The first project coming out of Grampa's workshop

The first thing I wanted to set up was my small Delta scroll saw, the American boy .  Yeah, I know, there are Canadian girls but I'm sure they will like it too :-)

To do that I wanted to make some sort of portable base to fasten the saw on the bench or table.
Were we last left off, I had roughly saw a board made up of laminated maple boards.

My plan was to finished it by hand, but them Jean said she was coming home with them one day earlier. For me to finished that and still made progress in the yard, I figured better bring out the big toys.
So a quick trip to the wood shop on base, run my board thru the drum sander, rip the other edge on the table saw, then cross cut both ends on the Radial Arm Saw and done.
Took me longer to signed the keys in/out and clean up than doing the deed :-)

There is something that this bench have not seen in a long time... A board ready for planning.

Back home, I gave the board a chamfer on the top side, knocked off all  the sharp edges with a light sanding.

Figured may as well set up a 1/4 inch line all around to guide my chamfers.

Set up the gauge then score lines all around top surface and the sides

My board  had a tendency to flip up a bit in use so I immobilized it with a holdfast 

Did the ends first to removed the blow out at the edges

Gave it a quick taper to minimize blow out

Almost done my taper on all four edges

I'm using my LN No 65-1/2 block plane, set for a coarse cut

How coarse? I had no problems with either end grain or long grain, 

except that you quickly finds out which way it prefers to be planed :-)

Once done, I gave it a coat of my new favourite: Howard Restore-A-Finish

I know, It's not a stain, but a finish restorer, but I was curious to see how much colour it will impart on a raw piece of wood. I have both Golden Oak and Cherry, I used the cherry one on my maple board. Happy with the results.

Later on I gave it a coat of Howard Feed & Wax to somewhat protect it and make it look nice.

Drilled and countersunk three holes in my cross batten to act as a stop (think bench hook)
Screw the piece down by hand (Robertson) after drilling clearance holes in the board to avoid any splitting and also make it a lot easier to screw into hard maple....

A quick trim on the saw bench for the batten

Drilled and countersunk

Fasten down.

No, I did not finished the underside of the board

nor did I glue the batten

Drilled four (4) clearance holes for the saw

Fasten it down in the vise

I wanted some flat round head slot screw, but only had Robertson tapered head.

Robertson are from 1909 so period correct for the saw which is from 1923

Thinking, maybe the vise is in the way for them??

Then tried also on the bench with a holdfast.

Works good, but will need another hole for holdfast,

 too close to your hands for my liking

Tried in a 3/4 inch piece of pine.

Works good, but worked a heck of a lot faster and better after a few quick shots of WD-40.  Would need to finish  cleaning and lubricating the tool better, but for now it is ready for the little ones to use.
And that is all that matter.
Will gather up some thinner material and patterns for them to play with.

Today when they get back, we will be making some sawdust together.

Now my next project would be to figured out some sort of platform/stools for raising them at the proper height.  6 foot Grampa is a bit taller than the younger ones, now 6 and 11 :-)

Meanwhile, continued to make progress in the yard

My big pile of branches is gone

The gardens started to be harvested.

We had spinach and radish, strawberries and the blueberries are coming along fine.

Much more to come soon. Oh and a black bear has been seen in the neighbourhood.

Not to worry, Grampa is a Vet and a marksman (with an AIM-7 :-)

Figured I could also set up my GRDFW (Grampa Rapidly Deployable Field Workshop).
You know, set up the Multi Function saw bench with the saw (s) outside on the deck??

Oh, so now I need some sort of tool totes, to carry tools in and out of the shop, and, and...
More projects, Yippee :-)

Grampa Bob, tired but excited to get to play in the shop with the girls.