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.
Puzzle Table
Several weeks ago, a friend of mine – knowing my obsession with all things wood – said “I have a puzzle table I think you’d like”. As a child growing up we were constantly doing jigsaw puzzles and it generally involved taking over the kitchen table for several days and having to eat in the living room.
Rustic Clocks
This season, in the woodshop, I’ve been focusing on the rustic look. As woodworkers, we acquire many things including tools and books, but the most space consuming items by far (at least in my woodshop) are several bins over-flowing with off-cuts and scraps. And as Anthony (editor) mentioned in my last article – keep all those scraps – you never know when you might need a piece.
Wine Rack
“If you’re interested in building your own wine cellar you need to start by analyzing your space and determining what will fit,” said my local sommelier. Well, that put an end to the underground climate controlled room I was dreaming about! So, for the time being it’s a counter-top wine rack.
Rustic Votive Holders
Candles have been around for centuries – the earliest known candles were first seen in China around 200 BC and appeared in Europe after 400 AD. These first candles were generally made of natural fat and wax, with paraffin revolutionising candle-making in the 1830s.
From Bed to Bench
There is one constant in my woodworking life and it’s not the wood or the tools, it’s my wife, Lisa. After a long morning in the woodshop, she’ll be at the door saying, “Thought you might like a cuppa,” with a plate of digestives in hand and, “Let’s go sit for a while on the bench,” No, not the woodworking bench (although I have done that many a time)…
And so we walk into what has lovingly become known as the ‘English garden’, a small corner in our ‘yard’ that features a hedgerow and other traditionally English plants. Nestled in amongst the growth is our garden bench. And what is a garden without a bench?!
In this article I’ll be showing you how to turn the wooden head and foot boards of an old double bed frame into a charming garden bench.
Read the full Article here