In a small workshop, it is important to be as efficient as possible with space. One of the fundamentals of efficiency is the mobile base. It allows you to move tools around that otherwise are too heavy to be mobile. There are a lot of mobile bases on the market today from many different manufacturers. This one is marketed by Rockler as an economical solution because it does not include the stretchers. The idea is that you…
One of the first pieces of furniture a woodworker frequently attempts is a bookcase or shelving unit of some sort. There are many things to consider when deciding on the bookcase size and style you are going to build. First off, where will it be placed? Will it be built in? Will it be free standing or up against a wall? How tall do you want it? Will it hold hard cover books, pocket novels,…
One of my main interests while learning various types of woodworking is Boxes. I’ve been a collector of decorative boxes since I was a kid. And as soon as I started working with tools and began to look at ways to make boxes. I don’t know why but they fascinate me. The form is simple but the construction can be quite complex if you chose or simple with clean lines. One of the first boxes…
One of the first power tools I bought and taught myself to use was a Scroll saw. What is a scroll saw? A scroll saw is a small saw with a reciprocating blade that moves up and down. It can be used for cutting small curved shapes. The blade is so small; you can drill a hole and feed the blade through the hole thereby allowing you to cut a shape on the interior of…
One of the best ways to spend a weekend is to start and finish a woodworking project over a weekend. It’s fun and interesting and you finish the weekend with a sense of accomplishment and something to show for your time. We all have many projects waiting for our attention on the weekend, but many of them are not a weekend job. They will take days or weeks to complete and before they are done,…
Which power tool do you buy first if you have no tools at all? A good question and there are a few answers depending on your circumstances. The first rule is to buy the best quality you can afford. Buy bigger, more power or sturdier if you can. Today you may not need this caliber of tool but this will give you the versatility down the road to do more with the tool. Also, buy…
Wood workers love wood and will collect wood from friends and relatives, campsites and any place wood has been abandoned. It is moved to be used as firewood, wood turning and lumber production just to name a few potential uses. The list is endless. Moving wood can be risky for your wood supply by moving pests to areas that are not already infected. Everyone must be aware of the area they live and travel in…
A friend asked me the other day this very question. What is a scroll saw? If found myself trying to describe the tool. I don’t think the person ever got a very clear picture. Despite knowing exactly what a scroll saw is and how to use it, I found I had a challenge to describe it so that someone who has very little woodworking experience could understand. As a result, I thought I would create…
