Edition #251.1

Shop Project

Bench Vise Stand

Part 1: Bench Vise Stand: Top & Sides Assembly

After a recent addition to Logan's shop - a Wilton machinist vise, Logan decided he needed a good vise stand. Luckily, an old issue of ShopNotes magazine had the perfect solution. This week, Logan completes the case, which is made up of some hefty plywood layers.

Shop Tip

Glue Station

We've all been there. After applying glue to a project, you're left trying to balance a glue brush on the edge of your glue cup (and of course, it flips off and makes a mess). With a couple of scraps of plywood, you can quickly and easily create this simple glue station with an incorporated brush holder.

Shop Project

Bench Vise Stand

Part 2: Bench Vise Stand: Shaping the Top & Back

Creating the lipped, curved top of the vise stand is pretty straight forward with a couple of layers of plwood, a router, and a flush-trim bit. After adding the back, this vise stand is ready for a coat of finish.

Designer's Notebook

English Miter Plane

Woodworkers have a soft spot in their hearts for the tools they use. And the more unique, the better. Logan Wittmer set out to make a handplane based on a vintage English miter plane. Following the advice and lessons he learned from BIll Carter, Logan learned a lot of working with metal and how to make your own planes.

Great Gear

Chopstick Master

Making chopsticks is a process that doesn't take a lot of time or material. Logan shares one of the newest additions to his shop: the Bridge City Chopstick Master. It's a fun little jig that comes with all of the materials and tools needed to make beautiful little chopsticks.

Shop Tip

Hardware Storage Tote

Coffee cans, baby food jars, plastic food tubs ... woodworkers find all kinds of solutions to organize bits of hardware. Designer John Doyle found another solution -- the tubs that construction screws come in. But he didn't stop there. He made a tote to hold the containers and keep it close at hand. You may just find other uses for these containers as well.

Shop Project

Bench Vise Stand

Part 3: Bench Vise Stand: Prepping for a Finish

Just because a project is getting painted, doesn't mean you can't have fun with the finishing. Here, Logan gets ready to finish his vise stand. But instead of a normal paint job, he shows a special technique to create a "welded" steam punk look.

Shop Tip

Extension Cord Keeper

We all know that feeling. In the middle of using a power tool, you feel a tug and the tool starts to wind down. You've pulled the tool right out of the extension cord. Thankfully, Phil shares a great little tip to keep your powertools plugged in while you use them, without tying the cords in knots.

Shop Project

Bench Vise Stand

Part 4: Bench Vise Stand: Mounting The Vise

Applying the paint to this vise stand is a real transformation. The entire stand now looks like it's welded and made of metal. Logan shares the finished stand, and some of the final features on it before it gets put to use in his shop.

Finishing Room

Tung Oil Finishing

A simple tung oil finish is one of my go-to finishes at home. It's easy to apply, offers good protection, and most importantly, is nearly impossible to screw up. Logan shows the application process for Old Master's Tung Oil finish and applies it to a project from Season 14 of the Woodsmith Shop.

Shop Tip

Small Parts Cutoff Flag

We've all been there. You cut a small piece of material and as it drops free, it bounces off the floor and rolls somewhere in your shop. Now, you get to spend the next few minutes on your knees with a flashlight trying to find it. Here, Phil shows a simple solution to keep track of those little parts that can often be runaways.

Project

Tool Cabinet Tour

Join Phil in his shop at home, as he walks you through his tool cabinet. He shares why he built this design, and shows you how he organizes it.

Shop Tip

Yard Sign Glue Mat

Keeping your workbench protected during a glue-up or during finishing is always a good idea. Becky shares a reader tip for keeping your bench clean. It makes use of old, used corrugated plastic signs, that can often be found for free.

Woodworking Technique

Heat Treatment

In a recent issue of Woodsmith Magazine, we build an English style miter plane. Making your own iron for the plane, or for any other tool, is simple if you follow a couple of steps. Here, Logan shares his process for hardening O1 tool steel.

Project

Hardware Storage

Hardware storage solutions are amongst our most popular reader-submitted tips. Step into Phil's shop as he shares his solution for storing all types of hardware.

Shop Tip

Dowel Pegboard Hooks

Pegboard works well to hang up most tools. However, I'm sure you've experienced the same frustration as me. The pre-made hangers don't always work well for hanging the tools you need. Often, it's clumsy and awkward to get them off while leaving the hook on the wall. Luckily, this reader-submitted tip offers a simple hanging solution for pegboard.

Woodworking Technique

Cupid's Bow

Taking a note from one of his favorite plane makers, Logan shares this Cupid's bow detail. Making it is pretty simple. All you need are a handful of files and a little patience.

Shop Tip

Sandpaper Holster

Lining up the holes on sandpaper with the holes on your random orbit sander can be frustrating. Here, Logan shares a reader's tip on how to not only keep the sandpaper clean and organized but also easy to load onto the sander.