lets you do as much or as little as you want, at your own pace.

More power to your elbow! (and knees, hips, back...)

 

[RogerS]

Good luck John......as long as you're sure ! I really miss my Sedgwick and my hands aren't too happy with handtools. And I'm ten years younger than you to boot.

 

[clogs]

put a table top on it for ur mugs of T....
IT MAY COME IN HANDY.....NEVER ENOUGH TABLE TOP SPACE IN A WORKSHOP....
good luck for the future....
I'm 73 and forcing myself to carry on.....
some days I just wanna sit but do paperwork n drawings instead....
not quite as hard now but still 7/7....
gotta keep busy....

 

[AJB Temple]

Good for you. I am a quarter of a century off that age and already feel knackered from endless building and garden projects at home. It has killed my motivation. So I want to get a few things finished, and then emulate you by cutting back radically to manageable projects and far fewer tools. This means I won't need to rebuild my workshop but can reconfigure it purely for pleasure with no pressure.

 

[Loghead]

Hi folks,

To paraphrase 'Oddball' of 'Kelly's Heroes' 'Keep hitting me with them positive waves.'
Thanks folks. Indeed, this codger is not giving up. As soon as possible I will be trying to record WIPs, if only to show how rusty I probably am!

(That was a good suggestion; put a cover over the planer to provide a surface to work on.) To get more space I could sell the MFT and it's accoutrements, 'cos I hardly use it anyhow; except as a repository for 'stuff'...

Cheers John bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[9fingers]

Hi folks,

To paraphrase 'Oddball' of 'Kelly's Heroes' 'Keep hitting me with them positive waves.'
Thanks folks. Indeed, this codger is not giving up. As soon as possible I will be trying to record WIPs, if only to show how rusty I probably am!

(That was a good suggestion; put a cover over the planer to provide a surface to work on.) To get more space I could sell the MFT and it's accoutrements, 'cos I hardly use it anyhow; except as a repository for 'stuff'...

Cheers John bscene-drinkingcheers:

Excellent to hear that woodwork continues to feature as a hobby John.

Best wishes
Bob

 

[AndyP]

Good for you Jon,
Someone around these parts once said “what I make is for others, how I make it is for me.”

Dont set yourself timescales and everything will be finished on time.

 

[Loghead]

Thanks Bob, Andy.

Just getting to grips with making my shop a place in which to work comfortably again. Finally splashed out on some beech worktops, (Worktop Express) to replace the ones made from some MDF, covered in a tough, green plastic material. Life of me I can't recall where I sourced those... :mrgreen: Still, they have served me well Bob... :mrgreen:
Thought you might like to know.

Cheers John

 

[9fingers]

Thanks Bob, Andy.

Just getting to grips with making my shop a place in which to work comfortably again. Finally splashed out on some beech worktops, (Worktop Express) to replace the ones made from some MDF, covered in a tough, green plastic material. Life of me I can't recall where I sourced those... :mrgreen: Still, they have served me well Bob... :mrgreen:
Thought you might like to know.

Cheers John

Very good to know they have been good for you. I think it might have been around 2006 that you and your good lady drove down to Romsey to collect them but I could be wrong
Bob

 

[Trevanion]

Good to hear you're still nose to the grindstone, John/Benchwayze!

 

[Loghead]

Bob

My word, is it really so long ago? If I could remember which Volvo I had at the time it would help me place the year more easily. :mrgreen:

The tops have been useful to me. My shop is a mere 17 feet by 8 feet and the remaining worktop is at the blind end of the shop, and covered in 'stuff'. So I am doing away with it; hoping to replace with a rolling bench for my Coronet Major lathe. Thanks to the swivelling head, I can still use the rip-saw attachment! (10" and a quality TCT blade, and the motor just whispers; not bad for a 1971 model! The biggest problem is I have to find blades with a 5/8 inch bore; everything seems to be 30mm these days.

Regards to you and yours

John

 

[Cabinetman]

Hi Jon, they sell them here in the States and I’m coming back end of Sept easily put one in my case, if you’re interested pls PM me size etc. Ian

 

[Loghead]

Many thanks Ian.

That is a thoughtful offer. At the moment I have my original rip blade (HSS) and a TCT RIP blade. Cross cut too. What I couĺd use is a Combo rip/crosscut. However, it isn't imperative so don't worry if it proves difficult.
Regards

John