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How to Turn an Magnifying Glass

Magnifying Glass Kit – Rockler A few years back, I turned a magnifying glass using a kit I picked up from Woodcraft. The result turned out great, but I wanted something larger and more robust. Recently, I discovered a better option: a Magnifying Glass Kit from Rockler. This kit comes with everything you need for assembly. I opted to use an optional mandrel and purchase an inset instead of simply…

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Dewalt DW734 Maintenance

Benchtop Planer – Dewalt DW734 The Dewalt DW734 benchtop planer is an exceptional tool that has earned a solid reputation among woodworking enthusiasts. However, similar to other power tools, it demands regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Recently, I made a point to dedicate some time to clean and wax my planer, which helps maintain its finish and functionality. Additionally, I…

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How to Turn a Cheese Slicer

Turned Cheese Slicer I recently completed a cheese slicer handle project with a Rockler cheese slicer kit, and the results were fantastic. The design allows the slicer to detach easily from the handle, making it very convenient to clean. For this project, I turned the handle from cherry wood, which added a beautiful, polished finish. Rockler’s cheese slicer kits are perfect for both beginner and…

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Cutting Board Care

Reviving an old cutting board is a straightforward process when you follow the proper cutting board care steps. Wooden cutting boards, after years of use, can develop deep knife marks, stains, and a lackluster appearance due to food residue and regular wear and tear. These signs of aging don’t mean it’s time to toss out your board. With the right techniques, you can restore your cutting board and…

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How to Turn an Ice Cream Scoop

Turned Ice Cream Scoop A few years ago, I turned an ice cream scoop using a kit I picked up from Woodcraft. The result was fantastic, but the one-piece design made cleaning a bit of a challenge. Recently, I found a better option—an Ice Cream Scoop Kit from Rockler. This kit features a removable scoop that screws into the base, making it much easier to clean. Tips for Turning Ice Cream Scoop…

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Chickadee House

I’ve built many birdhouses and feeders over the years, and they’re always enjoyable projects. This Chickadee birdhouse, which is also popular with Nuthatches, was particularly fun and easy to make. Using just one board, I crafted a simple yet effective design inspired by a plan from the book Easy to Build Birdhouses, a fantastic resource for straightforward projects. Chickadees and Nuthatches are…

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Squirrel Feeder

I’ve built several squirrel feeders over the years, and they’re always fun to create and watch in action. This particular squirrel feeder was a quick, enjoyable project, perfect for beginners or anyone seeking a simple DIY. It only requires a single board and a 3″ lag screw for easy assembly. Mounting it to a tree is hassle-free, and the joy of watching squirrels feed is well worth the…

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Make a Paper Towel Holder

Make a Paper Towel Holder

Making this paper towel holder is an easy and great project for beginning woodworkers.  If you’re an experienced woodworker than a simple project like this is great way to introduce woodworking to your kids and grand-kids.  I made this paper towel holder out of oak, but any wood species should turn out great and will last you many years.  For mine, I got lucky and had some scrap oak.  I only…

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Turn a Toothpick Holder

Turn a Toothpick Holder

I found this toothpick holder kit at Rockler.  It’s a fun turn, very similar to turning a pen on a lathe.  This kit has gold color end caps that look very nice and the rubber gasket to keep the inside dry.  Also included with the kit is a key ring for convenience.  Turning the toothpick holder kit was easy and I completed the whole project in about an hour.  I used EEE-Ultra Shine as a finish and…

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Make a Turned Pill Holder

Make a Turned Pill Holder

I found this pill holder kit at Rockler.  It’s incredibly easy to turn, and will make an awesome gift.  This kit has a gold-colored tint, and includes a key ring.  I made this turned pill holder in about an hour and should last for many years.  I’ll include links at the bottom of this post where you can pick one up, as well as some of the tools, and supplies I used.  I chose to use a wood blank,…

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How to Make a Wireless Speaker Cube

This speaker cube was a snap to make using the Rockler Wireless Speaker Kit.  The kit includes all the electronics you’ll need to create a speaker cube.  The speaker includes a battery that lasts approx. 6 hours, and connects via Bluetooth.  The kit also includes a USB charger cable.  I chose a simple cube design, but so many options are open to this design.  To attach the back control panel with…

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Kreg Jig K5 Review with Bonus Picture Frame Project

The Kreg K5 jig is a fantastic tool that woodworkers will find very helpful.  In the review below I’ll go over all of the key features that I thought were important.  I’ll also speak a little bit about some of the other Kreg Jigs I use.  As a bonus I made a simple picture frame using my K5.  I’ll show you how I put that together.   …

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The Pocket Hole Joinery Book - Review

The Pocket Hole Joinery Book – Review

As a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig owner for many years now; I still really appreciate seeing books that are for weekend woodworkers(like me) with basic plans and tools to build projects.  I especially like them when they focus on one of my favorite types of joinery projects; pocket holes. [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Pocket Hole Joinery Book, by Mark Edmunson is put together with these things in mind.  The…

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Spring 2017 - Safety Kit Give Away

Spring 2017 – Safety Kit Give Away

  Hey fellow woodworkers, we’ll be doing ANOTHER Give Away for Spring 2017.  This Safety Kit includes several of my favorite items.  [egg id=”1″ hover]It’s open to all those who are interested. Be sure to check back and see what other promotions are going on, and remember you can add one entry each day..!   Winner will receive: 1 – 3-Piece Safety Kit (BenchDog) 1 – Curad Compact First Aid Kit 1 –…

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How to Turn Your Own Darts

How to Turn Your Own Darts

The Dart Turning kit from Rockler, is a fun a little project that you can do in just a couple of hours.  The kit includes three darts and you can choose either the soft tip, or steel tip kit.  In this post I used the soft tip kit.  I chose wood for mine, but I think an acrylic finish would look great too.  If you want to check out the kit from Rockler; I have included a link to it near the bottom…

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How to Make a Window Bird Feeder

How to Make a Window Bird Feeder

I’ve made a lot of bird houses and feeders over the years and they’re always fun projects.  This window bird feeder was a fun and easy project to build.  I used only one board to make this, along with a small piece of aluminum screen, and some screw eyes.  Using suction cups you can mount this easily to an outside window and watch the birdies from the inside.  This feeder was heavily influenced…