Improvisation: Not having the right tools
Table box with my little helper
So for my first four day weekend (i.e. not working on a computer), my project was to make us a nice kitchen table and benches. We had only one little plastic table and if you glanced it with a foot or knee your drink or food would end up all over the table. It was quite frustrating. Berry was very adamant about getting a table up there as soon as possible.
I wanted something sturdy that would last for a long time. I sketched out a few ideas and started in promptly at the crack of noon last Thursday. They had a drill and some screws and I figured I would bust it out in a day or two. Well, that did not happen. The screws they had were flat head screws and if you use the drill you end up with nice gouges in your wood (which our table has a few).
Luckily Lisa made a trip to Sodimac (think Home Depot or Lowes) and brought back some 3 inch phillips head screws just in time for me to work on the legs of the table. I quickly found out that the drill has only one speed. Fast, super fast. It stripped the head of the screw in less than five seconds, even when I pre-drilled the hole. I looked around for regular screw drivers. None to be found. Tools have a tendency to get misplaced around the campo. For the legs I screwed in the 3 inch screws by hand with my Leatherman that I got for Christmas. I finished the table after a long day, but it was done and we drove it up to the hill house. My forearms were aching. At the end of the day, I was missing my DeWalt 18 Volt Multi Speed Drill more than a tall MaiBock at The Terminal.
The next day we get up and visit some of the neighbors around the farm. It’s a nice little walk in the rain and we get to see where some people that we’ve met live. After lunch I start on the benches and looked a little bit harder for any screwdrivers. No luck. I get about half way done before it’s time for dinner. I leave it with just the legs and support to do the next day. After a few hours of twisting the screws in and a little bit of compromising on my table/bench plans, we had two great sturdy benches.
Below are a few more pictures of la mesa.
Table top
La mesa hot out of the oven.
A boy and his table.
La mesa sin asientos
Benches without legs
First chess game on our new table
It took no time for us to pile all our junk on it.
First dinner on our new table
Nice table and I recognize that chessboard!
matt
13 Jan 10 at 1:43 pm
You should. We’ve played enough games on it.
Hopefully, we will meet over that board again in the Spring or Summer. Be safe and I hope Mexico and the Canadian are treating you well.
Tim Shults
13 Jan 10 at 2:01 pm
Wow! I am VERY impressed! You go, Tim! Glad to see you guys are still doing good! I love readying yours and Berry’s post….keep them coming!
Venus Dixon
13 Jan 10 at 2:06 pm
Thanks, Venus. It’s a very solid and sturdy table. I dubbed it bomb proof. Then somebody (one of the Bumble Bees, I think) asked “Ahh, but is it Bennett proof?” Time will only tell.
We’re heading into Puerto Varas tomorrow and to Cochamó a week from Friday, so there will be a lot more updates coming.
http://www.cochamo.com/ind/cochamo.cfm?lan=en&men=hom&pag=what
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Varas
Tim Shults
13 Jan 10 at 2:16 pm
Very cool, Tim. Been there done that with lack of tools, and I’ve cramped my hands (literally!) cutting metal. Awesome job, and if nothing else you will look like Popeye if you keep it up.
Brian Hunnell
14 Jan 10 at 3:19 am
wow! Great work with the wood! I’m sure there will be many great meals served from that table!!!
karisha
14 Jan 10 at 3:59 am
Is that a shoe holding the table level?! Whats going on here Tim!? LOL I wish I was there
karisha
14 Jan 10 at 4:01 am
Glad you guys made it! Impressed by the kitchen table. Youve got skills. I love the picture of Grahmn with the pink hat.
Chris Warren
17 Jan 10 at 8:04 am