Category Archives: Woodworking

Garden Tool Shed Build

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You know you need a garden tool shed when…

This is certainly not the way to treat your tools, especially in the winter. So I decided to buy a garden tool shed. For what I wanted to spend, all I could find were poorly made plastic sheds.

I decided that I would be better off building one that would fit right next to the chimney.

I used 2″ x 3″ lumber to frame up the shed.

Once framed up, I placed it next to the chimney for fit. Looks just right to me.

Next, I sheathed the frame with siding. I’d never used this siding before, but it’s really nice. All primed on the exterior, and edge overlaps for a good watertight fit.

I wanted the pitch of the roof to match the pitch of the chimney. I used the sliding T bevel that I made in high school to determine just the correct angle. I guess I “really” did get something out of high school!

I had some siding left over and decided that it would also make good roof shingles.

I installed some goodies to hold up all the tools and well, very nicely organized now.

I am not sure how I will build the doors as yet. I’ll figure that out, and post the pics later on in this post.

What a joy to easily find the tool you need!

Killer Whale Fence Sculpture

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If you follow my blog, you know that I am interested in marine animals.

Killer whales or orcas, are very social animals. They are known as “The Wolves of the Sea,” as they hunt in packs.

I saw this amazing Pacific Northwest tribal orca hanging on the back of a log cabin. I knew that one day I would make a similar orca sculpture. Last month, that day came.

I began by gluing up some scrap lumber from a floating shelf project and some old plywood.

While the wood was clamped, I began to sketch out the design.

Once sketched, I used my saber saw to cut it out. In the process, I broke off one side of the fluke. No problem – glue and a clamp to the rescue. The orca is 28″ high and 46″ long.

When painting the body, the black paint reacted to one of the boards that was stained. Careful when applying one type of paint over another. This bubbled up. I consulted the web on what to do and easily corrected the problem.

With the body painted all back, I used chalk to outline the areas that I wanted to paint.

Here is the finished piece.

Orcas are the guardians of the sea. I am honored to hang this in the yard!