Most folks think I may be pretty handy and just whip things together right out of my head…hmm not so, I’m not that cool. When I went to school to learn how to work wood I spent MANY hours up in the drafting room there, learning to build on paper before I tackled a project. It was mandatory and taught me well. For many things I still sit at my drafting table, with my T-Square & French Curves and my Architects Ruler. I advise this first step to all who are constructing a project…helps keep the scrap wood box empty.

With tables, beds, chairs and boxes, even turnings I draw to scale, mark in all the joinery, hardware, exact measurements with 2 views, top and side…It really helps before you cut a piece of wood to have built it once in your mind…you get a proper materials list and it is much easier to erase than mill more wood……

Here at home I get little distractions such as Blossom who knows exactly where you are working & tries to help…hmmm really, she just wants a good chin scratch..ha.

I am turning five very large 7 inch diameter Newel Posts for a new home under construction..The owner had picked out an antique post she liked and wanted something similar.. I can measure off the picture with my Architects Ruler from the one she loved and put onto paper where each profile should go full size..I will make a mock up and a story stick for the turnings when I finalize the profile..

They burned an old house near us a number of years ago, we bought these old posts from the owner before it was destroyed to make way for a new home…I like the turnings on parts of them and am going to work a bit of them in..they make a great reference for me as well for the diameters, what looks good to the eye and what might be too thin, although the largest of these is only 5 and a half inches dia. plus a layer of dust. [oh my, that is embarrassing...lol.]

The old boys were great turners…so much beautiful woodwork went into old homes…..it makes me very sad to see it destroyed, made by hand with old tools, cannot be replaced…I am happy the owner opted for non stock newels instead of the many out there that are cut on duplicator lathes by knives..not the same as hand turned.Here is the blueprint for the stairs from the architect, 2 at the bottom, 2 at the top and one along the rail upstairs……I will post the progress on how they are turned in a day or so..my blanks are glued up, squared and ready….hoping my arms are.

I am hopeful this sort of thing appeals to someone out there, you know the whole ‘how its made’ thing. I thought for the New Year I would let you follow a few projects and show you a few tricks that you all can do….I find it fun to write about the process. If there is anything you would like to learn about let me know and I will try to help if I can.

Cheshire Cat Smiles from Sweet Blossom and a cheery person smile from Brenda