Choosing a finish for your woodwork can not only be stressful, but choosing the wrong one can undermine the entire piece. A shop made blend of oil and varnish is a versatile finish suitable for many projects. Mix equal parts varnish, boiled linseed oil and thinner, then apply in thin coats. Allback Linseed Oil Wax is a finish suited for smaller projects that won't get much wear and tear. Shellac … [Read more...]
Firewood Shed
A firewood shed is a perfect complimentary project to a recent fire pit makeover. The design is simple and effective, only taking about a day to complete. The supplies for this project will cost between 150 and 300 dollars, and opting to remove the deck boards can reduce costs even further. Assemble cut 2x4s with screws to make the base, adding additional boards if choosing to remove the decking. … [Read more...]
Gilding 101: Finishing with Real Gold
To add value to woodworking projects, consider the ancient art of gilding. Be aware when purchasing supplies for gilding. True gold leaf is available through limited suppliers, with brass making up the common "gold leaf" sold in hobby stores. Basswood or poplar are excellent choices for gilding, since they are straight-grained and inexpensive. Applying gold leaf over red and gold woods, either … [Read more...]
Interesting Stuff From Around The Web #274 – July 4, 2020
No one appreciates an artisans effort like a fellow artisan. With that spirit in mind, one DIY maven likes to find interesting articles and videos to share with others who do at home projects and might like to try a new thing, or simply learn about and appreciate other's efforts. Recently shared sites include a video by an Alabama woodworker, detailing a beautiful homemade dinette table created to … [Read more...]
Building a shaker style bookcase
Fortunately, for avid DIY mavens, anxious to tackle at home projects, the internet abounds with ideas, templates, video tutorials, and more. How about a shaker style bookcase, made from cherry wood? Certainly, sounds attractive. The shelving unit features adjustable shelves. Woodworking techniques are carefully outlined by the artisan via video. These techniques include the method used to create … [Read more...]
Use Screw or Nail the Wood?
At some point, as you are creating your woodwork, you will have to decide on how to fasten one piece to the next. It's highly likely if the project is not particularly huge or tiny that the final choice may come down to aesthetics, since both fastening methods are likely to get the job done. So, it's worth it to ask yourself and to take some time in answering the question, do I want to use a screw … [Read more...]
Woodworking in America: Anika Gandhi
The road to a fun hobby that can transform into a lifelong passion, even an income-generating career, can start at anytime and for any reason. One American woodworker found herself getting hooked on homemade furniture even though it had never once occurred to her she could be a DIY maven in the field. It all arose from a simple desire to get some toddler furniture. With a bit of online research … [Read more...]
Different is Good
One cabinetmaker who has built a reputation on putting detail-work, the like of which many other artisans do not have the time to do, into his cabinets has been able to do so because he has developed a simple formula for creating the basic structure quickly and efficiently. With a strong and well-made cabinet at the ready quickly, he has time to add in an array of intricate and interesting … [Read more...]
From the Bench: Making history
A man by the name of Leonard Butler set out to recreate a wood working piece called the Jefferson lap desk. This piece would set out to inspire all kinds of wood makers to learn about the history behind the original piece. Jefferson designed the original piece and used it for some fifty years even while he was in France. Leonard Butler ended up donating the replica to the NBSS so they can use it … [Read more...]
Shedding Light on Compound Angles
One chair-maker has found even in the age of advanced technology that hand tools still comprise the best way to follow the innate fibers of the tree to the most aesthetically appropriate result. Along with an array of cutting instruments to use, the same artisan has found that a drill is most handy as an average Windsor chair, his specialty, can have up to 40 holes. These holes are created at … [Read more...]
