man-in-loire

Ooh sensual… thanks Mint

The small flutter lamp was made as a xmas gift from a few offcuts and some crimson veneer. The two clocks - the square one and the windsurfer one - were commissions. The windsurfer one was commissioned by a lady who wanted a small clock for her brother who is a keen windsurfer and has a camper van. She wanted it to be small enough for the van and collapsible - hence the cut out at the bottom which is where a peg is located so the mast and sail can be removed. It was fun to make from scratch as all she asked for was a surfboard clock. The potpourri bowl is from Elm, which I really like to work with. Paul

Cheers for being my PA John. I have some letters need typing too… The pendulum clock is now beside my fireplace at the house in France - it is about 15' diameter and 3' deep. I cut through the body to let the pendulum hang through it. The smaller clock is spalted beech with walnut inserts to make the numbers and the bowl is also spalted beech. the goblet was made as a commission for a local white witch who wanted it food safe. I've no idea what they drink out of it. Anyway it is made from Ash and with a crimson veneer laminated to create a cross through the centre. The small clock is Elm and Walnut.

No worries John, whenever you get time. Paul

Same with using laminated (laminated as in wood glued together not as a finished surface) pine board. When you cut it to make shelves etc make sure you cut with the laminate rather than across it, as otherwise all the little separate little glued segments will sag in the middle. John did you get my photos? I sent them in 2 batches to your email address. If not they are in cyberspace somewhere... Paul

That watch is very cool.

You made the right choice. No worries, whenever you are released from duty, much appreciated. I have been ordered to go and get some material for a sewing project, bias binding or sumfink - not very hardcore carpentry. It may involve a diversion to the pub.

well every time I clock on there's a new one - thought I'd have my 5 bob's worth and not weight too long to reply

safari - but I have google chrome too. I could try that. Cheers [URL=http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/paul-mc1/media/P1010751_zpsherhlpf5.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t442/paul-mc1/P1010751_zpsherhlpf5.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Nope, just the same as you see!

You are right - that is partly what I had planned to do - and maybe when i get round to it I will turn the roundy-bits and then cut the teeth with my fret saw. I just had a load of offcuts given to me by a furniture maker of all kinds of thicknesses so it was easier to stick them through the thicknesser. i'm still struggling with photo uploads and posting icons just results in gobbledegook too, so i'm not sure what is going on. I'll try and send you a few photos by message. Cheers

These yokes are a-pawling. Drum-ming up all these puns is a matter of timing don't y'know

Thanks Andy What started out as quite a naive opening question has triggered some good trails to follow up on. One of the companies that I do repeated commissions for is an international company that has bases throughout europe, including france, so should be registered as an employer, though I need to check out specifically what this might mean for me as a self employed contractor to them. It is a slightly complicated arrangement as in this instance I am contracted through one company but have honorary positions in the universities they are partnered to, so different universities employ me as faculty. Whether this alters the 'single' employment arrangement is something to be investigated. I work with others too outside of this arrangement. I appreciate what you say about the cost of living, but i am not being blasé about it I assure you, which is why I want to cost it out as thoroughly as i can over the next year. It is becoming clearer…in a rather cloudy way…Thankyou

It's only a little one, so just battery operated. I have some plans for complete wooden clocks but have only got as far as borrowing my neighbour's planer/thicknesser to get the gauge of the wood down to 10mm. Now it sits on my bench while I look at it hoping it will materialise into something. The axminster website does it for me: I keep going back to a Jet planer/thicknesser on there… I am a mouse unreservedly - or strategically depending on hope you look at it. Survival is my main aim in life. My axminster is a fairly basic one but has variable speed and swivel head. I've got up to about 17" diameter with a nice piece of spalted beech - but note to self; always remember to set the speed to minimum when you first round it off otherwise it gets a little exciting when you press the start button…

Sorry for the meandering - but a nice intro to the france woodworking fraternity for me. I need to tidy my workshop too as the bench is piled high with tools brought home from my last visit to my retreat. I recently invested in a mini lathe for smaller work and have been making a little desk clock on it. it is very quiet and quite smooth (variable speed) but you need to be gentle with the cuts as it is easy to dig in and slow it down. Keeping the chisels sharp helps! Also just replaced the drive belt on my axminster lathe and finished a bowl in burred oak on it which i want to sell but the OH refuses to see it go. In the uk I live just a few miles from a woodturning supplier called Peter Childs who are brilliant for equipment and advice. I would miss them a lot if I do move over to france.

Yes I am (near Saumur, not in Law!) About half an hour's drive from Saumur. It is a great town I agree - a ham and cheese baguette and coffee by the river after a wander round the market on a sunny saturday is a nice treat.