Tool tote and step stool combo, and more.

Haven't found the couch desk yet, found some others, just not the one I really like. But, did run across some tool inspiration. Most of them I wouldn't want, but kept to pass them along. Might as well start now. Pretty sure all of these were fallout from research on other subjects.

And I thought I was the only one with a folder where I'd copied photos of future "projects". I have a couple different versions of #7, the zig-zag corner shelf unit, one with actual dimensions. I think the two shelf units below would make interesting projects, although something to check with the boss first to make sure that it was something that she wanted too. Have been very intrigued with this wall hanging, not so much in the pallet wood construction though. I have looked at the cedar fence pickets that Lowes sells, some of them have nice grain that would show up well with a clear finish. Knowing the overall dimensions, I've gone as far as to blow up the photo on my screen and try to figure out the approximate width and length of the various strips.

Tom said...

I have looked at the cedar fence pickets that Lowes sells, some of them have nice grain that would show up well with a clear finish.

Click to expand...

Sometimes they are wet. Not from any chemical, just damp from shipping, storing outside, etc. But they do have some good uses. Western Red Cedar, I believe.

I ran them through the planer to remove the roughness. They have held up well. No finish, just natural finish. I think one of the guys did coat his with Varathane.

@tomp913 - Here ya go. Fairly close. Adjust as you see fit.

Sketchup model attached.

@MT Stringer

Thanks Mike, that's pretty close. The actual height as manufactured, according to the write-up, is 18". The quick and easy way was just to blow up the picture and scale it off the screen - I got, starting from the top
2-3/8, 3-1/2, 1-1/2, 3-1/4, 1-1/2, 3-1/2, 2-3/8, with the width of the cross being 7".

And yes, the pickets are Western Red Cedar, but I thought they were smooth and not rough sawn - but it's been a while since I looked at them. I actually think the piece looks a little better "rustic", so not sure where I would run the boards thru the planer if they were RS or just rough sand them to remove any obvious splinters. I've found that this time of the year is a good time to pick up something like that at Lowes because they've probably been sitting there drying out since the weather turned cold (found out the same thing when I was buying the treated landscape timers to make the solar light stands) so now is probably a good time to pick up the material (not like I haven't got enough projects going at the moment now). On top of which, I made the mistake of showing my DIL the photo of the wine rack below - to be made from the same cedar boards, but as a "stand-up" rather than a wall hanger..

tomp913 said:

And I thought I was the only one with a folder where I'd copied photos of future "projects".
Knowing the overall dimensions, I've gone as far as to blow up the photo on my screen and try to figure out the approximate width and length of the various strips.

Click to expand...

Haha. I win. Have a Tool Inspiration folder, where I put tool pictures. It has a folder in it, on a specialized tool Then there is my Woodwork Inspiration folder, where I put inspiring pictures. And that folder has 17 folders on specific types of woodwork (boats, chests, beds, Tikis, etc., etc..), and folders of my previous my builds, fonts, my cane handle designs, and so on. And anything I want to make, I just figure out what dimensions I want it to be and go from there. When I do an image search on anything, I just save any picture that draws my attention, I don't care what it is. Then later I go thru everything and discard all that are obviously what I do not want. Then when I am actually ready to start on whatever, I go thru the pictures of it several times, each time discarding more photos, until I get down to maybe 6-10 pictures. Then I study those, see what feature I can use from each, sketch, modify, modify, modify, until I come up with a design I like, figure out dimensions, and good to go. Some of the stuff I can make from the rough sketch, other times I draw out a finished design.

During my searches, as I said, I find a LOT of stuff. Some is of interest to me, some I figure someone else will be interested, so save to post every once in awhile - then I discard the ones I am not interested in, and save the few that I am interested in. I have several hundred Tiki photos saved just now, they will eventually evolve down to maybe 6, and those I will keep until I figure out how to load chunks of tree trunks in to my truck without destroying my back, then make a few more.

Might as well add a few more. Oh yes, saved a lot more outlet covers, they seemed to go over well, so will start with some of those.

I've got more saved, but really don't find them very appealing. I'll save about 2-3 or so, for inspiration, and just discard the rest probably, possibly post a few more. I'll see.