Top 10 most difficult things to do in a small shop
Spending time in a small shop is generally satisfying, but there are some tasks that can be more difficult to manage than others.
Rob Brown
Rob is the editor at Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement and a studio furniture maker.
Articles by Rob Brown
Build a sturdy thickness planer cart
This project provides solid support and an easy way to move your thickness planer out so you can use it efficiently and effectively. It’s not flashy, but it’s very practical.
Mark Qualizza
Fernie, British Columbia woodworker Mark Qualizza on functional art, curves and the relationship between form and function.
Illusions in wood
We needed a dresser for our bedroom, so I designed a six-drawer piece made with a solid cherry frame and veneered maple panels and drawer fronts.
Iron-on edge tape
Rob Brown shows you how easy it is to apply iron-on edge tape to plywood.
Are nine routers enough?
The short answer is no, but that’s no fun.
A few updates
Extending the 2x4 challenge deadline and more updates.
Why are routers great for nothing?
Because of their flexibility, routers get used for a lot of operations in a small shop setting.
Iron-on edge tape
In this video Rob Brown shows you how easy it is to apply iron-on edge tape to plywood.
A grandfather’s prized tool: A Stanley 45
I’ve written about some of the tools my grandfather used to own.
Planning for more webinars
Over the past few years the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world we live in.
Tolerances: when is something good enough?
Every type of trade has a different level of accuracy that’s needed for the work being done.
Storage is king
If you remove tables from the discussion, the vast majority of woodworking projects, and furniture in general, is just an exercise in storage.
Old woodworking photos are rare
For many of us today, woodworking is as much about the images as it is about actually getting work done in the shop.
2×4 Challenge
Once in a while I get emails or letters from readers encouraging me to include more 2x4 projects in our print pages.
Having fun vs. being productive
The other day I was working on a vanity for a local resort.
Why do I use my favourite tools least often?
While I was taking some photos for an upcoming article the other day, and had a large collection of knives for shop and home use out on my workbench, I noticed a drop of solidified glue on my bench top.
Build a hidden hinged spice rack
This under-cabinet spice storage rack will work wonders to organize that cluttered spice storage area in one of your kitchen cabinets. It can be customized to fit under any cabinet you have.
Inflation, cost of materials and how we can start to use materials more wisely
If I were more into investments, banking and the general state of the economy, I’d know more about the technical aspects of inflation.
Brocklen Johnson
Vancouver, British Columbia furniture maker Brocklen Johnson on inspiration, commissions and why new makers should imitate, then innovate.
21 tips for designing closets
Designing a closet storage system can be a daunting process. If your closet is small, you’ll want to make the best use of the limited space. If you have lots of space, you'll still want to plan it out properly to avoid a disorganized mess once it's complete.
Top 10 ways to improve storage
“Out with the old” is the first step to finding more space for household and personal items. Focusing on a certain area or items to be stored yields big results, too.
Craft a mid-century modern sideboard
Simple lines and plenty of storage space make this classic sideboard stand out.
Simple, cost-effective wall unit that will last for decades
Big projects don’t need to be overly expensive as long as you can be flexible with design and materials. Learn how to build a full-sized wall unit without breaking the bank.
