Bobino's Woodworking Webpage Here's a list projects, tools, and a description of my shop. Enjoy!

I have received, and continue to receive, a great number of ideas and tips by seeing the projects and shops of other woodworkers, both professional and amateur. I return the favor to the 'net community with this page.

I started woodworking during the summer of 1999. The space in my new house and the newly found free time in my life has started me on a path of exploring something new and interesting. Here's a description of what I've been up to.

All the images on this page are purposely small to load quickly. Click any one of them to see the bigger picture. Enjoy!

Here's a shop log, latest project at the top.

1. Jewelry Boxes. . These two boxes were made as gifts. They are identical except for the lids. The top of one is spalted maple and the other is purpleheart and canarywood. The tops are made from tapered pieces cut with a small champher at the joints. The carcases are walnut and the bottoms are 5/32" Finnish Birch. The corners of the main boxes and the insert boxes are mitered with horizontal splines. The plan for these boxes came from the book Box-Making Basics: Design, Technique, Projects by David M. Freedman. Completed 5/01.

2. Router Table and Cabinet. This project is a nice cabinet to hold up the table with my Incra Ultra Jig. Click on the image for lots more information. Fall '00.

3. Anti-Snipe Jig. Based on an article from Fine Woodworking article, this jig increases the size of the in/out feed tables of my little Delta 12" Planer. It has adjustment screws for making it level in two dimensions. Success at decreasing snipe is debatable. Complete 8/00.

4. Rolling Shop Cabinet 2. A modified NYW project. I used my experience after completing Rolling Shop Cabinet 1 last fall to make myself a matching one with three drawers. It's nearly identical to the first but it's amazing how much easier the drawers move in this one. The experience gained from the earlier similar project really paid off in the drawer construction and installation. They all slide with much smoother movement. Completed 5/00.

5. Glue Platform. This fixture is a small wax covered platform for glue-up of small projects (boxes, fixtures, etc.). It's the right size for clamping and covering it with Johnson's Paste Wax makes it very easy to cleanup without worry about dripping glue onto my workbench. This was modeled after a fixture I used at the Woodworker's Academy. Completed 5/00.

6. Spline Cutting Fixture. This fixture is used for cutting horizontal or near horizontal splines on the table saw or mock dovetail splines on the router table. This was modeled after a fixture I used at the Woodworker's Academy. Completed 5/00.

7. Small Jewelery Boxes. I made these boxes taking a class at the Woodworker's Academy. Both have mitered corners strengthened with splines. One has mock dovetails, the other horizontal splines. Completed 5/00.

8. Pine Box. A modified NYW project. I used my experience after completing the shop cabinet last fall to make myself a matching one with three drawers. It's nearly identical to the first but amazing how much easier the drawers move in this one. The experience gained from the earlier project really paid off. Completed 4/00.

9. Sofa Table. I made this table taking a class at the Woodworker's Academy. Completed 3/00.

10. Table Saw Extension. Made with MDO signboard and aluminum miter slots. Trimmed with solid birch. This table extension is great for a couple of reasons. First, longer pieces don't fall off the edge of the table after being cut. Second, it safely covers the saw motor and rotating belt. Completed 12/99.

11. Rolling Shop Cabinet 1. Another NYW project. To make my first cabinet, I used the plans published in American Woodworker magazine after watching a video of the TV show. It's made with birch veneer plywood, oak trim around the top. The top is MDF with plastic laminate. I was very surprised by the curl that appeared on the drawer front and door s after it was finished with polyurathane. On top sits my portable planer. Completed 11/99.

12. Sliding Cross Cut Jig. The jig is made with MDO signboard, plastic laminate, low friction plastic runners and plexiglass. This is a very handy tool for making crosscut on long or wide pieces. Much safer and accurate than the saw's miter gauge. After waxing both the table saw surface and the plastic laminate on the bottom of this jig, it slides almost as if it had wheels. Idea came from Amerian Woodworker #75, Oct. 1999. Completed 11/99.

13. Oak TV Stand. It's a simple cabinet with one shelf and two doors. Constructed with oak ply and solid oak trim to hold my brother's entertainment center (a television tuned to whatever station is broadcasting this week's Oakland Raiders game - he's easily entertained). Completed 11/99.

14. Bathroom Step Stool. Made for my five year old nephew so he could better reach the sink. Made with scrap 6/4 x 12" pine dovetailed at the joints and a mortise and tenon stretcher between the legs. I painted it with gloss interior house paint and together we decorated the top with permanent ink markers. Completed 10/99.

