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Economical approach to making a garden hose stand
Let’s define “economical” first, to quickly explain what it meant to me. “Not wasteful” in terms of time, money and energy, that was what I thought about describing my approach to making the version 2 of that stand. The time required to build this one was reduced to a minimum, same with energy, and the cost was also kept low. I used a good quality pressure-treated 4×4 (90×90 mm), planed and chamfered, metal hook that only required a quick fixing and an easy to apply finish. The time and the energy I saved on making this one were used for…
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DIYed linseed oil fence treatment
Just two ingredients, low cost, and a smell that brings back childhood memories. It nourishes the wood beautifully, and the saturated timber will last much longer. It not only extends the life of a fence, but also makes it look far better. Plus, it’s easy to apply. All the ingredients are available locally, at least when you live in rural Ireland, so you can jump into your Jeep, buy them cheap, and mix up a batch of oil yourself. Until that day, I hadn’t even realised that linseed oil was used for horses, but in the pursuit of inexpensive wood…
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Multi-purpose box on wheels
Even though the box looks simple, the whole project was labour-intensive. I used reclaimed wood, inexpensive plywood, old dyes, and finishes that I had bought on sale. Every step had to be completed one by one, without rushing, each carried out from start to finish, no matter how long it took. In a small workshop like mine, even the simplest task takes time. Space is limited, and setting up often takes longer than actually using the tools or machines. Nonetheless, it was a long but enjoyable process, and the overall cost was kept to a minimum. Why is this box…
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Under sink shelf: quick, low-cost and custom-sized
MFC (melamine-faced chipboard) was the material of choice – it was the cheapest sheet available and happened to be ideally sized for the job. Not only did that mean less cutting, but it also kept waste to a minimum. No finishing was required either. All of these factors saved a lot of time, which was crucial, as the project needed to be completed ASAP. Why the rush? Easter Sunday was the next day, and the storage had to be sorted by Saturday. While not an exact match to the kitchen cabinets, the white tone of the MFC suited the project…
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Shadow frame, beginner level
A floating frame gives the illusion that the artwork is suspended within the frame. Its purpose is to leave a small gap around the edge of the artwork, creating a sense of depth. This technique is also meant to draw the viewer’s eye to the artwork rather than the frame – at least in theory. This particular frame was made from a single length of angled-edge moulding, eliminating the need for any glue-ups before cutting the pieces to length. Very convenient, though not the most economical method due to the cost of these mouldings. I started by calibrating the saw…
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Trim repairs: baserail replacement
Replacing the baserail on wooden stairs isn’t an everyday task, but it’s a recognised part of staircase renovation or repair projects. Homeowners take on this job to refresh the look of their staircase, improve safety, or fix damage. While not as common as replacing spindles or handrails, it plays a key role in more comprehensive staircase overhauls. In this case, I needed to replace the flooring, and the existing trim shape wasn’t ideal for attaching Scotia beading. I wanted a flat edge rather than a profiled one, and that edge had to extend all the way down to the concrete…
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Modified jig for sharpening knives on a belt grinder
The original knife sharpening jig I had wasn’t designed for use with belt grinders or, to use a more technical term, linishers. It was designed for grinding wheels, so it could take advantage of the curvature of a wheel, and it didn’t have to be so thin. A proper knife holder would be slimmer, which would be the main difference. While the jig I had worked well with sharpening wheels, it wasn’t 100% compatible with flat sanding belts and its protruding knobs were always in the way. It could only be used on one side and couldn’t be flipped over.…
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Router bit holder with a lift-off lid
The proper, truly pointed V-groove router bit was used to make this box, as I learned my lessons from previous projects. My journey with this method of making MDF boxes has continued, and at last, I have started using the right tools for the job. Not only did cutting the materials on my router table go smoothly, but also glueing everything together was a breeze. This time, everything was straightforward and went as planned. There was no improvisation, and I can tell that this method can surely become my new favourite way of making handy-dandy boxes. By taking a few…
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MDF box build: When the router bit isn’t right
V-groove router bits are often praised as foolproof tools for cutting perfectly bevelled 45º edges. Intrigued by their simplicity and accuracy, I decided to put them to the test. I initially bought a sheet of MDF to create a few small part trays, but the project quickly evolved into two larger trays, which I then joined with hinges to form a box. Although this wasn’t my original plan, the idea of a box was more appealing, especially with gift-giving occasions approaching. My main concern wasn’t the touted precision of the bits, but rather how a V-groove bit with a flat…
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Custom L-Boxx glide tray for streamlined tool access
Over the years, my collection of L-Boxxes and Bosch tools has steadily grown. Although storage itself wasn’t an issue, the process of retrieving the right tool became increasingly time-consuming. On top of that, the repetitive bending wasn’t doing my spine any favours – safety and health should always come first. After all, we need to take care of ourselves because no one else will. A basic tray on castors seemed like the perfect solution – simple to build and cost-effective. With most of the materials already on hand and all the necessary tools, I was able to start construction immediately.…
