Products From The Mind of Chris Wong
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When I set out to create this table I knew that I wanted to use plain wood for the base and figured wood for the top. I knew that straight-grained wood would be easier to carve, and complements the carving well; curvy grain would distract from the linear design. I expected that using figured wood … Continue reading Construction of “Table with a Twist” – Part 1: Legs
Perhaps you remember this table I built a year ago. It was a really interesting project and it generated a lot of feedback, both positive and negative. Most viewers liked the proportions as well as the twisted legs. Some liked the contrast between maple and black walnut. Many disliked the top, saying that it reminded … Continue reading Table with a Twist
Furniture is what I primarily make, and I think that solid wood is the best choice of materials. No two pieces are identical, and its consistent nature lends itself well to carving - there is no risk of cutting through one layer into another creating an ugly seam. But solid wood is not always the … Continue reading Working with Melamine Particle Board
I like folding knives. I am always on the lookout for folding knives from which I can easily strip the aluminum scales and replace them with pretty wooden ones. I particularly like the type with a frame lock where one side of the metal frame is bent inwards and upon opening the blade, it engages … Continue reading Custom Knife Scales
A couple days ago, I started building some shelves on which to display some of my smaller projects. They will be floating shelves, with no visible attachment point. I could have made them a basic rectangular prism, but if you know me, you know there's no way I would leave them that simple. I decided … Continue reading Time Flies When You’re Having Fun
Deciding what to get someone is the hard part; wrapping them up is usually easy... unless you're trying to disguise a hockey stick. But don't overlook the creative opportunities available to you in the wrapping process. I've done some pretty crazy wrapping jobs in the past - some just awesome, others tacky but definitely fun. … Continue reading A Unique Way to Wrap Presents
This is a woodworking-focused post, as they all are, but first there's something I need to say: I hate how commercialized Christmas has become. There, I said it. I feel a bit better now. First of all, Christmas should not be about giving and receiving gifts. I don't like malls or their line-ups. I especially … Continue reading Make, Don’t Buy Gifts
If you don't have any scars, I would venture to guess that you lead a very conservative lifestyle free of peril, risk, adrenaline rushes, and interest. Yes, I have a few scars, each with a story and often a lesson learned as well. Scars can be reminders of epic tales of struggle, heroism, pain and … Continue reading Every Scar Has a Story, But Not Every Story Has a Scar
When I am working, especially with hand tools, I sometimes notice unique and special shavings or chips or other side products in my shaping of a piece. While wasting away material with a bench chisel, I noticed the interesting fractured chip that was being produced simultaneously. I saved four of them and later cut a … Continue reading Preserving Odd Bits of Wood
