The Threshold Problem For Makers There’s a fascinating phenomenon in chemistry called activation energy – the minimum amount of energy that has to enter a system before the chemical reaction can occur. Remarkably, this idea, that a system or object needs a minimum “thing”, whether energy, momentum, quality, for a certain outcome to occur canContinue reading “Thresholds and AI: Mindsets & Toolsets for a Maker”
Tag Archives: design
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: Spalted Red Oak Nightstand
This week in the shop, my brother-in-law and I completed a simple nightstand featuring an oil & shellac finish, pocket hole construction, tapered legs and proportional design techniques. Check it out!
This Week In the Shop: Dining Bench Made from Upcycled Bed Frame
The newest piece to walk out of my home workshop. A dining bench up-cycled from a bed frame. If you are interested in seeing plans, drop a line to me, my contact is below. Make it safe & keep the rubber side down this week. Thank you for visiting my practice zone and project showcase. Continue reading “This Week In the Shop: Dining Bench Made from Upcycled Bed Frame”
Making a Makerspace: What Do We Make Here? Some Capabilities and Tools for Your Educational Makerspace
This is Part 3 in my Making a Makerspace series. If this interests you, catch parts one and two. A makerspace is a space for a group of interesting and creative people to make something. Makerspaces differ from traditional constructional spaces in schools such as woodshops, auto mechanics shops, tech labs, etc because making bringsContinue reading “Making a Makerspace: What Do We Make Here? Some Capabilities and Tools for Your Educational Makerspace”
Making a Makerspace: Planning the Steamworks
This fall, I move into a brand-spanking new classroom. As part of this move, I’ve been heavily involved in the planning, organizing and logistics of moving my school’s Math & Science program into our new digs. In the words of a close colleague of mine, what a great problem to have! Long term readers ofContinue reading “Making a Makerspace: Planning the Steamworks”
This Week In the Shop: In-Progress Bed Design and Build
You may have noticed a distinct drop off in the frequency of posts here on WoodshopCowboy since the beginning of the year. In that great crucible of life, demands of life has reduced my shop time. Mostly, though, a majority of woodworking time has been caught up in a commission from my wife: a bed.Continue reading “This Week In the Shop: In-Progress Bed Design and Build”
This Week in the Shop: Mirror, Mirror
I swear the conversation went like this: Wife: “What dress should I wear?” Me: “I don’t know, you look great in anything.” Wife: “This dress? What about this one?” Me: “I don’t know if you’ve been watching me, but I haven’t taken my eyes off you in forty minutes.” Wife: “I need a full lengthContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Mirror, Mirror”
Community Watch: Build A Box!
Eight students, six boxes built and finished. It was a long day in the shop – nearly seven hours with only a few breaks for liquids. I can think of a number of great moments: the first box getting nailed together, the last coat of shellac being applied, the look of what-have-I-got-myself-into as the students tackledContinue reading “Community Watch: Build A Box!”
Community Watch: It’s Build a Box Day!
Today at TX/RX Labs, I’ll be leading a class in building a few of these tea boxes. I’m sending a box to one random contestant on WoodshopCowboy Facebook page, just in time for Christmas. Remember to like WoodshopCowboy on Facebook! And remember: Make it safe & keep the rubber side down this weekend.
WSC Designs 