videos – Other CMS

Chainsaw Carving for Beginners

Staff Writer — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 02:09:56 +0000

Learning to carve wood with a chainsaw begins with a steep learning curve, but is an ongoing process of experimentation and trial & error. When first starting out be sure to take all safety precautions with your chainsaw, including reading the manual and wearing proper protective equipment. Start with basic shapes to get the feel of carving. Pick a log that isn’t too big to be overwhelming, but not too small for your chainsaw to cut details into. Before carving, anchor your log to ensure stability while working. Take care of yourself during and after carving, since using a chainsaw is muscle intensive. Find a carving process that works for you.

Key Takeaways:

Chainsaws are dangerous, so take precautions like using proper safety equipment and only carving when you are physically capable.
Plan out your carving, making sure to anchor down the log before any cuts are made.
Start with basic shapes to become familiar with the chainsaw, working on medium sized logs.

“the learning doesn’t end – chainsaw carving is an ongoing journey of experimentation”

Large Heavy-Duty Storage Shelving Unit

Staff Writer — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 22:48:28 +0000

Large storage units are incredibly helpful for keeping all of your things in one place. Consider building your own with just a few short steps. All you will need are a few simple tools, such as a drill, circular saw, safety glasses and hearing protection. In addition, you will need a few wooden sheets, screws, and nails. The great thing about storage units are that they can be built according to your own personal needs. Best of all, the estimated cost is only around 150 dollars, with an estimated completion time of only one day.

Key Takeaways:

At a cost of around $125, this unit was built with accessible materials and limited tools.
The process begins with cutting the OSB and 2x4s, then assembling the platform structure.
Legs are attached with wood screws, and lateral support 2x4s are added as well.

“Needless to say, this was not organized, not easily accessible and also extremely frustrating when it was time to look for something. That’s why we decided that a large storage unit was a necessity to maintain our sanity.”

7 questions with Craig Thibodeau

Staff Writer — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 19:50:20 +0000

Craig Thibodeau recently went viral after America was introduced to his rendition of a ‘puzzle cabinet’. Thibodeau has contributed to the FineWoodworking blog several times, and he has once again return to discuss some frequently asked questions. He answers what the experience was like going viral, and also delves into who his favorite furniture makers are. Craig has been a professional furniture designer for over 20 years, and he specializes in inlay and various veneering techniques.

Key Takeaways:

Woodworker Craig Thibodeau has focused recently on making puzzle pieces, in addition to publishing his book.
Learn about this master woodworker’s favorite furniture makers, tools, and more.
In addition, learn how to make a beautiful box with a veneer from this expert.

“Over recent years his work has focused increasingly on puzzle furniture with complex internal mechanics, commissioned by collectors around the world.”

The Guide to Mismatched Sofas {and Furniture}

Staff Writer — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 01:59:09 +0000

You don’t have to follow the same rules you have always followed when it comes to matching different pieces of furniture. You can just go with what you love and go from there. Pick pieces that you enjoy having around you, and you can mix and match them. You will want them to mesh well, meaning you don’t want furniture that clashes, you will want the styles and patterns, and colors to work well together.

Key Takeaways:

Consider using Pinterest boards to pull together elements you might want to use.
Contrast is a strength, but use commonalities to pull items together.
Go slowly and take your time finding the next piece.

“We love the idea of mixing and matching furniture. It can give your space a more collected, cohesive feel that definitely tells a story.”

Turn a Better Mallet

Staff Writer — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 23:31:13 +0000

Mallets offer good opportunities for challenging and improving your spindle-turning skills. Typically, you begin with a 3″×3″×12″ block of seasoned or kiln-dried wood. Although more expensive, quarter-sawn woods are less likely to fail than flat-sawn wood. After planning out the design, mount the blank on a lathe. When turning the mallet, use a spindle-roughing gouge to create a cylinder from the blank. More turning is needed to shape the head, handle and the coves. The mallet may be left unfinished, or finished either on or off the lathe.

Key Takeaways:

Mallets include a number of elements that make them a great spindle-turning exercise.
Mount the blank on a lathe and use a spindle-roughing gouge to create a cylinder.
Quarter-sawn grain hardwoods are more expensive, but their grains create a more durable mallet.

