Creative Woodworks & crafts 2004-03, страница 40

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Rick's personal touches that really help the work flow:

So there you have it: a guy with over 20 years experience in woodworking and scrolling, who loves to help others and has taken us on a tour of his shop! Happily, Rick has prepared a big bunch of articles that are sure to keep you on pins and needles waiting for your next issues. You can contact Rick bv mail, phone or Internet at: Rick's, 109 N. Ewing, Box 237, Grimes, Iowa 50111; 1-515-986-4185; www.scrollsaws.com. ^ ir

The apparatus shown above, stored in the ceiling, is his vacuum bag press. Because of its unwieldy size, it is inconvenient to have lying around, so he mounted it overhead. He built the ceiling mount so that he can gain easy access to the vacuum with a step stool or let it swing down. The pump is hooked up, the switch turned on, and presto-it is working.

Rick has been photographing his work for a number of years and has now gone totally digital; however, his backdrop remains the same. A simple window shade and a few wires of various

lengths that swing up into the ceiling when not in use make up his studio. Quick, inexpensive and simple, and as he says: keep it simple and why waste monev?

Also contributing to the success of a shop are those jigs and accessories that make work easier, more accurate, or safer. Here Rick has put together a dust collector that uses furnace filters to help clean the air. With dust collection, a central collection system cannot produce clean, healthy air on its own. A mounted ceiling unit or two are needed to remove the very fine, nearly invisible particles that are the most harmful.

One of his favorite jigs is this one, which he bought at a woodworking show. The first time he set it up, he cut a perfect octagon right out of the box.

Assembling the spray booth is simple: slide it out of the ceiling mount, slip the parts together, plug it in, and spray dust is eliminated. Thanks to an activated charcoal filter, the unit also removes fumes.

Rick also has a large two-stage air compressor with service connections all over the place, along with plenty of light. His layout benches and many of his tools are mounted on rollers, which not only makes for more convenience, but also maximizes open space.

His office contains just about every woodworking magazine published in the last 20 years, from volume #1 to present, and all are cataloged as to content. An up-to-date computer, scanncr and a copy machine that collates, staples, pours Pepsi, and lights cigarettes adorn his office space. He has been buying old patterns and catalogs, which be has scanned into his computer, and has also created new patterns, which are available through him.

The jig's scales are clearly marked for the precise angle, and he has not had a problem with adjustment since it has been in service.

Another rig he has put together from scrap wood and an old kitchen vent is his knock-down spray booth. It too is stored overhead when not in use, as shown in the photo above.