Cool pallet bench design

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Arthur Lamon posted a new pallet project on his web site today well worth taking a look at. This bench reminds me of a sawhorse in the way its constructed, but has a lot of charm and looks easy-to-build and practical. Check out all the details over at Arthurs web site.
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Mere MinutesHope you are enjoying your weekend! Heres a follow-up to my past two projects.
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More on the wooden snowflakes

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I wanted to answer a few questions about the snowflakes. The most common question was is how to slice them up if you dont have a band saw. In this mere Minutes video I suggest using a handsaw which I think would work pretty well. If you have a scroll way, I think that is another option, assuming its wide enough. If you have any other idea, post them in the comments section.
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Tools in conspiracy

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Just trying to make a simple project this weekend. Simple? Well, not when everything seems to be going wrong!
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Intarsia follow up

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If you are interested in trying some of your own intarsia (and if you have a scroll saw, you really should give it a shot) you will definitely want to check out Judy Roberts aptly named web site, Intarsia.com. Just tons and tons of great patterns.
Patterns such as the one Randy Cosgrove used to make this delightful piece:
(The picture wire was only temporary to take a shot of the finished piece) Randy has been making intarsia pieces for a few years now and offers a few more tips:
  • There is a lot of sanding involved and the best thing I found to soften the edges is a pneumatic sander that chucks into the drill press. You can pump it up to be as hard or as soft as you want and it really makes getting an evenly rounded edge easier.
  • I usually do the finish sanding on each piece with a 220 grit mop sander before assembly. Seems to give the pieces a nice burnish. 
  • It became a lot less messy when I finally got around to rigging up a small hose from my dust collector to “hover” around the sander.
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Mere Minutes
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Sanding block

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Sometimes its easy to forget the value of using a sanding block until we actually use one. They are especially useful when sanding finishes between coats or for wet-sanding because the surface of the paper remains flat. Using just your palm to back the paper can give you uneven pressure and spotty results.
Heres a neat sanding block design from Brian Lowery. Just wrap quarter sheets of sandpaper around and tighten it up. Two dowel pins keep it aligned every time.  Of course, you could just use a flat block of wood and hold it with your fingertips, but if you have a lot of sanding, that gets fatiguing.
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Shed Construction And Woodworking Tips For Beginners

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If you have certainly not designed a woodworking shed in advance of then you will unquestionably need to have some guidance to allow you because of the system. Any project functions finest when adequate preparation has been conducted well before you commence. As they say Fail to strategy, you program to fail!

The first point to figure out is the goal of the shed. Will it be for the storage of objects that you do not have place for in the house or that you only use while in specified periods of the yr? Will it be to retailer your woodworking resources? Or your gardening instruments? Or maybe the two! Or potentially you might need a minimal hideaway - someplace you can escape to when you will need some non-public time to look at, meditate or listen to some audio.

There are so quite a few possibilities for a shed which is why it is valuable to make up your mind on it really is perform well before you get started with the project. This will guarantee that it is suit for reason as soon as its accomplished and to guarantee that you are joyful with the outcomes. There is no position in constructing a shed, then determining you want to be capable to unwind in it if it is also tiny to fit a first rate chair and table in to it.

The to start with point you demand to figure out is in which you are going to area your shed. You have to give consideration to not only your needs but people of other family members and your neighbours. If, when you might be in your shed, youre heading to be producing noise whilst performing minor Do-it-yourself jobs or if you are going to be taking part in music, you want to make sure you do not put the shed somewhere that will disturb your neighbours or spouse and children members.

Stuff to take into consideration...

Dependent on the dimensions of your shed, it is attainable that its place could block the sun from places of your garden in which you are making an attempt to grow veggies, or vegetation. Or its possible it could block the sun from piece of your neighbours backyard - so strategy the place properly.