“The mallet can be finished on or off the lathe with any type of oil finish, or it can be left unfinished. My preference is a beeswax and oil finish.”

Reference:

frank howarth (YouTube Channel (just for video))

My Mini Skidsteer [Vermeer S800TX]

Staff Writer — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 22:13:02 +0000

I bought a mini skidsteer about six months ago. It is a Vermeer S800TX. This is a video of the machine including why I purchased one and why I chose the mini version vice the full size. I also give a tour of the machine and its corresponding accessories and attachment. If my thought processes do not interest you and you only want to see the skidsteer, you can skip to 14:48 in this video.

Key Takeaways:

Here is why purchasing a mini skidsteer might be the right choice for you.
Learn more about the unit and all the different attachments you can buy.
Start at 14 minutes into the video if you just want to learn about the mini unit.

“I’ve had several requests to do a video on my mini skidsteer that I bought about 6 months ago.”

STL215: Steve Latta’s favorite vises

Staff Writer — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 22:14:56 +0000

There are some woodworking tips and tricks that you can follow to make sure that you know what you are doing. There are different parts that go into it that may have never heard of before, but their instruction will walk you through it. There may even be incidences that you think the blade broke when you are cutting a board, but it might just be that the setting is off, and you need to move more slowly through the cut.

Key Takeaways:

Many finewoodworking.com podcast listeners want to know why their bandsaw blade breaks. Steve Latta has the answers.
Josh from California asks Steve whether he should upgrade his bandsaw or use hand tools in a situation he fears might be dangerous.
Bob wants to know whether a jointer can do all the flattening or if planer’s are specially equipped for handling this wood working feat.

“The vise is machined purposely so the jaws are not parallel, presumably for holding power.”

Make a Shaker Bench from 3 Stair Treads!

Staff Writer — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 20:27:18 +0000

Making your own shaker bench can be very affordable when using yellow pine. The stair treads can cost around ten dollars and the wood has very little defects. This is quality without having to break your bank and the best part is that you get the satisfaction of making it yourself. If you don’t have power tools their is an additional tutorial for using hand tools only. For experienced wood workers you can certainly build this without plans but if you like the plans are available for only five dollars. This might make it easier and the whole project is pretty affordable overall.

Key Takeaways:

This Shaker bench is attractive and a good challenge for beginner woodworkers.
The bench was made from three yellow pine stair treads costing around $10 each.
The bench with built with both hand and power tools, but could be done with hand tools alone.

“You can certainly build this bench without my plans, but I created these for those who’d like to save the time of figuring out dimensions.”

How to Make Workbench Dogs, Dog Holes & Holdfast Holes

Staff Writer — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:45:33 +0000

Workbench dogs can help prevent items from slipping around on the bench as a workman shapes them. A wooden dog can go into the round dog holes easily, and they are easier to install than square metal ones. Additionally, round wooden dogs leave less of a print on wooden pieces. Dog holes can be made with a plunger router and a drill. For an added touch, workbench dogs can be shaped at the top to help hold wooden pieces steady.

Key Takeaways:

To make bench dogs, cut wooden dowels to length, then use a chisel to cut the face of the notch.
Dog holes are created with a plunge router followed by a spade bit.
Holdfast holes are made the same way, but using a slightly larger spade bit.

“Wooden bench dogs are cheaper to make than buying metal bench dogs. You just need to buy wooden dowels.”

Garden Bench from Thermally Modified Ash

Staff Writer — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:38:09 +0000

Thermally modified wood is typically used for decks. The process involves heating the wood in an oxygen free environment, which makes it stable, rot-resistant and darker in color. Three 12′ long 8/4 boards of thermally modified ash were used for this garden bench. The wood was cut with a bandsaw, with a chisel and oscillating sander used for clean up. Joinery is mortise and tenons. Finish prep involves sanding, gluing and masking off the tenons. Simple teak oil provided the finish.

Key Takeaways:

Thermal modification heats wood in an oxygen-free environment, which makes it stable, rot-resistant and darker.
Construction begins with the side assemblies and cutting the rails and leg blocks to length.
Teak oil is used to finish and epoxy to glue it together.

“Thermally modified woods have been around for a while mostly in the building industry where it’s primarily used for decking.”