What is the "Rainy Days" Workshop?
This is how it all started. I have wanted to do some woodworking for a long time. I had this insane idea that when I retired I would have lots of free time, and in that free time I would do lots of woodworking. So, I bought power tools, a table saw, radial arm saw, band saw, planner, shaper, various sanders, routers, a biscuit joiner, 6" jointer, bits, blades, clamps, you name it. Not all at once, but I've put together my shop tools over the years. All set, right? Well, not quite. I still haven't found that "free time" I was looking for. Next came another idea. Woodworking is an indoor activity. I'll set aside time when the weather is bad. I'll have a workshop for "rainy days". So what happens? We're in a 3-year drought! I'm trying, but I always seem to have too many irons in the fire. For this reason, the workshop web site has expanded to projects outside the workshop as well as inside. Please read more to learn about this section of our web site.

Our Site Goals
The goal of this site is to document a few projects from the workshop and other D-I-Y endeavors around home and provide an online photo album to share with other like-minded individuals. Some of the projects may belong to others, such as my long time friend Ed Jordan's cane mill restoration. Hopefully, over time the site will evolve into a diverse mix of home projects and shop related activities.

This site is not intended to be a how-to guide. Some text is provided but should be viewed as commentary rather than instruction. Most projects are successful, but not every project turns out like expected.

The workshop itself is the culmination of a longtime desire to setup a small woodshop and further develop my woodworking skills and pursue several other sideline functions that go hand in hand with woodworking, such as tool sharpening. As you can tell, most of the pages in the web site are outside that area completely. While many of our projects never make it to the web site, hopefully you will find something interesting in those that do.

Future Plans
Plans are to cover several upcoming landscaping projects, construction of a picnic pavilion, some remodeling in the woodworking shop, construction of a storage building, restoration of a Ford 8N tractor and an 800 series Ford tractor, and re-powering a Bobcat skid steer just to name a few. Unfortunately, it is generally a one-man show and there are always distractions and interruptions, projects often take longer than anticipated, and many unplanned tasks slip into the queue and wreak havoc with any resemblance of a schedule. And life goes on. Enjoy!

Suggestions?
Comments and suggestions are always welcome. Click here to send an email.

  garage project

  home office project

  pavilion project

  dock project

  LAN device cabinet