15. Chisel Box. Made from a plan in Shop Notes, this is a handy way to keep my chisels accessible and safe. I used 1/2" poplar for the box carcase, pine for the innards and 1/4" birch ply for the back and front panels. It's covered with polyurathane. This was my first dovetail box. Completed 10/99.

16. Portable Miter Saw Station. Direct from New Yankee Workshop plans, the body is made with MDO signboard and the legs of douglas fir premium studs. I think it's really too heavy to be considered a portable stand, but the legs do come off for transport to a jobsite. The MDO is glued together with marine adhesive makes it water resistant. I will probably make better use of the space by creating some shop cabinets and just store the legs in the rafters above the garage. Completed 10/99.

17. Scrap Box Below the saw station you can see a rolling five sided plywood box that collects scrap wood. I made this this with aged and weathered CDX plywood found on my property. The corners are attached with bisquits and include some really cheap casters. I often put a piece of scrap plywood over the box so I can use it a place to accumulate stuff. Completed 10/99.

18. Plywood Panel Cutting Jig. From an idea published in a circular saw techniques book I found at the local library, this is great for cutting large 4'x8' panels into something more manageable. Completed 9/99.

19. Scroll Saw Stand. I made this entirely from scaps left over from the drill press stand. Notice the cute little drawer. I made lots of mistakes on that previous project... Completed 9/99.

20. Table Saw Blade Rack. This is so ughly, I couldn't take a picture without breaking the camera. It was made with scrap ACX plywood, hardboard and 5/8" dowels. A pair of plywood racks have slots cut at about 60 degrees. In these slots fit the square pieces of hardboard with a dowel screwed at the center. It's mounted on the wall above the table saw. Completed 9/99.

21. Drill Press Stand and Table. Using a plan directly from Shop Notes magazine, I used ACX plywood and douglas fir studs. I didn't weight the bottom with sand as called for in the plan. It's plenty stable without it. I instead use that space for storage of the mortise kit and scrap drill blocks. I plan to convert it to one large, deep drawer eventually. Also notice the extension table and fence. It too is made with ACX plywood. The top surface is hard board. Two outside sections are glued to the ply. The mid section, directly under the chuck, is replaceable. Completed 8/99.

22. Workbench. Made with scrap material found on my property and premium 2x4 fir studs. This is a solid bench, although the surface is a bit soft. The studs are glued with #20 biscuits on their short edges to form a 36"x96" table top. The legs are 4"x6" beams. I made mortises in the beams using my handheld circular saw while they were clamped to sawhorses. I'm really glad to have the 2x6 on the front edge. It's great for clamping work in progress vertically. Completed 8/99.

23. Garage Storage Unit. Made using a kit from the local home improvement store, 2x4 fir studs and CDX plywood. It proves the adage "Stuff accumulates to fill all available space." You can see my rack of 3/4" pipe clamps hanging from the end of the storage unit. Completed 7/99.

Building the shelving kit in my garage reminded me of how much I enjoyed making wood "stuff" when I was in school. I realized that for the first time in my life, I had the space and the resources to buy some tools and build stuff. My creative juices have began to flow. I have begun to recall my former skills and learn new ones. This is a very satisfying hobby for me.

Here's a list of the things I built years ago and could find today. Photos will appear at some future date.

1. Night Stand. I made this stand in high school and it's been in constant use ever since. The carcase is made with solid mohagany. The drawer and door is made with birch veneer plywood stained to match the mohagany. Completed sometime around 6/80.

2. TV/Stereo Stand. I made this stand in junior high school as a gift for my father. He used it until 1999 when gave it back to me for "safekeeping". It's made with entirely with solid mohagany. Completed sometime around 6/77.

3. Jewelery Box. I made this box in junior high school as required projects for woodshop. It's made with solid mohagany. It has rabbited corners and the interior is finished with green flock. Completed in the spring of 1976.

4. Turned Bowls. I made these bowls in junior high school as also required projects for woodshop. They have been used since to hold loose change and other miscellaneous stuff. One is solid walnut. Another is probably two blocks of pine with a mohagany strip laminated between them. Completed in the spring of 1976.

5. Wood/Aluminum Plaques. I made three castings of antique cars in junior high school as a required project for metalshop. I made the backing of walnut in woodshop and gave them as a gift to my mom. Completed in the spring of 1976.

