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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Classic crate, a practice piece
Building a lightweight but strong enough crate to store canned food, was the plan when I started making this one. Most importantly, I wanted to test out my new nail gun and explore new joinery techniques, specifically using brad nails and glue. This explains the title of this post – “a practice piece”. I needed a crate for storing kitchen items, as the one I had seemed to be too bulky and had an excess of fasteners. This new crate was the opposite of the old one, providing a much-needed upgrade. I purchased two lengths of 9 mm thick mouldings…
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Revived wood planter
Created from reclaimed wood that was brought back to life after being discarded and left in the bushes for about 18 months. Not everything could be reused, but I managed to save a few boards that were tucked deeper in the pile and had less damage from the weather and nature. They still needed cleaning and drying, but after the prep work was done, they were fine for small outdoor projects. I checked them for staples, nails, and embedded stones, and once I was satisfied, I gave them a second chance. Most of them were decking boards and 2x4s –…
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Coffee filter holder
A simple and quick project, put together using scrap materials and finished with leftover paint. Thanks to the good weather, both the glue and paint dried quickly, speeding up the project’s completion. This fast turnaround offered a nice change from my usual more complex tasks. I was lucky to find a plywood sheet on the offcut shelf that was a perfect fit for the box, which meant less waste and less work. All the pieces were glued together with the better side facing inward, and the outside was given a bit of wood filler before being painted. I used the…
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Plywood box with moulding-covered edges
The body of the box was crafted from five plywood panels, simply butt-joined and secured with glue and nails. This approach proved to be both quick and effective, providing ample strength for its intended purpose. To enhance the aesthetic appeal and user-friendliness of the box, I covered the sharp corners and exposed plywood edges with tasteful mouldings. The time I saved by simplifying the plywood body construction was redirected towards experimenting with novel techniques for addressing a common issue with cheap plywood – its often imperfect and void-ridden edges. While numerous methods remained unexplored for future projects, I opted for…
