Like most woodworkers, I get requests to build something in a hurry and without spending a lot of money on supplies. Most of the time I schedule the work but this request was from someone special. The client, my wife, wanted a mobile horse tack chest to give as a Christmas gift. Together, we designed this piece to suit the needs of the gift recipient. Since sheet goods are expensive, I decided to use some poplar that I obtained at a modest price from a mill because it had not been cut to specification (13/16″ thick – rough – after drying).

To build something quickly I decided to use pocket hole joinery so the obvious solution was the Kreg Jig. Because the wood dimensioned out at 5/8″ thick, the Kreg Jig easily adjusted to this thickness since this tool can be adjusted in 1/8″ increments. Although the chest is large and heavy, I have faith that the pocket hole joinery will withstand the issues of transportation. The chest is designed to store two saddles, multiple bridles, lead ropes, tack cleaning supplies, horse cleaning supplies, and grooming supplies for the rider.

Because this is a functional piece that will be used in rugged conditions, visibility of the pocket holes are not an issue. By turning a maple handle that I installed on the back and placing wheels on the bottom, this chest can be moved like a dolly. This makes the chest easy to transport to a horse show and roll to the horse stall.
The Kreg Jig is a very useful tool that has a place in your shop or tool box. Do you own a Kreg Jig? What have you built with this versatile tool? The next time you use pocket hole joinery give the Kreg Jig a test run.
Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill

As most of you know, there is a wave of winter invading the northeast producing snow and extreme cold weather. Since the weather prohibits most outdoor activities (except those related to the snow) it is a good time to make some sawdust in your shop. Is it too cold for you to enjoy some woodworking?) I recently realized not all woodworking is done in the shop! I know some craftsmen that make rustic “stick” furniture and they prefer working outside. The use of a grinder to sculpt wood is so aggressive and produces a quick pile of shavings so most don’t do this indoors. A lot of purists that use a shaving horse don’t work indoors. Still others enjoy the task of harvesting their own logs and milling their own boards. Of course, this is done outside and many prefer the wintertime to drag logs in to their mill. I occasionally obtain logs but prefer the comfort of good weather to do so. However, this cold blast from Mother Nature is affecting the operation of my kiln!  When it is in the single digits I have a hard time maintaining an elevated temperature. I can still dry wood just not at my preferred rate. Although I enjoy looking out my shop window at the blanket of snow covering the ground I realize this cold weather is not convenient for every woodworker. I hope this weather does not bother your opportunity to work with some wood – whatever form of woodworking you prefer! How has this cold blast caused you to alter your woodworking habit?
Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill

There is considerable interest in “green woodworking” in this day and time. Most think this means using green or wet wood or woodworking without the use of utilities. Some think of it as a way of utilizing the resources available instead of wasting or discarding them. I am completing a “green woodworking” job for a client now that has taken almost two years from start to finish. In a nearby community the decision was made to consolidate and build a new middle school. A parcel of property listed on the National Historic Registry was chosen. The one time prominent building that was on this land was in such bad shape that it was not salvageable. Prior to the demolition I inquired about all the trees that were standing in the way of progress. No one had considered them as a resource. The plan was for the excavating contractor to dispose of these trees. I informed the decision makers that they are a valuable resource and not waste. I struck a deal and trucked all the logs to a local sawmill and had them cut to my specifications. After air drying for a short period I loaded the boards into my kiln to finish drying. The project manager was interested in having something built and placed in the school to help remind the students of the significance of the historic site. I designed and built a three benches each with a custom panel referencing the historic past. Because the benches were built for specific areas in the school each was custom sized for placement, as well as, the size of the children who will be using them- (middle school students). I find great pleasure in taking “waste” wood and creating a useful piece. I hope that throughout the coming decades that these benches are a testament to my work – better than burying the wood as originally planned!
Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill

One of the reasons I enjoy woodworking is because there are so many different ways to complete the same task. In most cases there is no “right” or “wrong” way but instead a method that is most suited to your style and comfort of woodworking. Some base their woodworking decisions on the tools that they own or the knowledge they have acquired. I like trying different methods to continually expand my knowledge and skill level. A good example is a mortise and tenon joint. Let’s look at some of the different way of making just the mortise. I know a lot of woodworkers that prefer the old method of using a mortising chisel and mallet. With a drill press you can easily and accurately drill a series of overlapping holes that need minor clean up with a chisel. A hand-held router can be used to produce this joint as well as a table mounted router. There are dedicated mortising machines that function like a horizontal router table that do a great job making this joint. There are new hand-held machines that make a mortise joint designed for a loose tenon. All of these (and other methods) will serve the needs of the woodworker with the proper knowledge and skill. I prefer the dedicated mortising machine because it is quick, easy and accurate. The finished results are hidden and no one can tell what method was used by the artist to complete the project. So why is it important which method is used? It matters to the craftsman! Many artists take great pride in the particular method they used and market their goods that way. Others look at this as a business decision – the fastest method that will perform adequately. So instead of debating which method is “best” look at the completed project and marvel at the skill and knowledge of the woodworker in making the finished piece.
Which method do you use for making a mortise?
Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill

While recently discussing dovetails with some friends I asked how many dovetails could they name. Most admitted four or five. When I obtained my AAS degree in Fine Woodworking I had to list nine. So I began to research the different types of dovetails for a formal discussion at a local woodworking group. I ended up with over fifteen different types of dovetails.  Here is the power point presentation I gave to spark some lively discussions. Remember this is to inform you of the many types of dovetails and their uses – not how to make dovetails. How many of these are new to you? Have you made any of these in any of your projects?
Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill