Posts by «swirt»

• Slabbing Some Oak by Hand

In April of 2016, a neighbor around the block was cutting off parts of an Oak tree in his yard.  I offered to help him.    While I was helping him move some of it, the wood started speaking to me, and several large pieces ended up following me home.  The log on the left saidi […]

• Easy Router Sled

A while back, a neighbor was cutting down an oak tree that was either a Southern Live Oak or a Swamp Laurel Oak.  I tried to ID it using this oak tree guide but I no longer have access to leaves or acorns from that tree.  They are pretty common, seem to grow fast and […]

• Simple Tool Oiler

I took a simple suggestion from Paul Sellers to make an oiler can by winding up a strip of cloth  and putting it in a little can.   I made three small ones using some caps from spraypaint cans.  I squirted in several soakings of 3-in-1 oil and have found it to be very easy […]

• Clever Table Leaf Extension

I really like this table leaf extension mechanism from Dustin Glasscoe.  It is simple to operate and simple to include in almost any table design.  I am adding this to my “I am going to use this someday list”.

• Intriguing Mortise and Tenon Foxed Dovetail Joint

This joint from Loyd Arve Nornes is an interesting one that has been rattling around my brain since I saw these videos.  It is a locking Mortise and Tenon Foxed Dovetail joint or some variation on those terms.  The slots in the piece of wood that makes up the tenon seem to be ripe for a […]

• Adirondack Chairs – without metal

I decided it would be nice to make a pair of Adirondack chairs for my front porch. Most designs have a back that leans back pretty far and a pair of back legs that stick out pretty far too.  I didn’t think I had that kind of space on my front porch, So I wanted […]

• Starter Woodworking Kit

My son and I were recently talking about what tools I would replace immediately if my shop got wiped out by hurricane or sink hole.  I have a lot of old tools.  Many of them are not essential, but I keep them because the have family history (my Dad’s, my Grandfather’s, my Great uncle’s).   […]

• Bench Bull Meets Moxon Vise = Bulloxon

My son and I have a game we play in the car (when I am not driving) called “I Draw, You Draw.”  I started it to get him to focus on details.  On one half of the paper, I draw something that only has a few steps. (maybe a circle with a line) then I […]

• Carver’s Mallets – Father Son Project

At our previous house we had a huge mango tree in our back yard.  It made the best mangoes each year, but also made a mess of the yard and attracted a few zillion fruit flies.  About 6 years ago I cut off a larger branch and stored away two sections of it for a […]

• The Resting Heart – The hardest project I ever built.

When my first son, Sawyer, passed away during delivery and they later handed me his ashes, I knew I had to be the one to build his urn.  Not because I could do it better.  I just wanted his remains to be in something I created with my hands and my heart.  That was in July […]

• DeWalt Pride back in America

I am a fan of American made.  I seek it out whenever I can.  I will pay more for it if I have to.  It is not that I dislike other countries or other races.  The world is a cool place and I am happy to have everyone in it.  I just like when my […]

• Craftsman Miter Station Model 88136301

I was at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore  a few weeks back with my son.  In a pile of saws I saw a 24″ long backsaw peaking out with a $5.00 price tag on it.  I looked it over.  Not a Disston, Warranted Superior.  I explained to my son that we had a longer better […]

• Workshop Memories

In putting together some photos for my next post, I discovered some photos of some funnier times in the workshop with my son.  These are in chronological order.  They make me smile and laugh. Hopefully they’ll bring some joy to you too. Okay.  I promise to quit kidding around and get to some actual woodworking […]

• Handscrew Repair

My Father has recently decided he is too old to do workshop type work anymore.  At 83 I’ll let him use that excuse.  As a result of his decision he has started unloading some of his tools on me.  Many have seen better days.  Florida’s salt air is hard enough on tools, and much of […]

• Adjustable Stand-up Sit-down Desk

As a full time web developer I need a desk that allows me to work at my computer standing up, but when I need to get off my feet, can also let me sit down.  As a picky person I have a long list of requirements Allow me to use the computer while standing up […]

• Brilliant Woodworking Animation – Chair makes itself

This video (really a still frame animation) of making a lawn chair is quite fantastic.  I like the style of the chair, but the brilliant bit is the way the craftsman / videographer make it appear as if the wood and tools are making the chair themselves. Clever no matter how you look at it. […]

• Walk the Plank … the Cedar Diving Board.

My son swims quite well for a 4 year old, and when he expressed an interest in diving from a diving board, I wanted to be an encouraging father.  So I went out to the shop and rummaged  around for a suitable plank.  I had  5′ long 2″x6″ made of cedar.  It was not quite […]

• Home Depot Choosing China Again

I was in my local Home Depot yesterday and walking through the tool section looking to buy a couple of bar clamps.   I have always favored the Jorgensen brand because they are sturdy, well made, and are made in the USA.  I have always appreciated that Home Depot carries them.   So I walk […]

• Workbench Serendipity Favors … someone else

Every old tool fan has a story of the one that got away.  Some great old gem of a tool that slipped through their fingers for some reason or another.  My most recent one still makes me shake my head in disbelief. I’m not fully up and running with my new garage bay workshop.  To […]

• Good Plane Advice – Good Physics

This video is amazing and clearly shows the effects of a chip breaker with a much steeper angle on the front of it (think snow plow rather than ramp) and setting it closer to the edge of the blade than “conventional wisdom” would have suggested. The video very clearly shows that the chip breaker works […]