Yet Another Use for 1-2-3 Blocks

Today I was making a rolling rack for plywood and other sheet goods. The base required me to rip frame parts with a four degree bevel along their lengths, so that the plywood will lean back safely against the center of the cart and not tip over.

I needed the central frame members (joists?) to be narrower than the outer ones, to accommodate the four degree slope. As luck had it, the inner joists needed to be one inch narrower. Easy! Just move the fence over an inch for the last two cuts . . . except . . .

All I Have Is a Hammer

As a long-time woodworker, when I need to do or make something, my first thought about approaching the challenge is usually in the form of wood. (Within reason. Show me a clogged drain and I'll get the plumbing tools.)

Recently my challenge has been mounting a variable frequency drive and a

File Files So Files Don't File Files

We all know, or should know, to not let files and rasps bang against each other or against other metal tools.* They'll get dull, we're told. This is received wisdom; I admit I haven't ever questioned it, let alone tested it. But some of my Auriou and Iwasaki examples are too

Further Adventures in Workholding, Episode IX

Ms. L. is returning to work for another school year, so it's time for me to write a brief essay on "What I Did over Summer Vacation."

We spent each weekend

Videos Worth Watching: Workholding Without a Vise

This is one of my 10 favorite woodworking videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvhn-PAfEW4&t=10s

Why do I hold it in such esteem?

1. Mike Siemsen is clearly

Spoon Blanks by Hammer and Chisel (Without a Hatchet!)

Unrefined spoons, just captured in the wilds of northern Wisconsin!

Let's say you have

Miller Dowels Replacing Screws

The workbench we build in the “Workbench in a Weekend” class is made up of five assemblies that are glued together, with #8 screws holding the parts together as the glue dries.

The screws in the leg assemblies might seem unsightly to some. (They do to me!) And the screws inside the top and side assemblies might be

Solvent and Finishing Tip

 Not much explanation required here! I'll just elaborate by saying these washers are cheap and you might think about leaving one taped to cans you use often, like alcohol and boiled linseed oil in my case. The blue masking tape is good for this.

 My photoshop skills are far from pro-level, but I can at least