Pick for a pendant

In the shop today. I was going to make a little box using my router, but I cant get the bit to bore deep enough with a guide bearing and template. What would work is a straight router bit that is about 2" long. (The cutting part, that is.) Are those to be had?
Im still going to make the box, but make a modified version of a band saw box. 

Read More..

Making a rustic picture frame with Dad

Every year or so my dad comes out for a short visit. Dad enjoys talking about woodworking and catching up with the changes in my shop since his last trip. We usually spend most of the time gabbing so I choose to take the week off as a vacation.
Not a lot of thought or planning went into this project or video. It was sort of like a couple of kids sitting around and one of them asking, "Hey, I know...you wanna put on a show?" In this case, I was that kid.
Dad is a little reluctant to appear in front of a camera, but more than happy to help out with a woodworking project. The funny thing is that he actually comes across quite natural on video. Mostly, its a lot of fun to just spend time building something together. Doesnt matter what it is, the time spent together is worth it.
*****
Rustic picture frameI cant believe how much of that pallet wood I have from last month. I think I picked up about eight pallets and still have a large stash of boards. Its the free wood that keeps on giving!
The picture frame couldnt be simpler. Just a few rough-cut boards glued and nailed together. I saved the rusty spiral nails from the pallets and used them to give it an even more authentic look. Finally, I wrapped some sisal twine around the corners. The string gimmick is just decorative, but gives it all a hobbled-together look.
I decided to print out a vintage vegetable crate label for inside the frame to tie it all together. I think a picture frame should complement its content. A successful frame and picture might be viewed as a single object.

*****

Read More..

Learn a trade Yeah right thats so 20th century

Ive noticed something strange within the past ten years or so. Often, when I meet someone and we discuss our careers, I am left with no clear idea what that person does for a living. Sometimes its even difficult for him to describe. My brother, for instance, has worked for the same company for years and I really havent the vaguest notion exactly what he does. It used to be something with computers, now its something to do with business. I think.
There was a time  when a man could sum up his job in a few words. A coal miner. A plumber. An electrician. A cabinet maker. A chef. A lumberjack. A baker. A blacksmith. A cooper. Until recently, a guy could even call himself a computer programmer and most of us knew what that meant.
Make money. No skills necessary.Today, people get MBAs and find jobs working for companies that only insiders can understand truly what they do. A lot of data is exchanged with other companies who, in turn, sell that data to other companies who outsource their end of that data to middlemen in India who then somehow manage to massage it and most likely get someone from the original company to buy it. At least thats how I think it works. Is anything really produced? Does it matter?
On the plus side, most of these companies have really cool logos and techie-sounding portmanteau names.

Lets try one. I am going to start up a new company called CollaborLife (TM). As the name suggests, and our mission statement reflects,

We aim to expedite labor in a collaborative environment while enhancing the lives of not just our associates, but the life of our planet itself. 

So, if you have an MBA degree, Id love to discuss our future together. Your responsibilities will include managing innovation-flow and strategizing problem-solving techniques for the 21st century. Salary starts at $95K.
*******
Im having a little fun with this, but it illustrates a disturbing trend. The world runs because of people who are actually able to produce things. Without skilled workers, eventually the -ahem- planet will grind to a halt.
Children are rarely taught basic skills needed to make simple repairs, or worse, the critical thinking needed to even comprehend how such tasks might be performed. Chances are, even their dads are unable to provide simple instruction anymore.
Shop class? Whats that? Ewww...For the most part, schools have eliminated vocational training and shop classes. Kids are unable to even try metalworking or wood shop to see if they might find it appealing. When was the last time you saw a kid working on a car in his driveway? Or even a bicycle for that matter?
All of this comes on the heels of the generally accepted belief that All Kids Must Go To University. Its drummed into every child from an early age. Parents panic if a childs math grade falls to a B.
By no means do I intend to disparage the value of education. It is always wise to pursue the highest goals possible, but education and schooling are two separate things. The mistake many "educators" fail to address is that a Ph.D is not a reasonable goal or even a desirable goal for many (very bright, I might add) kids.
And where does this leave them? Well, these kids used to have the option to learn a trade. One that might fit their interests and abilities perfectly. Sadly, without even the opportunity available, they are left with a high school diploma, which is worth the paper its printed on. They have no university prospects and have had no chance to learn a meaningful trade. We are left with two classes of workers: unskilled laborers and pencil pushers with master degrees.
So when an assembly-line worker discovers a leak under his sink on a holiday weekend, he has to scramble to find a plumber. When the IT Tech breaks the leg of his dining room chair (no doubt from obesity due to lack of exercise) he is clueless to repair it. Likely he will just buy an entirely new dinette set.
The revenge of the tradesmenCarpenters are often looked down upon by "educated" folk as unintelligent people who never studied in school. Plumbers have been the butt (pun intended) of many jokes. Auto mechanics are typically thought of as rip-off artists who always tack on extra charges to the customer. Nothing like the honorable laborers who toil away on Wall Street.
Teachers discourage learning trades. Parents are frightened of the prospect. Even recent U.S. presidents continually prattle on about learning nothing but "math and science, math and science, math and science" and getting a university degree. The elitist implication here is that people who choose different paths are worthless to society.
More and more, job openings for skilled tradesmen are going unfilled. The irony to this is that we are headed to a day when people who have manufacturing and repair skills are going to be some of our most sought-after citizens. We have always complained about the high cost of hiring a plumber. Well, imagine having to double that fee due to lack of people willing to get dirty. It may get to the point where a guy who can hang drywall and cut a decent cove moulding can demand fees as high as a stock broker. That will truly be the last laugh.
Mike Rowe addresses the senateMike Rowe is one of my favorite people. Sure hes a celebrity, but he understands this problem well. He recently addressed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, hoping to enlighten them on the dearth of skilled labor. Its a spectacular speech. And your homework. Take a few moments to read it here or watch the video here:

