This birthday felt different.
Not because of cake or candles.
But because every year on this day, I think about my father.
We shared the same birthday. He passed away in 2010.
There’s something about working with your hands on a day like this that feels right. Grounded. Honest. Connected.
This year, instead of celebrating loudly, I spent the day learning.
Learning resin.
Learning fire.
Learning patience.
And Herc, as always, was right there beside me.
The Epoxy Lesson
I sanded the epoxy board to 400 grit and wiped it down with 91% alcohol.
When the surface turned hazy, I thought I had ruined it. It looked cloudy and uneven, and I immediately started second-guessing myself.
Turns out, that haze is part of the process. At 400 grit, you’re seeing microscopic scratches diffusing the light. The clarity returns with the next skim coat.
There were also small dents and tiny pinholes — reminders that nothing comes out perfect the first time. The fix is simple: a thin, controlled coat. Press the resin into the surface. Let it self-level. Don’t overwork it.
Epoxy isn’t about forcing things.
It’s about preparation and patience.
There’s a lesson in that.
Fire and Pine
Then came the torch.
Five 2×4 boards. Burned on all four sides. Deep black.
At first the flame gave me trouble — strong blue for a moment, then weak and yellow. I had to reset and purge the tank before it behaved the way it should.
Another lesson.
Once the burn was even, the boards turned almost too dark. Solid black. Intense. Tomorrow I’ll brush them with the Restorer tool, and that’s when the grain will reveal itself — brown ridges against black valleys. Texture emerging from fire.
There’s something powerful about transforming simple pine with flame.
It feels raw. Real. Earned.
The Birthday Haul
Herc also made sure this birthday included a little treasure hunting.
At roughly 50% off retail, we added a few tools to the workshop:
- Kreg magnetic stud finder
- Shelf pin jig
- Concealed hinge jig
- Doweling jig kit
- Pocket hole joiner kit
- Precision router table system
- And 2 ounces of silver
Tools and silver.
Things that build.
Things that last.
Things that hold value.
There’s something fitting about that on a birthday.
Building the Bench
The bench frame already has predrilled holes, which means keeping things simple — straight slats, clean lines, no unnecessary angles.
Seat depth: 20.5 inches.
Back height: 17 inches.
The goal is solid. Heavy. Intentional.
Five boards are cut and burned. More to follow once the layout is confirmed.
It’s not just about attaching wood to metal. It’s about stepping back ten feet and asking, “Does this feel right?”
That instinct — that pause — is part of learning.
A Quiet Word
Dad,
We still share this day.
It’s been years since 2010, but every birthday still carries your presence. This year I spent it building — burning boards, sanding resin, learning something new from scratch.
You always believed in doing things the right way. Taking your time. Making sure it would last.
I think you would have appreciated this bench. Solid. Heavy. Built with intention.
Another year older.
Still learning.
Still building.
Chief inspector making sure the burn pattern meets standards.
Quality control supervisor reminding me not to overthink it.
