Inset pierced carving
Adding small, intricate details, like this Japanese wave motif insert, creates a unique piece that you will enjoy for years to come. And the design options are limitless, so you can add something that has meaning for you.
Rob Brown
Rob is the editor at Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement and a studio furniture maker.
Articles by Rob Brown
Canadian-Made Boxes
Boxes are fun to make and can be very functional. Here is a small collection of Canadian-made boxes to whet your appetite.
Top 10 corner joints for boxes
Although not an exhaustive list of joints, you will find that the vast majority of wooden boxes employ one of these types to secure their corners.
Box of many curves
Curves make this box stand out. They also will allow you to work on some new techniques on a small scale.
Saskatchewan Woodworkers’ Guild’s 2014 Show
Since 1978, the Saskatchewan Woodworkers’ Guild has organized an annual show to bring its members’ work to the public. A wide array of wooden objects were on display this past June. Here’s a sample of what the group created this year.
Build a Mandolin Holder
This holder will keep your mandolin accessible, while making sure it doesn’t get damaged.
Rob Diemert
Furniture maker Rob Diemert from Dundas, ON, on shaping solid wood, interacting with creative people, and new digital technologies in woodworking.
What’s the Most Important Lesson Your Father Taught You?
With Father’s Day just around the corner, we’re taking a look at the role fathers play in our lives, as well as the woodworking influence they had on us. Some of our regular magazine contributors and a number of forum members add their thoughts on the important role their dad had in their lives.
Saw Blade Holder
This blade holder will not only protect your sharp saw blades, and keep them well within arm’s reach, but it also won’t interfere with the regular use of your saw.
Top 10 Finishes
Learn the basics of when and how to use these finishes and you will be well on your way to success in woodworking’s crucial final stage.
Heidi Earnshaw
Toronto, Ontario studio furniture maker Heidi Earnshaw on trends, women in woodworking and the functionality of wooden objects.
The West Coast’s 10′ Wide Wood Eagle
Wes Seeley from Comox, BC builds life-size wood eagles in his spare time. His latest masterpiece, a 10' wide eagle ready to catch its prey, is going to be hung in the new Sea-to-Sky gondola in Squamish, BC this March
Create a fan-type carving
There are dozens of ways to make a classic fan carving. This method uses a router to remove most of the material, then a host of hand tools – and lots of elbow grease – to hone in on the details.
Build a timeless jewellery box
Even if you’re not addicted to jewellery, you likely know someone who is. Grab some figured woods and exotics and have fun making this timeless jewellery box.
Top 10 ‘must-have’ clamps
Clamps are critical to almost every project you make.
Huron Heights Secondary School
I recently spoke with Karl Ludwig, a Technologies teacher at Huron Heights Secondary School, about introducing the next generation of furniture makers to the trade.
Reed Hansuld
Reed Hansuld on creating movement using straight lines, trusting your eyeballs and why he never meets half his customers.
SAWS Biennial Exhibition 2014
The Southern Alberta Woodworking Society recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with its largest exhibition to date. Here are some highlights from the show.
Meteor Cabinet
The contrasting colour of the stones and the carved texture around them add a lot to this otherwise unadorned cabinet. This is a playful way to explore the shapes and materials in the world around us.
Build a bent-laminated lounger
This customizable lounger might be just the thing to bring you a bit closer to nature.
Canadian-Made Seating
A selection of some of Canada’s best chairs, from some of our best chair makers.
Jonathan Otter
Nova Scotia furniture maker Jonathan Otter on his studio, straight-grain, and the role that sketching plays in his work.
Build a walnut sideboard
This walnut sideboard has a simple, modern style that will never be outdated. There are a lot of options when it comes to adding your personal touch to it, so don’t be afraid to make the odd tweak to the design.
Working with sheet goods in a small shop
Sheet goods are great for many applications in the furniture maker’s workshop, but they come with a number of challenges. Learn how to work around their difficulties to reap their rewards.
