Author Archives: woodshopcowboy

Techniques and Tips for Working in Cardboard

In spring ’24, I TA’d an Art & Design class at a local community college, where students designed sculptures from cardboard and paper tape. Planning, material selection, and tools are critical. Source wisely to avoid construction issues. Sharp blades, proper adhesives, and precise paint techniques enhance the final product.

Bedframe Bench in Sycamore, Ipe and Cherry

This past December I completed this bench for a close friend. He has served as a mentor and cheerleader for my professional education, woodworking and cooking endeavors for the last five years, so when he asked me to build him a special piece from his grandmother’s solid cherry bed frame, I couldn’t say no. IContinue reading “Bedframe Bench in Sycamore, Ipe and Cherry”

Learn #Woodworking this weekend! Two Spots Left!

What are you making this weekend? Here at Woodshop Cowboy, we are making cutting boards and slab tables at Nova Labs, of Reston, Virginia. Nova Labs is offering two premier woodworking classes at the premier makerspace in the DMV area. If you have ever wanted to learn woodworking from tree-to-furniture, this is the time toContinue reading “Learn #Woodworking this weekend! Two Spots Left!”

This Week in the Shop: The Closet Organizer

The Closet Organizer Last month, Marie Kondo’s show hit Netflix and it seemed like everyone needed to find a way to tidy up their life. I renovated the laundry last year – removing and installing new flooring, re-painting the walls, constructing new cabinets, etc. The last ticket to punch was to design and install aContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: The Closet Organizer”

This Week in the Classroom: Top Ten Middle School #MakerEd Challenges (Plus Two!)

This Week in the Classroom I’m going to explore a variety of design challenges that I use in my classroom. I designed each of these projects to prompt students to explore the engineering design process, learn basic scientific concepts, such as forces and loads on structures, learn executive functioning and soft skills, and develop presentationContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Top Ten Middle School #MakerEd Challenges (Plus Two!)”

This Week in the Shop: The Library Book Nook

This Week in the Shop, I build a library book nook for my school. My school librarian came to me with her coffee bar theme for a renovated library and she wanted a circular book nook to take advantage of a certain space in the library. This book nook had to incorporate a column andContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: The Library Book Nook”

Learn to Make Slab Tables & Cutting Boards

What are you making this summer? Here at Woodshop Cowboy, we are making cutting boards and slab tables at Nova Labs, of Reston, Virginia. Nova Labs is offering two premier woodworking classes at the premier makerspace in the DMV area. If you have ever wanted to learn woodworking from tree-to-furniture, this is the time toContinue reading “Learn to Make Slab Tables & Cutting Boards”

This Week in the Shop: Tool Rack

This Week in the Shop we build tool holders for my recently installed tool wall. An organized workspace is a functional workspace, especially in community shops. When everything has its place, every part of the shop seems to work quicker. So this week, I put together a few tool holders to put up some screwdrivers,Continue reading “This Week in the Shop: Tool Rack”

This Week In the Shop: Storage Crate

This Week in the Shop we make a storage crate suitable to store a large pinewood derby track. This crate is simple to build and made out of very cheap materials. As built, this crate costs roughly $75 per crate in plywood and hardware supplies. This project can be attempted by the beginner, but alsoContinue reading “This Week In the Shop: Storage Crate”