A magic box with help from the Grr Ripper

Contest time! Microjig sent me a couple of Grr-Rippers recently and asked me to try them out. They improve not only my safety, but the cuts of my wood. Heres the best part: Microjig is offering up a Grr-Ripper to one lucky Mere Mortal. Entering is simple, but you have to get a little creative.

Please enter the Mere Mortals Haiku Challenge here! 

Get to it quick. Enter by next Friday...the 10th!

Heres my video about the Grr-Ripper. Not only that, but a cool magic box you can make in your shop in a day. 

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More homemade Christmas gifts from viewers

Stephen Dickinson is making jigsaw puzzles out of Christmas cards. Who wouldnt love an interactive card?

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Walter Melis, from Antwerp, Belgium made this nativity scene using empty wine boxes.

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And speaking of wine, Alan Falk makes some really nice bottle stoppers. (Check out his web site for more!)

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Heres a gift almost anyone could use. Jim Jarvis made this step stool with a storage area.

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This one falls into the "aww" category. Winnie the Pooh made by Desri Dean. My favorite Pooh quote: "If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”

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I always love to hear from folks who have made versions of my projects. A year ago I made a little swing to hold a couple of small potted plants. I gave it to someone as a Christmas gift and havent thought about it in a long time.
Gaetan Montenot is the first person Ive met from Mauritius! (I had to Wikipedia it...its an island east of Madagascar. Interesting fact: it was the only known habitat of the dodo bird!)Gaetan made a bigger version of the swing and managed to slip in the little ladybug. Nicely done.

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Lets head east of Mauritius and jump over to Australia. Long-time viewer Steve Johnson cranked out this cool barbecue trolley. Naturally: I isnt BBQ the national pastime in Oz? Mmm....grilled shrimp. (I still havent used my refurbish grill. Must test out this weekend.) Nice work Steve. I really like the slide-out tray.

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Make a serving tray from recycled wood

Just in time for Mothers Day, you can make this serving tray in an afternoon.
Several years ago I designed a few logos, labels, and packaging art for some local vineyards and wineries. I collected a few wine crates that wound up in my shop. Ive used them for storing car cleaning supplies and electrical/computer cables and wires.
Funny how we often never give a second thought to something disposable like a wine crate. After building my last few pallet projects, I started looking at those old boxes in a new light! Not only free wood, but wood with character!
Wine pairing The base of this tray is made from two of the crates side panels. I still have the other sides and the bottom saved for another project. I wanted the sides to be half-inch thick, to keep the tray from looking bulky, so I scrounged around in my shop and found a redwood board that was the perfect length. I like the idea of pairing a Northern California tree species with a Northern California wine.
Options to fit your woodworkingThis is a flexible project that you can make using any tools and materials you happen to have. A few options:

• This would make a great pallet wood project.
• The base can be made with a scrap of plywood.
• You can cut the curved sides with a jigsaw.
• Cut out the finger holes with a coping saw.
• Use an inexpensive miter box and a hand saw to make the miters, or...
• Dont bother with the miters: just butt the sides together with glue and nails.
• Instead of making a groove for the bottom, just glue it underneath the sides.

Free plans

• WWMM Serving Tray (pdf)
• SketchUp version

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