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Putzing With Wood

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In the first section of this month's column I used the phrase "putz around with wood," and that might sound demeaning to some, but it certainly is not. I first learned the word "putz" from a Jewish friend who enlightened me with many Yiddish words and phrases. There is, sadly, in English a more vulgar meaning, but I ignore those misuses of good words. To "putz" is to spend time in an idle or foolish manner, a "putz" is a person who does that, and "putzing" is generally just "fooling around." Aimlessly (and needlessly) rearranging the clothes in your closet is "putzing" around in your closet. The thing is, "putzing" and being called a "putz" are affably intended quips, often said with a smirk and a smile. No harm, no foul.

Figure 7 - Back-breaking work made a bit easier with a quick little bit of "putzing" with wood

The fact is, I can do a lot of things with wood that might be better done with metal, but I just don't have metal-working skills or the tools to pull it off. And to top it off, it is easier to work with wood. So, when I need to solve a problem or build something to fulfill a specific need, my first thought is "How can I make it out of wood?" Sometimes what I build is crude, sometimes it is a fairly elegant solution, but always, it is just "putzing" with wood.

When I needed to move some rocks that were simply too large for my back to handle, I had to get inventive. Being an amateur Egyptologist, I remembered the (patently absurd) hypothesis that stones weighing as much as 10-tons were moved on giant sleds pulled by slaves. A sled might be the answer, but how would I build one? A quick search of my wood storage barn yielded a piece of 3/4" plywood about the right size. A quick trim-to-size on the table saw was all it took to get exactly what I wanted. About one third of the way from one end I attached, with screws, a strip of wood to keep the stone from sliding off the back. Then I drilled a couple of 3/4" holes in the front corners of the other end, threaded in a length of rope to each hole, and tied knots to keep the ropes attached.

I was (barely) able to roll the stones onto the improvised sled, but with the ropes in hand I could slide the stones relatively easily. Pulling the rope tilted the front of the plywood up a bit, and that kept the wood from digging into the ground. This was a five-minute "putz" with wood that solved a real problem.

There is nothing quite like starting into a project thinking that you have everything you could possibly need, only to find you are missing a key component. That happened when I was laying out string lines for a concrete project the other day. I had batter boards, but no stakes. Some scrap Ash, roughly 1-1/4" X 1-1/4" and various lengths, were tucked away in a hidey-place, so I used the miter saw to cut 45-degree "points" on the ends and pounded them into the ground. The Ash held up well to the sledge hammer, but screwing the batter boards to the stakes required pilot holes. No big deal, because the quick "putz" with the miter saw and some scrap saved me a trip to the store to buy "official" wood stakes.

The post hole digging attachment for the three-point hitch on my tractor is a veritable beast. It is heavy, unwieldy, and takes at least three strong arms to dismount from and mount to the tractor. It's a little like wrestling a one-legged bear with a low center of gravity and a mean right hook. The manufacturer makes a very nice steel stand for the attachment. In theory, you can back up to the stand, dismount the post hole digger and attach it to the stand, all by yourself. Unfortunately, the stand costs almost $400. Two of the tractor-facing legs on the stand require precision when backing up to it, not my forte. So, I have been "putzing" around with a design for a stand made of wood.

This won't (can't) be a piece with furniture-style joinery… it will require beefy wood, carriage bolts for joinery, and some heavy-duty hardware. Still, I think it can be done at nil cost, and the result might be even better than the commercially manufactured piece. Only time, and a bit more putzing, will tell. Maybe when I am finished, I will share a photo.

One thing is sure… whatever skills I have picked up in woodworking seem to always come in handy around the house. So if you want to call me a putz, it's perfectly okay. I will just grin and keep on putzing!

The final installment of the sliding bypass door series is now available for viewing, so be sure to check it out. I am hard at work on the next video series project, now deep into the design modification and mock-up phase. Be sure to keep an eye out for that.

Every year I plan one big outdoor project. Summers are short here, so one lengthy involved project is about all that can be done. Between rain storms I have been prepping for a concrete foundation pour and it is getting very close to time to mix and lay concrete. While you are swinging in the hammock and enjoying the lazy days of summer, think a good thought for the old Down To Earth Woodworker. See you next month!

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Steven Johnson is retired from an almost 30-year career selling medical equipment and supplies, and now enjoys improving his shop, his skills, and his designs on a full time basis (although he says home improvement projects and furniture building have been hobbies for most of his adult life). Steven can be reached directly via email at sjohnson@downtoearthwoodworking.com

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