Coffee Table Project

This was a fun project, as the design, and construction were mine --including the mistakes !

From Coffee Table

I tried to use the "Ikea method" of connecting the legs with the idea that they could be removed, but I found that the table was much more sturdy if I made the legs permanent --which I ended up doing.

The table top was designed for looks, but I broke the cardinal rules about wood movement, and it didnt take long before the top cracked. :-( Oh well, that's the fun of doing this --to learn how to work with nature and not against it.

Check out my pictures of the construction:

Antique Boat Show 2012 -Manotick Ontario

The Antique Boat Show 2011 -Manotick Ontario

There is something wonderfully warm about wooden boats. They are surely expressions of love to men.

TV Cabinet & Mantel

The TV Cabinet and fireplace design was conceptualized by Jacynthe of TendenceDesign in Gatineau QC.

The cabinet was designed and built to fit the concept "look."  Built out of pine to match another sideboard we already had.It needed to have doors that permitted Infrared radiation to pass for the remote controls to operate with the various TV boxes, DVD recorders, etc. hidden in the TV Cabinet.

Tool Box Project

Woodwork Tool Box

 This project was lots of fun, but I could not have completed it without the help from my expert tutor: Jacques Jodoin. It was my first major woodworking project since being laid off, and a wonderful way to begin retirement!

Below is the picture record of the beginning of my schooling in woodwork.

Band Saw Safety Lights

You can buy LEDs very cheap these days. You can find them easily in the dollar store in various lights if you want white ones. I used red ones I bought for a few dollars, an old cellphone charger I had in the basement, a magnetic security switch, and a resistor. Less than $30.00 for everything.



Click on the slide show to see the pictures large in Picasa. Within Picasa you can also scroll from one picture to another by clicking on the arrow on the left or right of the picture

Cedar Swing Replacement

From Woodwork Swing Project

Here you can see the original swing. The new one will be built using the metal support, but with more comfortable seats and backs.


The measurements (in rough) for the new design can be found in the pictures below.
The new design is based partially on a design I saw in a local store, and the size of the existing metal frame. I later found the company who sells these plans and will update the blog once I find them again. 


The measurements of the original swing (seen at left) are in the pictures above.


Now the first hurdle to overcome is to learn SketchUp --a wonderful Google drawing tool. So I am in the process of learning to draw --like in grade school, but this time, no crayons are permitted.


The wood cutting calculations can be seen here.
Here is my Proposed Build Plan:

1. Build hangers (qty 2)
2. Build floor
3. Build frames for chair backs (qty 2)
4. Built frames for seats (qty 2)
5. mount seat frames to hangers, determine angles
6. build tapered slats for backs of chairs (qty 28)
7. build tapered end slats for backs of chairs (qty 4)
8. build slats for seats (qty 18)
9. build and mount arms (qty 4)

Shooting boards

These were some shooting boards I made as a result of the great article in Fine Woodworking. Click on the slide show to see a larger image.

Dowelmax Organizer

Here is a small box I designed for keeping my Dowel Max equipment.
I love using it, as it makes such precise holes!

Thanks to the folks that know what they're doing !