This shelf can be called a 3D picture frame, picture frame shelf, picture shadow box shelf etc, etc… In my case finding the right name is even more confusing as this one was built like a drawer. Anyway, I started the build by cutting the board to a rough size. I made a temporary fence and clamped it down with two clamps, one of them on the opposite side, but that was still OK as the working pieces were quite small. That layout helped to stabilize the fence. It took me ages to set the right fence position and the…

The main challenge to design and build this one was its shape and its function. It had to cover a not-so-square hole and there had to be 2 cables going through the board with their large, UK plugs. I built it square and simple (unlike the hole beneath it). I didn’t use my table saw in that project, just a circular saw and a speed square. The board had the right width, so it was easy to get started. Once cut to size I drilled holes and gave them a sanding. I used my router with a round-over bit to…

It’s usually an arch that supports the hose, but in my build, I’m using 2 rounded bars. I am hoping that there won’t be any kinks and dents in the hose and the whole construction will last for years. Once I had all the timber cut to size I used my hole saw to remove some material from the horizontal pieces. As the material was too thick I had to proceed with my coping saw. To clean the cut I used the hole saw again. I then roughly removed the corners with 2 tools – a coping saw and a…

3 pieces of wood and 4 dowels were used in this project. The length of the arm was approximately half of the dining table, so the light could spread evenly throughout the top. I started by cutting the tenon on my table saw and then shaping the other end of that arm. To minimize any tear-out I drilled the hole before proceeding to my sanding station. I wasn’t sure what bulb holder would be installed (plastic or metal) so I used for this project a 3-core cable, just in case. Sanding took a while. I used more aggressive belts first…

Made of 6 pieces of wood, dowels not included. Angles are 45° and 60°. Quite simple construction but the 60° angles had to be cut very precisely. I started by cutting all the pieces to length, and then I cut little grooves into the top pieces. Initially, I was going to use dowels and glue, but these angles made me change my mind – I had to use additional fasteners – screws. So I had to drill some countersunk holes for the legs and using screws and glue I fixed the legs to the top. I used longer screws and…

Made of aluminium, MDF and spruce. No fancy joinery, just rivets and screws. The project combines a modern approach and some Far East techniques. First I cut the MDF to size, did some light sanding (the edges) and then I prepared the aluminium legs. I wanted some chaotic pattern on the outside walls so I came up with the idea – to wrap the roller sleeve with some painter’s tape and apply old-fashioned, oil-based paint – white and graphite. I didn’t know what to expect but eventually, I liked what I got. I covered it with a couple of layers…

It’s made from a single piece of hardwood, sycamore (maple) tree that I cut down last year in my backyard. It’s charred with shou sugi ban, it’s waxed and it has 3 legs. I had to make sure that the wood will char nicely before I started the project. It did so I set up my router flattening jig. Due to the height of the material I used my workbench legs as the rails. The top and the bottom are parallel to each other. Also, the legs are at 90º to the base. I removed some material with a router…