Read More..

Make a wooden book keepsake box

Valentines Day projectI started this project with the idea of making a wooden "book". It would open to reveal a heart-shaped picture frame on each side and could be displayed open on a table.

The logistics of pulling that off were a bit more than I had time to deal with, so about halfway through the build, I decided to just make a simple frame insert and call it a keepsake box.
Most of my time on this project was spent in the design: specifically how to make the box look like a book, yet let it to swing open. Since real books generally dont have visible hinges, I didnt want any to show on this one either.
Thankfully, I have a terrific bunch of helpers on my Facebook page who came up will lots (and I mean lots) of ideas. The one I decided to go with was using a dowel as a hinge. It works out great and doesnt require any glue.

This is a pretty easy project to make. Mostly, you will spend your time on the hinge mechanism and shaping the cover and spine so that it swings properly. Take your time to test it along the way and youll be fine. Most importantly, resist the urge to force the cover to swing if it sticks: the dowel holes are so close to the edge, it will likely cause a split. And by the way, use a hardwood. Pine will almost certainly split.
Download plans:

• PDF plans
• SketchUp file
*****

Read More..

Build a cookbook stand

All cookbooks should be spiral bound for ease of use. Same goes for woodworking books that wont lie open when you are trying to follow a plan. I suppose the main drawback for publishers is that a spiral-bound book cant display its title while on a bookshelf.
Usually I end up setting a heavy object on the open book to keep it open while Im using it. Of course, this eventually ruins the binding.
So a few weeks ago Ryan Mackey posted a picture on Facebook of a cookbook stand he made. This immediately got me thinking about building one of my own to finally put an end to my frustration.
Heres my version. It solves the problem of spring-loaded books and it keeps them upright at an easier angle to read.

Read More..

Working on a sliding lid box

I finished up a sliding lid box this weekend. Its funny, because I was originally going to make this using a router for the inside. Unfortunately, my router bit wouldnt dig deep enough, so I decided to cut it out on the band saw. Then I decided to use a scroll saw, so I could avoid cutting the entry point that would require gluing.
Well, I screwed up a key part cutting the lid and ended up having to make the box much shallower. I could have done it on the router to begin with! I like the way the lid works out, though. Video on Friday.

Read More..

Make a Shaker style coat rack

Well sure its still summer. What better time to prepare for winter?
This is a good woodworking project to consider for the three day Labor Day weekend. Its a Shaker inspired coat rack thats surprisingly simple to make. I used pre-made Shaker pegs on mine, but if you have a lathe and feel extra creative, make your own.
I added some small drawers to this one: prefect for storing keys. If you dread the tedium of making drawers, Ive got a simple method to make all four at once.

Read More..

A couple of puzzles

12-piece puzzlesAfter watching my 3-piece wood puzzle, Pascal Vergneau in France, decided to take it further by making a 12-piece version!
You just need to make 4 of each type of piece.
Hes also drawn up a plan you can download and try out. (Click the third image to enlarge it.) It is in metric, but really its just the proportions that are important. Make the pieces based around the sizes of the hole pieces.
Thanks Pascal!