As pointed out beforehand, the dimension of the shed is very important and will be dictated by the planned use. If youre only storing more compact things like golf clubs, older childrens toys or gardening resources as the image to the perfect it neednt be as significant as the one you happen to be preparation on working with as an additional area. You may well want to go for a much larger measurement if you want to have some flexibility in terms of use i.e. you might possibly use it to sit in while in the warmer, Summer months months but a great deal more for storage in the Winter months. If this is the case, you demand to make guaranteed the shed can accommodate equally functions.

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Making noise

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Its that time of year again. Well Christmas, yes, but also The New Year. Or more specifically, New Years Eve. A good opportunity to make noise that doesnt necessarily sound like a power tool.
Ive been working on a noisemaker. Something loud. This is one of those projects that went round and round in my head for quite a while. Every time I came up with something, I would sketch it out and discover parts that I didnt like. Eventually I came up with sort-of a wood bell. It also looks something like a cowbell.
I havent completed it yet, but heres an idea what it will look like.
It has been fun building, plus it gave me an opportunity to use my lathe. I really enjoy turning and should do it more often. And, for the clacker inside, Im using another one of those wood balls that I got for the advent calendar.
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Last years noisemakerI dont think this years will be as loud as last years, but in case you missed it, heres the simple noisemaker I built last year. It is so loud that after about one second of its use, I guarantee people will yell, "STOP THAT RACKET!"
As an aside, this was one of the first videos I made with my new camera and hadnt quite worked out the settings, which is why its kind of dark. But here it is a year later, and Fridays video will be the first to feature my new lighting setup! I cant believe how much better they make every shot look. I was really getting frustrated dealing with certain high-contrast scenes and inconsistent lighting. So I guess once a year Ill kick the show up a notch.
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Mere Minutes Almost square

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Really amazing seeing the bids on yesterdays project. 29 bids and up to about $180 so far. Dont forget, the entire winning bid goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Bid here!
Thank you all!
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Make an end grain cutting board

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One of the most popular woodworking projectsIt seems that at one time or another, all woodworkers try their hands at making an end-grain cutting board. Its easy to understand why: cutting boards are useful, durable, allow you to really get creative on the design, and are simple to build.
Built by Mike D. (RetiredCoastie)
 on LumberJocks.com
And I have never made one. Its one of those projects thats been on my to-do list for a long time. As you may know, I love to cook and have been getting by for years with one of those thick plastic ones. Its built into my counter and slides out for use. The problem is that it gets mangled pretty quickly and doesnt clean well. After a while is begins to take on a permanent onion odor. Yuck. So I have to replace it every year.
Wood cutting boards, on the other hand, will last nearly forever. The end grain of wood is very forgiving on knives and is actually more sanitary to use. The wood tends to heal itself. And if, after a lot of use, it starts to look really ragged and scratched, you can renew it just by resanding the surface.
I wasnt sure what more I had to offer in the way of a video, though. There are lots of cutting board videos. If you decide to make one, you definitely want to check out The Wood Whisperers video. He really takes you through every last detail and consideration.
Cutting Board DesignerLast month, Jeremy Greiner sent me a copy of a program he developed called Cutting Board Designer. After playing around with it for a while, I discovered how handy it is. It lets you lay out some complex patterns and get a good indication what your board will look like before you cut any wood. Check it out!
My first cutting board: Read More..

Grr Ripper contest finalists

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Vote for your favorite haiku!Thank you all for submitting your poems into the haiku challenge. I am astonished by how good they all are, and picking out the finalists was not an easy task. My crack team (wife and kid) and I read through them all and each chose some favorites. Then I combined those results, and using a complex algorithm came up with these seven.
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For all that you do,Grr-Ripper, to keep us from harm:haiku very much.At age fourteen INeed to stay safe so I wanta new Grr-Ripper nowGrr-Ripper straight and trueIt saves my fingers oh phewNow I am not blueSaw Teeth Make Hands CringeGrr-Ripper Appears, Danger WanesFingers Fing FreelyGrr-Ripper what a namePrevent kickbacks all the sameSafety is the gameFingers! Five each hand.Keep them there with Grr-Ripper, orUse toes for zipper.Lumber freshly cutKicking back into my gutAlas! No Grr-Ripper!*************Now its up to you!Take a moment to head over to the Mere Mortals Facebook Page and vote for your favorite. Ill keep the poll running until next Sunday. Whoever receives the most votes wins the Grr-Ripper. Good luck!
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Heart shaped candy box

