Bessie The Cow

Meet Bessie The Cow. Bessie is painted white with black spots. She also has pink for the nostrils, insides of the ears, and her utters. On top of the paint, I put two coats of polycrylic. I knew if I didn't, the white would get dirty too easily. She can be ridden by children, or the screws that hold her to the rockers can be removed so you can just display her in your home for the cow collectors.

Plans to make Bessie can be bought from woodcraftplans.com along with many other great plans. I really enjoyed making this rocker. It was just different than what I normally do. I've also got plans to do a bull to go along with this, so I may be doing it next.

The Red Baron

Well the airplane finally got done! I call it the Red Baron. If you look real close at the photos, you'll notice that the control stick actually moves the plane from side to side and front to back. The A-frame is made of construction grade lumber and then given a generous coating of Thompson's Waterseal. The plane is made of cottonwood. I then gave it two coats of Rustoleum Safety Red with the black pieces getting Rustoleum Satin Black. The plane is fifty-four inches long with a fifty three inch wingspan. I wish I'd had one of these as a kid.

I'm going to sell this one for three hundred for the frame and all. I wound up with too much invested in it. When I started this project, I had no idea I'd get well over a hundred dollars tied up in hardware, paint and lumber. If it turns out to sell good though, I've already begun running ideas through my head to make it better. How about dowels painted silver and coming out just foreward of the wings for exhaust pipes? I've also got lots of ideas on different paint schemes and what type of toy guns I could arm the wings with. I even thought about a gatlin type rubber band automatic design I've had tucked away for some time. Could you imagine a kid playing on this thing just waiting on someone, anyone, to come within firing range of his rubber band guns? On second thought, I don't know how that would go over with the parents. You gotta admit though that it's a cool idea.

Anyway, for those who would rather build one than to buy it, the plans can be found at woodcraftplans.com . Also, the original plans came from a well known company named U-Build. So, I'm sure an internet search would turn these plans up at various searches.

Waiting On A Plane

Since I just started back to posting, I didn't want to keep anyone wondering while I'm working on this big project. Here's my latest work in progress. This thing is over four foot long with a little over four foot wing span. When complete, it will hang on an A-frame as a child's swing. It will have a joystick that'll be hooked up to a pulley system. This will allow the child to work the joystick and make the plane tilt side to side and forward and backwards. I think it is just the coolest plans I have ordered in a long time. Of course, I will post photos when it's complete with a link to where you can buy plans to build one of your own. I will warn you though, it's not even near completion, and I just went and bought $75 worth of hardware for it.

Poke Chop

Meet Poke Chop. Some of you who keep up with this blog probably remember that I made a Poke Chop The Pig rocker last year. I changed a few things on this one, but not much. He's made of solid wood construction. The pink details and the black on the eyes are painted. Then, over that, on this one, I decided to do several coats of shellac. I think he's a real neat project, and he's not that hard to do with the proper tools and a little patience. If you'd like to build one of your own, the plans can be bought at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/ for a very reasonable price. Also, of course, if you'd like to buy this one, just let me know.

Long Time, No Post

This is my first post in what seems like forever. For various reasons, I haven't been in the shop in several months. With the weather looking better though and after doing a few side jobs to raise money for materials and such, I'm back to making sawdust again. If all goes well, you'll be seeing more posts in the coming months. Thank you so much for my regular readers. I know I have a few anyway from the emails I get, even if I can't get anyone to comment directly on the blog. Anyway, thanks again, and keep watching for my newsest projects.

New Frames

I started thinking about it, and I always make my frames from mahogany. I love mahogany and it's a beautiful wood, but I thought I may have customers that want to see frames made out of some other type wood. So, the tractor is framed in oak, and the motorcycle is framed in pecan.

Newest Portraits

Well I haven't cut anything besides fire wood in a while. I did finally get around to cutting something new though. These latest portraits are designs I got for free from Scrollsaw Village. The screen names of the designers are Grandpa for the tractor and a fellow by the name of muleskinner done the motorcycle.

They both have custom made mahogany frames, like most of my portraits. They are cut from luan. The backgrounds are painted.

I apologize for the wait on new material. Now the holiday season is in full swing. The few things I will do in the shop in the immediate future aren't related enough to post, unless I get custom orders, like these two projects were. Therefore, it will probably be after the new year before anything is posted again. Everyone have a Joyous holiday. Merry Christmas.

Compact Disk Storage

This time I built something for my own personal use. I've always loved music. I have an extensive music collection. I've had a storage trunk for years that held my collection. The bottom held CDs while the top tray held cassette tapes. Well, I'm moving into the digital age and am in the slow process of converting all my old tapes to digital format, or CDs. Because of this, I needed more storage space for CDs. The old trunk just wouldn't hold them all. I built one almost identical to my old one. This one though holds CDs in the top and bottom.

