Subscribe via Email·RSS
4 posts

Woodworking

Moving on from Growers

Wednesday the 23rd was my last day at Growers, the end of almost exactly six years there. I expect to write a longer form post reflecting on the job now that I have a little perspective on my period there, but for now a quick update and old project log. I start my new job Monday at Quantum Sky in the internal R&D team. The position is fully remote, with periodic visits to the HQ in Reston, Virginia. On Wednesday, I went into the office to collect the few things I had there at my desk. We' … (Continued)

Project Log: One-day Stereo Cabinet

Having recently wrapped up a long-running woodworking project to build a linen chest for the kids' room, I was looking for something new to work on that also wouldn't drag out for months the way that project had. One idea that had been kicking around for years is a replacement for the IKEA nightstand that we had been using as a cabinet for our stereo receiver, Roku, and DVD player. We bought it a few years ago, thinking the receiver would fit in the opening of the nightstand, which it didn't, … (Continued)

Prototyping a vise jaw

I'm installing a woodworking front vise. {Also known as face vise, distinct from leg vise, shoulder vise, or tail vise; those woodworkers are creative with names.} What I bought was just the metal frame, which you attach to the underside of your existing workbench and craft the jaw that holds the workpiece out of wood. I bought a $25 piece of oak {Overpaying for a board of this size because of the convenience of getting it from Lowe's.} to be my jaw, but before I commit to cutting it up, I wan … (Continued)

Project Log: Reloading Bench Drawers

Problem to be solved The reloading workbench is 24 inches deep, but I have just been using 12" milk crates to store things, and lost track of anything that got pushed behind them. The crates slide surprisingly poorly on the concrete, and don't hold that much stuff. The Solution Use the full depth, width, and height of the space under this shelf, and build two "drawers" that are just platforms on non-swiveling casters. The scrap wood pile had a good piece of 3/4" plywood to form the b … (Continued)