Author Archives: woodworksbyjohn

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.

Part 2: My take on the Classic Z-Chair

Posted on October 26, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

There are many seemingly minor details and decisions to be made on this project. I’ve discovered that to locate the seat, for example; the front and main leg need to be clamped together. Clamping was a problem I knew I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Beginnings: My take on the Classic Z-Chair

Posted on October 14, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

Many of my projects have begun with a simple conversation; “I think we need to replace this chair, it’s looking worn and faded” — of course my response was “ok, I’ll make one” and so it began! My wife and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged angled tenons, chair construction, custom furniture, European steamed Beech, handtool woodworker, Jensen Z-chair, mortise and tenon, seat webbing, stanley 71 | 2 Comments

Sapele Display Unit

Posted on September 24, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

Those of you who follow my blog know I like to start with a before and after picture to introduce the project. Usually I’ll show the full size drawings I do but this goes before that — where I get … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged display shelves, handtool woodworking, mortise and tenon joinery, Old Brown Glue, Osmo Polyx, ribbon grain sapele, Woodworkers Source | Leave a comment

Frame #243: Two piece frame for Greener Pastures

Posted on August 24, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

The process of going from a raw piece of wood, in this case a 6/4 piece of Basswood; to create a picture frame is a challenge that always excites me. The picture on the left shows the beginnings, hand planing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Basswood, custom picture frame, custom picture framer, Diane Eugster art, Lie-Nielsen #66, Veritas small plow plane | 1 Comment

Frame #240 Art Nouveau Carved Motif

Posted on April 22, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

The title of this painting is Tapestry and it’s painted by Diane Eugster. This piece is oil on panel measuring 18″ x 24″. To compliment her work I wanted to carve a very low relief, Art Nouveau motif with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Carving, custom profile, Diane Eugster art, hand carved picture frame, Picture Frames | Tagged Basswood, Carving, carving patterns, custom picture frame, Diane Eugster art, Dux burnisher/sealer, Liberon Black Bison Wax, Liberon oil free steel wool | Leave a comment

Night Stands are Done — Final Blog

Posted on March 29, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

This is a feature I really like in WordPress, as a middle school shop teacher I emphasized the magic of planning something in your head and drawing it on paper (drafting) and working with your hands to see that become … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged contemporary design, custom furniture, dovetailed drawers, leather drawer pull, makeline designs, Night stands, Osmo Polyx, vertical grain Douglas Fir | 3 Comments

Vertical Grain Nightstands Part II

Posted on March 21, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

There has been quite a bit of progress on the nightstands and to be honest I’m not sure I realize going in how much time these would take to complete. There are many steps, parts, and pieces to this design … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

VG Douglas Fir Night Stands Part I

Posted on February 23, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

After having our nightstands for quite some time and then seeing how the cabinet turned out for our guest room we decided that we too could use some new night stands! Previously I did a project using vertical grain Douglas … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged custom furniture, Gorilla glue, Handcut Dovetails, handtool woodworking, Knew Concept Coping saw, Lie-Nielsen tools, Old Brown Glue, parallel clamps, Stanley 140 trick, Veritas skewed rabbet plane, vertical grain Douglas Fir | Leave a comment

Frame #238: Summer Hues by Diane Eugster

Posted on January 30, 2023 by woodworksbyjohn

This painting by my wife, Diane; is on stretched canvas and measures 18″ x 24″. Regular readers of my blog know that I often get inspired to create a frame when I see the work in progress, just gets the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Basswood, custom picture frame, Diane Eugster art, hand carved picture frame, how-to, Japan Black, Red burnisher sealer, Veritas small plow plane | Leave a comment

Covid won’t stop me!

Posted on December 17, 2022 by woodworksbyjohn

Right before Thanksgiving I tested positive for the dreaded Covid even though I’ve taken the vaccine and boosters. I suspect I picked it up in crowded Disneyland but that trip was worth it because we were with my son for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Basswood, custom picture frame, Diane Eugster art, floater style picture frame, oil gilding, Osmo Polyx, shellac, spline miter jig, Veritas small plow plane | Leave a comment

Author Archives: woodworksbyjohn

About woodworksbyjohn

Archives

Meta