woodshopcowboy

Putting a Roof on the Bike Barn

We recently got half a roof put on the bike barn. The students fixed up fifteen bikes and laid out a roof in three long hours. Excellent work ethic, if not visuals. I’ll be getting out and fixing up the barn throughout the spring semester. I hope to add a waterproof holding bin & toolContinue reading “Putting a Roof on the Bike Barn”

This Week in the Classroom: Computer Science & Electronics

The Fall 2011 semester came to an end last week. I’m taking stock of what-used-to-be (my previous semesters classes) and re-tooling, re-gearing and re-searching my way into new course-load. I’d like to start with my Computer Science & Electronics course. I described this course as: This course introduces computer programming to students with little orContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Computer Science & Electronics”

Classroom Projects: The Tea Box

This fall, I made an effort to produce a “high-quality” product – and by this I mean hardwoods, nice finishes, proper construction techniques and professional quality work. This effort resulted in the “Tea Box” project. I also tried to maximize the amount and quantity of hand tools used versus the necessity of power tools.

Toy Making Jigs

My son has very strong feelings about woodworking show hosts. “Herm” (Norm) is his favorite – he’s in love with power tools. Me? I prefer St. Roy. In this episode, St. Roy discussed and built several toys from 18th century America. I was especially fascinated by the jig he uses to create small parts. IContinue reading “Toy Making Jigs”

Quick Pic: Cutting Boards

Somehow, several large planks of long-grain butcher-block style planks have come my way. Nothing better to do than prep some cutting boards and let the kids turn them into something special. The boards are finished with food-safe mineral oil, specifically Wisconsin Hardwoods’ Wood Oil. Always make sure you use a food-safe finishes (which limits youContinue reading “Quick Pic: Cutting Boards”

This Week in the Shop: Make: Plywood Chairs

A few issues ago, Make Magazine published plans for a jigsaw puzzle chair, and I needed chairs for my “dining room”. In reality, I needed chairs, I had plywood and this plan jumped out at me. I used a jigsaw to rough-cut the piece. Then I finished the pieces with a bandsaw, rasps and aContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Make: Plywood Chairs”

This Week in the Classroom: Production Boxes

If you ask him how to do it he’ll say just like noah built the ark you’ve got to hold your mouth right son and never miss your mark. -Guy Clark, “The Carpenter”

Safety in the Shop: Other People’s Tools

This weekend I attended a welding class. I’m trying to get some practice laying beads with a MIG welder. A major safety hazard of welding is being “flashed” by the spark of electricity between the machine and workpiece. “Flashing” means the brightness of the arc has burned your retinas and can cause severe eye irritation,Continue reading “Safety in the Shop: Other People’s Tools”

Community Watch: TX/RX Labs

This fall, I will be attending the 3D CAD, Plasma Cutter, Arduino & Welding I&II courses @ TX/RX Labs of Houston, TX. TX/RX is a non-profit hackerspace – a place for machine and electronic-centric project work -which recently opened on Commerce St. I’ve been by on their Friday night Open Houses and the crowd seemsContinue reading “Community Watch: TX/RX Labs”

This Week in the Shop: The Tool Chest

If I haven’t made clear prior to this post, I have space issues at work. I hold wood-shop classes in the great outdoors, rain or shine (ok, just shine), cold or hot. Morning and afternoon. I’ve been looking for a storage solution for the many “wood-centric” tools that end up in the outdoor space butContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: The Tool Chest”