I also want to be able to be more self-sufficient and do more of my own cutting of boards to paint on etc. To know how to do basic DIY and work a saw should not be too far out of my capability.
Now usually, I start muttering things about machinery and DIY and Charles shuts me down with the reminder that it's quite dangerous and possibly I have more to loose (Digits, an eye, my dignity) that I have to gain. Curiosity is a cat I know well.It has led me down many paths and a few have been a bit wild. But Charles is not here. Charles is riding motorbikes in Australia with the Romanian Photographer and the Naughtiest Man alive. The cat went shopping.
...and bought a circular saw. And board. And hinges. And some other wood thingies I thought would be useful. I forgot screws.
Then I came home , unpacked the thing and went straight to Google" How to use a circular saw". You tube, I thank you.
A few hours later I realised I was short of a few things. A saw horse or two, clamps, safety goggles any experience.So I alarmed my dear neighbours by borrowing their sawhorses and clamps and asking for a live tutorial on circular saw usage , with focus on what NOT to do, too. Brian is a saint. He gave me the tutorial and left.
I enlisted Julius to help me because he HAS actually used a saw before. He is 12. I must admit to being a bit startled at the realisation of how MUCH he knew. He advised me on technique (start the saw before you hit the wood) hat and encouraged me not to chicken out half way through the job. He even worked out a more efficient way to deal with the project of cutting the hardboard.
I was crap at it. The early learning curve is very, very steep. Thank goodness I realised this quickly and lowered my expectations of my DIY Skills from" Rehab Addict" to " Cowboy builders" . Also, DONT'T saw hardboard indoors, it gets everywhere (like a dusting of "what the hell were you thinking dust" on every surface of the entire room. that is going to remind me for days) Also, what you really should have bought is a table saw, a drop saw and a handyman.
Ai ai ai.
But, I did cut the board
......very badly.
I made some mistakes. I chickened out of one cut half way.
I had to restart and forfeit that piece of board.
I stopped cutting 1 cm too soon on 3 cuts. Slow learner, but I did learn.
Modern clamps are so easy to use!!!! I remember those crappy metal vice clamps..the new ones are fancy!
Did I mention fine sawdust?
Everywhere.
But I DID cut it and they will be perfectly good boards to paint on....and trim IF I want to frame them. Sigh.
My other neighbour has a table saw. I might go ask if I may have a tutorial on the table saw.......
Charles is home next saturday so my window of opportunity starts closing soon.
Oh, and I was selected for the Arts Gold Awards 2017 with painting inspired by an exhibit in the Central Stories Museum in Alexandra.
There is a heartbreaking letter attached to an anonymously donated knife sheath and leather strap in the Museum in Alexandra . The letter is from a dying father in England to his son prospecting for gold in Roxburgh, Otago. In the letter , the father farewells his son James with great love and affection but simultaneously cuts him off financially . He explains that they are destitute if they help him and no more money could be sent to support him and his . This poignant letter, dated 1862, has stayed with me for years. What happened to either is unknown. The area around Roxburgh is unforgiving, especially in winter and I imagined the grief both men felt at the finality of that letter. This work is my interpretation of that story.
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| Nowhere to Turn TheExhibition of works will be At Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery !6 September till 19 November Alexandra Central Otago New Zealand |
