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.

Let’s Build a Drawer!!!

holes (1 of 1)-4There are several ways to build a drawer for a desk, a dresser, or your kitchen cabinets.  And while the traditional dovetail is a “hallmark” of a well built piece of furniture, the truth is, they require time, experience and tools that the average person doesn’t have.  For someone starting out in DIY, there has to be a simpler (cheaper) way to get the job done!

Guess what, there is… Pocket Holes –   In fact all you need for tools is a saw and a pocket hole jig!   Continue reading Let’s Build a Drawer!!!

Get a Grit on Sand Paper

sandpaper (1 of 1)-2In a recent post, I discussed the various tools for sanding projects (Tools for Sanding Success) , and just as there are a lot of ways to sand, there are a lot of options in sand paper.

Rather than going into a long technical explanation about sand papers, let’s explore the basics and make recommendations specifically for woodworkers. Continue reading Get a Grit on Sand Paper

How to Build a Table From Reclaimed Column for Less Than $35

Moprom 2015 (1 of 1)-3

From the moment we moved into the new house, the wife has been looking for a side table for the living room.

She looked everywhere, and we tried several tables of various shapes and sizes to no avail.

Finally, while at a furniture store, she found a table made from what looks like an old baluster, that she thought was a great inspiration piece.

Continue reading How to Build a Table From Reclaimed Column for Less Than $35

Tools for Sanding Success

dust mask

Sanding sucks!  But it’s essential for finishing a project that looks and feels great.  If you get it wrong, a great piece can look like junk.

There are a lot of options in tools to help get the job done, from hand sanding with a cork block to belt sanders and detail sanders.  You also have a lot of paper grits to consider, from 36 grit to well over 4000 (gotta love automotive finish papers!)  All these options can get confusing.

Continue reading Tools for Sanding Success

How to Cut a Straight Line (with a circular saw)

with a circular saw

Not everyone has access to a table saw for making precision saw cuts.  So, how do you safely make accurate cuts?  With a circular saw and a straight edge guide.  For those with a small shop,  a limited budget, or working off site, this is a great way to get very accurate cuts with a simple set up.

Continue reading How to Cut a Straight Line (with a circular saw)

Wood Movement – Why Did My Table Top Shrink???

 

split top2

So you built a table from one of those on line plans, maybe one with breadboard ends.  Six months later you are wondering “why did my table top shrink?”  Why is is cracking and splitting? What causes wood movement?

The biggest reason is what it was made with.  You see,  solid wood is like a big sponge.  In the winter, with central AC,  it drys out and shrinks.  In the humidity of summer, it soaks up moisture and swells.  Every kind of wood reacts a little differently.

Continue reading Wood Movement – Why Did My Table Top Shrink???

Beginners Guide: Kreg Pocket Hole Jigs – The Mini

One of the quickest ways to build “stuff”, is to use a pocket hole jig. Basically, the jig drills a screw hole at an angle into a board. This lets you put a screw through the center of one board into another. No dowels, no tenons, no dovetails, no fancy tools! It may not be a family heirloom, but most of the things you can assemble with pocket screws will hold up to a lot of abuse.
Continue reading Beginners Guide: Kreg Pocket Hole Jigs – The Mini

What’s in the Bag – Basic Tools for a Workshop

When you are getting started, it’s hard to decide what to buy, or what you need to have in your toolbox or tool bag. So, I thought we’d have a quick look at the collection that most of us end up with at some point, or the basic tools for a workshop. In the future, we will add to this with specialty hand tools, power tools and more! Tag along and let me know if you think I missed anything…
Continue reading What’s in the Bag – Basic Tools for a Workshop