Hot Furniture & Woodworking How-Tos
How To: Fix a cracked walnut bowl
This is a lesson in fixing a crack in a walnut bowl with cherry strips.
How To: Make cutting boards
Learn how to make a quality cutting board, which will teach you the basics of woodworking and save you money.
How To: Make a jewelry box
This simple band saw jewelry box is easy to make. Measurements can be quite varied, as it is the concept which is important.
How To: Make a gourd bird house
Here you can learn how to make a cute little bird house out of a dried gourd.
How To: Apply quarter round/soffet molding on bombe secretary
All the dentil molding is on and now it's time to add another layer. Tommy shows how the applied dentil molding looks and how the soffit and quarter round fit over it. He then attaches them to the case. Tommy cleans up the dentil molding with a chisel so it is flush with the quarter round. After gluing the final corner in place, the first part of the crown is done and Tommy can enjoy a victory cigar.
How To: Make the wood pediment astragal for a bombe secretary
Tommy has finished the box frame with front work and blocking attached. Now it's time to make the astragal for the pediment. An astragal can be an architectural element used at the top or base of a column, and it is also used as a framing device on furniture. He drank extra coffee so his hands are nice and steady for the astragal work.
How To: Make the fret work trim pieces for a bombe secretary
With divider and bevel in hand, Tommy walks viewers through the layout and design of the fret work trim pieces for the upper pediment. A little prep work on the pattern layout makes it a fairly simple process. Slow and steady wins the race -- or finishes the Bombe Secretary, in this case.
How To: Create the upper pediment for a wooden bombe secretary
Tommy’s ready to start the upper pediment of the secretary and shows the drawing for the upper case as well as what’s left of his wood to make it. He now has to figure out how to make the frame. He’s hoping that he’s found his stride and he’ll “get this thing done” because the bombe is “way more complicated” than he ever expected.
How To: Make a Unique Cardboard Chair
There have been numerous chairs made out of recycled or reclaimed cardboard. This week on the GreenerBusiness Podcast, we attempt to build our own unique comfortable cardboard chair.
How To: Do the interior of a hidden box for a bombe secretary
Tommy works on the interior of the hidden box. He’s added document drawers and a false back. He says, “It’s a pretty cool little thing, and I’m having fun making it.”
How To: Glue the wooden hidden box for a bombe secretary
Tommy finally gets to glue this “bad boy together.” After putting glue in the front only, he assembles the drawer dividers, the back and the partition and puts them in the desk to show the viewers. Watch this episode to find out why Tommy calls himself a “colorful guy, just not too bright.”
How To: Finish the hidden box in wooden bombe secretary
Tommy finishes construction on the hidden box for the secretary. Between segments, he takes time to show the viewers his personal memorabilia hanging on the walls, including family photos and accolades for his work. Tommy says he’s having fun making the box because it doesn’t have to be precise. He’s especially happy when the box is finished because he’s moving into his final phase of the desk assembly.
How To: Use dovetails to attach wooden legs to a column
Tommy and Al dedicate this podcast to answering the question of the week: What is the best way to attach legs to a column? With explicit instructions, they demonstrate how to use dovetails to get the legs and columns to fit together “nice and tight.”
How To: Construct the hidden wooden box for a bombe secretary
Tommy had debated on whether he was going to show the viewers the hidden drawer in the Bombe, which is typical of a period piece. Considering how the early podcast at the museum showed how it was taken apart, he figured why not. Using scrap wood he has saved while working on the project, Tommy begins construction on his first hidden drawer. He’ll need to mill the pine, cut the sides and glue the bottoms. While waiting for the glue to dry, he demonstrates how to cut dovetails again.
How To: Design pigeonhole valances for a bombe secretary desk
Tommy gets a second wind now that he can see noticeable progress on the Bombe. He draws and cuts the dividers for the pigeonhole assembly and inserts them from the back. Using scrap wood from previous cuttings because it has the same colors, tones and textures, he designs a pattern for the valances. Now the top row is almost complete, and Tommy is “feeling energized again.”
How To: Tune up a woodworking hand plane
Taking a break from building the Bombe, Tommy tunes his hand plane by taking it apart and sharpening it. He demonstrates the power of the plane, showing how to flattening an uneven piece of wood. Using paraffin wax to glide the plane, he gets the piece of gnarly wood in perfect shape.
How To: Plan the pigeonhole assembly for the bombe secretary
Before Tommy can get started cutting and shaping the pigeonhole assembly, he needs to select the style and get a 1:1 scale plan together. Tommy walks us through his thought process on selecting the style and how he prepares to cut.
How To: Build a scrub plane to shape the lower bombe secretary
Tommy builds a custom scrub plane to work the side shapes of the bombe lower cabinet. He transposes the curve to the bottom edge of the plane and the blade and then shapes the tool. Once the plane is shaped, he shows off the new plane working the sides. PLANE, PLANE, PLANE... Nothing like making a tool before you start the job.
How To: Shape the lower cabinet sides of the bombe secretary
Tommy surfs the long board in the shop and then tackles the first cuts of the bombe secretary cabinet sides. This is a critical part of the secretary since it determines the real look and feel of the piece of furniture.
