Summary Category

When it comes to fine woodworking, Aime Fraser was one of the pioneers. She was a frequent feature in specialized magazines at the times when women were rarely profiled. She got into woodworking in New Zealand, as an exchange student. At the time, New Zealand was a hotbed of composite wood boat building. Once she returned, she kept building, and her passion was further fueled by a romantic … [Read more...]

The ash from Mount Vesuvius's eruption in 79 C.E. covered and preserved the frescoes, pottery, remains and furniture of the ancient Italian cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. While the recorded history of woodworking began with the Egyptians, the history of workbenches begins in a fresco at Herculaneum. The fresco itself has been lost, but an engraving of it shows two cherubs working at a low … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]