Episode list

The Wood Whisperer

Engineer the design: mortise & tenon sizing
Designing furniture can be quite tricky for new and experienced woodworkers alike. Many of us are more than capable of building just about anything, but when posed with the challenge of designing something from scratch we start shaking in our shop aprons.
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Memorial box

Tue, Jan 27, 2015
One of the greatest things about being a woodworker is the fact that you can build things that will make a difference in people's lives. Never has this "power" been so palpable as when I was asked recently to make a memorial box for my Uncle Tom. I'll admit that I found the task very difficult, not only for emotional reasons but because I had a time constraint of only two days.
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Double mortise & tenon joints
The mortise and tenon joint is fundamental to good woodworking. There are lots of variations of the mortise and tenon including what I'm going to show you today: the double mortise and tenon joint. The concept is simple. Instead of having one giant mortise and tenon joint, we split it into two.
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Rabbet joints

Fri, Mar 06, 2015
Rabbets are a fundamental woodworking joint and we use them extensively in frame and panel construction, case construction, and drawer construction. Knowing how to execute rabbets quickly and effectively is an essential woodworking skill.
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Mirror frame part 1
The frame comes together after designing and executing tight-fitting half-lap joints. This project is fairly simple but even simple projects can feature fine details. This video will show you everything you need to know in order to build one for yourself.
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Mirror frame part 2
We finish up the frame with the insertion of the mirror and the application of a fine stain, glaze, and lacquer finish.
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Cutting thin strips at the table saw
Resawing thin stock and cutting thin strips is typically the domain of the bandsaw. And while I consider the bandsaw to be an essential shop tool, not everyone has one. So it's probably worth considering an alternative option that kills two birds with one stone: utilizing a more common tool that results in a smoother cut.
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Outdoor sitting bench
A seemingly simple outdoor sitting bench can serve as an excellent learning tool for design. To do it's job, a bench really only needs to have legs and a top. But there are so many things we can do within those initial functional design requirements to make the piece beautiful, elegant, and worthy of your time and effort.
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Woven panel rolling hamper part 1
There is something that has become abundantly clear since having a kid: we make a lot more laundry. Nicole specifically requested something on wheels with double capacity and this is what I came up with. We cut the domino joinery, grooves and panels and do a proof of concept for the woven panels.
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Woodworking not-so-common sense
I spend a lot of time helping new woodworkers solve problems. This gives me a unique perspective on the potential stumble point that most woodworkers will experience. Eventually, these things become woodworking common sense but until that time, I consider it woodworking not-so-common sense. So here are five tips that most woodworkers eventually figure out on their own.
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Kids table & chair set
Every kid deserves a Kids Table and Chair Set. Easy to build with basic tools and requires only one single sheet of 3/4 plywood.
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Avoid tearout with this simple trick
I remember the first time I starting making cuts in wood, I was dismayed by the fact that the cuts were never clean and crisp. Especially when cross-cutting, the wood would tear out at the edge and it was clear I was doing something wrong. After a little research, I realized that experienced woodworkers have numerous tricks they employ to win the battle against tear out.
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Gaming dining table
Nicole and I are big gamers, be they video, dice, cards or classic board games. So when I was tasked with building a new dining table I knew I wanted it to be multi-purpose, serving our needs for meals as well as gaming. And so was born the Gaming Dining Table.
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Why did my cutting board split?
I don't know if this ever happens to you, but sometimes my tools just get out of whack and start to sound funny. Take a listen and let me know if you have any advice. Also have you ever wondered why end grain cutting boards are prone to splitting? Here's a couple of reasons why.
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