KINK JARFOLD'S JOURNAL : 10 Steps (with Pictures)

The first Journal I ever started was way back in 1955 when I was 9 going on 10. Then I stopped. I started keeping one regularly when I was in Junior High. Basically, I've kept one ever since. They take up volumes. They are filled with the best of times and the worst of times, with angst, achievements, saucy details, inner most feelings, random thoughts, boring daily details, and general news of the day. At his request, my youngest son is getting them when I shuffle off this mortal coil. My oldest son said, "EWW" when I asked who wanted them. It was the "saucy details" that prompted that response. He, to this day, wants to believe Wifey and I immaculately conceived him and never ever performed, as the bard would say,The beast with two backs.

Step 1: THE INSPIRATION

I came across a package of 9 1/2" x 6" loose leaf paper and no binder available to put it in. It's such an odd size. Not readily available in Target or Walmart. So I decided to make one.

Step 2: MATERIAL

I have lots of pallet wood and took one piece, cut it in pieces, trimmed one edge straight, glued them together and trimmed them to the proper size for the journal paper with a half inch overlap.

Step 3: PRETTYING UP THE YUCKY PALLET WOOD

Lots of sanding. Even some planing.

Step 4: THE BASIC JOURNAL CONSTRUCTION

I drilled three holes through the hinge strip and the back cover, and cut some dowels on my trusty dowel cutting jig, which as you can see has gotten a lot of use. I set this aside until the final assembly.

Step 5: PYROGRAPHY

I found a Celtic design I liked and some initials and burnt them into the cover.

Step 6: TUNG OIL AND DOWELS

I use Tung Oil for most of my projects. After finishing, I assembled the book by gluing the dowels into place.

Step 7: THE SPINE

I constructed a spine cover from a scrap piece of decking I had and glued it in place. Once dry, I trimmed the dowels flush.

Step 8: HINGES

I installed the hinges. Which, basically, was my only expense for this project since I had the paper sitting in a drawer for years. The screws came through the cover and I filed the protruding points smooth.

Step 9: IN CONCLUSION

Personally, I was very pleased with the results. Yes, there were a few things I'd do differently. But all-in-all not too shabby. And as usual, all comments appreciated, all questions answered.

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Kink Jarfold