Author Archives: woodshopcowboy

This Week in the Shop: The 2×6 #Bike Rack

This week I designed and built a quick bike rack to store my young children’s custom bikes from two 2×6’s.  You can check out the two bikes in the DIY Bike Build.     This project uses the table saw, miter saw and impact drill.  A very basic design, it uses a number of myContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: The 2×6 #Bike Rack”

Learn #Woodworking At Nova Labs

If you have ever wanted to make some wood chips or create something beautiful and didn’t know where to start?  Always wanted to learn woodworking, but never could find the time or money for tools?  Ever said, “I wish someone could show me the ropes and help me learn a craft?” Then the Intro toContinue reading “Learn #Woodworking At Nova Labs”

This Week in the Shop: DIY Height Gauge

A quick jig can make the difference in a woodshop.  This height gauge helps measure and set cutting tool heights and thicknesses for rabbets, dadoes, chamfers, etc.  Since it incorporates a digital caliper, the dial is easy to read, precise and accurate. This tool came in handy building the light box project – I hitContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: DIY Height Gauge”

Home #Makerspace: Quick Valentine’s Day Printable

Holidays always bring out the best in a maker…or not.  While I always have the best intentions, sometimes, quick and easy is what I’m capable of. Here’s a quick printable I put together for my sons’ Valentine’s Day card/gift-sharing this year.  Cut out the tags, slip over a pencil and bam!  Instant street cred. InContinue reading “Home #Makerspace: Quick Valentine’s Day Printable”

Home #Makerspace: How to Make a Light Box for Art and Play

This week, art class happened at night. Using some leftover holiday string lights and acrylic sheeting, I made a light box for my two young boys to draw, play and design on.

This Week in the Shop: Milk Paint Finish & Oil+Acrylic Craft Paint

This week, learn two different finishing techniques which incorporate safe, green finishes for fine woodworking. Check out what’s going on in the WoodshopCowboy Shop!

Home #Makerspace: DIY Street Hockey Sticks

It’s winter here in Northern Virginia and my sons have discovered a strange and wondrous sport of the North:
Hockey!
Learn to build your own hockey sticks – and a technique that can be applied to all sorts of shop and furniture projects.

Home #Makerspace: Build a Pinewood Derby Car With #YoungMakers

Every winter, millions of families prepare for serious bonding time at kitchen tables, in garages and in workshops across the country. We enter with dreams of speed, beauty and glory. With a little luck and skill, we leave with pride, joy and a completed Pinewood Derby Car.

This guide will show you how to support and help your young maker design, make and race their derby car.

Home #Makerspace: Two Easy #KidArt Mobiles

This week, we took to the skies with a two simple mobiles.

Mobiles are kinetic sculptures which rely on and play with the scientific concept of equilibrium and center of gravity. The pieces often spin and flutter with the breeze, presenting a constantly shifting face and focus to the observer. Some mobiles are motorized, such as the spinning toys hung over a baby’s crib.
Here are two very quick and easy spinning mobiles to make in your own home.