Author Archives: woodworksbyjohn

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About woodworksbyjohn

I'm a retired woodshop teacher. I build one of a kind furniture pieces and custom picture frames. You can see some of my currently available work, boxes, carvings through my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodworksbyJohn?ref=si_shop Contact me about your project -- always up for the challenge of unique work.

Measuring, Marking, & Keeping Organized

Posted on December 13, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

As I’m looking at the plans and pieces of material that will go into the making of my Armoire, I realize that this is a big undertaking!  This is on the scale of building my own house which, although I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand Cut Dovetails, Hand Tool Woodworking, Johns Armoire, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Armoire Work Begins — Outer Legs

Posted on December 9, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

The Armoire project is quite challenging so I’m being very careful as the work progresses.  There are so many parts and pieces to the casework that labeling them properly is very important.  Starting with the legs shown here, a customary way … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand Cut Dovetails, Hand Planes, Hand Tool Woodworking, Johns Armoire, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Preparing a Hock Blade for my #7

Posted on December 4, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

The plane I use for jointing my edges is a corrugated bottom, #7 Stanley that dates back to the mid 1920’s or so.  It has the original sweetheart blade that is laminated plus it has the low profile knob which … Continue reading →

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John’s Armoire — First Cuts

Posted on December 1, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

With apologies to Rod Stewart and Cat Stevens who wrote the song — The First Cut is the Deepest but in a woodworkers point of view, the first cuts are the hardest!  As you know, I just bought quite a … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand Tool Woodworking, Johns Armoire, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Art Nouveau Frame Update and Fixes!

Posted on November 25, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

Here is the Art Nouveau frame in its’ final form with the designated painting by Diane in it.  There has been some “trials and tribulations” in the making of this frame which are mostly due to my own errors!!  I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Carving, Gilding, Picture Frames, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Art Nouveau Frame — Tale of Woe!

Posted on November 20, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

Well, being an honest man means I have to admit to the failures in a project as well as the successes.  I know there were a few of my readers wanting to see how the Art Nouveau frame would turn … Continue reading →

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Etsy Box Order — Almost Ready to Ship

Posted on November 13, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

So — why talk about it when they’re not quite ready to ship?  Want to get this blog done and put this commission into the “complete” file to start on the next project.  All that remains is to rub out … Continue reading →

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Break from the Routine — Road Trip !!

Posted on November 13, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

Diane and I took some time this weekend to do change up our usual routines.  Now that the bathroom remodel is complete we knew it was time to get out of town for a few days and do something different … Continue reading →

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Etsy Custom Order — Two Boxes Continued

Posted on November 7, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

Work is progressing well on this project and it’s given me an excellent way to “hone” my dovetails.  Any time you read about certain skills the phrase muscle memory seems to come up.  I know during the many years I spent … Continue reading →

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Etsy Custom Order — Two Boxes

Posted on November 4, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

Last week I began a series of conversations with a potential client from my Etsy store.  They asked about making two boxes to hold pieces for a Chinese Checkers game set that is destined to become a Christmas present.  Included … Continue reading →

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