Festool clamping comes to the rescue (and more)

[fritter63]

One of the things I occasionally build is furniture using wine barrel staves.

Ref: Wine Barrel Adirondack Chairs

As I mentioned in that thread (I think?), the real work is in the sanding of the staves. They are difficult to hold/clamp, and they are
curved on all surfaces in multiple dimensions. They need to sanded on all sides, which means they need to calmped in various positions.

I'm currently making two more for a silent auction fundraiser for my sons band and I was finally able to work out the right way to clamp and sand them.... and it's thanks to Festool clamping system.

Another key was using the foam interface pad on the RO-90, which allows the sand paper to conform to the curves and really speeds up sanding.

Here are a few pictures showing the clamping solutions:

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Here the tension of the staves is used. Push down lightly before tightening the clamp, and it won't move at all.

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So this, along with the RO-90 made it much easier this time around.

 

[tbellemare]

Those chairs are cool.

So, the vintners sell the barrels after only 3 years? I wonder what happens to them. There are a bunch of vineyards not too far from here, even some distilleries. Maybe I can make some whiskey chairs... My wife has been wanting some patio seating.

I was using the RO 90 with the Interface Pad yesterday on a skylight vault I'm redoing. I was having all sorts of problems making the multiple angular transitions with just the stock (Soft) pad so I put on an Interface Pad and problem solved. It made it really easy. I was even able to clean up most of the mess I made before employing it.

I'll go back today and try to finish fixing my mess.

Tom

 

[rnt80]

Love the Finn benches.

 

[fritter63]

Those chairs are cool.

So, the vintners sell the barrels after only 3 years? I wonder what happens to them. There are a bunch of vineyards not too far from here, even some distilleries. Maybe I can make some whiskey chairs... My wife has been wanting some patio seating.

Not sure if whisky barrels are big enough. You need 31 - 34" height barrels to get the legs and arms right. Otherwise the seat angle might be too drastic (more like a regular adirondack which are difficult to get up out of).

I supposed you could "double stack" a couple of shorter staves for legs (with spacing) to raise that seat angle up.

 

[tbellemare]

You obviously know infinitely more about those type of barrels than I do, Fritter.

At least you've gotten me thinking and now I'll watch Craigslist to see if any are available.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[fritter63]

Also worth befriending the winery manager. Sometimes they have trouble finding someone to take them.....;-)

 

[tbellemare]

I just did some checking and they are going for upward of $150. I'll have to check the wineries as you suggest. There are at least a couple dozen within easy driving distance.

It looks like the wine barrels are about 57 gallons and whiskey barrels about 53 gallons. Is that what you've found?

Tom

 

[fritter63]

Sounds about right, they're def smaller but I thought they were closer to 2/3.

Check craigslist as you don't want to ship them.

I got 12 at $30/ea

Time of year is key too, get them after they've bottled the lot and have a surplus.

Those $150 ones are a third party selling after they got them for $30/ea in bulk!

 

[fritter63]

Just checked our local CL, anywhere from 50 - 100.

Not much out there right now though.

Where is it you live tom?

 

[tbellemare]

I'm in Austin, which is just east of a bunch of vineyards and associated wineries. I checked Craigslist and came up with the resellers. What time of year is best? I'll call several wineries.

Thanks again,

Tom

 

[sancho57]

Those chairs are cool.

So, the vintners sell the barrels after only 3 years? I wonder what happens to them. There are a bunch of vineyards not too far from here, even some distilleries. Maybe I can make some whiskey chairs... My wife has been wanting some patio seating.

I was using the RO 90 with the Interface Pad yesterday on a skylight vault I'm redoing. I was having all sorts of problems making the multiple angular transitions with just the stock (Soft) pad so I put on an Interface Pad and problem solved. It made it really easy. I was even able to clean up most of the mess I made before employing it.

I'll go back today and try to finish fixing my mess.

Tom

My interface pad for the RTS 400 is awesome especially with sanding bull noses. Im surprised a lot of people dont use them