New Birdfeeder
Mar. 2nd, 2018 04:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithToday I did the rough sanding on the new birdfeeder to remove splinters. I did find a couple of clever features -- the side panels come out, and the hanging cord is attached with T bars so it should be replaceable too. The woodwork is solid. But the finishing? Jesus, for what we paid, I shouldn't have to do more than touch up a few places. I had to sand the whole thing, and I'll have to do it again with fine sandpaper then wipe it down before I can put the topcoat on. >_< Such is the state of "professional" woodworking nowadays.
My grandfather would've tanned my hide if I left something this unfinished, when I was five. I may not be any good at building things, but I certainly know how to finish them. And what it looks like when someone hasn't bothered. All you have to do in a proper shop is run the pieces through a belt sander or a plane. The outside pieces were only given a lick and a promise, the inside hadn't been touched at all. Tch.
But it will damn well be finished when I get through with it.
My grandfather would've tanned my hide if I left something this unfinished, when I was five. I may not be any good at building things, but I certainly know how to finish them. And what it looks like when someone hasn't bothered. All you have to do in a proper shop is run the pieces through a belt sander or a plane. The outside pieces were only given a lick and a promise, the inside hadn't been touched at all. Tch.
But it will damn well be finished when I get through with it.
Annoying, isn't it?
Date: 2018-03-03 12:16 am (UTC)It's becoming even MORE expensive to buy board-feet of lumber, too.
That's one reason why there are so many hacks using Ikea wooden objects as /source lumber/ instead of modifying their purpose as finished objects.
Re: Annoying, isn't it?
Date: 2018-03-03 07:57 am (UTC)It's maddening. I hate having to spend more money to get less product, and some things have just become impossible to find. It's getting to where I resent shopping.
>> It's becoming even MORE expensive to buy board-feet of lumber, too. <<
Huh, I hadn't noticed that. It's still affordable around here. The 2x4s were less than $4 and that's before the clerk mentioned they have a discount pile.
Re: Annoying, isn't it?
Date: 2018-03-03 08:12 am (UTC)Lowe's lists 2*4*8 untreated studs as $3.74 online. That's fir, though... and there are NONE in stock locally, not for 100 miles. THAT explains why I can only find TREATED studs the same dimensions, which are $7.50 each.
Re: Annoying, isn't it?
Date: 2018-03-03 08:34 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-03 02:56 am (UTC)Well ...
Date: 2018-03-03 03:02 am (UTC)I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a product to be finished enough to be safe to handle casually when it comes off the rack. And we had to go to a specialty store to find anything worth buying at all. The last hopper feeder I got came from Wal-Mart; it was cheap but sturdy and lasted for years. Now they're so small and flimsy there's no point. >_< At least this one is large and durable.
Re: Well ...
Date: 2018-03-03 03:08 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-03 11:31 pm (UTC)Buying work ... ahhh ... the feeder sounds like getting a good bargain garment at a thrift store and then bringing it home to tweak it with an hour or so of labor. Rule #1, as Gran always did, is test a zipper before purchase! :)
I hope the comment re the grandfather was metaphorical.