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Valentines Day is fast approaching. I thought it would be fun to make a candy box, one the recipient could keep and not have to throw away after the candy is gone.
It was an interesting challenge. Thankfully, a couple people on Facebook suggested I try bent lamination to create the curves. It seemed a bit daunting at first, because I always thought it would be very difficult. In fact, it was very easy and it opens up a whole bunch of possibilities for future projects.
The only trick it to plane your wood down as thin as possible to allow it to bend. Then glue up several pieces and let them dry around a form. Plus, scrounge up every clamp you can find.
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Puzzle box and Christmas ornaments

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Puzzle boxHave any of you ever made any puzzle boxes? They always just fascinate me and one of these days I want to get around to designing something. Ryan Umber sent over pictures of one he made out of walnut and bodark. Its very clever. If youd like to see details, heres his SketchUp file. Thanks Ryan!
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Christmas is right around the corner!
Heres a crazy thought: Christmas is now within sight. Its a good time to start in on any gifts youve been thinking about making. Karl Taylor over at Scroll Saw Video is already in the Christmas spirit. Heres a free PDF download for us Mere Mortals containing seven of his original ornament patterns. Thanks Karl! Let me know if any of you make any of these.
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Wood chain
Heres a preview of tomorrows video. Yup, its a wood chain. No idea what to do with it, but its pretty easy to make. 
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Mere Minutes following up on the cabinet

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First Mere Minutes of the year. Answering a few questions about this weeks cabinet project. And some other odds and ends..
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Purple and the artistic process

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Ive been reading this book that is getting me to examine my own creative process, both in woodworking and video production. Making Your Creative Mark: Nine Keys to Achieving Your Artistic Goals By Ph.D. Eric Maisel makes a clear connection between expressing yourself artistically and self-confidence. Even if you arent a professional woodworker,  projects we create just for friends and family can cause us stress. After building something, we open ourselves up to scrutiny. When you give someone a gift you have made, you are giving them more than the object: you are presenting your unique vision and all the hard work that it took to get to that point.
In a way, it takes more confidence to open yourself up to friends and family because they will rarely give you honest opinions of your work, leaving you with uncertainty. "I wonder what they really think of that jewelry box? My dovetails sucked!"I suspect this may be one reason why many woodworkers spend a lot of time making "shop projects", projects that are not open to review and criticism other than by ourselves.
I am enjoying this book and recommend it for helping you focus on your vision and understanding its validity. And who couldnt use a bit more confidence?
Mere MinutesA bit more about purple paint.
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Porter Cable PC270 table saw

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Heres a less-than-scientific review of my new saw. As far as Im concerned, you cant co wrong with Porter Cable tools.
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Learn a trade Yeah right thats so 20th century

