An under-desk footrest was a must for me, it was essential for improving my posture and the ergonomics. I figured out what height would be ideal for my feet and found a perfect board in the shed. Now I can tell that the timing was perfect – I started the project before Christmas and quietly applied the finish over the next few days after the holidays. It was cold, about freezing, but I managed to do the glue-up and apply a few coats of a durable finish. I couldn’t start that project sooner, as the past November was the 5th…

Tall plants tend to lean out of planters, and some need extra support for their long stems. A rail, a fence, or any other box-like structure can do the job – anything that helps keep the plants upright. This isn’t just for aesthetic reasons, it also allows better access for a lawnmower and makes it easier to get closer with its handle. Unsupported plants not only look untidy, but they also risk being damaged by wind or by accidental contact with the mower. Heavy rain is usually the first culprit, softening the soil and destabilising the roots, and then the…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…