Since we are doing some redecorating here at home I thought I would take the opportunity to update the wooden brackets that we had holding up some glass shelves that holds my wife’s rooster collection.

They were originally just quarter-round pine which never looked too attractive. I replaced them with pieces of birch, routed and finished to match the kitchen cupboards:

Continue reading 'Major Chicken Coop Renovation'

I finished another picture frame this morning. This one is made from pine and finished with a coat of MinWax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, a coat of gel stain and shined and buffed with beeswax.

I’m not sure what the exact color of the stain is since it was custom made a few years ago to match some of our furniture. I believe the combination of the wood, the conditioner, the stain and beeswax gives it a glowing, coppery look, matching the copper of the salmon image.

Continue reading 'Is It A Picture Frame Or An Aquarium?'

In preparation for the mortising I have to do for the Craftsman Coffee Table project I’m working on I built this simple mortising jig:

Although there are quite few different plans and ideas for building a mortising jig, as well as commercial jigs available, I chose this one because it’s quite simple and quick (an hour or so) to build – cut 1/4 hardboard (still commonly referred to as ‘masonite’) to size. Drill the holes to match your plunge router. Route out the slots for the guide screws. Cut the guides to length and drill the holes for the carriage bolts.

Continue reading 'A Simple Plunge Router Mortising Jig'

1. If your hammer is continually slipping off the nails as you strike, use sand paper to roughen the face.

2. Don’t try to cut a log on a bandsaw without a jig. Because it is round the log will be drawn down to the table jamming the blade, possibly breaking it.

3. When making picture frames always make at least one extra piece. Somewhere along the line, whether cutting, routing or dadoing, you’ll be sure to lose a piece and have to create another. This will involve setting your equipment back up with the exact same measurements as the other pieces, reinstalling blades and bits, etc.

4. A clean shop is a happy shop. Sweep often. It’s a simple thought but I find that a regular sweep of the shop floor and equipment always gives me the feeling of starting anew, ready for the next project. If done at the end of the day it also gives a sense of completeness.

These are just a few tips that I picked up over this past week. They come from a variety of sources including books, magazines, newsletters, online and from personal experience.

There are more Woodworking Tips and Tidbits located here.

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