Matt McGrane

Hi Thomas. As it turns out, we only use the board occasionally. But it is still totally flat. I make sure to clean it off after use and it hangs near the sink when not used, so it dries completely. Good luck with your project.

Turns out a neighbor is a beginner woodworker and so he’s now the proud new owner/caretaker of a brace, 13/16″ bit and a hand drill. I’ll look elsewhere to give away the other brace. Thanks everybody.

You wouldn’t have to beef up the stretchers or rails, unless you want to increase the overall weight of the bench. The extra size of the stretchers wouldn’t add anything to the stability of the bench. Having said that, I made my stretchers beefy to match the size of the legs and I like how that looks (and I wanted the extra weight). But my…[Read more]

Steal away, but if you do it like mine you may want to have less of a “rise” for each step, especially if your mom is elderly or not too strong. Mine has steps at 9″ and 18″ off the ground and that’s too much for some people. I’m sure you have your own plan for this, but just saying … Good luck on the project!

“If don’t get back to you, I p…[Read more]

GfB, I made something similar earlier this year from recycled oak. I dovetailed the upper and lower steps into the uprights. And the horizontal rail supports are also dovetailed into the uprights. I expect this stool will long outlast me and whoever owns it after I’m gone, though I don’t use it every day (but do use it fairly often). It easily…[Read more]

Very nice. I like the bead detail on the aprons.

But did you enjoy the build while you were doing it? Bummer about the problems, but sounds from the title and first couple of sentences that you did well in the making.

I’ll bet cutting all those M&T’s was quite a workout. Must have been several days worth of effort. Can’t wait to see the end product.

Those mortises and tenons are looking nice and crisp. Should be a great table. May I ask a question? Do you have a book of Stickley designs or some other book you are referencing?

Very attractive piece, Tassos. You should be very happy with that for a first project – even for a tenth project! The dovetails look good, the top looks very nice, and the turnbuttons well executed. Congratulations.

Outstanding table. Really looks fantastic. Congrats.

Great use of wood destined for landfill. Dig it!! The stool looks great, even with a missing leg.

Excellent work, Steve. That joint you’ve shown looks gap-free. And I love the detail of slightly chamfering the ends of the stile and tenon. Looks great.

That’s awesome, Cragglerock! You’ve been around here for some time – I’m surprised this is your first totally hand tool build. It really looks great. Congrats.

Very attractive and functional. Nicely done.

Nice stuff Salko. I enjoyed the project and the videos. Very fancy cutoff box you go there.

Draw it out on paper or some software program. Only you will be able to tell if it looks good to your eye. Paul often talks about the benefit of drawing things out. I suck at this. But I’m finding as I progress how important it is.

Good luck.

And posed with some fruit in the pics, no less. The cutting board can be a challenging project – really have to be precise about the joints. A great learning project. Nicely executed.

That is remarkable for a first piece. How in the world did you attach the slats to the steam-bent side rails?