12
votes
Accepted
Should I build basement shelving so it's square with the wall or with the floor?
Another solution you did not list would be to go ahead and build the shelf to be square itself, then shim underneath it to level out the floor. That way you can move it anytime but also make it look ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
11
votes
Wood to Use for 3ft Sorority Letters
Plywood is designed specifically to resist warping and to be stronger than solid wood of the same dimensions due to the properties of lamination. The plywood you want will be labeled as being for "...
- 5,384
10
votes
Accepted
How can I design a large cherry table with no aprons?
The apron on a four legged table serves a number of functions, and you may not have considered them all. The apron:
stiffens the top, helping to keep it flat
transfers the load to the legs
connects ...
- 7,658
10
votes
Accepted
Design considerations for a machinist's work bench
and would like to know the key design considerations and recommended jointing options for such a project
Unfortunately there isn't any easy answer to this.
As with many woodworkers when I was ...
- 59k
10
votes
Accepted
2x4's are not really 2x4. How does this affect the integrity of a structure?
The strength of wood is established for various species based upon the actual cross section area of material. Industry standards set over 50 years ago established the actual dimensions of a nominal ...
- 7,824
9
votes
Installing fancy distressed wall hanger knobs
By to look of the "keyhole" shaped holes in the back of the knobs, you're probably supposed to slide them onto the head of a screw that's attached to the wall.
Here's the keyhole in glorious ASCIIart,...
- 191
9
votes
How to bind wooden pieces together, but detachable
You could try Lincoln Log™ style
A nice DIY write up at Lumberjocks
At least they are still made of wood.
You could use round magnets like those found here.
You'd want to make the hole with a ...
- 5,644
8
votes
Accepted
Wood to Use for 3ft Sorority Letters
If you're looking for weather-resistant and lightweight, you can't do much better than cedar for the wood choice. Cedar also has a good strength-to-weight ratio, making it very sturdy. For thickness,...
- 12.1k
8
votes
Accepted
How do I create the decorative/ornamental elements of a picture frame?
I can't tell from this picture exactly but it is worth pointing out that this frame might not all be made of wood and wood elements (not that you were suggesting this).
The items you see in section ...
- 20k
8
votes
Accepted
Is there an average depth that works best for book shelves?
12" deep shelves are too deep for most books, again most books. I would make the bookshelf a "breakfront", the 2 lower shelves 12" deep above a 4" base or toe space, and step ...
- 838
8
votes
Accepted
Supporting a level box on an uneven surface
I would build the support frame for under the boxes, just the frame (out of treated 2x4's). Then find your where you want the boxes to rest.
Then you scribe your 2x4's with a compass. You get your ...
- 15k
7
votes
Accepted
Gluing plywood to plywood for doll's house floor
This would very much depend on the quality of your plywood which sounds questionable. You also don't mention the thickness which would play a role here as well. The overall dimensions of the project ...
- 20k
7
votes
How do I create the decorative/ornamental elements of a picture frame?
B: I would like to know how elements like what is highlighted in B could be made. I'm sure this could be hand carved but I don't think this was hand-carved.
As you mentioned, this could have been ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
7
votes
Accepted
Corner butt joint, longer top or longer sides?
When making butt joints for corners... structurally is there any difference between longer tops and longer sides [using biscuits and glue]
Yes, with longer sides it would be stronger. The reasons ...
- 59k
7
votes
Accepted
Will these table legs support this table?
That design will have problems with racking forces (based on what I can see from the point of view you show1). If I stand at the end of the table and push wilh a little force the legs would probably ...
- 20k
7
votes
Accepted
Mortise and tenon joint proportions for 3 wooden beams corner
This doesn't make a lot of sense in my situation, because one third of 60mm is 20mm and 5 times that is 100mm, which is longer then the beam width.
I think it's important to remember that these, as ...
- 59k
7
votes
Folding table issue
I suspect that the middle is sagging because it is not adequately braced. Most of the folding tables that my parents own (that we use for family reunions as eating tables) are similar to the one ...
- 12.1k
7
votes
Accepted
Is this frame design sturdy enough for a window seat?
In terms of compression strength, I wouldn't want to park a big car on top of it - but even a couple of drunken teenagers jumping up and down should be fine.
As others have commented, racking side-to-...
6
votes
Accepted
How to hinge a piece of wood for an up/down configuration?
Are there any other hardware options besides two rods bolted to the wood top and wood base?
There are many types of bolts that might suit a project like this, depending on the exact design you ...
- 59k
6
votes
Wood to Use for 3ft Sorority Letters
The other answers are helpful for explaining what types of wood to use for the environment but fail to take into consideration how you are going to construct the letters.
The simplest way I can think ...
- 4,788
6
votes
Accepted
What material is suitable for a children's desk/furniture?
What would be a suitable material, in terms of durability and cost, for a children's desk?
For a piece of furniture that's destined for the lifetime of abuses that children can inflict upon it, I ...
- 12.1k
6
votes
Accepted
Front and Leg vise
What are the functional differences between a leg and front vise?
I think you've already hit on them pretty well in your Question.
Leg vise can be built from solely wood components and has a deep ...
- 12.1k
6
votes
Is there an average depth that works best for book shelves?
"Most books" is far too broad. Books of what type? Standard paperpacks or oversized ones? Modern hardback novels or vintage/antique books?
Even assuming you mean regular paperbacks I don't think an ...
- 59k
6
votes
Is there an average depth that works best for book shelves?
Depends on your books. The ones I built last time used 1x12's; that's overkill but it does handle some oversized art books and lets me put two rows of paperbacks on a shelf (one upright, another ...
- 9,101
6
votes
Accepted
Where should the trademark be placed on a baseball bat?
Is there any truth to breaking a bat by hitting on the trademark
Yes there is. Traditionally the logo or label is located in a specific orientation to the grain in the wood, leading to the guideline ...
- 59k
6
votes
Where should the trademark be placed on a baseball bat?
I've just done a bit of research (OK... I did a google image search, but the results seem to be consistent) and it seems like the logo is always burned into / painted onto the same part of the bat, in ...
- 3,789
6
votes
Mortise and tenon joint proportions for 3 wooden beams corner
I would try to keep the geometry of the tenons as simple as possible. The important thing is to maximize the contact surface between the side grain surfaces in the glued joint. Since your making a ...
- 7,824
6
votes
Unstable wood bench
how can I stabilize this without completely ruining the aesthetic of the bench?
Assuming that you don't want to fasten it to the floor or install powerful magnets or a massive flywheel, you need to ...
- 7,658
5
votes
Accepted
Creating my first wooden gaming table
Let me answer your questions in reverse order:
Are we in over our heads?!
No, you're not in over your heads. You can do this.
Do you see anything wrong with my initial draft?
At a glance only a ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
5
votes
Accepted
How to setup joint proportions?
The only consistent advice I find is keep dovetail length about equal to board thickness. And keep dovetail ratios between 1:6 and 1:8.
It's worth mentioning that some of this is a tradition thing ...
- 59k
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