We love hearing about what our members are working on in their shops. When we asked on Facebook to share a photo of your most recent woodworking project, we got a bunch of great responses! Here are some of our favorites.
What’s keeping you busy in the shop this week? Leave a comment and let us know!“Finished my first live edge table a few days ago. Book matched mesquite with ebony epoxy used to fill all bug holes, knots, and cracks.”
– Brandon R.“Working on the second of two bookshelves that match my entertainment center. At least 90% reclaimed wood. Thank goodness for Titebond and Kreg Jig.”
– James D.“Just finished a solar powered inverted live edge dining table. Pine, fur, mahogany, and white oak.”
– Renaissance Man Eric“Just made a custom coffee table for a couple in Brevard, NC. (By the way, I’m a nurse by day!)”
– Dawn G.“Built this display shelf out of an old fence and a quakie that fell down in the backyard.”
– Shane S.Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Beyond the technical aspects, woodworking is a journey of continuous learning. Each project presents its own set of challenges, encouraging woodworkers to expand their skill set and tackle new techniques. The sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a project is immensely gratifying, whether it's a simple bookshelf or an intricately designed piece of furniture.
I am starting a walnut trestle table. I have some fantastic boards that are serial slices through a crotch containing log. These four boards all book match beautifully. However, they are only 3/4 thick which won't look good as a table top. I was planning on adding 6/4 stock to the sides and breadboard style ends, but have never seen that done. Any suggestions or concerns?
My granddaughter, age 14, wants me to build her a dressing/makeup vanity. Where would I find plans?
Made a swinging cradle for my first grand-daughter out of left-over Pennsylvania oak donated by a neighbor. Surface planed and edge-joined random width panels to get side widths large enough to fit a commercial 18" x 36" cradle organic cotton mattress with food-grade water-proof coating. Hand dove-tailed the tapered sides. Stand supports cradle with brass 1/2" diameter dowel pins through ball bearings. The brass pins were finished of with end threaded bass balls produced on my miniature metal lathe using a radius turner to provide a handle/hanger. Executed the baby holding function well and is now used to store toys. A much improved version from an earlier rocking cradle made for my daughter 34 years ago. Both labors of love.
I have viewed your article on used pallets and how to harvest them. Very interesting and helpful. I have been harvesting larger pallets, skids actually from the sheet metal and fabrication shops that I do business with. You should find one in your area. The skids are heavy duty as they are used for shipping metal sheets. Sizes are 8', 10' and 12' long and 4' to 6 ft wide. The main beams are usually white oak, hard maple and if lucky red oak, size dimensions are 2 to 3 inch wide and usually 4 inch high. Gives you a lot of dimension wood. The top boards are usually of the same wood and are 1 inch thick x 6 inch wide. Your method of breaking them down is rather slow for me. I place the skid cross boards down on blocks. Then using a heavy sledge I dive it down vertically with the long dimension of the head across the 5 inch wide board. Most of the time a couple of blows will pull the nails and board free from one long member. Move to the other long member and repeat and you will have a good 1 x 6 board with the nails. Now do the same for the rest of the top boards and you will have a neat stack of dimension rough lumber. If the nails do not come out with the boards then you will have to work on them later per your instructions for removing them. The skids are at no cost and they are glad that someone is picking them up. My source filled two dumpsters with skids last week at a cost. I did not have room for more at the time. The problem is you will need a pickup with an 8 ft. bed to haul them. I put them in mine with the tail gate UP which helps keep them in the truck, then stack several more on top, usually 5 or more. I now have dimension beams for the heavy shop work bench I am making for my son-in-law at no cost and a little work. I can take pictures and forward the end of next week showing the process if you want them. Thomas G. Nunn 2435 W Union Street Allentown, PA 18104 610-393-2626