Category Archives: Tutorial

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 →

Posted in Hand Planes, Tool Sharpening, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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 →

Posted in Etsy custom order, Hand Cut Dovetails, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Etsy Custom Order: Treble Clef Box

Posted on September 5, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

A week or so ago, I received a request for a custom box based on the design of my Gilded  Cats series.  Rather than having a cat though, they wanted a treble clef carved onto the lid and the box made … Continue reading →

Posted in Etsy custom order, Mitered Box, Tutorial, Types of Boxes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Custom Picture Frame Molding: Part 2 — Finished

Posted on August 23, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

Before I do the continuation of creating the custom picture frame molding I just have to show you the completed piece.  As I mentioned in the first installment of this blog, my wife Diane; painted this from a picture she … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture Frames, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Custom Picture Frame Molding: Part 1

Posted on August 20, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

My last post had to do with the process of carving and gilding the first picture frame I’ve made for my wife in several years.  That frame used a custom, basswood molding we had ordered from Foster Planing Mill several … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture Frames, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fig Leaf Frame Complete — Gold Leaf Tutorial

Posted on August 12, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

This painting and frame is the first collaboration Diane and I have had in almost three years!  She took a hiatus from painting during the downturn of the economy and pursued other artistic endeavors.  I always enjoyed creating frames for … Continue reading →

Posted in Carving, Gilding, Picture Frames, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Hand Tool Work = Relaxation

Posted on June 23, 2014 by woodworksbyjohn

You may recall this picture that I posted a while ago.  After the intense furniture work on the media center I felt the need to take my woodworking in another direction for a while. A new woodcarvers club started here … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand Planes, Hand Tool Woodworking, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment