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.

Always Something to Learn!

Posted on November 30, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

One of the greatest things about working with your hands is that you can always find some new techniques to increase your skill set.  In the annual issue of Fine Woodworking’s Tools and Shops (the one that published my scrub … Continue reading →

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Applying Felt on Box Sides — not just the Bottom!

Posted on November 21, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Here is the completed presentation box I was commissioned to build through my Etsy store.  The wood is Monkeypod, dimensions are approximately 3 1/2″ deep and tall by 4 1/2″ long.  The finish is multiple coats of Platinum shellac rubbed … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand Cut Dovetails, Silver Arm Cuff Presentation Box, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Down to the Wire

Posted on November 19, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Now that the shellac is fully cured I find myself wanting to post the pictures of this box so my client can see the progress that’s been made since the last blog.  Pictures will never replace seeing the real thing … Continue reading →

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Arm Cuff Presentation Box

Posted on November 15, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Very happy that the glue up for the presentation box went without a hitch.  Glue ups can tend to be stressful so careful planning is a must; especially for someone like me who’s been accused of even pre-worrying!  Here is … Continue reading →

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Walnut & Monkeypod Finger-jointed boxes Done

Posted on November 15, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

After working on this series of boxes they were completed this morning.  The Walnut one with the sliding tray is a custom order and what will make this a different experience from the usual Etsy sale is that this will … Continue reading →

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Monkeypod Wood + Dovetails = Challenge

Posted on November 13, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

The thing I’ve always enjoyed about my career choices, whether it was teaching or woodworking, is that there is always a challenge.  I may have taught the same subject hundreds of times but because there was a different student the … Continue reading →

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Silver Arm Cuff Presentation Box

Posted on November 10, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

I’ve been very fortunate by having a fairly steady stream of custom requests from the Etsy store.  The Walnut box is almost done, just needs the finishing steps.  I have one request for a type of box that can best … Continue reading →

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Monkeypod Wood and a Lid Lift

Posted on November 9, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Thought I’d give a short tutorial on making and installing a simple lid lift in a box lid.  These are the two additional finger jointed boxes I’m making while finishing up the custom Walnut one.  Trying a new style of … Continue reading →

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Walnut Box Sliding Tray and Miscellaneous

Posted on November 8, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Here is the first view of the box with the Ebony lid lift in place.  There was an entire sequence of pictures taken to illustrate the process that went into not only forming this lift but also showing the progress … Continue reading →

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Assembled but Still a Ways to Go!

Posted on November 6, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Assembling projects is always a stressful time and I believe most woodworkers tend to agree with me about that.  Think about it; all of your work and effort up to this point can be ruined with one bad assembly error! … Continue reading →

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