That's an interesting conundrum. Are you an architect?

Yeah, or at least the hotly debated software/hardware equivalent. That particular mix of likes and dislikes has always worked out really well in the professional world (assuming what you design actually *works*); it just doesn't seem to work so well in the garage.

I would love to say that I have a great eye for landscaping but no great love for implementing the designs, but when it comes to yardwork I think I'm just lazy.

Anyways, I'm going to try telling myself that I'm only building prototypes and see how that works out. The nice thing about prototyping is that you can use cheaper wood

Speaking of cheaper wood, the quality of construction lumber at the local Home Depot seems to have gone up dramatically; a couple of years ago the 2x4s and 2x6s were twisted, heavy with water and oozing pine sap, now they seem to be light, straight, and even claim to be kiln dried at more or less the same price as a few years ago.

They(HD) also seem more friendly this last couple of years...I don't think it has anything to do with all the Lowes stores popping up all over Ontario the last 2-3 years.

Murph: I really think you'd have a hard time making a French Easel (that's it's official name). The telescoping legs alone would drive you crazy. Plus, it's gonna get all slobery anyway.

A half-french comes w/ a folding palette to accomoadte the smaller size, but no one I know liked the pallettes anyway. We usally made our own.

I make cabinets for part of my living. I have done so with the same contractor's saw for 10 years. A really good one, or a hybrid, will do fine for anything but a production shop. Really.
Plus, who wants to have to deal with a 500 lb. gorilla if you don't have to. And spend 3x the $$$.

What saw do you have Bob?

I have the Ridgid Contractor saw (mines an older version) and plan on building it into a larger table assembly like this once the garage is painted. Delta, General, are a few good names in belt driven saws, IMO. Busy Bee Tools sells a Craftex saw that looks to be of reasonably good quality for the money. Makita and Bosch sell a saw similar to mine that look good too.

The wind made kayaking too much like exercise over the long weekend so I spent most of it building this cedar lounger that I had been planning since last summer.



Fort those wondering what the odd wooden and strap contraption is on the wall behind it, it's a kayak rack with the arms in the up position to make for more room when they are not there.

I also finally stained the sand table I had posted long ago. In doing so, I quickly realized that the cats had already scratched the thing to pieces. I was going to resand and start over but the cats are not going anywhere so I'm going to call it "character" for now.

I have been away from the boards for a while but wanted to thank you for taking the time to find those links. Very Helpful.

And also, thanks Bob for the terminology lesson. That was very helpful in looking for more pictures for ideas and finally, thanks for the warning about it's complexity. Unfortunately, that only serves to encourage me. Luckily though, the wedding I planned on making this a gift for is now delayed another year so I will have lots of time to enjoy the bonfires that my failed attempts may produce.

Murph:
Both those projects look awesome! Was the lounger from a plan?