Automatic Slim ([info]graymalkn) wrote,
@ 2005-07-22 10:50:00
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Entry tags:books, diy

the lecturn is complete!
About three weeks ago some random neuron fired in my brain that said, "You should build a lecturn to hold that huge National Geographic Atlas of the World." (Yes, I think with hyperlinks.) So I went nuts at Home Despot and got:

8' of 1x2 oak
8' of 1x8 oak
6' of 1x4 oak
an oak banister post
a jigsaw and several blades
20 3" #12 wood screws
20 1.5" #12 wood screws

And that's how my bedroom came to be cushioned in the comforting grit of sawdust for the last two weeks. Yesterday, I put on the finishing touches of varnish, and here's the result:







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[info]blark
2005-07-22 06:08 pm UTC (link)
That is quite awesome. If I had a book worthy of such a thing, I'd totally try and con you into making one for me. But my books are all either small, or in storage. Then again, there is America: The Book...

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[info]graymalkn
2005-07-22 06:25 pm UTC (link)
Thanks!

It would be a lot easier for smaller books or woods other than oak because 75% of the hassle came from the crossbars (not shown) on the back needed to hold together the two 1x8s that compose the panel and attach them to the post. They had to be set into the post so that the top of the post could be flush with the back of the panel. For other woods, there are quite large flat pieces that wouldn't require the same mounting problems, and for smaller books two 1x8s wouldn't be needed. And I tell you - oak ain't cheap.

Of course, the whole thing would have gone about 500 times faster if I had a functional woodshop with a table saw, router, etc.

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[info]sponsz
2005-07-22 06:38 pm UTC (link)
I cannot tell a lie, that is aesthetically pleasing.

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[info]graymalkn
2005-07-22 06:44 pm UTC (link)
Thanks! Hopefully you can admire it in person sometime soon. We must have you and [info]neodymium155 over to watch God of Cookery some time.

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[info]sponsz
2005-07-22 09:07 pm UTC (link)
If God of Cookery can in fact live up to it's potential, it will indeed own my soul

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[info]drangnon
2005-07-22 07:11 pm UTC (link)
o I need one of those now

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[info]graymalkn
2005-07-22 07:32 pm UTC (link)
I've given you the ingredients list. Hop to it!

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[info]hepkitten
2005-07-22 07:22 pm UTC (link)
SWEET! i need one now too!

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[info]graymalkn
2005-07-22 07:32 pm UTC (link)
We should rent a woodshop for a day and have a lecturn-making party.

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[info]waltzingmatthea
2005-07-22 07:45 pm UTC (link)
So awesome. I need one of those for my atlas of Canada and the world that my aunt in BC sent me...the one I have a hard time picking up when I'm tired.

I'm such a weakling.

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[info]graymalkn
2005-07-22 08:12 pm UTC (link)
No, what you need are robotic minions to hold your book for you. And crush your enemies.

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[info]waltzingmatthea
2005-07-23 03:47 pm UTC (link)
Oh, I totally need robotic minions. Building them is going to be my next project....

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[info]slowbob
2005-07-22 09:16 pm UTC (link)
Really nice! what kind of varnish did you use?

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[info]graymalkn
2005-07-22 09:19 pm UTC (link)
Ummm... wood varnish. I think the particular shade was Colonial. Or maybe that was one of the other ones I was considering. I'll check at home and get back to you.

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