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Back in the shop on Friday evening to finish up the Joiner’s Mallet. By the way, one of the reasons I can’t get into the shop on Thursday’s is because I’m helping with the woodworking seminars at the Woodsmith Store. If you’re interested in what we’re doing at the store every Thursday from September through May, but you don’t live in the Des Moines area, you can now watch podcasts online (or download them to your iPod). We’ll be adding a few more podcasts in the next week or so, then when we catch up, you’ll be able to get a new one every Monday afternoon. There’s a comment box and I’d love to hear what you think — good or bad. Read the rest of this article »

I haven’t been in my shop since last week, but I have a good excuse — I was working on a particularly nasty “Honey Do.” It’s one of those jobs that I’ve been putting off because I knew it was going to take a lot of work and I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. As you can see, I’ve been removing old moldy grout and caulk (lots of caulk!) in our downstairs shower.

I spent the better part of the weekend in a cramped 36″x36″ space, with very little light, working on my hands and knees. And for anyone that knows me, I filled up most of that space…and I can’t see very well as it is…and I’ve got bad knees! So I’m not a happy camper. But my wife is, and that’s what counts. Read the rest of this article »

It didn’t take long today to finish up my project. Once the glue was dry on the lid, I used a pin vise to mark the location for drilling. The hinge system for this box couldn’t be simpler. It’s just a short piece of brass rod.

I used the existing holes to mark the location. Then I just held the lid in place and used the holes to guide the bit. Over at the drill press I decided to use a screw clamp Read the rest of this article »

Now that I’m back in the shop for at least one hour per day, I’m starting to get some things done. An hour is just enough time to get small projects completed. I haven’t started building anything new yet, but I did take the opportunity to make a repair to a jewelry box that I made for my wife a couple of years ago. The box is based on a plan in Woodsmith No. 107. They called it an Accessory Box.

Not long after I gave it to her, one of our cats knocked the box onto the floor. The lid was open and it snapped the lid hinge in two. It’s been sitting on the dresser — broken, but usuable — for at least two years. Read the rest of this article »