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Ive noticed something strange within the past ten years or so. Often, when I meet someone and we discuss our careers, I am left with no clear idea what that person does for a living. Sometimes its even difficult for him to describe. My brother, for instance, has worked for the same company for years and I really havent the vaguest notion exactly what he does. It used to be something with computers, now its something to do with business. I think.
There was a time  when a man could sum up his job in a few words. A coal miner. A plumber. An electrician. A cabinet maker. A chef. A lumberjack. A baker. A blacksmith. A cooper. Until recently, a guy could even call himself a computer programmer and most of us knew what that meant.
Make money. No skills necessary.Today, people get MBAs and find jobs working for companies that only insiders can understand truly what they do. A lot of data is exchanged with other companies who, in turn, sell that data to other companies who outsource their end of that data to middlemen in India who then somehow manage to massage it and most likely get someone from the original company to buy it. At least thats how I think it works. Is anything really produced? Does it matter?
On the plus side, most of these companies have really cool logos and techie-sounding portmanteau names.
Lets try one. I am going to start up a new company called CollaborLife (TM). As the name suggests, and our mission statement reflects,
We aim to expedite labor in a collaborative environment while enhancing the lives of not just our associates, but the life of our planet itself. 
So, if you have an MBA degree, Id love to discuss our future together. Your responsibilities will include managing innovation-flow and strategizing problem-solving techniques for the 21st century. Salary starts at $95K.
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Im having a little fun with this, but it illustrates a disturbing trend. The world runs because of people who are actually able to produce things. Without skilled workers, eventually the -ahem- planet will grind to a halt.
Children are rarely taught basic skills needed to make simple repairs, or worse, the critical thinking needed to even comprehend how such tasks might be performed. Chances are, even their dads are unable to provide simple instruction anymore.
Shop class? Whats that? Ewww...For the most part, schools have eliminated vocational training and shop classes. Kids are unable to even try metalworking or wood shop to see if they might find it appealing. When was the last time you saw a kid working on a car in his driveway? Or even a bicycle for that matter?
All of this comes on the heels of the generally accepted belief that All Kids Must Go To University. Its drummed into every child from an early age. Parents panic if a childs math grade falls to a B.
By no means do I intend to disparage the value of education. It is always wise to pursue the highest goals possible, but education and schooling are two separate things. The mistake many "educators" fail to address is that a Ph.D is not a reasonable goal or even a desirable goal for many (very bright, I might add) kids.
And where does this leave them? Well, these kids used to have the option to learn a trade. One that might fit their interests and abilities perfectly. Sadly, without even the opportunity available, they are left with a high school diploma, which is worth the paper its printed on. They have no university prospects and have had no chance to learn a meaningful trade. We are left with two classes of workers: unskilled laborers and pencil pushers with master degrees.
So when an assembly-line worker discovers a leak under his sink on a holiday weekend, he has to scramble to find a plumber. When the IT Tech breaks the leg of his dining room chair (no doubt from obesity due to lack of exercise) he is clueless to repair it. Likely he will just buy an entirely new dinette set.
The revenge of the tradesmenCarpenters are often looked down upon by "educated" folk as unintelligent people who never studied in school. Plumbers have been the butt (pun intended) of many jokes. Auto mechanics are typically thought of as rip-off artists who always tack on extra charges to the customer. Nothing like the honorable laborers who toil away on Wall Street.
Teachers discourage learning trades. Parents are frightened of the prospect. Even recent U.S. presidents continually prattle on about learning nothing but "math and science, math and science, math and science" and getting a university degree. The elitist implication here is that people who choose different paths are worthless to society.
More and more, job openings for skilled tradesmen are going unfilled. The irony to this is that we are headed to a day when people who have manufacturing and repair skills are going to be some of our most sought-after citizens. We have always complained about the high cost of hiring a plumber. Well, imagine having to double that fee due to lack of people willing to get dirty. It may get to the point where a guy who can hang drywall and cut a decent cove moulding can demand fees as high as a stock broker. That will truly be the last laugh.
Mike Rowe addresses the senateMike Rowe is one of my favorite people. Sure hes a celebrity, but he understands this problem well. He recently addressed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, hoping to enlighten them on the dearth of skilled labor. Its a spectacular speech. And your homework. Take a few moments to read it here or watch the video here:
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Rustic side table made with pallet wood

