: Don't need to trim them or glue them together. When you glue the
: top on all the joinery is all done at once, and the rounded
: edges on the inside pieces are hidden.

: I've been a bit dismayed at the minor kinks and twists in the 2x4s
: I've been seeing lately. Individually they are OK, but I'm not
: sure I'd want to use a lot of them for a table top, and fight
: every joint. The 2x8s and up at Menards are a higher grade of
: wood. There would be fewer seams (less cuts if you still want to
: cut off the round edges) and I think they would be more
: dimensionally stable. Difference in cost is only a few dollars,
: and might be worth it, for the time and glue spent on two or
: three times the joints. Putting together 3 2x12s with 2 joints
: is a lot faster than milling and assembling twelve 2x3s with 11
: joints.

: As for your motorcycle maintenance. Do you have a teeter-totter
: bike lift? This is basically a platform (even a simple 2x12 may
: work) which is pivoted slightly off center. The pivot is housed
: in a box about a foot high and as long as the plank. At one end
: of the plank is a hinged ramp. Stretch out the ramp and the main
: plank is easy ot roll a cycle onto. Once you get the weight of
: the cycle past the pivot point the plank comes down to res on
: the box, and the ramp folds in to keep it there. Pop down the
: centerstand and the cycle is at a good height for oil changes,
: tune-ups, etc. Make the pivot from a piece of 3/4" pipe.
: For really heavy or wide bikes replace the 2x12 with thicker or
: wider built-up stock.

: You going to Canoecopia this year? I'm thinking on making a long
: day of it on Sunday. 7 hour drive one way from Indianapolis
: could be the deal breaker, though. Maybe I'll drive up Sat.
: night after work. Still undecided, though.

: PGJ

Hi Paul,

Wider 2 by stock tends to cup, common problem with softwoods, not good under a bench top. The top will not be glued on, will be screwed down so I can reverse it after a few years to get a fresh side for free.

I've got a hydrallic lift for the bikes, I do all my own maintenance on them, no one else ever works on my bikes. Been doing this for many years, like 40 :)

Yep, I always go to Canoecopia, I have to be there on Saturday, have our annual "meeting of the clubs" Saturday evening. It's only 45 miles for me, would be silly not to go.

Bill H.