Woodworking Weekend

Here are two examples of sturdy table or cabinet style stands.   I say cabinet style because it’s very easy to enclose these stands and either install drawers, doors, or both.

These are the first two jigs I built.  I built them both with free plans readily available online.  I would build one of them again, and may rebuild it just to make a better one.  You can either browse the images below or go to the flash gallery here.

I built both jigs, one after the other and tried to build both as sqare as possible.  The Tenon Jig, which I favor of the two, had less than perfectly straight red oak runners.  They both seemed to have a bow in them so I positioned them so tha tthe bow would be in the same direction at least and ensure that I have no play when I cinch them down.  I actually played around with putting knobs on the adjusters but the wingnuts work better and they are cheaper so I wouldn’t bother with knobs and you can build this for under $5.00 the main cost item being the four 2 1/2″ x 1/4″ #20 threaded screws.

Non-Flash Gallery if the one above doesn’t work.

This is a gallery of images showing where the material for the coffin came from.  A stack of rotten pallets.  The truth is they are not as rotten as they look.  Once you get past the surface decay you’ve actually got plenty of sturdy whitewood.   I’ve been using ebony stain to cover the gleaming freshwood if I have to make a cut to keep it all looking old.  The photos at the end of the gallery show the coffin as it’s nearing completion.  Sides are complete but the lid is in the works.

Friday evening I started out with the intent of building a workbench for my garage workshop. I had recently purchased a CD full of plans for shop tables etc. and decided to build this one because it was simple and suited my purpose as a utility table for use inside or out.

I had selected my stock for the table at Lowe’s and Home Depot taking only the straightest of 2″x6″s from the pallet. To my dismay many of the so called straight boards were still slightly twisted and bowed. Oh well, in this application a small twist or bow doesn’t make a huge difference but look for the best of the lot even if you end up with a big stack of boards in the floor at the store, it’s not that big a deal to put them back and it will save you a headache in the long run.

I did all of my main cut’s Friday evening so I could start bright and early Sat morning putting the bench together. You just have to decide how long you want it, how high, how wide. I took measurements of an area I thought I might use the bench in and designed it around that. I made mine 37 1/2″ Tall, by 29″ deep, by 8′ long. Yes, I used the full length of the 2″x6″ I didn’t cut the top ones at all.

Saturday morning I was ready to go; after a quick trip back to Lowe’s to pick up the 2 1/2″ drywall screws to hold it together. I always forget something. In this case I thought I had the screws already,reguardless, when you estimate how much something is going to cost or how long a project will take, always throw in what you think you already have and add another trip and add another day.

Having all the stock pre-cut and laid out was a big motivator for putting the bench together. I measured 5″ from the ground up and used a square to go 1 1/2″ into the 2″x6″ leg for the cross support cut-out. Then 5 1/2″ up to get the notch the exact size.

I drilled a 3/8″ hole to give my jigsaw some room to turn a corner and cut out the notches in short order.

Once cut all but one of the cross supports fit together perfectly after a little pounding. I had to use a chisel on one slot to make it go all the way flush. Note To Self: If you have one that does that, go ahead and fix it before you put it together, it will save you from taking it apart later to fix it. You might want to underline that.

Once you get to this point it pretty much puts itself together. Insert the cross members, screw, screw, screw! Attach the runners, and there you have it. I added a brace in the center that protruded 1 1/2″ from the back to support the backer board.

After my wife saw how sturdy the table was, we both agreed that we could use it out back. That added another couple of steps to the project. Mainly finishing. If one were to use this bench in the garage as a workbench it would be fine as it. However using the bench outdoors requires some protective efforts be made. Continued in next post.

This is where I share my images and video from my home woodworking and photography studio. Follow me via RSS and watch me learn, feel free to join in with me!  Sign up as a user and contribute your own videos and projects.  I will find a way to integrate you into the site.

Update Schedule -

I””””m shooting for updating once a week at the end of the weekend showcasing what”””’’s been accomplished from the weekend deadline just expired.   Open to suggestions!

My theory is build it, and they will come, better yet, visualize it and it will appear!  The next most usefull tool to visualization is writting it down.  Not just writting it down in general terms or explanations, but in a way that is very specific, a way that is measured, taking this the next step is a scaled measured drawing, which then can be built from and not just you, but others may benefit as well!  Share your projects and plans!