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Photo: practicalowl / Flickr

Veneers are extremely thin sheets of wood that can be used to cover or decorate a wooden base. Just as wood is unique and not always uniform, so is veneer. These paper thin veneers are often described according to their source. They can be called crown, burr, burl, butt, ray, birds-eye, curly or striped, for instance. Inlays, on the other hand, serve to decorate table tops and wooden doors. Although they were historically created by highly-skilled carpenters, they can be bought ready made today. (more…)

Photo: rexhammock / Flickr

Once you’ve prepared drawings for a project, you can put together a life-size mock-up using sheet wood or any rough wood. This will involve setting up all your machines and tools and deciding on what wood you’re going to use. From there you can purchase your materials and your wood. Be sure to take your time when choosing your wood. Check the condition, grain, edges and size. From there you can start working on sawing and planning your well considered wood. (more…)

Photo: carljoseph / Flickr

This straight-legged little oak coffee table project may interest you if you’re a DIY enthusiast. It consists of a tabletop (550 x 550 x 18 mm), a rail (370 plus tenons x 65 x 18 mm) and four legs (360 x 50 x 50 mm each). There is an optional inlay motif (150 mm in diameter) but don’t let that scare you. It’s easy enough to order one as there are hundreds of ready-made inlays on the market. (more…)

Photo: Philippe de France / Flickr

A design works if it manages to balance a creatively inspired idea with functionality, whether it is a turned vase, an over-the-top chair or a classic eight-seater table. The quickest way to know if an idea will work is to sketch it out with a pencil. You can then adapt the drawing to improve any shortcomings or change it as you see fit. Seek out inspiration if necessary and then prepare scaled working drawings for a smooth-running project. (more…)

Photo: Jordanhill School D&T Dept / Flickr

Steam-bending is an ancient woodworking technique, as seen in traditional Windsor chairs for example. Alan and Gill Bridgewater explain that the method ‘brings about such a transformation that it is almost magical. One moment you have a straight piece of wood, and the next, after subjecting it to lots of steam, you have a beautifully carved piece of wood.’ They explain how steam-bending works and how to build your own steam box in their book Encyclopaedia of Woodworking. Safety warnings are also issued. (more…)

Photo: frenchfinds.co.uk / Flickr

If you have a chair with a gaping hole where a seat should be, don’t toss it without considering the possibility of making a new upholstered seat. Check to see that there are any holes for hand caning or a groove for webbing. If there aren’t, chances are that a padded seat is required. If you’re keen to take on the project yourself, you’ll need an old pressed wood base or a new piece of plywood, as well as upholstery fabric. (more…)

Photo: Auntie P / Flickr

Gaining an understanding of the different characteristics of different woods is an important step when it comes to the craft of woodwork. Spend some time in a wood supply store or a hardware store that has a display of finished and raw wood. Examine all the samples carefully as you touch them. Compare the different grains and natural colours and how these colours react to different stains and finishing oils. Alternatively, take some scrap wood home and do your own comparison tests. (more…)

Photo: D&T Dept’s buddy icon / Flickr

Having the ability to repair damaged furniture gives one the opportunity to furnish one’s home at a fraction of the price of new pieces. Old pieces also add distinction to a home as their basic construction is often found to be superior to modern factory merchandise. Many philosophies exist as to the best restoration techniques. These include complete renovation, attending to essential repairs only and keeping the original state wherever possible. Regardless of the method, certain precautions should be taken when restoring furniture. (more…)

Photo: PV KS / Flickr

Wood can be bleached if its natural dark streaks detract from its natural beauty. Wood can also be bleached in order to remove stains that have built up over the years, for example, an old desk may be ruined by ink stains. Stripping can help but it doesn’t always remove all the residue from an old stain to the point of being able to use a lighter refinishing colour. A regular household bleach will often take care of staining problems. (more…)

Photo: Mersey Viking / Flickr

Do the lights in your house flicker? Does the toilet flush when nobody is there or have you had an encounter with doors shutting themselves? If so, this is ‘no seasonal attraction for those who delight in fright: It’s your own home,’ writes Roy Berendsohn for Popular Mechanics. ‘Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the noises you hear in the dead of night still give you the heebie-jeebies.’ No fear, here are a few nifty fixes to explain away some creepy happenings. (more…)