Another great score for the shop

[Clipper]

Twice in one week I have found unbelievable bargains on FB Marketplace.

A couple of months ago my benchtop jointer ceased to function. I went to use it one day and it decided it was tired and didn't want to work anymore. My neighbor retired it to his scrap metal bin.

I use the jointer to edge joint hardwood boards so that they that the edges will match perfectly to allow for successful gluing and clamping when I make cutting boards and charcuterie boards.

Wow! A compound miter saw last week for $50 and this week it is the jointer for $60. Left over after an estate sale. The woman ran the sale said I could have it for that extremely low bargain price. It is only about 5 or 6 yrs old. The link below is the same model and the seller wants $199. I have looked at new ones from assorted other manufacturers and they run anywhere from $250 to $500 for the benchtop models.

www.ebay.com/itm/295191445958?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=295191445958&targetid=4581183927179148&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=418233787&mkgroupid=1241348861725295&rlsatarget=pla-4581183927179148&abcId=9300542&merchantid=51291&msclkid=60805ef07e4b1ebbcd833de6f8951ee6

Now I can get back to making a few boards for Christmas gifts.

[clarencebunsen]

I was reminded today of the step stools my father-in-law used to make for kids. This is closest image I could find on-line:

www.amazon.com/Toddler-Nonslip-Bathroom-Kitchen-Training/dp/B09BQFLDXP/ref=asc_df_B09BQFLDXP?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80608072245460&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207592644540&psc=1

His was a little different. The side pieces extended up higher and had an arched top. There was a D shaped cut out near the top of the side to make a handle. There were triangular wood braces between the step and the sides. A kid could carry the stool to a kitchen counter to "help" .

[Clipper]

Thanks for sharing CB. I like the little stool in the link. I may make a couple and try to sell them on Marketplace. I have sold 2 inch thick hardwood cutting boards with a juice groove on Marketplace for upwards of 50 bucks. The price of hardwood has skyrocketed so I haven't been building as many hardwood projects. Right now I am looking online for plans for a doll cradle to make for a little neighbor girl. She is about 4 or 5 and never goes anywhere without a doll.

I found a source of clean food grade pallets that I can buy for $3 apiece. The man who owns the produce market where I shop sometimes has damaged pallets that are not worth reusing. Some have a board broken but I can still salvage more the $3 worth of good wood to reclaim, plane and re-use. The pallets are a mix of southern yellow pine and both white and red oak. I fill the nail holes with fine sawdust mixed with wood glue and when I sand them you can't even see where the holes were unless you are really looking for them.

I bought a "pallet buster" a while back to ease the chore of prying the cross pieces off of the 2x4 skids. Less work and less damage to the salvaged boards. I put an oak shovel handle on it and it works almost effortlessly.

www.amazon.com/B-MIAO-Pallet-Buster-Nail-Removal/dp/B09SLT85SS/ref=asc_df_B09SLT85SS?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80058316530429&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583657840931954&psc=1

[clarencebunsen]

Pallet buster looks like a great tool.

Barb's Dad also made rocking cradles for the girls. Similar concept. Headboard and footboard had bottoms that were semi-circle arcs. It was a pretty large radius so the rocking would be gentile. The sides were slightly slanted. They were decorated to appeal to a little girl. If I remember correctly Barb's Mom made pad for a mattress and a small patchwork quilt. My daughters loved them. I think Carrin still had hers in her bedroom until she left for college. I think she also a doll Grandma made for her in the bed and of course handmade dolly clothes.

[Clipper]

rogueengineer.com/diy-american-girl-doll-cradle-plans/#more-7033

Does this look like the version your father in-law fabricated?

It won't be an inexpensive project. A sanded 1/2 inch x 24" x 49" maple or birch plywood project panel is 30-40 dollars. Plywood and MDF prices are outrageous. I am going to figure the material costs and maybe find it cheaper to build it with clear pine 1x10 and 1x12 boards.

[clarencebunsen]

Very similar. He sized each one to the doll he wanted to fit and to the child. Generally, toddler to kindergarten size. I'm sure he used pine. It was made to play with not display.

[clarencebunsen]

Using a similar concept, he also made a highchair, no moving parts or sliding trays on that one. Carrin was their 1st grandchild, so time spent building that wasn't an issue. He had a 10x12 storage shed built from salvaged wood in which he stored repurposed wood for projects. Typical for his generation, I think.

I have no Idea which dolls are popular this year. My "little" granddaughter started middle school this week.

[Clipper]

The little grand daughter is no longer little? They grow so fast. It is hard to believe how fast. The boy next door that comes over and does chores for me and with me was just skinny little runt of a lad when they first moved here and he started helping me around the yard and garden. Now he has a car and a driver's permit. As soon as he turns 16 he will be putting the car on the road. He lifts weights and plays football. Not a "runt" anymore.