6. Cutting Board. This is probably my first ever wood working project. I made in my first semester of woodshop at Comstock Junior High in 1975. It was cut from a much larger plank with a crosscut hand saw. I then sketched the shape of the handle and cut it out with a coping saw. No power tools were allowed for beginners. I sanded for days to get the end grade polished, removing every cut mark. My mom still uses it to this day. Completed in the fall of 1975.

7. Pinewood Derby Cars. I also made pinewood derby cars when I was a bit younger. I did all kinds of work on a rotating stone grinder to eliminate air drag. I never won a single race. But my dad figured out lots of good stuff by watching the winners when I raced. By the time my brother built his car, he was building a Scout Pack winner. (hints: air drag has little affect, but very smooth wheels and axels are very important as well as getting exactly the maximum weight. He used bolts and washers screwed into the seat! :-)

• Rockwell/Delta 10" Contractor's Saw. It's a 1972 vintage model I found in the classified ads. It's my most useful tool and the first power tool I purchased. Just for curiosity, the model is 34-338 and the serial number is FQ-9829. When I called Delta, they could tell me the week of manufacture. Buying new today, I would get this Delta Contractor's Saw

  I've collected some useful accessories: a Vega 26" Utility Fence, an Incra Miter Gauge, a Brett Guard , the table saw extension , magnetic feather board and a variety of push sticks (some shop made). I can install a Jasada Dada set or a Forrester Woodworker II combination blade for absolutely perfect cuts everytime (except when I make measurement errors, but, hey, the cut is still excellent).

• Delta 12" Benchtop Drill Press with mortise and drum sander attachments. A bit small, inexpensive and handy tool to have around the shop. I wish the plunge depth was deeper. Mine is no longer available, but this Delta Bench Top Drill Press is a nice economy replacement. Check out all the Delta Drill Presses.

• Porter-Cable 693 Router Kit. This kit came with both a fixed and a plunge base. As you can see, I've begun to collect bits, mostly Viper and Freud.

• Grizzly G1148 15" Bandsaw. Pleasently surprised by this saw from Grizzly I was hesitant to purchase a expensive tool online and sight unseen, but I am pleased with this saw. I picked a 15" instead of the 14" because of the extra resaw capability (and, yes, I've since learned about the extender blocks available for most 14" bandsaws which increases the resaw capability beyond this saw).

• Slow Speed Bench Grinder Station. This is the economical low speed 8" bench grinder from Garrett-Wade with the Veritas Grinding Jig from Lee-Valley Tools. The stand it's sitting on is a simple plywood box. The bottom extends out the back a bit so that it can be clamped to the cabinet surface. The front is a simple cover held on with rare earth magnets.

• Hand Planes. I have a number of hand planes, both traditional metal planes by Stanley, Record and Veritas seen in the picture above as well as several woodies made by Knight Toolworks.

• Router Table and Incra Ultra Jig . This table and fence makes some decorative corners on boxes of all sizes. The Incra Jig Ultra also makes for a nice fence for general use. With it's Right Angle Fixture, there no need for a miter gauge and slot. See a their stuff at these links: JoinTech Incra

  Details of my second router table and cabinet. Have a peek!

  Why Incra over JoinTech?

• Delta 12" Benchtop Planer. This tool has saved me from numerous trips to the wood dealer. I have built an infeed/outfeed table to reduce snipe. It sits on the second rolling shop cabinet. I have this Delta Planer. See all Delta Planers

• Delta 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw. Fun tool for making non-straight saw cuts. It got this when what I really wanted a bandsaw. Here are a bunch of Delta Scroll Saw Products I have an older version of this saw.

• Delta Belt/Disc Sander. This is also great for sanding the entire side of a box assembled with inserted splines. This also works well for sanding edges coarsely, where you don't care about the resulting rounded corners. It sure creates a load of very fine sawdust. Power dust collection is mandatory!
  . I have this Delta Disc Sander. See all Delta Disc Sanders.

• Makita LS1011 10" Compound Miter Saw. Very handy for accurate and quick croscuts. If I was to do it again, I would get this Makita Circular Saw The owners of this one love it!

• Powered Handtools

  • Porter-Cable 333VS Random Orbital Sander. This handy toy makes the chore of finish sanding bearable.