How To: Use the Saw Stop table saw for woodworking safely
Watch Al, Bobby, and Tommy discuss (with big words) some table saw safety tips and demo the Saw Stop table saw. Tommy breaks down the process of setting the saw up, engaging the safety systems, firing the blade break and resetting the saw.
How To: Build a big wooden dining room table for your dinner
Tommy shows how to make a BIG dining room table (approximately 14' long) and walks you through the wood selection, milling, stickering, and routering out the top. As Tommy goes through this process he explains the science behind the wood. And don't adjust your computer screen, Tommy isn't turning into the hulk, just blowing off some steam.
How To: Make a table saw push stick to keep those fingers on
Tommy and Al talk workshop safety and make a table saw push stick to ensure all your digits stay intact. Woohoo!
How To: Make simple wooden interlocking dovetails
Tommy (with Al asking the tough questions) walks you through the process of making simple dovetails and some classic "George Washington wooden teeth".
How To: Cut circles in your wood with a bandsaw
Bandsaws have always been great at cutting curves. With a simple jig, perfect circles are a breeze. This woodworking video demonstrates this jig, and also briefly shows some minor mods that I have made to my 14" Jet Bandsaw to keep the tyres clear of sawdust.
How To: Make a dinosaur using a woodworking scrollsaw
Scrollsaws are often used to produce very intricate pieces, but a cheap one is perfectly good for making some really cool kids' toys.
How To: Dress timber for your woodworking project
Dressing Timber. In this episode, we are having a look at dressing timber so that it is flat/straight and square, ready for a project. In this case, we are using some reclaimed Jarrah from an old deck, but the principle is the same if you are preparing timber that is DAR (dressed all round) from a timber yard, or hardware supply shop, or even if you have prepared your own board from raw timber.
How To: Use bits with your woodworking router table
A router table is a stationary woodworking machine in which a vertical spindle of a woodworking machine projects from the table, allowing you to cut wood at many different speeds. Different cutter heads or drill bits may be mounted on the router depending on the material you're working with.
How To: Sign write on your wood projects using a router
You don't have to be a sculptor along the likes of Michelangelo to create an aesthetically appealing, well-made wooden sign. In fact, all you need is a router and steady hands. Well, and maybe some practice.
How To: Use a drill press to create a spade foot table leg
Tommy and Al sit down to talk about the spade foot of the Federal table. Tommy outlines how he used the drill press to create the spade foot on the marker board and then reviews how he created the tapered table leg. Use a drill press to create a spade foot table leg.
How To: Glaze kitchen cabinets
Glazing kitchen cabinets is an easy way to give your kitchen cabinets an antique look. Meghan Carter demonstrates how to glaze kitchen cabinets, so you can enjoy the rustic feel of glazed kitchen cabinets in your home. With her instructions, you'll have no trouble producing professional results when glazing kitchen cabinets.
How To: Install glass in cabinet doors
Meghan Carter demonstrates how to install glass in cabinet doors. With her tips, you can make your own glass cabinet doors for any room of your home easily and inexpensively.
How To: Paint kitchen cabinets
Painting kitchen cabinets is an easy and inexpensive way to bring old cabinets back to life. Meghan Carter shows you how to paint kitchen cabinets and offers a few inspirational decorating ideas for really dressing up your kitchen cabinets.
How To: Make a wooden door for the bombe secretary desk
Tommy demonstrates how the prospect door will fit into Bombe Secretary piece. He then shows how he copied the design from a photo to paper and then to the wood block. He makes multiple attempts at cutting the block and laughs about how many mistakes he's made so far. It's going to be a long road.
How To: Make wooden bellflower table legs
Tommy and Al dive into discussing bellflowers with special guests Eli and Brian. Tommy, woodworking master, demonstrates how he made the lines on the table leg. He then reviews how to make the bellflowers and Eli cuts them. Afterwards, Tommy and Brian discuss their furniture work so far.
How To: Turn a finial out of a 2 x 4 piece of wood
In this video, Mark Sillay uses a unique grind on his spindle gouge and shows how he sharpens it. If you've never seen the Jool Tool sharpening system, you're going to be impressed.
How To: Insulate your garage doors
This video looks at ways to insulate garage doors to help keep the shop cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.
How To: Build a folding wooden chair with your kids
Even if you don't have kids, this project is so useful that you're going to want to build a folding chair yourself. Just because we're building a kids project doesn't mean it has to be just for kids!
How To: Repair your Festool MFT wood work table
The Woodworking Underground shows in this video tutorial a quick and inexpensive way to repair the slot in your Festool MFT (multi-function table) work table, from pro Joseph Fusco. This how-to video is a must watch for all furniture and woodwork enthusiasts.
How To: Make crown moulding for your home
A look at understanding crown moulding. Check out this Woodworking Underground four-part video tutorial to learn about making or installing crown moulding for your home. This how-to video is a must-watch for all furniture and woodwork enthusiasts.
How To: Make a table with a secret compartment
This table magically folds over to create a secret compartment. This way you don't have to clean the table off, just fold it over and use the backside.