Tricked out BBQ caddy

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 6:56 PM
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Over a month ago, Warren and I started brainstorming ideas for an Australia Day project. I learned a lot about the customs and traditions associated with the holiday. Ever heard of a Pavlova? Its a dessert commonly served on Australia Day. I thought about making a special cake box for one, but the thought of making an actual Pavlova to put in it seemed daunting.
But really Australia Day sounds a lot like the 4th of July here in the U.S. Lots of backyard activities, but mainly barbecue and beer. So I came across the idea of combining the two into one BBQ caddy. But not just a serving tray: a totally pimped-out, over-the-top caddy.
Naturally, a campy extravaganza of a video was in order.
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Cool woodworking from Mark Yates

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 1:10 PM
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One of the real joys of doing Woodworking for Mere Mortals is being able to see the creativity of younger folks and show it off here. Well, I guess anyone younger than 40 is young folk to me, but in this case Mark Yates is 15. He lives in Tasmania and here is some of his work.
If you have a bandsaw, sooner or later you will get bandsaw box fever! Here is a fine example. Love the smooth, flowing design. Very organic looking, reminds me of a leaf. Love the knot in the top.
My wind spinner project! I mentioned this on Monday, but I just love the way you all are painting these things! BTW, in a follow-up to that video, I recommended using fishing spinners rather than that dog-leash type of swivel. I replaced mine and it spins much better.
Now this one goes back a couple years. Remember this? Its a little maze puzzle. They are fun to make and actually quite tricky to solve.
And what is it sitting on?  A natural edge side table. Mark made this and the bandsaw box out of  huon pine.
And finally, Marks shop. Thanks for the pictures and keep sawing!
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Bandsaw fence

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 9:08 AM
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Brian Parks clued me in to this video of a Universal Bandsaw Fence you can make really easily. I think its an incredibly simple idea. This is from American Woodworker. Note, the first two minutes of the video are enough to show you how to make it. The rest of the video shows some techniques using the fence.
Ive never had much luck using a fence on my band saw. I usually get too much drift and the fence ends up binding the blade. Do you guys use a fence? Is it practical mainly with wide blades? I may try one of these out though.
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Build your own router table

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 8:59 AM
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This router table turned out to be a lot of work! Ive been planning to make a router table for quite a while and it took me some time to figure out exactly what I wanted in a router table.
I wanted it to be sturdy, and have a reasonably large work surface. I think when I finish the top, it will probably be 34" wide by about 26" deep. I also wanted it higher than most tables. This one stands at 42" high which makes if very comfortable for me.
I decided to make a full cabinet to hold accessories and bits, too. I think Ill even include drill bits.
Finally, I wanted a router table that was relatively inexpensive to make, yet have some design style to it. The frame and panel construction is pretty easy and just required a bunch of 1x3s and some 1/4" plywood.
Next week, Ill work on the top and build a fence and runner system.
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And on an unrelated note, my son clued me in to this video. Enjoy:
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Make a unique porch swing bird feeder

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 5:42 AM
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A few weeks ago Matt McDowell posted a Keek video of a bird feeder he made. Its a great project that anyone can build using scrap wood or even pallet wood, as I did.
Heres Matts feeder:
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Clocks stools and where in the world are you Viewer videos

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 9:15 PM
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A lot of people have made my Jetsons retro wall clock. If you are brand new to woodworking, its a good project to start out with. It doesnt require any expensive tools or fine wood. There are no complicated joints to make. The shapes and sizes of the pieces are not critical, so feel free to cut outside the lines. And paint it any colors you like! Matteo Scalon made two, one for his sons room and one for his daughters. He included numbers to help them learn to tell time.
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Dwayne in Holland and his wife enjoy watching the fish in their aquarium so he build this stool with that in mind. He made it without plans. Great design!
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Wil Wilson made my step stool using my plans from last year. This is another super simple project you can make in an afternoon. I get a lot of use out of mine.
Wil also sent over pictures of my train whistle project. These things make a great sound and kids love them.
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And Randy Dressen made his step stool out of white oak. Looks great!
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I am frequently asked if it is okay to make my projects and sell them. Of course! I certainly dont have any time to get into selling my work. As soon as I am done with one project, my mind immediately turns to something new. Give it a shot. A number of people have enjoyed success making and selling on the craft fair circuit. Might give Etsy a try too. Richard Cockerhams been making and selling my device charging stations. I like how each is a little different. 
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Where in the world are you?A couple weeks ago, I invited viewers to create their own wall hangings showing off where they live and post video responses. You can see them all on YouTube, but I thought I would start to showcase a few at a time here too.
New Zealand:
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Organizing the shop and lots of clamp storage ideas

