Author Archives: woodworksbyjohn

Unknown's avatar

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.

Platform Bed, Next Blog and I’ll be in It!

Posted on September 14, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Now that it’s almost all said and done this project went together pretty quickly!  It was last Saturday that we purchased the mattress and Monday when I purchased the Poplar and Maple (shop grade) plywood to make it.  I guess … Continue reading →

Posted in Tutorial | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Platform Bed Progress

Posted on September 12, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

End of the day and this is what I have to show for it!  These will be the insides of the platform so there was no need to add the panels — just the frame for strength.  In my teaching … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Project: Platform Bed

Posted on September 10, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

In my last blog I lamented a bit that I pretty much had my fill of cutting the dovetails to make the 5 new boxes.  Add some problems with the Spalted Maple grain structure, turning a clamp the wrong way … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hand Cut Dovetails — Part 2

Posted on September 7, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

In my last blog I was working on the sliding lid boxes which are almost completed.  All that remains is the shellac finish, lining the bottoms, and adding dividers for some that will be marketed as remote control storage boxes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Sliding Lid Box, Tutorial | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hand Cut Dovetails — Mass Produced?

Posted on September 3, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

One down and seven corners to go for this first run of these dovetailed, sliding lid boxes.  The Lore of the Dovetail is one that has always interested me.  Obviously I’m not alone in that since I’ve had numerous students … Continue reading →

Posted in Sliding Lid Box, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dovetailed Boxes with Spalted Maple Lid

Posted on August 31, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Work is progressing nicely on the sliding lid, dovetailed boxes using the pieces of Spalted Maple I received as a gift.  If you recall my last post I referred to this wood as being “punky” — wonder what that means? … Continue reading →

Posted in Sliding Lid Box | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mystery Box Postponed

Posted on August 28, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

You probably recall what I referred to as my Mystery Box project.  That was because the end use for it couldn’t be divulged as it was for marketing an item my client wanted to “keep under wraps”.  Apparently there’s quite … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hand Cut Dovetails & Spalted Maple

Posted on August 27, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

If you’ve ever heard of or seen a wood that’s been “spalted” you’ll appreciate the unique beauty of it.  Here’s a photograph I attempted to crop to give you a good view of it. When wood is spalted it means … Continue reading →

Posted in Sliding Lid Box, Types of Boxes | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Computer Monitor Completed

Posted on August 24, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

Here is the completed cabinet for the 31″ computer monitor I’ve been working on.  You’ve heard me refer to this project as my “head scratcher” because of the requirements my client had.  He knew it would be somewhat tricky but … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Commission | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Mr. Melvin Wilson, Metal Shop Antioch High School

Posted on August 24, 2013 by woodworksbyjohn

When I was in high school, back in the 60’s at Antioch, California I was a shop rat.  Partly because I’d managed to get kicked out of many other classes but mostly because those (and band) were the types of … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Commission | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments