Often we see designers with a sketch pad, quickly scribbling shapes and ideas. Though my design process sometimes does start that way, my more calculated and less intuitive designs start with two lists: must-haves and desires. An example of a must-have might be “to allow four people to eat a meal together”, and a desire … Continue reading Designing from Scratch
Blog
A Practical Test of Premium Fasteners
Last month, we moved to Vancouver Island and I have been busy setting up shop, rebuilding the fence around the back yard and building two new gates with 1000 linear feet of 1x6 red cedar. When ordering supplies, I decided to try the premium-grade Universal Screws by U2 Fasteners. These sell for about $18 for … Continue reading A Practical Test of Premium Fasteners
Reassessing and Looking for Ways to Improve
My favourite screwdriver is a ratcheting one by Rolgear. Years ago, I replaced the stock double-ended bits with an assortment of 3" single-ended bits. Multi-bit screwdrivers like this one are very handy, as they hold 7 screwdriver bits and have a 1/4" hex drive socket which can be useful for sheet metal screws. However, if … Continue reading Reassessing and Looking for Ways to Improve
Removable Outfeed Table Article
Sometimes simple things can make a big difference in the quality of your work, and the ease at which that work is performed. One example is sufficient stock support for long material. In the latest issue of Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement, I have an article detailing how I built and adapted a removable outfeed … Continue reading Removable Outfeed Table Article
Cost Over Lifetime
In my last post, I wrote about the challenges I faced getting some work done by contractors. The problem seemed to be a lack of caring. But how do you get workers who care? The three answers that come to mind are: do it yourself, enforce it or encourage it (with carrot or stick, to … Continue reading Cost Over Lifetime
Qualifications
Recently, we hired a contractor to do some soundproofing in our house. Normally, I would do this type of work myself since I have the tools and abilities required, but because the job required significant rearranging of the house to make room to do the work and I had lots of work to do already, … Continue reading Qualifications
Stretching it a Little
Even in a small shop, I sometimes find that the power cords for my tools aren't long enough to work where I want. I've pondered this for several years and developed some possible solutions before finding a commercially-made product that checks all the boxes. https://youtu.be/onYw_1EdPMI
Three Articles Published in February/March Issue of Canadian Woodworking
The latest issue of Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement is focused on routers and has not one, not two, but three of my articles in it. I had fun challenging myself to put together ten Simple Router Improvements, and executing those ideas. Also in the issue is a short article I wrote about Router Collets … Continue reading Three Articles Published in February/March Issue of Canadian Woodworking
Making a More Efficient Screwdriver
I have always been a little obsessed with screwdrivers. Maybe it’s because I like using screws so much - for their adjustability, holding power, and reversability. In my shop, fasteners are organized in clear plastic divier boxes, each of which holds between 3 and 8 different varieties. I have one dedicated to nails, 10 devoted … Continue reading Making a More Efficient Screwdriver
Making a Flushing Plane
Recently, I needed to trim 50 protruding dowels flush with the surface. I started by using a flush cut handsaw to trim any that were sticking out more than 1/16”. Now, in my experience, flush cut saws are good at making cuts against a surface without damaging it, but they actually do not work well … Continue reading Making a Flushing Plane
