Window Seat
Book Case window seat
Sash Windows
Making Sash Windows Of all the tasks of the joiner, perhaps no other has exacted the most skill and afforded the most income, than that of the window sash maker. If you have never attempted to make a sash, I highly recommend it, if for no other reason than to test...
Secret Dove tails
in a previous article I covered Through and half-blins dovetails In previous articles, I have shown you how to make through and half-blind dovetails. This week I look at secret dovetails or mitred dovetails. Whenever I make boxes, and I make a...
Making a Step Ladder
In 1862, John Basely invented the first stepladder by putting a hinge at the top of two ladders so that they could be folded and easily stored. Born in Pennsylvania, Basely was a master carpenter and inventor, receiving the first US patent issued for a safety stepladder. Ladders had of course been used for millennia prior to his invention, but the changes Basely made to the design were hugely important, including the addition of hinges and using flat steps instead of rungs for safety. As you can imagine, he went on to become a very wealthy man.
This article will not make you wealthy, but it will give you a lift in life and an insight into the mechanics of making a stepladder.
I have at least 4 different stepladders ranging in height from 1-2m. Often when reaching heights for a project, a few extra centimetres make all the difference in reaching those hard to reach areas.
Making a Knuckle Joint
Recently I restored a beautiful drop leaf cherry table.
Most of it was intact and needed only a little restoration, but one element that really needed some help was the wooden hinge joint that had broken over its many years of use. The knuckle hinge allows the support legs to swing out so the loose leaf can then rest on top.
The knuckle joint in Fig. 1 is quite unique, in this article I will take you through the steps to make a more traditional hinge joint.
Traditional French Breadboard
On a recent trip to England I was taken to a very Parisian style café. Hanging on the wall were several exquisite large bread boards of varying shapes.
You’ve probably seen them – 45cm in diameter with a narrow handle. They fascinated me, how could something so wide and thin not be warped?
As luck would have it, my sister has a couple tucked on a high shelf in her kitchen. It wasn’t until I had the chance to take them down and give them a good assessment that the warp-free secret was revealed.