Woodworking Projects
Woodworking Projects
Embedded Files
woodworking v4.mp4Woodworking projects over the years ... both large and small, for fun and profit.
Tall Desk
Tall Desk
I made a set of plywood drawers to keep my stuff out of the way. Then one day I saw a tall desk at Pier 1 Imports; so, I added a desktop to the drawers and ... voila. The legs are a set-piece bolted to the end of the desktop, so that I can disassemble the desk into 3 pieces when I move.
Note the workbench (more later).
The chair ended up being the most expensive part of this project.
See the plans in SketchUp Projects
There was some space left behind the drawers, so I made a door on a pivot to create more storage.
Grill Table
Grill Table
I needed a small table for my grill, but I couldn't find what I wanted in the stores. So, I bought a jig saw ... that's when it all started.
And then I had to buy a hand-held router to cut the legs on this thing. And then ... I built shelves to store all my new tools.
Spice Rack
Spice Rack
I couldn't find a spice rack big enough for my collection. Fortunately, I have a router.
Printer Box:
Printer Box:
The project that stole my sanity.
The project that stole my sanity.
This box for my printer/scanner was supposed to be a weekend project. Ten weeks later I declared it finished, I would do no more!
When you lift the top it folds and opens the front (above). The farthest panel tucks inside, and then the front and top drop out of the way (below). The printer is ready for operation. Finally, the sides can also fold down if you need more work space.
PrBox v2.mp4
The Real Workbench
The Real Workbench
I started with a buffet table. Then I added a bench-like removable surface that made clamping easier (right). Finally I needed a steady work table, so I went for the Full Monty.
I put a slant on the back legs like a Frenchman (but not a tool tray). The front joint I envisioned as three interlocking slots, but my skills really weren't up to it -- still a pretty firm connection, though. The basic frame is ready ...
See plans and videos in SketchUp Projects
... I added bracing on each axis. The horizontal corner brace just happened to fit into a notch on the top of the side piece and the bottom of the front piece. Just a happy coincidence.
Here's the design -- one page with a very basic layout. I learned a good lesson: Don't be so casual!
The finished workbench. I have gotten a lot of good years and tons of sawdust out of this old girl.
Blanket Chest
Blanket Chest
My neighbor needed a blanket chest for her girls, about 9 and 12 -- so I made sure the top and bottom were strong enough to stand on. The materials cost about $125, but she never paid me before she moved away. Ah well ... I enjoyed making it, and I got to pay for it, too.
Painting Easel
Painting Easel
Another neighbor needed an easel for her teenage daughter's artistic ambitions. It is surprising difficult it is to get his thing square! The most expensive part of this project was that little black knob.
Another blanket chest -- for a friend of the first woman (but this time the friend paid for the job). Different color and different design for the hinge connection.
I like to brag about how precisely the punched metal screen lines up.
Hawk Boxes
Hawk Boxes
A guy I worked with had several hunting hawks and one falcon that he bred and trained. He also took them to local schools to encouraged kids to get interested.
I really like the color of the different woods -- birch, pine and aspen.
The bottom front showing the offset shoulders dovetail, and the hollow double-walled door.
On my first hawk box, I put a line of tenons across the top, like stitches; it split the board.
To fix the top I inserted a second top with side frames, and glued it all around. You can see part of the fix in this picture.
Here's what the guy started with, 1/4-inch plywood and duct-tape.
Google Sites
Report abuse