If you read the last entry, you know I was having problems with some angles for the second level. Since a new miter saw or better miter gauge for my table saw are sort of out of the question any time soon, I decided to doctor the design a bit to make it easier.
Instead of making the front and sides of the level tilt in at thirty degrees like the plans call for, I only tilted the front. I left the sides straight up and down. This way, all I would have to do is miter the front ends of the sides and cut a thrity degree bevel at the top and bottom edge of the front. This isn’t such a problem. The combined miter and bevel for the front corners are what was making me pull my hair out. 
I wanted to show how I’m building this one. I’m building each level out of cottonwood. Then I’m gluing the mahogany scroll work to that cottonwood frame. This creates a contrasting color behind the scroll work. It also makes it easier to build. Usually I leave my clocks hollow and glue the pieces together and clamp them. Since the pieces in question are only a quarter inch thick, this sometimes gets tricky. I am not making any predictions yet, but if it turns out that I’m happy with the end result, this is the way I will be doing my clocks from here on out. It is just easier all the way around.
In between each level is a piece of mahogany with nice design cut into the edges of it. The plans don’t make it clear, but seem to simply suggest a flat piece of stock the same size as the level underneath each piece. This looks kind of too plain to me. So I add an inch all the way around the three exposed sides. Then I use my router to cut a roman ogee profiles on both sides. This kind of “fancies” it up a bit.
I also wanted to tell everyone I had a great father’s day. Some of you may remember that I got a three piece set of brad nailers last month as an early gift. Yesterday, I also recieved some new clothes. I actually have some jeans now that don’t have holes all in them. I got a detail air sprayer. I’m going to have to practice, but once I get used to using one, I think it will greatly improve finishes on my scroll work. Another of my sons bought me a Ridgid mag switch featherboard my table saw. I call it the finger saver because it will prevent me from some of the dangerous way I have been guilty of holding material to the fence. Also, what made the day extra special for me was my kids. For several years now, our oldest son, for various reasons, has not been able to contact me on Father’s day. He did yesterday. So, I got to talk to every one of my kids this year. That just made my day.
Saturday, I told you all I was carrying my kids to the Home Depot Kid's Workshop. I try to carry them to every one of these since I learned about them. Each time they go, they get to build their projects. Then they give them juice and cookies, a certificate stating they completed the workshop for that particuar project, and a pin that they put on their apron for that project. So, for today, I wanted to show ya’ll one of my kid’s aprons. They are proud of all the projects they have done.