Blog Series

Giraffe Bookcase

Part 7: Gluing the Case

 The glue-up part of a project is always nerve-wracking for me, and this project was no exception. Dowel joinery helps a lot, but it doesn't totall...

Part 8: Attaching the Legs

The final woodworking step was attaching the legs to the case. As with everything else, I used dowels. The front legs were straightforward. I used...

Part 9: Painting

In my last painted project (a sideboard), I used General Finishes Milk Paint, and I painted the parts before assembly. I don't think the GF paint i...

Celtic Mandolin

Part 11: Started the mandolin design

Started design on QCad. [40098C9E-87A0-4304-9D8E-8F575AAD49E1.jpeg]Neck and head design. Started thinking about the cutting sequence for the neck. 

Part 12: Almost finished with the overall design

Almost finished with the overall design. Need to verify the tuner spacing when I get them. Then I'll start cutting templates with the laser. [Scree...

Part 13: Some Templates

Fired up the laser to cut out the first templates for the mandolin today. The body template determines the overall shape of the body, the drill loc...

Danish Cord Bench

Part 4: Shaping, Sanding, and Glue-up

The leg edges and leg stretchers received a fingernail profile.   This was done with a 1/2" radius roundover bit in the router table.  Note my slig...

Part 5: Weaving the Warp

Once I completed the final sanding and prepped according to instructions, I applied Rubio's Monocote Pure to the frame.  It was my first experience...

Part 6: Weaving the Weft and Done

The weft weaving starts in one corner, attaching the a doubled cord (roughly 120ft length folded in half) at its center onto a side rail.  This is ...

Coping/Turning Saw

Part 2: Frame

Onto the frame, rive the birch (random piece of metal used as an ad hoc froe). I have since got an actual froe - but this worked surprisingly well....

Part 3: Fit the handles to the frame

Work out what angle the handles should go in at. Not quite 90 degrees because of the slight curve from crossbar to where the handles go. [20210104_...

Part 4: Finish

Shape the handles clamped together so they end up the same size/shape. [20210105_103453.jpg] And just hack bits off with a knife & rasp until I’m h...

French Country Table

Part 1: Designing and Joinery

This year’s winter project is a new kitchen table. The beater we have is having trouble living next to the new dog food cabinet beside it. Our whol...

Part 2: Veneering the Base

Well, I said I would post again when the veneering was done. It took a little longer than I expected because I decided to add a little marquetry to...

Part 3: Done for Now

Just a quick update to show the top in place and the installation in the kitchen by the 18C dog food cabinet. It will live here under a tablecloth ...

8 Drawer Beaded Face Frame Cupboard Construction

Part 6: BFFC Day 6

this blog has been a few days to completion mainly due to too hot outside or other Higher priority tasks overtaking it I carved all the drawer fro...

Part 7: BFFC Day 7

Well most of the progress has slowed somewhat. First up :- My custom trolley as promised. (Edit opps cannot find the pictures just now!) Its for ...

Part 8: The double radius trim to complete the BFFC

You may have seen the preparation involved to construct the Double radius feature at the back of the cabinet top. Here it is sitting in place. [IMG...

Wooden Model Making

2 entries

Part 1: Power Wagon

When I first saw the Power Wagon I just knew that some time or other I would be giving it a try. [IMG_3611.JPG] [IMG_3613.JPG][IMG_3614.JPG] [T&...

Part 2: 1911 Delivery Truck

 1911 delivery truck I found some cool old plans to play with so trying the 1911 Brush Delivery Truck' I've built this style truck before but a m...

Techniques & Tricks

Part 1: Homemade veneer softener

I needed some veneer softener, so I went looking on the Internet and I found this recipe at Highland Woodworking. Perfect, but my local pharmacy do...

Part 2: Punched metal decoration

I’m not certain yet how it’s going to look when done, but I experimented a bit with punched metal this morning. I printed this photo on a piece of...

Mini Office Workbench

Part 11: Drill the side clamp holes, finish cookies

 Boys and Girls,                                                                                                       Another shortie which cannot...

Part 12: Finishing

 Boys and Girls,                                                                                                       Quickly approaching the end…...

Part 13: Epilog 

Boys and Girls,                                                                                                       Finally finished and no more ...

Venturi Vacuum for Work Holding and beyond...

5 entries

Part 3: Bits and bobs...

This entry is going to focus on the bits and bobs that turn the venturi pump from a pump into a workholding device. This one rambles a bit, so get ...

Part 4: ...and now for the clamping!

In this installment, I'll be talking about the actual implementation of the vacuum clamp, successes and failures, and what I plan to do next... As...

Part 5: P.S. - new benchtop!

Just a short entry, maybe almost just an addendum…. I swapped out the table top on the Auxilary bench for a 2’x4’x3/4” thick chipboard covered wit...