  • Porter-Cable 352VS 3x21 Belt Sander. This thing removes material way too fast.
  • Porter-Cable 557 Bisquit Jointer. I'm not so sure I like this tool. Guess I'm still learning to use it in its proper applications.
  • Porter-Cable 9872 3/8" 14V Cordless Drill. A very handy tool. Cordless, of course. I wish I had two. In the keyless chuck is a Snappy Quick Release chuck.
  • Skil Worm-Drive Circular Saw. This is great for cutting plywood sheets to a manageable size. I put a $15. Frued carbide tip blade in it and, when cutting veneer plywood, I always tape the cut line on the saw side to virtually eliminate tear out.
  • Accuset Brad Nailer. This is the thing for a guy who used to watch Norm religiously. This is very handy for someone who works alone most of the time.
  • Bosch Jig Saw. This handy tool is good for cutting holes where you would can't get any other tool in the space (i.e. working large panels, previously assembled cabinets, etc).

• Relient NN820 2HP Dust Collector. This sucker is a super vacuum cleaner.

  I recently installed a pair of Oneida bags on my cheap 2HP collector. Click the image to see a DC on steroids. After installation, I noticed two things being different, both very good.

  1. The air flow increased dramatically because the surface area of the Oneida bags is ~2X the area of the stock bags. This is because the motor/fan have to work less hard to push the air out of bags.
  2. There is less wood smell in my garage shop when the collector is running. This tells me that less fine wood particles are slipping through the filter bags and being put into the air and my lungs. I consider these bags a good investment for my health.

• Keller Journeyman Dovetail Jig. This tool makes easy through dovetails and box joints using the router.

• Ridged Shop Vac. Inline with the vacuum is a turbine separator garbage can lid from Lee Valley. It's normally connected to my miter saw, I also put a 4' vacuum line splitter on the input side of the turbine, both have cut valves. One side to the saw, the other to a floor pickup. This vacuum is probably the noisiest tool in the shop. Yes, it's easily louder than both of the saws, even when they are cutting wood. Scary...

• Scary Sharp Station Speaking of scary: . Scary Sharp is a quick and inexpensive way to put a great edge on plane blades and chisels. It's just a piece of plywood onto which is mounted a sheet of glass. On the glass is glued increasing fine pieces of wet-dry sandpaper. Using the Veritas Sharpening System (honing jig) to hold the proper angle, it's easy to put a scary sharp edge on a tool.

• Critter Spray Gun When what you really want is a nice HVLP system but can't because of the cost, you settle for this critter. It sprays most finishes in a circular pattern and its only two adjustments are air pressure and the syphon height. Overspray is a problem because of the required high pressure, but it otherwise does a good job for very little invested.

• Air Compressor To run the Critter and blow all the dust in my shop into the air...

• Clamps. 3/4" pipe clamps, Jorgensen sliding bar clamps, spring-loaded hand clamps and more...

...is my garage.

As you walk in through the large door sometimes used by my car, the wall on your left is where my drill press, workbench and misc storage shelf is located. There's a large window located over the workbench. This wall has two panels of pegboard to hold tools for easy access.

The center wall is where the rolling toolbox, miter saw, a rolling scrap box, the shop vac, turbine wood chip collector and the scroll saw is located. Since most of this stuff is on wheels, it wasn't actually here when the picture was taken. There's also a few shelves on this wall, some above the miter saw, some to the right of the scroll saw. This is where I store finishes and cleaning chemicals, all in their original metal containers. I suppose I should mention there's also the hot water heater and the door into the rest of the house on this wall as well.

The wall on the right is primarily a large shelf unit storing stuff that really should go to a charity. Most if it hasn't been looked at for over a year and I need the space for wood storage. There's just enough room to the right of the shelves to store the table saw on wheels when I bring the car inside. Above the table saw I store the cross cut jig and a rack of saw blades. There's also the door leading to the car port. On the inside of the door is mounted a dartboard.

In the rafters, I store some longer planks of wood I have collected as they are waiting for a project. I've found most of this wood at garage and estate sales, some quite valuable yet aquired inexpensively.

The carport looks like a third garage from the front, but is simply a paved and covered space outside the garage. There's enough room to park two cars end to end if I wanted to. It's a really great spot for working on my car because the plastic roof lets in plenty of diffused light. I use it primarily for storage of plywood (leaning against the house) and for cutting panels. I have also sprayed polyurathane and shellac out the single wide garage door. I have a steel wookbench that can be used to work on greasy car parts.

I have as much as possible on wheels: table saw, drill press, router table, dust collector, planer/shop cabinet, scroll saw, toolbox, scrap box. It sure helps use limited space efficiently to roll equipment against the wall when not in use.

Let me know you've visited!

Send me to me a message with email.

The shop has ongoing projects. Visit again anytime...

Last modified: Fri May 23 00:16:59 PDT 2008