I built it out of pecan and applied Minwax Gloss Pecan stain. Although I'm happy with it, it did turn out to be a little heavier than I thought it would be. If I built another one, I believe I'd plane the wood down thinner to take some weight off. Other than that though, I believe it will get the job done, as long as I don't acquire too many more CDs. If I do, well, I can alway build a larger storage trunk.

As always, I can be contacted if someone wants to purchase one of these. This is the only one I built, but I'd be happy to build another one.

Post About No Posts

I got an email today from a regular reader of my blog. The reader was concerned that there had been no new posts as of late. I am aware of this and want to extend my deepest apologies. Multiple problems have kept me from my woodwork for weeks now. For starters, this is a very bad time of the year for me in regards to my health. With the weather changing and all, my back hurts me even more than normal. With every storm, warm front or cold front that moves through the area, I hurt a little bit more. This keeps me from doing much.
To top that off, when Ido feel better lately, a lot of my time has been going to trying to get a vehicle running. Without going into great detail of the long story my vehicle problems entail, I've recently became transportationless. My old truck let me down. She's been a great truck, but it's time for me to adopt her out to someone who can give her the love she deserves. So anyway, I bought a blazer. It turns out that the engine situation on it is worse than that of my old truck. So, to make a long story short, I've got to find an engine to get me riding my ride.
I hope I get back to the woodshop soon. In the meantime, I have completed one project for my own personal use. As soon as I can get photos of it, I'll post it for you. I hope some of you keep checking on the blog. I promise there willbe more projects. I just can't give you an exact date when. Thank you all for your support though. And especially thank you for the concerned reader who sent me the email. I'm glad some enjoy keeping track of my work. I hope you get as much pleasure seeing my work as I get from building it.

Gunn Walker

This is another custom rifle like the one I made a while back for a S.A.S.S. member. This one though is for a special member, my Dad. The rifle design is made of cottonwood. The background on the rifle and the stand is made of mahogany.

Tater Bin

This is out of the ordinary for the type projects I usually do. It was a special order though. This is made of cottonwood, stained dark walnut. The words are made of oak.

The Armored Horse

This is what has kept me from posting for so long. This is call the Armored Horse. The plans for it can be bought at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/armored-horse-rocker-plans-p-186.html . It is forty inches to the top of the horse's head, fifty two inches long and seventeen inches wide. It is made from cottonwood, oak, and mohogany. This piece has stain and paint on it. It has so much detail that there is no way you can see it all in photos. You'd have to see it in person to really appreciate the amount of detail work on it.

If you look closely at the first photo, you may notice that the rockers are attached to a round base. That's because the rockers are just for looks. This is a piece of art, not a child's toy. It is not meant to be ridden. With the stance of the horse, only two legs actually contact the base. Because of this, it probably wouldn't support the weight of even a small child. I would strongly encourage anyone who bought this to place it where kid's wouldn't be tempted to climb onto it.

It has taken close to two weeks to complete this project. I think it is by far the most detail project I've ever done. I loved every minute of it though. Please click on the comment link below this post and let me know what you think of it.

Starting New Project

Most of my recent projects just different versions of past projects. While I enjoy all my woodworking, even when I'm doing the same thing as before, I want to start something new. The project I've decided to start is going to be a lengthy one. So, there won't be anynew postings for a while unless I get a custom order or I decide to post any in progress photos. I'm not sure I'll do that this time as I haven't gotten any comments or feedback in the past on in progress posts. So, as a teaser, the project I'm starting tomorrow is called the Armor Horse and the plan photo can be seen at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/armored-horse-rocker-plans-p-186.html . I'm estimating that if nothing goes wrong, this will take around two weeks. I hope the finished project will be worth the wait.

Rocking Iron Horse

Christmas is going to be here before we know it. Since I know my Rocking Iron Horse is popular with the kids, I thought it was time to build another one. This is made out of solid wood. All pieces are glued and then either nailed or screwed together. The colors are created with stain. There is no paint on it. I have found out from others that kids like to store their toys in the little compartments found under the seat and in the tender box area. As the child gets older and doesn't want to rock any more, the train can be removed from the rockers and placed flat on the floor so a few more years of play can be enjoyed from it.

If any of you are interested in buying this one, just email me at greasemonkeyredneck@yahoo.com . It will have to be picked up locally in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This is too big and heavy to ship.

Custom Display Rifle

My Dad visited from Georgia this week. He is part of an organization call Single Action Shooting Society. More information can be found about their events at http://www.sassnet.com/ . Anyway, he had an idea to rework the design on one of the rifle I do for a friend of his in S.A.S.S. So here is the result of that idea. The rifle is made of cottonwood. The background is ebony stained. The wall rack for the rifle is made of mahogany with the friend's S.A.S.S. number cut into it. If you click on the photo for a larger image, you may notice the cowboy at the cross towards the end of the stock. This I was told is a group within their organization called the Prayer Posse. I hope Mean Matt enjoys his display rifle.

