My school is undergoing a little bit of construction…and by a little bit, I mean a cool of five mil of construction. We just needed a little documentation of the facts. I’m going to use this photography stand (and yes, I walked around with my shirt like that all day)… I put a 1/4 coarseContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: The Poor Man’s Tripod (For Taking Panoramic Outdoor Pictures)”
Tag Archives: Woodshop
Woodworking Plans: The Kid’s Bed Frame
Last year, I posted a quick project: The Bed Frame. It has since become the most searched for post on this website, garnering a little over a thousand views with no publicity. People like to build beds. It’s taken a while, but I’ve put together a small PDF which outlines how I make my simpleContinue reading “Woodworking Plans: The Kid’s Bed Frame”
Tool Primer: How to Select and Use a Circular Saw
Invented in 1923 by Edmond Michel, the circular saw remains a basic portable tool for any homeowner/woodworker nearly 90 years later. The Model 77 hasn’t changed much, but worm-drive saws such as the 77 have become the realm of framers, carpenters and other tradesmen and women who make a living with the tool. For aContinue reading “Tool Primer: How to Select and Use a Circular Saw”
This Week in the Shop: Locomotive Bed
One of the neat challenges in designing furniture (and teaching) is the need to get outside yourself in the middle of a private act. I think putting oneself in another’s shoes, no matter the context, is one of the most civilizing things humans can do. Because before I was a father, before I was aContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Locomotive Bed”
Sketch Up Model: Play Table with Simple Benches
I will use some 1/2″ plywood to put together this play table for my two sons this weekend. I’ve begun uploading a number of my project designs into Google 3D Warehouse…look for WoodshopCowboy! Make it safe & keep the rubber side down this weekend!
This Week in the Shop: Plywood Storage & Lights & New Workbench
Since I moved into my new digs in April, my shop has undergone a number of changes. I blogged about the move-in and of course I went and changed it immediately. First, a couple bright spots. Not long after I unloaded everything I realized two very important things about home ownership. One, you can putContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Plywood Storage & Lights & New Workbench”
This Week in the Classroom: Swingin’ Chalkboard Signs
Here’s a few shots of a project build I did a few months ago. The challenge was to build a recycling container from completely recycled materials. I picked up some nice crepe myrtle branches and immediately saw a V shaped stand with a small basket to collect recyclable goods. To bad we never did finishContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Swingin’ Chalkboard Signs”
This Week in the Classroom: The Conversation Bench
Students with autism, people with neurological disorders and people with two eyes and ears and a brain often need a place to talk. For my students with autism, the act of conversation can be harrowing, heartwrenching and terrifying. On a good day. My students often must master sitting in one place, labeling the world withContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: The Conversation Bench”
This Week in the Classroom: Boomerangs and Chalkboard Slates
Two projects really took off this summer – chalkboard slates and boomerangs. The boomerangs, of course, took off a little bit more. Back in the fall I built a bike barn. It’s more of a third-world shanty, but it housed the bikes and kept them sort of organized. Either way, I picked up a largeContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Boomerangs and Chalkboard Slates”
Book Review: One Block of Wood by Nina Tolstrup
This spring, a sweet little book fell into my hands. Nina Tolstrup, an UK designer (she owns studiomama, a design firm). Her projects include lamps, scooters, wall planters, book ends and card holders – all out of One Block of Wood. Ms. Tolstrup’s eye for function and style dovetails nicely with her habits of simplicity. While notContinue reading “Book Review: One Block of Wood by Nina Tolstrup”
WSC Designs 