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 8:16 PM
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One thing leads to another as I organize my shop. It really just started by wanting some clamp storage racks. That got me to make a new lumber storage rack, which inspired me to go through my wood hoard. Now I have a bunch of wood in my driveway I need to get rid of.
The clearing of excess lumber got me to clean out a bunch of other junk under my workbench. Mostly, a large pile of towels that have been doing nothing but collecting sawdust for a couple years. When my wife buys new towels for the house, the old ones become shop towels. And shop towels are not like clamps: you can definitely have too many.
Now I have seemingly tons of extra space in my shop. Im going to give this all some thought before I start slapping up shelves willy-nilly. Need to fully examine the long-term implications.
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Thirteen-year-old Connor DeWald (so close to DeWalt!) began organizing his clamps with this DIY rack. Connor sent me over a shop tour, BTW. Great looking shop in the making.
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Heres a clamp rack Wil Wilson built with his father-in-law to store his massive collection. Wow!
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And Bill Wilson was able to organize some of his clamps using my rack:
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Looking for a simple clamp storage solution? Check out Dallas Diehls system. PVC pipes! This make a lot of sense.
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And just in case youve been wanting to buy some green clamps and having a hard time finding any, it appears Michael Calhoun bought them all.
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But you wont need to buy any clamps at all if you make your own. Here are Dave Rutans homemade bar clamps and awesome fold-up storage system. Check out the full story here.
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Tomas Johansson shows how clamp storage is done in Sweden. Well, at least in his shop. Very organized!
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Quarto!
Lest you think people have stopped making Quarto games, heres Ibrahim Al Abdulaalys all-in-one board with storage. He made it using an old Ikea bench!
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Patrick J. ORourkemade this version with oak and walnut pieces (love the shaping on those pieces) and used a glass cutting board for the game surface. Clever!
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Shane Rudnik really took Quarto to another level by making a dual-function game table. Quarto on one side, chess on the flip-side. Sweet.
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Mere Minutes
Heres an update on the lumber rack from last Friday.
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Pen giveaway free plans and happy birds

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 4:40 PM
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Note: The Inspiration Project will return next Tuesday.*****
Got a note from 14-year-old Marcus Vandendaele from Harrisonville, Missouri who has been woodworking for two years. He makes a variety of projects, but has been earning an income selling his hand made pens. Hes already sold over 60 of them!
One of the toughest parts of running a business is getting the word out about what you do. Marcus doesnt have a web site, but maintains a Facebook page and is encouraging people to like it by holding a giveaway. All you need to do is like his page by August 31 and hell randomly select three winners. Whats he giving away? These two pens and a keychain. Head over and support him!
Wait, whats this? Marcus made one of my porch swing bird feeders too! 
Not only is it a fun project build, but it makes for a smooth transition into...
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Frank Tartes outhouse bird feeder! Hes been making and selling these for about $40. 
He also took the time to make up some free plans. Download them now, go forth and build bird feeders!
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And finally, heres something that may give you some more avian inspiration. Bill Wilson sent me over a picture of some wacky bird houses his uncle makes. (Another porch swing bird feeder in there too!) But I just love these houses. They remind me of Dr. Seuss.
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Router tips

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 4:39 PM
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I plan on shooting a video this weekend for absolute beginners on using a router. For some reason, I have received quite a few emails lately asking for more router info. I think its a good idea, because I use my router in practically every project I build, but have never taken the time to explain a little about it.
No matter what level of woodworking we are at, many of us forget that we all started somewhere and needed practical advice. Or we tend to get the impression that everyone else is way more talented and feel foolish asking basic questions.
So in this Router 101 video, I want to explain why a router is important in the wood shop and boil it down to its most important uses. If you have anything you would like to add - advice for new woodworkers - let me know before Friday. What do you wish someone had told you about when you first got a router? Think basics.
Thanks guys!
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Mere Minutes
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Plans for the home made pocket hole jig and kids gettin er done

Posted by chun | 0 comments | 10:41 AM
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Last week I posted some pictures Carmen Salamones shop-made pocket hole jig. It wasnt long before Bruce (Wood Chuck) cranked out some plans. Download his Sketchup file here. Thanks Bruce!
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Carmen Salamone is quite productive. Here are more versions of the wind spinner.  (You may recall, hes the one who inspired me to make mine.) I love the way people are painting these things.
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And check out these made by Macgyver Norris and Country Barbie. (I am going to guess those are nicknames, unless they live in Hollywood!) This is part of Kevin Wells "Little Woodworkers" feature.  And check out Kevins web site, Chuckin Wood.
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Kids today. Charlie Webster incorporated his version of my planter box as part of his Boy Scout Eagle Project. Looks great. 
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