All posts by Dan

Hi! I'm Dan, a long time woodworker, re modeler and tinkerer. I have five daughters, who've kept me busy building everything from toys to furniture.

Woodworking Finishes – How to Choose And Use Them

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It doesn’t matter if you are new to woodworking or have been at it for decades, choosing the right woodworking finishes for your projects can be complicated.

What should I use as a finish?

Should I brush it, wipe it or spray it? Continue reading Woodworking Finishes – How to Choose And Use Them

How to Clean Saw Blades & Bits

untitledSooner, or later, as serious woodworkers, we need to know how clean saw blades.

Beginners often buy cheaper blades and run the heck out of them.  Then they throw them away because they are dull.

In fact, they were probably dirty.  Over time, pitch, sap, resin and “stuff” sticks to saw blades, router bits and drill bits, especially with pine and other soft woods.  As it builds up, it starts to drag, and burn, baking the residue.

Keeping your tools clean will extend their life, and improve the quality of the cuts.  Which leads to the question, how do I clean my saw blades, quickly, and safely?

Continue reading How to Clean Saw Blades & Bits

How to Choose a Wood Router

 

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A Router is a great addition to any woodworking shop.  They allow you to create wood joints, shape edges, make duplicates with patterns and make cut outs, among other things.  You can use them alone, with guides and patterns, or in a router table.

We are going to review the various sizes and types of routers, some options to select from and recommended uses.

Continue reading How to Choose a Wood Router

Makita CT200W Drill Combo – A Great Kit For Getting Things Done

makita-combo-kitWhen working in the shop, its important to try and work smarter, not harder, as the saying goes.  A combination drill and impact driver set is a great way to get there.  One of my favorites is the Makita CT200W 18-Volt Drill Combo Kit.  It combines speed, power and torque in a single compact kit. Continue reading Makita CT200W Drill Combo – A Great Kit For Getting Things Done

Elephant in the Baby’s Room – Making Baby Toys

 

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Handmade Baby Toys, or the Elephant in the Baby’s Room.  Two of my daughters recently gave me grandsons (a month apart).  I had to stop and really think about what I could make for these guys.  I am nervous about anything they can put in their mouths, that might come apart, so I made some baby toys that are going to be more decorative, at least until they get a little older. Continue reading Elephant in the Baby’s Room – Making Baby Toys

Distressed Furniture: The China Hutch Experiment

The Blue China Hutch Experiment

The China Hutch Experiment is our latest project in distressed furniture.  We found it on Craigslist for $20. It needed a few minor repairs, but everything was there, no broken glass and no missing parts!  (This is no antique, it is a cheap Chinese knock off, so we’re not “ruining” anything) After cleaning,  and sanding it, I sprayed it with a couple of coats of light blue paint. Continue reading Distressed Furniture: The China Hutch Experiment

Build a Vintage Desk

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Build a Vintage Desk

So, I decided it was time for a new desk.  I spent a lot of time on the internet and Pinterest looking for ideas.  I thought about an industrial design, or up-cycling found objects.  I decided that I wanted to build a vintage desk, styled from this one that can be seen on “brown dress with white dots”.

Continue reading Build a Vintage Desk

Joint This! How to Joint a Board With a Router

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Sometimes you have a great piece of wood that has a natural edge, a bit of crook, or you want to put a taper on a board.  There are a

couple of ways to get a clean, straight edge on a board. The quickest is, of course, on a jointer.  You can also use a router table.  But you can also do it with a hand router and a straight edge guide, just like cutting with a circular saw.  In fact there are times when the combination of circular saw and router is the quickest and most flexible solution.  So, here it is, how to joint a board with a router. Continue reading Joint This! How to Joint a Board With a Router