Project Highlight: Orchid Inlay Jewelry Box

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Wood species: Cherry, Wenge, Purpleheart, Redheart, Yellowheart, Kiaat

Finish type: Tung oil and paste wax

Completed: September, 2014

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I had been thinking about what to do for my mom's birthday earlier this year. I had always gotten her something from the store, gift cards, books, games. But this year was different, I had my wood shop now, maybe I could make her something. It hit me, a jewelry box! Turns out this project would be the most involved project I had yet to do.

Tapered Mortise-and-Tenons: Joints That Get Stronger When Used

Test mortise (left) made with the
reamer (left center). On the right
are two halves of my tenon
template, with a test tenon I turned.

Classic Windsor chairs traditionally use mortise-and-tenon joinery. But, unlike most joinery of this kind, there's a twist. These mortises and tenons are are tapered. The tapering means that as the tenon is forced into the mortise, it gets stronger! This is a great joint to have for a chair, as chairs get beat up probably more than any other kind of furniture. So, that's what I'll be using for my rocking chair.

Designing a Project in 3D: Sketchup

Every project I've done so far started with a design. While some opt to use good ol' paper and a pencil to do their designs, I prefer to use Sketchup to do my designs. This fantastic (and free!) tool is one of the easiest applications I've found for 3D modeling of this caliber. I can easily create my surfaces, shapes, and even joinery and hardware choices to scale.

Project Highlight: Oak Plant Stand

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Wood species: White Oak

Finish type: Water-based stain and spar urethane

Completed: April, 2014

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We had a problem. We have lots of plants, and plenty of light in our kitchen, but nowhere to actually put the plants in the kitchen. Oh, but the solution is easy! I have a workshop, I can just make a simple plant stand!

On The Bench: Classic Boston Rocker

To celebrate the coming of our son, I wanted to make something special, something we could all enjoy, and something that could be passed down. After talking about it with my wife, we came up with the idea: a classic Boston rocker! (Actually, to her credit, it was her idea. She's always full of great ideas!) I was very excited, this would be the perfect project! Something beautiful we can use while he's young, and when he grows up, we can pass it down to him to use with his children.

What's All This About, Anyway?

If you're reading this, it's likely because you "stumbled" (get it?) upon it via some internet engine of searching. Perhaps you were looking for woodworking resources. Maybe you were looking for something else entirely. But, the fact remains, you made it to my lowly corner of the interwebs.

So what's all this about, really?