Another group of grads...

You've already seen the time-out stool that was built in my last Intermediate Woodworking class, but there were some pretty nice projects completed by everyone else, as well.

We worked on Box Joints for a full evening, setting up a small saw with a dado blade, so that everyone had the chance to complete a small box.

And while most stuck with the 3/8" fingers, one woman attempted making a box using the width of the blade as her slot. That is a hell of a lot of cutting!

It turned out so perfect, I had her autograph it. Now it's hanging in the shop, on permanent display.

This last class of Basic Woodworking students really stepped up their game; I have to say they might have been one of the most creative groups I've had in the shop in a long time. Some of it came out of necessity; as in the box shown below. The corners on this box were doctored up a bit, due to an unfortunate sanding incident.

This is one of the coolest breadknives ever made.

Apparently I missed the memo on posing like a thug.

The funny thing is - although they were rocking the thug-thing, these two were both incredibly creative, sweet and pretty damn good with wood.

And - anytime a class ends with german chocolate cupcakes - well, how can you complain about anything?

This was a terrific six week session, thanks to everyone who contributed to making it so great!

Monster Trap Machine

I adore this video.

Here is a video of his first creation, at the age of five. At that age, I was just starting to make rubber band guns in my dad's workshop!

High Speed Construction

What an amazing video - a 30 story building completed in 15 days. Around the 1:10 mark, there are some cool interior shots. And at the 1:45 mark, you'll see an amazing test for earthquake stability.

Not sure why the video repeats itself so much, but considering some of the construction issues China has experienced, maybe they just wanted to prove the building is stable.

Time Out!

When I've been MIA for too long, I start getting e-mails from people, asking if I'm OK. If OK means spending 55 hours a week in the woodshop, then yes, I'm fine. TYVM

No, seriously, this past week, 24 people successfully completed their woodworking classes. With no injuries. Well, OK, one... but it was just a chisel nick. Nothing a little duct tape and Neosporin can't fix.

I'm still finishing up that rush order for the air force base; it is almost done, and I'll blog about it soon. But for now, I thought I'd just post a few pictures of an interesting project that one of my students just completed.

He was enrolled in the Intermediate Woodworking class, which teaches techniques. Inspired by mortise and tenon joints, he designed and built this small "time out" stool for a friend.

This stool combines the old with the new.

Of course you've heard of a "time out" stool for disciplining kids. But this one includes a digital timer,

held in place with a small rare earth magnet.

This was the first piece he's ever built, and he included a few interesting details, like the shape of these stool sides.

And through mortise and tenon joinery.

This stool was made of African Mahogany, Poplar and a small stick of Maple for the stretcher underneath. A nice manageable project for a beginner, with excellent results. Nice job, Josh!

RIP Davy Jones

Didn't every teeny-bopper from the 60s love this guy?

Even a bad day in the shop....

This was one clusterfuck of a day, and it's only half over. I'd be willing to bet every woodworker out there has had one or two. I know Mikey P (in Ohio) has had them. And Kris in Arkansas. And both Richards, too. And let's see, who else can I add in there? Jay? Rob G? Lupe? John? Julie up in the frozen tundra? Melody? Just about everyone I know!

Yup, we've all had bad days in the shop. And somehow, I'm reminded of that old saying about a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work.

Well, what if your recreation is your work?

Can I just complain (OK, whine?) a little bit?

It all started when I headed to the shop early in the day, to get a jump on this piece that I need to finish in T minus 13 days and counting.

But first, the saw was a little out of adjustment, and I needed to cut some compound miters. I couldn't get the blade to tilt far enough, so I called my buddy Darrin, who works for SawStop. His thorough understanding of this saw makes swoon.

I wouldn't have guessed that adjusting the tilt stop was going to turn into an all day affair.

Do you have any idea how tired your arm can get when jammed inside a tablesaw, trying to loosen an upside-down bolt?

The only good thing I can say is that I'm glad I don't have bald spot on my dome like so many of my buddies - these photos would make me cringe.

More adjustments. I had to tilt the blade back and forth from 45˚ to 90˚, over and over.

During that time, I only dropped my socket into the cabinet a couple of dozen times.

Right in the middle of this - and I'm not kidding you about this - a hooker showed up, asking for a donation, and later, two Mormans, wanting to talk scripture. I couldn't make this up if I tried.

I should have been drinking something a helluva lot stronger than coffee.

Just when I finally thought I'd gotten everything where I wanted it - the battery died in my angle gauge.

That's OK, I can do old skool, so I pulled out my trusty combo square.

Just when I thought I was in the clear, I noticed the insert was totally jacked.

WTF?

Is there a poltergeist in my shop?

Pull out the allen wrenches and more tweaking.

Right about then, I noticed my phone. I'd been using the calculator on it, but now it had switched to a scientific calculator.

Uh... if anyone knows how to switch it back, can you e-mail me?

So... OK, I can't get either of these to work.

Of course, I didn't have a spare battery.

By now, the shop was a mess, I was feeling pissy,

and there is a class in just a few hours. Only one thing to do....

SWEEP

As I was sweeping, trying to put all of this wasted time into perspective, something dawned on me. I had a spare.

Tough times call for tough measures - so I headed to Capriotti's for lunch.

Like Clint Eastwood said - you've got to know your own limitations, and I was just about at the tail end of mine for the afternoon.

I'll be fine tomorrow, thanks for letting me bitch. Have a clusterfuck shop story to share? Add it to my comments section!

I need a good laugh!

Box Joints on a tablesaw

Where has the time gone? Classes are winding down, and just about the time you start getting to know everyone, the six week session ends and it all starts over again.

My Intermediate WW classes are coming to an end, and one of the last techniques they learn is cutting box joints. They are definitely a little tricky to set up on the saw, and a lot of test pieces are needed to get the fit just right.

This one is just a touch off,

and these are way off. Good thing Pine is relatively cheap!

Once you've watched someone cut the pieces a couple times, you "get" it, and it's a breeze to do.

The real reward is when you sand the box, after the glue has dried.

While this isn't my favorite drawer box joint, it sure has the WOW factor that some people crave.

Installing the bottom panel is a little tricky, but easily done with a slotting bit.

This class is truly more about learning and practicing various techniques, rather than making projects. We make more sawdust and scrap than finished projects!

Seriously, this might sound corny, but it's terribly rewarding to watch someone learn these techniques and put them to good use. You can just see the light go off in their head, and they usually start thinking about their next project, and how they will use their new skills in building it. There are always past students stopping into the shop, to show me their latest creation, and I'm blown away by some of their work. Sweet.

For anyone that wants to learn this joint, I highly recommend using Tage Frid's book on joinery. His book contains step by step instructions, accompanied with great pictures to help you set this up on your tablesaw. It's like having a woodworking tutor right in your woodshop!