*****

This also reminds me of Matthias Wandels 12 piece puzzle, which is made from 12 identical pieces. Heres his video solution. Even when I understand these puzzles, they make my head spin.

*****
Teds stolen plans revealedFinally, I wanted to give you an update on Teds Woodworking. Jim Barry at Copyrighters Sharing Information has a complete list of all the plans Ted is selling and from where they are stolen. For what its worth, there arent 16,000 plans, as advertised. Only about 2,300. Cant believe Ted would lie to us.
Anyway, definitely check out this PDF. It will give you a little bit of insight into the vast web of shenanigans known as "Ted".

Read More..

Hearts boards and a horse

Nighthawk sent over a picture of his version of my bent-wood Valentine candy box. He says it was a good way to earn bonus points with his wife and justify tool purchases. Read more about it on his blog.

*****

Over on Facebook, Mark Martinez posted his heart. His first attempt at bent lamination.

*****
Bill Wilson, always in the shop, tried his hand at his first cutting board. Since Ive made my first, family members are putting in requests for Christmas!

*****
Wanted to also show off some very creative pieces by Vincent Fulton that remind me of highly stylized cutting boards!

*****

Finally, I wanted to show you a new woodworker making videos. This is 10-year-old Matthew Agate  from Placentia, Newfoundland Canada, who built a rocking horse as part of Marc Spagnuolos Woodworkers Fighting Cancer charity build. A lot of people built these horses, but Matthew has to be the youngest. Nice work Matthew! Looking forward to more videos.

Read More..

A Friday off

If you didnt get the memo earlier, I dont have a project video this week. But I will be back next Friday with something good. And if not something good, at least a new project!
Until then here is a Mere Minutes update:

Read More..

Build a device charging station

Do you have an area in your house that looks like this?

For some reason, our kitchen counter has been our recharging area for a long time. It is always cluttered and as we get more electronic devices, it becomes more and more confusing to find the right cord for the gadget you need to charge. Plus, its right next to the stove. Not the best place for all this.

I made this charging station so we can easily charge all our devices (well, six of them at least) and keep all the messy cords hidden. Only one cord plugs into the wall: the one attached to a power strip that hides in the back behind a sliding panel.

The charging cords fit into slots, preventing them from sliding back into the box when not in use.

I made this using 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch plywood, but it would be a great project to build using some special wood youve been saving. If you would like to build the charging station, here are a full set of plans:

PDF version (with cutting template for sides)

SketchUp file

*****

Read More..

More candle holders and a Kindle update

Wow...I cant believe how many people responded to my Kindle case/stand problems and questions. Some really incredible ideas. I am now thinking about making two in a couple different styles. Thank you all for your help!
*****
In my last post I mentioned some of the many versions of my candle holder that have been build. Its really inspiring to see how people re-interpret a simple design.
Wanted to show you some of Alex Busados work. Alex is 12 and has some really creative ideas. I really like natural-wood projects.

*****
Kindle case update.

Read More..

Build a better mousetrap

There must be more mousetrap designs than any other contraption. Stig Schjervheim from Norway made this mousetrap with hand tools. Patterned after an 18th century trap, he says hes already captured eight mice. Thanks for the video, Stig!

Read More..

Make a wood bracelet

Last weekend I was watching the movie Atlas Shrugged which features a metal bracelet. I love the angular and geometric simplicity of it and decided to make one out of wood.
Ive made a few wood jewelry projects in the past and have discovered that no matter how simple the project appears to be, it always seems to come with its own set of challenges, mostly due to the small scale. If, when building a three-foot wide storage cabinet, a measurement is off by a 1/8", I dont get too worried. On a one-inch wide bracelet link, an eight of an inch is unacceptable.
This bracelet and earring set can be made with just a hand saw, a hand drill, and a plane. As with any jewelry project, you want the wood to be thin and lightweight. If you happen to have wood that is already 1/8" thick or less, you are good to go.
I used a piece of Yucatan Rosewood for my bracelet. Its got a beautiful reddish color and a dark grain. The nice thing about making wood jewelry is that is requires very little wood, so its a great opportunity to use some scraps youve been saving. It can also be a good excuse to splurge on some exotic lumber. Just make sure the wood is hard. Soft woods such as pine are likely to break.

The biggest problem I ran into with this was that it simply didnt look right when I first assembled it. The rings I bought were just too big. It was a case of something that could only be discovered in the "real world". On paper, the rings looked good. I made another trip to the craft store and bought some 10mm rings, which worked out perfectly.
If you would like to experiment with this design, here is the cutting template I made for the earrings and the bracelet.

