A Built-In Cabinet with Live-Edge Counter Top

Cabinetry is not something that I do very often, but when we decided to redo our half-bathroom, I decided to custom-build a cabinet with a live-edge counter top and a shelf to better utilize the oddly-shaped space behind the door. The cabinet was pretty standard, but I didn't have any edge banding. With all the … Continue reading A Built-In Cabinet with Live-Edge Counter Top

Deconstructed, Session 4

In Session 1, Session 2, and Session 3 I began working on an exploded shelf I'm calling Deconstructed.  I finished the last session by pouring clear resin around the wood parts set in a mould made of waxed melamine. Tuesday, I unmoulded the casting.  If everything had gone perfectly, all that would have been required would have … Continue reading Deconstructed, Session 4

Maple Trestle Table, Session 19 – Refining the Sculpted Base

On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working.  That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 19 – Refining the Sculpted Base

Maple Trestle Table, Session 9 – Mortises the Slow Way (or Why I’m Buying a Domino XL)

On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working.  That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 9 – Mortises the Slow Way (or Why I’m Buying a Domino XL)

Maple Trestle Table, Session 8 – Make Your Tools Work for You and Flattening the Top

On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working.  That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 8 – Make Your Tools Work for You and Flattening the Top

Every Workshop Needs a Br’all

This post is part of Get Woodworking Week, an initiative started by Tom Iovino of Tom's Workbench, to build interest and participation in woodworking. I know that every one of my readers except for Paul-Marcel, for whom I made the first one, is scratching their head wondering what the heck a Br'all is, what it does, … Continue reading Every Workshop Needs a Br’all

Praise for the Card Scraper

The scraper is a thing of beauty! It's everything I ever dreamt of. It's shiny and square, with keen edges and a perfectly even burr across the finely ground edge. In my hand, while thin and precious, it also feels strong and resilient when I gently bow it with my thumbs. I watch the light reflecting … Continue reading Praise for the Card Scraper

Sharpening a Card Scraper

Of all the techniques related to woodworking, this sharpening a card scraper tends to generate the most interest. This is my method: Remove the old burr if necessary by rubbing the face of the scraper on a stone. I use my diamond stone as not to scar my water stones. Clamp the scraper in a … Continue reading Sharpening a Card Scraper