Today the Bee Bar was finished:

So that’s it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers 

Well yesterday was the do or die day.

The set up was ready and I had to get the stump bored out. I spent most of yesterday finishing the drill bit. I used Ti coated carbide inserts for the bit and I should have used no coated or at least removed more of the coating before brazing. Next time! The set up was pretty simple and I was ready to go.

I used a Milwaukee 1/2 Drill to turn the bit. I secured the stump on the bed of my mill. The vacuum was connected to the rotary port on the bit.

The stump had a curve in it and I was really worried about drilling out of the side of the stump. 

The drilling took about 30 minutes. The center plug will be used for something else in the future.

Thanks for checking in.

Cheers 

The Bee Bar started out just being a project to make a bar sized platform for the Beehive. It, like other projects that I’ve started, is taking on a life of it’s own. I’m going to make a page for the evolution of this piece, but in the meantime. I’ll post some of the stuff here.

The top has it’s first coat of sealer. I’ve been using Minwax Sanding Sealer as the primary coat. The second coat is of Grain Filler. It’s shown here. Kinda messy stuff but fills the grain nicely with a natural colored filler so the final coats of polyurethane will be nice and slick. I’m going to be trying Penetrol in the poly this go round. We’ll see how it goes.

Getting ready to glue Zipper Spline. The tapered pins are Lignum Vitae turned to match the #2 morse tapered holes in the Zipper Spline. The spline itself, 3/8 x 4 inch aluminum flat bar, also has matching tapered holes.

Zipper Spline glued. Holes were out of alinement by 10 thousandth of an inch in the spline causing interference when the tapered pins were driven into position. This created a very tight sturdy joint. I didn’t even need the clamps but went ahead and tightened them up.

Plugs cut and sanded flush with top. 

Top on painted base. Ready for finishing. This thing is going to look kick ass with a flock of Wonky Stools parked around it and some Sapphire G&T’s perched on top……………..

Leg Detail

Leg and feet Detail 

In this pic, I’m straightening the edge of the Mahogany plank that will be the table top. I had to add a stiffener because this jig flexed a little. 

Built new fence extension to allow for edge dado.

Beginning of Zipper Spline. Still not sure if  I’m going to use this aluminum flat bar or go with a multi-directional plywood. I think I’d feel better with the plywood. 

The zipper spline is going to be held in place using Lignum Vitae plugs. Here I’m straightening a Lignum Vitae root.

Cheers for now.

Paul 

Last weekend I hit Art Basel and spent the weekend pretty much on South Beach. 

Monday I started helping work on a set for a commercial. I’ve been helping out with the crew that is building it. It’s been daily getting up at 4:30 to getting home after 6 at night.

I’m not a set guy, but it’s been quite an interesting experience. Today we moved the set to the Greenwich Studios, an old studio that I guess could be likened to something like a tiny Hollywood studio.Building a set for a commercial is pretty complicated. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to do it for a larger production. Some of the carpenters and scenics (completely high octane painters) I’ve been helping have worked on films like Meet Joe Black and the Titanic. Everyday has been something new.

Anyway, thats the reason for the lack of updates on progress and studio happenings. I’ll probably be working through this weekend too as shooting starts Monday or Tuesday.

I might take some pictures tomorrow at the studio. 

Have a great weekend,

Cheers

Today and yesterday I went to Art Basel on Miami Beach. I was helping my friend Marcus Haugg again with a photo shoot of an installation. I had fun and I am now part of the “Press.” 

Marcus was making something look way better then it actually did in real life. The finals were pretty amazing.

On the way to Basel for the third time in two days, I noticed this building being constructed close by. I’d noticed it before but for some reason it really caught my eye the third time. I think it must have been the light, because the red, which I don’t normally see was really bright. Maybe because it looked more yellow.

Well hope you are having a great weekend.

Cheers,

Paul 

I can’t believe it’s been a year since I headed out to work in the studio full time. It all started with a trip to the Boca Raton Museum of Art in …… Boca Raton. I saw a piece there that inspired the long process of putting together the things I needed to go solo. In the West African collection I saw a tribal bench. This is what that chance encounter produced:

I love this thing. I could sleep for days on it, but use it only now and again to catch a nap. Not sure what I’ll do if someone decides to buy it out from under me.

I still see the piece in terrazzo, a material that I’m still learning about and getting the feel of.

The new year is going to see the terrazzo piece and a whole bunch of new stuff.

Cheers and Happy Holidays,

Paul