Okay, here’s my blog post about the “keel dancing solid timber” project, written in a casual, personal style:

So, I started this project thinking, “How hard could it be?” Famous last words, right? I had this idea to build a… well, I wasn’t entirely sure what it was going to be, but it involved solid timber, and it was going to be awesome. I’d seen some cool woodworking projects online, and I felt inspired. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty handy, and I love a good challenge. I picked “keel dancing” because, honestly, it sounded cool, and the shape kinda reminded me of a boat’s keel. Plus, “dancing” because it would have some curves, some movement.

The Timber

First things first: the wood. I went to my local lumber yard – you know, the kind of place that smells amazing, all sawdust and fresh-cut timber. I ended up choosing some beautiful, thick pieces of solid, I think it called “hardwood”. I wanted something that could handle some serious shaping and still look good. I spent a good hour just walking around, touching the wood, imagining the possibilities. It’s part of the fun, right?

Shaping the “Keel”

Next up, the real work began. I started by drawing out a rough shape on the timber. I used a big pencil, making lots of changes and erasing until I was happy. Think of a long, slightly curved shape, like the bottom of a boat, but… more artistic. Yeah, that’s it.

Then came the cutting. I used a jigsaw for the main curves. Man, that thing can be tricky! One wrong move and you’ve messed up the whole piece. I took it slow, cutting a little at a time, constantly checking my lines. I have to do that carefully, right? I have a lot of experience doing this before.

• First cut: The initial rough outline.
• Second cut: Refining the curves, smoothing out any jagged edges.
• Third cut: Because I messed up the second cut a little. It happens!

After the jigsaw, I switched to a hand plane. This is where the “dancing” part came in. I wanted to create some subtle waves and undulations along the keel, giving it a sense of movement. This took forever. Seriously, hours of planing, sanding, planing, sanding. My arms were aching, but it was worth it. I kept running my hand along the surface, feeling for any imperfections. Smooth as a baby’s bottom, that’s what I was aiming for.

The Finishing Touches

Once I was happy with the shape, it was time for the finish. I decided to go with a simple clear coat to show off the natural beauty of the timber. No fancy stains or paints, just pure, unadulterated wood.

I put the wood oil on it.

I applied several coats, sanding lightly between each one. The finish really brought out the grain and the depth of color in the timber. I also add some wax to make it better.

The Result

And… that’s it! My “keel dancing solid timber” project. It’s not perfect, but I love it. It’s got character, it’s got flaws, and it’s got a story. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best projects are the ones where you just let yourself go with the flow, even if you don’t know exactly where you’re going to end up. It’s look cool, you should see my friends face when the first time saw it, LOL.