I tried to weigh the pros and cons of continuing or abandoning the project altogether. In the end I decided that instead of making a barrel for rum or brandy, I could make it for dog treats. Since they are not liquid, the barrel will work for that.
I had made a couple of ends/bottoms for the barrel out of spruce, and these were made into octagonals to fit the inside.
The hoops are made out of a piece of copper tube that was split down the middle using a hacksaw. After splitting , it was flattened on an anvil by means of a hammer. The hoop was riveted together using small pieces of copper wire from an old electrical cable as rivets.
Each hoop received a total of six rivets. five to hold the hoop together and one rivet for holding the eye that will allow the barrel to be attached to the collar of Bertha.
I had measured each hoop directly from the barrel, in such a way that it was a bit too small so I could rely on it to be stretched a bit and gain a good tight fit.
The hoop was first negotiated into place by tapping with a hammer on top of a piece of wood. Once it was level with the edge of the barrel, I switched to a drift wedge. A regular piece of flat bar would have worked equally well, but this was just at hand and had a perfect size for the job.
Normally I think the hoops are expected to stay put without any fixations, but I didn't want to take that risk with this project. I made four small rivets and attached each hoop with two of them.
Finally I sawed of the ends of the barrel down to the edge of the hoops and sanded the outside flush.
I didn't drill a hole for the dog treats yet, because I think a Forstner bit will be better than a regular metal drill bit like those we have out here. So I'll do that once I get home.
The barrel ended up being 6" high and 3 3/8" in diameter at the middle.
The barrel next to a standard can of mineral water.
Material for the hoops.
Coarse work with the riveting.
Setting the hoop.
Tool used for further setting the hoop.
The hose clamp is removed to go further.
Rivet head made on 1.5 mm electrical cable strand
Finished barrel.
Great project!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks António.
DeleteI am looking forward to testing it out.
Hopefully Bertha will cooperate.
Brgds
Jonas
Nice work! I'm always amazed with your metalwork, let alone your woodwork.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think Boomquifa will think of having a container of inaccessible treats tied to her neck?
Thanks.
DeleteTo be honest, I doubt that Boomquifa will cooperate in this case. Especially if I fill the barrel with dog treats that she can smell.
So maybe I should just attache the empty barrel and take a picture of that and then never use it again..
Cheers
Jonas
Your joints look fine, can't see that you had problems with the stock. You always show me something new - now I'm looking for something that looks like it needs some copper rivets.
ReplyDeleteJeff
Hi Jeff.
DeleteThanks for the nice comment. Some of the stock problems are on the inside of the barrel. But the outside looks fine.
Rivets can add to a look in my opinion, and a great thing is that you can join different types of materials that way.
Brgds
Jonas
It's funny to read this now because I spent this afternoon flattening some old, twisted mahogany that I got cheap and was just barely able to get the dimensions I needed. When I got back from dinner, one of the main pieces had twisted a ridiculous amount more. I tried to salvage it but it got too thin, then I resorted to another piece, not convinced it was good grain/colour match and just now decided that it looks terrible. I don't like to give up but it's time to call it for this weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Paul
DeleteGiving up on a project because of crappy material is something I ought to get better at.
Once in a while you will end up spending way too much time trying to flatten and straighten some crappy wood, and when you finally get around to start using it, it looks like a propeller again. I like the joinery part of woodworking so much more that the stock preparation, so knowing when to stop in time is really a great thing.
I once in a while end up spending too much time using unsuitable stock because I hate to admit to myself that I made a mistake in starting out using this or that. And if I have invested perhaps an hour or two I would feel this time was wasted if I didn't continue.
Brgds
Jonas
Great experience gained on this project, even if it didn't turn out 100% the way you had planned. I agree with your other comments on needing to get better at "time to burn it" decisions. I've often continued on a path just because I have time/effort invested, when I should listen to my gut and cut my losses.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeremy
DeleteThanks.
I guess I am pigheaded in that way. The funny thing was that as soon as I felt it going in the wrong direction I very quickly lost interest in the project.
But I am glad that I pulled myself together and completed it.
Brgds
Jonas