• WWMM wood bracelet (pdf)
*****

Read More..

Using the miter sled a follow up

I should have spent a little more time explaining the advantage to using a miter sled, and actually showed that in Fridays video.
What I showed was cutting a miter on the same side of the sled, which obviously defeats the beauty of using a miter sled. Essentially, you just need to ensure that the two "fences" are exactly 90 degrees. That is the critical part. If they are slightly off from 45 degrees to the blade, thats okay. Just make sure you cut each piece on opposite fences and they will add up to 90 degrees.
And, I want to know about your vises. No, not your vices. You can keep those secret. Never really thought much about vises before, but well, anyway, heres a video:
Mere Minutes

Read More..

A bit haha more on the bit tip

Stuart posted a comment in yesterdays comments cluing me into something I wasnt aware of regarding router bits. A problem with many bits and routers is that the shaft of the bit can be longer than your collet. In this case, if you drop the bit all the way down into your router, it may bottom out, causing the bit to slip. Clearly, a rubber o-ring trick will do nothing for you.
Tim sent me a diagram illustrating the opposite end of the router shaft: where it meets the cutting part:

You can see where that taper occurs. Thats the area that I think Woodsmith was addressing.
All in all, I think the best and easiest tip is to just drop your bit into the router and back it out a slight -ahem- bit.
****
No project video to post this week guys. Sorry. Somehow summer activities tend to keep me out of my shop more than usual. Heres an update:
Mere Minutes

Read More..

Breakfast in bed tray or a laptop in bed tray

I got an email from Daniel Pozzobon in Brazil a while ago. He asked if I could build a small table on which he can use his notebook computer in bed. He says his town get very cold in the winter and he likes to stay in bed using his laptop. The problem is that it is not a good idea to use a laptop on the blankets; it can cause overheating.
Really this is just a breakfast-in-bed tray. Eating meals in bed is not something that has ever thrilled me, but the idea of a laptop tray is appealing. So maybe it should just be simply called a bed tray.

Read More..

Make a jigsaw puzzle Christmas card

Last week I posted a jigsaw puzzle that Stephen Dickinson made. I think its a really great project and an easy one to make for Christmas. Stephen sent over a complete how-to of the process. Thanks man! This looks like a fun project that anyone would love to receive.*****

I cut out some 1/8” Baltic birch plywood that will leave at least a quarter inch border around the card.  It is best to cut them a little large because you will need to even up the edges as one of the last steps.  Give them a good sanding with some fine paper and a coat or two of lacquer but no spray on the sides that will be glued together.

I cut the card in half, apply glue to the back of the front of the card and apply it to the plywood I have chosen for the puzzle. 

After the glue dries I put a tiny entrance hole for the scroll saw blade.   I use puzzle blades I buy from Mike at http://www.mikesworkshop.com/.  There are other suppliers but that is the one I use. 

I cut out the puzzle area with a couple of tabs to lock it to the frame.  These tabs also give the person putting the puzzle some Idea of the orientation of the puzzle to the frame.

Making sure the frame is right side up, I glue it to the backer.  In this case I use another piece of 1/8” bb plywood.  I have used thin masonite before and that works well too.   Trial and lots of error has taught me to make sure there is plenty of wood under the frame and to have the frame right side up.  It isn’t fun when you discover the glued up puzzle back is only going to end up with 1/16” border on one corner.  

 

Cut the puzzle and try to have a lock at each side that faces another piece.  In this case I didn’t do that.  I wanted the balls to be loose in these cards.  It’s your puzzle, cut it the way you want.  There are no lines to follow unless you want to.  It may not come out the way you had had it planned but the recipient won’t know that.  They will probably be pleased with a cool Christmas card.

After the frame part has the glue cured I use my 1” belt sander to even up the edges.  Don’t go too fast grinding off the wood.  It will come of real fast and you may find the border is getting real thin.  I’m not a perfectionist but I don’t like making mistakes.  I have to keep reminding myself that these can look home made.  They are.

Next I give the frame a couple coats of spray on lacquer front back and sides.

The backs of the pieces may have a little fuzz from the scroll saw so give them a little rubbing on some sand paper.  I glued a piece of 120 to some masonite and rub the back of the pieces across that in a circular pattern.

You need to assemble the puzzle in the frame to make sure you haven’t misplaced any of the pieces.

Read More..