Pencil-Topped Boxes

Video HERE

This is something I think most woodworkers dabble with at least once, so I thought it was about time that I did. As usual this was a learning experience, and the one thing I really learned was that even my best glue is no match for resin.

The process I used was not really the best choice, many of those who came before me have proven the correct way to work here, but I have a few tips for anyone endeavouring to take on the pencil!

• When you have a couple of packs of pencils you can work out the rough area they'll cover by bundling 9 in a 3x3 diamond. Push the ends flat onto a scrap of paper and draw around the shape. Measuring the height x length will give you an area per 9 pencils. Find the area of your box and divide by that number, then multiply by 9 to tell you how many pieces you'll need to cover. This is a rough estimate, but unless you decide to wrap the sides like I did it should be close enough.
• Cutting one pencil at a time is tedious, so I chose to bundle them together with masking tape - so that I could draw on the measurements required. This works well enough, but try to avoid making big thick bundles. Ideally no more than 2 high so that each piece will be held together by the tape and not be a loose chunk that could cause issues.
• YES, wear breathing protection. I do not know what goes in to the pencil lead, but I would rather not be colouring my lungs.
• I have kept the pencil tips separate for a future project, but if you can get some non-sharpened ones you benefit from extra usable length.
• If you decide to cover the sides of your boxes you can either sand back one face of each piece or split off half the wood like I did. I didn't show it on camera, but I used the scroll saw to cut half-way through the pencil's width first to stop it splitting all the way down.
• When gluing these to your box I would suggest initially using glue, then filling the gaps with resin - if you have a vacuum pot that will certainly help to get rid of any bubbles and guarantee a solid piece.
• If you haven't got resin - or don't think you have enough like I did - then be prepared to lose some pieces in the sanding phase. Perhaps if I'd used a detail sander or tried to do this by hand it would have reduced the amount I lost, but I frankly don't have the time or energy for all that sanding. I have learned that you never lose just one piece, they tend to come in blocks where, perhaps, your gluing was a little weaker. Luckily, most of my pieces didn't go far so I was able to replace them all - and then use a little resin to solidify the bond.
• Although not such a problem with the machine sanding, I did find that when hand-sanding the paint around the pencils curled back into the holes and needed to be cut off - particularly with the circular pencils as the gaps between were bigger (and the hexagonal ones slotted quite tightly) This would obviously not have been a problem if I'd used resin to make a solid block, but live and learn.
• Pencil ends are always end-grain so finishing can be difficult. I went up to 120, washed with white spirit, then 180 grit before applying water-based varnish. 4 rounds of sanding and varnish really didn't cut it, so I resorted to spray varnish, which covers most defects in just 2 coats.

I have learned much in the process of this project, not least that resin really is the cure to most gluing applications... but there are always new plans in the works and I will certainly be trying again in the future.

Educating Steak... A Balanced Soda-Marinade

Video HERE


Having been on a healthy eating kick for the last few years I haven't actually tasted a proper steak in almost 30 months - absolutely criminal! - although there isn't a particular health reason why not, except that we, as a household, are avoiding red meat in general. This was filmed one weekend in the summer when I was alone in the house and feeling in need of a good slab of meat - with token 'healthy' sides.

'Cola'-marinades have been used for steak for years. The acidic nature of the red can helps to break down the meat and increase tenderness, but I prefer a more educated brew, which has a similar effect, but I think it leaves a less-sweet finish which I prefer...

You will need:
1 Steak*
1 can Dr Pepper**

1tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
1tbsp Balsamic Vinegar***
Juice of 1 Lime

*I have a 300g piece of rib eye here, which I prefer generally for the good balance of fat. This kind of marinade is not advisable for fillet steak (What kind of Philistine would marinade a fillet?!) but really works well with other cuts, such as rump or sirloin, but you will probably have to marinade those for slightly longer.
**This is a full-sugar can, you could use a Zero variety - if you're nuts.
***The vinegar and soy balance the sweetness of the soda, the lime also adds sharpness as it tenderizes.

Method:

1. Place the steak flat in your smallest dish*.
2. Pour over the soy, vinegar and lime juice, then add enough Dr Pepper to just cover the meat.
3. Cover with cling film and marinate in the fridge for 4-6 hours, turning once or twice.
4. Remove from the fridge about 30-45 minutes before cooking to allow the meat to come back to room temperature.
5. Blot the steak dry on kitchen paper before cooking to reduce smoking.**
6. Grill until done to your liking, then REST for 2-4 minutes wrapped in foil.
7. Drizzle over any reserved juices and sprinkle with a little sea salt to serve.

*Or one in which it will tightly fit. If you're doing more than one steak, pack them tight, but not touching.
**This works really well on the barbecue. You don't need to blot the steaks before cooking, but if you slightly reduce the leftover marinade you can paint it on for a glaze.

A stir-fry is a great way to put together a meal - or a side dish - with the leftover bendy veg in your fridge. The one I make here has almost no green veg (a bit of celery), which isn't ideal, but whatever you have will do.

You will need: (for 2 people)
1 large Carrot
2 sticks Celery
1 Bell Pepper
1 Red Onion
Small handful Greens (Broccoli, mangetout, green beans)
100g pack Straight-to-wok Noodles
1" Ginger, in matchsticks
1/2-1 Chili
2-3 Cloves Garlic, chopped
Zest of 1 Lime*
3-4tbsp of your leftover Marinade - or...
1tbsp Honey**
2tbsp Light Soy**
1tbsp Dark Soy**
Pinch of Pepper

*If you've planned ahead you will have zested the lime before marinating the steak.
**These amounts are about right for my taste, adjust to suit your own.

Method:

1. Cut your veg. This seems complicated, but really isn't. Carrots and celery should be no thicker than 1/8". Peppers about 1" cubes, or 1/2" strips. Onions in thin wedges. Green florets separated to bite-sized pieces, long beans chopped in half.
2. For the sauce, put the marinade in a small bowl or cup with half the ginger, chili and garlic. add a pinch of pepper and stir.
3. Heat a little oil in a wok - or large pan - until very hot, then add in your hard vegetables (carrot, celery and onion) with the ginger. Cook, stirring, until slightly translucent.
4. Add the medium veg (broccoli, green beans, mini corn) with the garlic and stir until softened.
5. Add the soft veg (Peppers, mangetout) and chili and stir for 1 minute, then add the noodles and stir well to combine and brown slightly.
6. Pour over the sauce and stir until coated and slightly reduced.
7. Remove from the heat, stir in the zest and serve immediately.

Getting Lost in a Marble Maze

Video HERE

The idea for this project has been running around my head since I came across an old ball bearing amongst a joblot of junk. I don't have a plan to show you because it depends on the relative size of your marble, but I have a few pointers...

• Draw out a grid slightly larger than your marble and use those lines to draw your maze on.
• You should choose either tricky paths and dead ends or pitfalls, I used both in excess, which makes the maze closer to impossible than I would like.
• When gluing your walls to the foundation be sure that the marble runs freely, or you will have to file and adjust.
• Check again after adding paint or finish.
• If you want to re-use your marble then leave an open exit - I did and have since lost the ball, so I would suggest closing it inside..
• My decision to make a double-sided maze added extra difficulty here, with the ball dropping through rather than just into the oubliette and my attempt to fix the problem with a sheet of paper just caught the ball every time it fell through and made it difficult to retrieve.
• I like the idea of carrying the ball around the side rather than dropping through, and I intend to design a maze cube for the future.

I have more maze ideas for the future, so watch this space...