Edition #253.1

Great Gear

Chainsaw Sharpening

Finishing Room

Outdoor Finishing

Shop Tip

Mortising Machine Dust Shield

Finishing Room

Toolbox Parts: Dyeing Leather

Sometimes, adding a little bit of leather to a project can really make it. For example, using leather for handles on a toolbox. Here, Phil shows you the process of coloring a bit of leather for addition to our toolbox.

Shop Tip

Pipe Clamp Buddies

Pipe clamps are a great option for getting clamps in various sizes. If you've ever set up pipe clamps before a glue-up, however, you may have noticed that they like to roll around and not stay where you place them. Here, Phil shares a quick tip on these little pipe clamp buddies that keep your clamps in place.

Shop Project

Toolbox Tray

On the Woodsmith Shop, we built this classic toolbox. It features traditional details and finger-joint construction. Here, Phil shows some of the ways to expand its storage by adding a sliding tray to help wrangle small tools.

Designer's Notebook

Clean-Up Center

John shares some of the features of his most recent project — a wall-mounted clean-up center. It is the perfect way to keep all of your cleaning items close at hand in your shop. My favorite feature is the shop-made paper roll holder and tear bar.

Shop Tip

Spray Can Holster

Keeping all of your spray cans organized in the shop seems to always be a headache. They get stuck on a shelf, and magically you end up with a handful of the same color. Here, Logan shares a simple design that John came up with that keeps all the cans mounted on the wall, and visible at the same time.

Designer's Notebook

Mortising Machine

Most of us are familiar with cutting mortises using a mortiser, drill press, or router. Here, Chris Fitch shows his latest design — a horizontal mortiser. This mortiser is an ergonomic way to cut mortises in workpieces using your router and an endmill bit. Plus, it's a fun project to build.

Shop Tip

Flush Trimming Guard

If you've ever tried to trim a dowel flush to a workpiece, you know how easy it is to accidentally scratch up that surface you just sanded. On a recent project, Logan used a simple trick to keep his workpiece protected, but trim the dowel close to the surface.

Designer's Notebook

Planer Cart

My bench-top planer is a workhorse in the shop. But, if I'm planing a lot of stock, it can be a juggling act to keep everything organized and stacked so it doesn't fall to the floor as I'm working. This planer cart not only is the perfect mobile base for your planer, but it also has a few features that make using your planer a little easier.

Designer's Notebook

Coffee Accessories

A majority of people, myself included, start their morning with a nice, hot cup of coffee. With that in mind, designer Dillon Baker designed this set of coffee accessories to go along with your morning routine. They feature a mug, filter stand, and a scoop/clip for your beans.

Shop Tip

Bar Clamp Extensions

Bar clamps are a staple in the shop. However, there's some times where you simply need a longer clamp. Here, Logan shows a tip on increasing the length of your bar clamps with a piece of hardwood and some aluminum.

Shop Project

Table Saw Cart

Part 1: Table Saw Cart: Side Panel Construction

This shop made cart has countless uses in the shop. Here, Logan walks you through the construction process for the main case of the cart. It starts with a pair of side panels.

Designer's Notebook

Campeche Chair

This Campeche chair has its roots in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. The rigid frame is made from rich mahogany, and it features some great woodworking. Plus, the sling style seat requires very little upholstery skill!

Shop Project

Table Saw Cart

Part 2: Table Saw Cart: Assembly

After building the panels for the cart, up next is assembly. And, the assembly goes pretty quickly with accurately cut dadoes and rabbets. Logan shows us how.

Designer's Notebook

Pub Signs

How's this for a fun project? Inspired by old-timey pub signs (and maybe a little Tolkein), Chris shares some of the differences between these three pub signs. One is carved, one is CNC cut, and the third uses an application technique.

Woodworking Technique

Sharpening Turning Tools

When it comes to sharpening turning tools, the options available and the different grinds available can be overwhelming. Here, Logan shares some of his sharpening techniques and how to get a quality edge on all of your common turning tools.

Shop Project

Table Saw Cart

Part 3: Table Saw Cart: Drawer Construction

Up next on Logan's table saw cart build is a set of drawers. The original plan has two drawers, but Logan is adding an additional two. Here, he shows a no-nonsense drawer joint that is perfect for shop projects.

Designer's Notebook

Small-Scale Office

If you've been needing a place to sit a student as they learn remotely, or for a place to work from home, this desk is the perfect project for you. It features some straight-forward construction techniques and is the perfect project to knock out in a weekend.