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Spring is here! Time for outdoor DIY projects. 
This week Ive designed a shabby-chic side table for your deck or patio. Anyone can build this project with just a few basic tools and no large workshop space is necessary. I made this entire project using free wood obtained from old pallets.
  • You can make this entirely using hand tools, but it will be much easier if you have a jigsaw and a power sander. Both are inexpensive, easy to use, and will save you a lot of time and muscle aches. 
  • If you would like to try your hand at busting apart a pallet (its quite easy to do) you will need a crowbar and a hammer with a claw for prying out nails. 
  • I used 1/2" dowels for the exposed pins. These are decorative and not necessary for the strength of the table. If you would like to include them, you will need a drill and a 1/2" bit for boring holes.
  • I used wood glue, 1", and 3/4" nails to assemble the project. The glue gives the table its strength: the nails are just needed to hold the pieces in place while the glue dries.
  • A couple of clamps would be handy.
  • I finished my table using Spar Urethane. Its a great outdoor finish that will protect the wood from the elements.
  •  I used 80 grit (rough) sandpaper, mostly to clean off dirt, and stopped there. 
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If you would like to give this project a try here are some plans:
  • WWMM Rustic side table plans (PDF)
  • SketchUp file
Building it is very easy. If you are new to woodworking, maybe a new home owner who wants to get ready for outdoor entertaining this summer, this is a great project to start with. There is no need to get too fussy about any of it: its supposed to look rustic!*****
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Make wood gift bow

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A strange evolutionThis was an odd week. For a while, Ive been trying to design a new advent calendar and wanted to build it this week so there would be time for viewers to complete it before December first. The concept was cool: Santa would descend a chimney each day until Christmas by removing a candy cane each day. Sort of like a Ker-plunk game.
After lots of struggling and SketchUpping, I scrapped the entire idea because the chimney would need to be nearly three feet tall in order to accommodate 25 candy canes. The whole thing looked weird. Maybe Ill revisit it next year. If you would like to make an advent calendar, heres a fun one from a couple years ago.
Plan BSo this left me at square one for a project this week. After lots of thought and research (i.e Googling) I thought it might be fun to make a wooden wreath. I looked at many styles of wreaths, but didnt see many wood versions, other than those made with sticks and twigs. Not very woodworky and bound to generate unhappy comments from viewers.
My next thought was to slice up a log and glue the discs together in a donut shape. Again, not much of a woodworking project. (But an idea I do still like.)
After some puttering around in my shop and my scrap wood reserves, I ran across some thin strips of wood I had left over from my trendy bendy photo stands. I began to play around with a few strips to see if I could somehow bend them into a wreath shape. Eventually, I looped the strips into "ribbons" and decided this might be a new take on wreath-making.
Making wood ribbonsIts really easy to cut thin strips. Play around with your rip fence until you get them paper thin. Its better (and safer) to keep the bulk of the board on the fence side and let the strips fall off, rather than trap them against the fence without support. I used a feather board to ensure each time I adjusted my fence it would slice off the same thickness. Also make sure your fence is accurately aligned with your saw blade: if its off a little, the strips will taper off thinner and thinner until you have nothing!
I have bent several types of wood, but I have had the best results with oak. Its a very flexible wood and depending on how thin your cut your strips, it can be bent into very tight curves.
Not a wreathAfter assembling most of the bow, I was still calling it a wreath until I realized a wreath isnt a wreath without a center hole! I still liked where the project was headed, but didnt know what to call it or even what use it would have. "Decorative Wall Hanging" is unlikely to generate many views in a keyword search on YouTube!
After nearly completing the project and the video, it finally struck me that it looked like a bow for a Christmas gift. A big gift, I suppose. At the last minute of shooting the video I revisiting the wreath idea and hung it on my front door. I think it looks good, so its a dual-purpose project.
Sometimes you simply gotta forget about designing and planning and just experiment. The mere act of being in the shop - physically positioned near tools and lumber - can be inspiring.

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Skeleton hand project

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Since I didnt have a Halloween project in last weeks video, I thought I would make another Halloween video. I really didnt know where this project was going until I got about halfway through it. Once I started laying out the individual bones, it became clearer.
I thought about running a stiff wire through the bones so that the hand could be bent into various shapes, but drilling straight holes through the fingers proved nearly impossible. I suppose the way to have done this would be to drill the holes before sculpting the bones. So I ended up inserting small dowel pins and gluing it together.
I made this bony hand almost completely with my 1" belt sander. Its really a fun tool to shape wood.
Built by Jeff (jonasramus)
on LumberJocks.com