• DIY,  Featured,  Wood

    Wooden fence with a gate

    I am not a big fan of wooden fences with posts set directly in the ground, whether in a concrete base or wrapped in a plastic membrane. That makes them difficult to replace or repair. Easy maintenance was the primary factor influencing this build, but other considerations included improving existing ideas. It turned out that the old stakes were set too shallow in the ground (less than 1 foot!), hammered straight in with no rubble or concrete! I needed something more professional. What I had in mind was a properly anchored fence made from pressure-treated timber, with a few galvanised…

  • Tools

    Leap Day tools, edition 2024

    This year’s February is one day longer than usual, it’s a leap year. That extra day, the 29th, brings a bunch of useful tools that deliver excellent results quickly and easily. There are jobs that no other tools would do and even though I was very sceptical about adding them to my tool collection, I’m happy I eventually did. It’s like an investment that pays off, sooner or later. You just have to wait for the right moment, take on a relevant job, build up your skills and enjoy the results. With the right tools, some knowledge and patience everything…

  • Upcycling,  Wood

    Under shelf storage

    It’s made from 100% upcycled materials, like PVC downpipe off-cuts, metal roofing sheet leftovers and pallet wood. There was an empty space underneath the shelf and initially, it was filled up with tools hanging from below on hooks. I soon realised that this setup was limited to items equipped with hanging holes and many items couldn’t be stored there due to their shapes and properties. I didn’t want to leave it as it was, and I couldn’t resist upcycling these old downpipes and other stuff. It would have been such a waste. I also needed more storage space, which is…

  • Glass,  Upcycling

    Smirnoff glass, a long story short

    It was a typical upcycling project, almost like deja vu. Every step was a repetition or an exact copy of something that had already happened in the process of cutting glass containers. I sometimes find myself saying “Nothing changes, only the size and colour of the bottles”. That’s why I’m trying to tell the story short, in just a few paragraphs fortified with a couple of pictures. Upcycling glass always starts with scoring, followed by splitting and sanding. But maybe that means the process is perfectly mastered and that’s why it works every time. It’s rather predictable and repetitive than…

  • Tools,  Upcycling,  Wood

    Dado stack throat plate

    This insert is completely metal-free and is not adjustable. It fits perfectly and sits flush with the table saw top. It’s always ready to use and requires only a second for installation. This plate is essential when using a dado blade (I guess they’re called “grooving blades” here on the British Isles), ensuring safety when cutting rebates or box joints with the saw. As with everything in woodworking, this project too, could have been built in many other ways, but I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I also aimed to reduce the cost of materials to an…

  • Upcycling,  Wood

    Timber and wire mesh bin

    The capacity of this storage bin is 1 cubic metre when filled up to the top edge. The roll of mesh I had on hand was 1 x 5 metres, which determined the size. Coincidentally, the salvaged pressure-treated timber I had was just enough for a build of this size. It was like killing two birds with one stone – I wanted to use up the timber that had been lying around for too long, and I needed a quick-storage solution. The word ‘quick’ needs to be emphasised here. You can always stack firewood, creating a neat and compact pile,…

  • Glass,  Upcycling

    Tia Maria glass

    That wasn’t the first Tia Maria bottle I attempted to cut, but this time, it finally cracked the way I wanted. The process of separating the bottom from the top is usually unpredictable, so when the results are satisfying, I can’t help but jump for joy. I also employ an alternative glass-cutting method using a rotary tool, but this particular technique is my favourite due to its time efficiency. The jig I made years ago still performs good – I use it with the same C-clamp, only occasionally refreshing the wooden base and cutters for maintenance purposes. The workpiece is…

  • Wood

    Ribbon tree

    This project can be identified as a Christmas decoration, but it doesn’t have to. Surely, it looks like a ribbon winding around a tree and when used with LED lights it obviously brings Christmas to mind. However, for those who enjoy working with wood, it can simply be seen as a representation of a tree, symbolising the source of timber. It has the flexibility to be both, transcending the boundaries of a specific interpretation. Essentially, it is a form of art, open to diverse perceptions from individuals. Even when dressed with lights, it can function as a lamp, devoid of…

  • Wood

    Clover

    Shamrock and clover are not the same, although they are often used interchangeably to symbolise luck or Ireland. Personally, I view the three-leaf shamrock as more of a religious symbol because, in Christianity, the three leaves represent the Holy Trinity. On the other hand, the four-leaf clover is considered the ultimate symbol of good luck. To avoid any religious connotations in my choice, I decided to lean towards the secular side. Anyway, the four-leaf clover has always been more elusive, and in my opinion, it embodies the concept of luck better. So, I made my decision and built the four-leaf…

  • Wood

    Cooking fat trays

    A few years ago I cut down a small sycamore tree that grew in my garden, it was necessary for safety reasons. I let the wood dry, processed it with the basic woodworking tools I had, and used it in a few projects. One board remained, awaiting the right moment and purpose. It was already planed and ready to go, perfectly straight, with no cup or twist. I needed a flat tray or dish for a stick of butter, with no lid to keep the project simple to make and easy to clean. The lard tray was also made in…