Looking to make accessories for a bath, was hoping to use hinoki but since it’s pretty exclusive I was recommended it’s cousin Port Orford Cedar.

Do they smell the same? I really wanted hinoki for the aroma.

I got them for free at an estate sale. Use them? Hang them up in my shop? Throw them away because they are not worth keeping?

I got 2x10 pine I have sitting out for making a workbench. It's measuring anywhere between 13 and 16 percent right now. Would that be sufficient to dodge most of my chances of movement or should I wait longer ? If so, how much more?

I'm working on some window trim, which I plan to stain and coat with oil-based polyurethane thinned with either mineral spirits or paint thinner.

I got tired of working in the cold, so I moved my cars out to my shop and my tools into my heated garage. I'm a bit wary of working with thinners while I have the stove going though.

When I'm working, I open the garage door a bit along with a window for cross ventilation, with a fan running to help pull the fumes outside (I wear a respirator as well obviously). However, once I'm done working I throw my thinner-soaked rags in the garbage and close the window and door. Ideally I'd like to keep the stove on to help the poly cure.

Is this safe? Or am I at risk of the fumes igniting while my project cures?

So, I recently did a project outside of my normal duties at work that really got me interested in carpentry as a hobby (it’s posted on this channel, if you check my profile.)

I am wanting to start building things at home because of it. Something has awakened inside of me lol. My father in law has a table saw, miter saw, and band saw I can use, and I have drills, impacts, and brad nailers.

I guess this is becoming a two part question because I can’t keep my thoughts straight;

1. I’m pretty decent with half-lap joints already, but if I make stuff with them do they have a negative stigma? Are the strong? Are they weak? Should I use another type of joint?

2. what other tools might I need? I know I need to get a router, but I think I already listed everything else I might need to just barely get started as being “already owned or borrowable”

Issue: I don't like how sit/stand desks are all open on the bottom. You can see everything. I really like the desk shells that most standard desks have, and would really like to create one that will hide everything under the desk. It would be relatively cheap to buy an existing desk shell and mod it, except that I am 6'6 and my desk height is set to 35" when most desks are 30".

Project: I'd like to create a shell around my current desk (I don't need a desktop, and the shell won't need to support anything).

Question: What wood would best achieve a sturdy but inexpensive vessel to apply some sort of Formica or other laminate to? The current desktop is 1inch thick, so I'd imagine it would look best if the shell matched that. Also, the shell will NOT need to be attached to the desk. It will simply just sit there and when I decide to stand, the desk will just raise and the shell will stay put.

Here is my current desk:

Current Desk

I'd like to build a shell around the current desk that looks something like this (red X on the top because I won't need to have a top, just the sides):

example shell - I won't need the top

What would you recommend? Seems like a very easy project and I have a full shop available to me.

Thanks in advanced!

Hi

i was wondering if this panel https://www.hubo.be/nl/p/cando-werkblad-massief-eiken-26mm-200x80-cm/372090/ (200cmx80cmx2,6cm) will sag with 2 alex drawers on the ends and a pole in the middle-back off the desk. it is solid oak. so will it sag with alot of pc hardwear on desk?

I am planning on putting up a 6 foot cedar privacy fence using 4x4s, 2x4s, and 1x6s along with a top rail and fascia.

Couple of questions,

When sinking the posts obviously you want to get below frost line but is it better to get them measured 6 feet above ground or sink them x amount and then trim the tops at the end?

When installing the 2x4s I see a lot of people butt them in between the posts to give the fence a flush look? Is that okay or is it better to fix them to the backside of the post and have the fence stick out a few inches?

Last question is probably a dumb one, but if I did butt the 2x4s which side would the planks get attached too?

I feel like the most logical way would be over the flat side where the 2x4 and post come together making a flat surface, but in some fences it almost looks like the slats are on the opposite side and appear to be at the midpoint of the 4x4 post?

I added an example of what I am talking about where it looks like the slats are on the opposite side of the 2x4s

Thanks.

Looking to build a small list of top quality items under $100 to share with my family for christmas (as they want to buy me something for all the forniture I built them). Looking for suggestions of small items that are "top quality" like combination square or pants or nail setter or pencils...et cetera.

What do you think is out there??

This is my third time trying to post this and it keeps getting shadow banned so I’ll keep it short and sweet:

1. do half laps show/exemplify inexperience or are they respected joints? I’m already decent at them with minimal experience and I personally think they look nice but I’m concerned about strength and the viewpoint of others.

2. I am looking for what other “ABSOLUTELY must have” tools there might be for a beginner. I currently either own or have access to a table saw, miter saw, jigsaw, drill, impact driver, oscillating tool, chisels (self-sharpened, because I was told that one already), hammer (obviously), measuring and squaring tools…

I know a need a router with bits. That is probably my next purchase, so any recommendations are appreciated

I'm setting up some equipment in a marsh and I'm making a 'light touch' support structure. I've been asked not to use metal so I'm looking for round wooden poles, 2-3" diameter, 8 to 10 feet that will not warp with exposure to the elements so I'm guessing it has to be a tree core. I can't find anything online and my local lumber yards don't seem to know what I'm talking about.
Does anyone know of a vendor/source for such items? What would they called? Posts, poles, masts?

This is a simple Christmas project. I want to glue three planks edge to edge together to form a larger piece. When I measure across the three planks it's 10 1/2 inches.

I'm looking at bar clamps (Jorgenson lightweight ones) and one is 12 inches giving me an extra inch space, and the next size up is 24 inches. Twice as wide as my wood.

That's all that's available in store of this type of clamp at the price level I can afford.

I've always struggled with cutting square pieces because I'm not an expert at making consistent cuts. However, after fixing the guide on my Makita MLT100 table saw, I realized the issue wasn't my skills but the crappiness of the table saw guide. Now, I feel much more confident making cuts like this. I'll share this project once it's complete, but it's not a cutting board.

First, let me just say that I've fully enjoyed lurking and watching all the beautiful creations everyone's posting. It's inspiring.

I've just moved and have vowed to reserve half the garage as my woodworking space. I'm pretty amateur and my wife is as well and wants to join in the fun. I'm looking for a starting point for a low-experience project we can do together. I have some basic tools including a table saw, circular, sanders, and I'm committed to picking up a router. Useful things we might want to build include a headboard, dining table, end tables, and I'm thinking end tables might be the easier of the 3.

Also, I have NO workbench yet. Just working off the saw stand that came with it, sawhorses, and luck.

I'd love thoughts, suggestions, warnings, links.

Hey all!

Two questions for anyone in Chicago:

First, if you are in Chicago (Northside of the city preferred, but open to the Chicagoland area if it makes sense), where do you like to buy your wood? I’m mostly interested in hardwoods, but will also be looking for some untreated pine for use in furniture/toys for our bunnies.

Second, are any of you a part of woodworking shops in Chicago that have open shop time? I’ve seen Pumping Station One and am currently taking a class at CIADC—although I’m not sure how well open shop time will work for me there (I sometimes like the flexibility of working on a whim, outside of prescheduled blocks).