Make a tablet stand
If you have a friend or family member who has a tablet, this stand makes a perfect gift. It combines both function and looks, and can be made to suit just about any tablet.
Rob Brown
Rob is the editor at Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement and a studio furniture maker.
Articles by Rob Brown
Canadians Building Together: Hand Tools
Here are images of some of the hand tools that were built during our recent “Canadians Building Together: Hand Tools” event during the month of August, 2015. For more details about the event, and information on how these and many other tools were built, visit the “Woodworking” sub-forum on our website.
Introduction to Dado Sets
Though they may not be as flashy as some other joints, dados, rabbets and grooves are staples in a woodworker’s repertoire. These joints can be made many ways, but by far the most common is using a dado set on a table saw. Master how to use a dado set and you’ll be well on your way to creating strong, lasting furniture.
How to install beadboard
Installing beadboard is a great way to transform and update a room. With only a few tools, and a medium amount of skill, you can create a look that you’ll be proud of.
Arthur Perlett
Asquith, Saskatchewan furniture artist Arthur Perlett on curves, working in a converted chicken barn and his love for the Art Deco movement.
Konrad Sauer
Tool maker Konrad Sauer on figured wood, saying no to customers and his least favourite part of plane-making.
Dryburgh Pattern Maker’s Planes
Doug Evans is a huge tool fan, and has a wonderful collection of tools. His crowning piece, however, is a set of Dryburgh pattern maker’s planes, made in Canada in the 1880s.
Make a Scratch Stock
This shop-made tool will help you customize small mouldings, as well as add pleasant details to the edges of surfaces. Whether it’s a bead, a groove or something else entirely, a scratch stock will add a third dimension to your work.
Top 10 Items You Didn’t Know Were Great Woodworking Tools
When making a tool list, we never forget the classics – chisels and hand planes, table saws and routers. What we do tend to overlook are all those little things that make our time in the shop more productive and enjoyable. Some of those items you likely have around the house, but never considered taking them into the shop.
Build a drill charging station
This custom-made rack will store your drills for easy access, and charge your batteries, all in one tidy area. It will also store any drill- related items in a handy drawer.
Jacques Breau
Ottawa furniture maker Jacques Breau on straight-grained woods, selling his work and the benefits of working in an 85 sq. ft. shop.
Top 10 layout tools for a small shop
Assuming you already have a mechanical pencil, a tape measure and a 6" rule (you do, don’t you?), these 10 items will provide decades of accurate, flexible layout in a small shop setting.
Sheridan College’s Graduating Class: 2015
“1/16”, a January 2015 exhibition of work from Sheridan’s graduating class, showcases work from 16 students, as they prepare themselves for life as furniture designer/makers outside of a school situation.
Make a set of clamping cauls
This simple project will go a long way to improving the furniture you create.
Make a twig trellis
Toss your tape measure, store your square. This twig trellis is fun and easy to make, especially if you don’t like accuracy.
Adrian Ferrazzutti
Guelph, Ontario based studio furniture maker Adrian Ferrazzutti on the cabinet scraper, CNC machines and his education with James Krenov.
Top 10 router bits
There are literally hundreds of options when it comes to choosing which router bits to buy. Everyone has their own preferences, in terms of style, process and function, but this list will take you pretty far.
Maple Key Seed Pod Box
The fundamental design of this box is quite simple: a solid base, with routed cavities, topped off with a pair of one-piece lids. There are many options for this basic design. Learn these simple steps, then put your imagination to work, creating a unique design.
1338P Preston Shoulder Plane
Lee Valley has a wonderful collection of tools, which, for the most part, stays behind closed doors. Rob Lee, owner of Lee Valley, shares some information about the collection in general, then selects one of his personal favourites and tells us all about it.
David Atkinson
Studio furniture maker David Atkinson from Guelph, ON, on curves, symmetry and his obsession with detail.
Keith Logan
Keith Logan on power tools, the challenges of professional woodworking, and his studio in the country.
Make a Lily Pad Box
Similar to a bandsaw box, I made this small box with the help of my scrollsaw. It can be crafted in many shapes inspired by the natural world. Leaves, flowers and stars are a few options if you want to design a similar box.
Steven Kennard
Steven Kennard in Canning, Nova Scotia, on the creative process, his barn shop and our “throw-away” society.
Production for Box Making
Making one box is much different than making 100 boxes. In order for the process to be smooth and successful, a different approach needs to be used. Jigs need to be used to their full potential and a careful, long-term approach has to be taken.
