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Greenish Skully and Bolo Wrymouth
Two brutally simple, engraved linden boards which were used to make a crate a few years ago. That wood, however, was prone to seasonal movements big time and the crate had to be disassembled. It just wasn’t the perfect material for a crate. Nothing was going to waste, though, that linden wood was perfect for carving and the chisels I had were super-sharp. No excuses, I had everything I needed, and I was ready for some dust-free woodwork, for a change. What began as a solitary wall decoration, soon evolved into a small collection of two whimsical carvings. The self-adhesive…
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L-Boxx organiser
Bosch L-Boxxes theoretically provide an excellent storage solution for workshops or vans, they are durable, easily transportable, and can be stacked for storage. However, over time, one may realise that the storage space and volume of an L-Boxx can be used more efficiently. In fact, most L-Boxxes in my workshop are utilised in a manner far from efficient. The standard inserts usually hold only one or two tools, along with a charger and a battery, and perhaps have additional compartments for snugly fitting boxes and accessories. Although these inserts protect the contents during transport, they are not as effective for…
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Father’s Day tools, edition 2024
Coincidentally, all the tools in this review are from Ryobi, a brand with a reputation that may vary based on the tests conducted and the reviewers. This brief review covers three tools powered by removable and USB rechargeable 4-volt batteries. These tools – or perhaps gadgets – have performed well, and I am satisfied with their performance. Surprisingly the cutter is the most used tool – not even in the workshop, but in the kitchen. Who would have thought? One of the batteries I use, which is not 2 Ah but 3 Ah, doubles as a power bank. I couldn’t…
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Wooden patio table
In search of a suitable patio table for the upcoming warm season, I found no reasonably priced local options. My online hunt was also fruitless. However, this search wasn’t in vain – I discovered the most popular dimensions and standard sizes. With this knowledge, I checked my pressure-treated timber supply and, to my surprise, I had all the necessary materials for the base! That serendipity not only saved me money but also a trip to the timber store that day. It allowed me to indulge in my woodworking hobby in blissful solitude. Once my cut list was prepared, I used…
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EVOO bottle into a shot glass
Not only is it healthy to implement extra virgin olive oil into your diet but that step also gives you free bottles, which usually are great for glass upcycling projects. I’ve made many interesting and useful containers out of oil bottles, among them there are flower vases, storage totes, drinking glasses and now shot glasses. This project was about upcycling an empty oil bottle and giving it a second life as a shot glass. Perfect for personal use and as a gift, also quite easy to make. The ideal size for serving vodkas and liqueurs. I started by removing the…
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Large and thick Krupnik liqueur glass
Krupnik Old Liqueur ranks among my favourite liqueurs. Previously, I had repurposed an older version of the bottle it came in. Although they’ve updated its appearance, the flavour and recipe remained unchanged. The new bottle looked like an ideal project and I simply needed a new glass, especially something like that – slightly tapered towards the top, heavy and with thick walls. I couldn’t resist making one. Before scoring the line on the glass, I needed to change the cutting wheel. The jig I made was equipped with a head, simply snapped off from a glass cutter. Periodically, I rotate…
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3 finger joint trays and 2 jigs
I wanted those trays to be made of wood, at least their frames. Solid wood looks better and is easier to sand. The material I had in stock required some work before use, it had to be ripped to thinner pieces and planed. But that wasn’t something I was afraid of – making the jigs and cutting the finger joints was the most interesting part of the process. That was due to the fact that for the first time, those joints were cut with a dado blade. Not only did I have to make a dedicated throat plate for my…
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Chopping board remake
To remake or to rework – that is the question. Had it been my original project, I might call it a rework, but since the board was purchased as is, “remake” seems more fitting for the entire endeavour. The board was always a bit too big, too square and too plain. It functioned well for years but eventually began to crack at both ends. It also never was easy to manoeuvre. The time had come and I had a chance to resolve all these issues. Although the job was straightforward, it took time because the workflow in my workshop had…
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Removable shelf top with a secret compartment
It was supposed to be a quick and simple project. The main goal was to build a larger shelf top for my cascade shelf only using scraps from past projects. The idea of incorporating a secret compartment wasn’t part of the initial plan, it emerged as inspiration struck during the process. Except for corner braces, all the materials and finishes were sourced from my existing supplies. While this saved time by eliminating the need to visit a local shop, it also presented a challenge – I could only use what was already in stock, ensuring that the final product would…
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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…