New Twist

I made a few twists to my latest motorcycle. The rocker is stained honey pine. I changed the wheel design to four holes instead of eight. I think that opened them up more for a sleaker look. I used china red stain for the body parts. I used pearl gray stain for the frame pieces. The biggest change though is the tailpipes, rims, and various other parts though. I normally use nothing but stain. I decided to use silver paint on some parts this time.

If anyone would like to purchase this rocker, contact me. They sell for two hundred and fifty dollars. I'm sorry, but I do not ship these, so it will have to be picked up if you aren't close enough for me to deliver it. They are just too big and heavy to ship. It is fifty inches long. I do deliver to nearby towns for a small delivery fee.

Don't forget to click on the comment link below this post and let me know what everyone thinks of the new changes.

Home Sweet Home Curio Shelf

This is the first of three curio shelves. This is the Home Sweet Home Curio Shelf. You fellow scrollers can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/home-sweet-home-shelf-p-1250.html . It is fifteen inches tall and about sixteen inches wide. It is made of cottonwood. All three of the shelves came with plans that didn't really allow a good way to hang them. So, right under the top shelf of each of them, I added a three quarter square strip with keyhole slots for easy hanging. Any of these would make a wonderful addition to any home.

Anyone wishing to purchase one can just contact me. They sell for thirty five dollars each. These three are already leaving the shop tomorrow, so if you need one, contact me ahead of time so I can cut another of whichever one you want. I can be contacted at greasemonkeyredneck@yahoo.com .

Wildlife Curio Shelf

This one is called the Wildlife Curio Shelf. It is made of cottonwood. It is fourteen inches tall and about fifteen inches wide. It is fairly easy to cut. Just stack cut the sides and shelves. Fellow scrollers can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/wildlife-curio-shelf-p-1252.html .

Angel Curio Shelf

This is an angel curio shelf. It is fifteen inches wide and about sixteen inches tall. It is made of cottonwood. Any of you fellow scrollers can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/angel-curio-shelf-p-1265.html . They aren't too hard to do. Just stack cut both sides and the shelves. Then assemble them with glue.

Pirate Shelf

I got caught off guard today. I had an order from my Etsy site at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6823431 for one of my Pirate Shelves. The problem with that was that my last one left my shop a couple months back, but I forgot to take it off the website. So, I cut one out today. Because of the rush on it, I wasn't able to make it like I normally do. Normally I cut this from cottonwood and stain it dark walnut. If I'd done that today though and sealed it up in a box to ship out first thing in the morning, the stain smell would probably have knocked the customer down when they opened the box. So, instead I cut this one out of mahogany. I think the customer will be very happy with that. They'll get it made of an exotic wood for the same price. I take care of my customers though.

Rocking Roarer

I've done some more playing with tinted stain. It was time for me to do another motorcycle and I wanted to do one with more typical colors for certain body parts. So, Home Depot mixed up this blue stain. My wife even likes this one better than the ones I've done in the past.
If any of you have never seen my motorcycles before, they are fifty inches long and twenty-nine inches tall. They are made of solid wood. All the colors are stain. I never use paint on kid's toys. All paints eventually fade, crack, or peel. The tire turn. The handle bar and front fork assembly turns. Kids love these things. If anyone would like to attempt to build one on their own, you can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/rocking-roarer-plans-p-168.html .

Home Depot Kid's Workshop

I carried my kids down to Home Depot today. The first saturday of each month, they have a Kid's Workshop. They build something different each month. The workshop involves a kit that comes with all the wood pre-cut, so the kids aren't around any dangerous power tools. All they do is assemble the parts where the instructions say, start the nails in pre-marked holes, and put together a little project. They get to keep their aprons, where they can stick on their little pins they get each time of the projects they've done. After they've built their project, they get a snack and a certificate showing the class they completed. It's a great time for all, the kids and the parent alike.

This month, they built a little bean bag toss. Next month, it is going to be about fire safety. They will be serving hot dogs. The fire truck will be there. The kids will be building a firehouse bank. I was told by the guy running the workshop today that they do this at every Home Depot all across the country. So, find out the exact date of the workshop and your local Home Depot and carry your kids down next month. I guarantee you and your kids will have a great time.

Today was my kid's first time going. Now we have a standing date for me to carry them each month. Unless something very important comes up, I will have them there. I love the fact that they get to build little projects that they can actually use while not having to worry about them getting hurt on power tools in my shop.

Jesus Portrait

This portrait of Jesus measures 11x14. It is cut in luan plywood with a custom mahogany frame. I always cut keyhole slots in the back of my frames for easy hanging. I cut three of these each with different backgrounds. I used flat black, gloss black, and red.