Building Wooden Gears — My No-Nonsense Notes from the Garage If you’ve ever thought about building wooden gears for a clock, a jig, or just to see if you could, you’re in the right place. I didn’t read a book. I didn’t take a class. I just needed a gear, didn’t want to wait for … Read more
There are times when a ramp just makes more sense than stairs—especially if you’re moving heavy tools, lawn mowers, or even a wheelchair. For something like a gardening shed or raised porch, hauling equipment up stairs is both awkward and unsafe. That’s when a concrete ramp becomes the smart, long-term solution. How to Pour a … Read more
When I first started woodworking, plywood was just the budget-friendly go-to for garage shelves or workshop benches. But as I began taking on more serious furniture projects, I kept hearing about something called ApplePly. At first, I thought it was just another plywood brand – maybe made from applewood? Turns out, that’s not the case. … Read more
Most people think of plywood as just cheap, utility-grade wood. For years, I thought the same—until I started working on weekend furniture builds in my garage and realized how much potential it actually has. I’ve used plywood to create pieces that look like solid oak, brushed metal, even marble. Some attempts were a disaster (don’t … Read more
Drying Wood in the Oven: The Ultimate How-To Guide for Woodworkers and Homeowners Can you really dry wood in your kitchen oven? Yep — and sometimes it’s the quickest way to salvage a soggy log or get lumber ready for your next DIY build. I’ve done it myself on more than a few cold mornings … Read more