Matt's Basement Workshop - Audio

In part 3 of the Kid's Bookcase construction we start the final assembly. ; At this point all the components are cut to their final dimensions and we've done our dry fits to make sure everything is going to come together without a hitch.

With the side panels glued up and grooved to recess our adjustable shelf hardware it's time to move on to the next part of the Maple Kid's Bookcase. In today's episode we cut and prep the fixed shelves then attach them, along with the top rails, to the side panels from Part 1. My method for this construction process is to use Pocket Hole Joinery. They're strong enough to hold up to the wear and tear the bookcase will endure and make the construction process very simple. At the end of the build portion, we'll take a look at the options we have for cutting notches in the shelves themselves. Because of the design, the shelves need to "wrap around" the four legs to fit snug against the recessed panel. I use a bandsaw for this task, but if you don't have one...there are other ways this can be accomplished. [dewplayer:http://blip.tv/file/get/Mattvan-440KidsBookcasePt2127.mp3]Click to PlayDownload Video FileDownload Audio FileDon't forget to enter for free Schwag and please support our sponsors by visiting their links here on the website.

Long before the summer hiatus this year you might remember our last project build was a Maple Child's Dresser for a client and family friend. It was one of four pieces I was asked to build for their daughter's room. Today we're getting started with the first of a four part series that covers the construction of the next two pieces, a pair of matching Maple Bookcases with adjustable shelves. The construction is straight forward and the design is loosely based on a Shaker "style" bookcase. Clean lines, strong materials and soft edges were what I had in mind when I sat down to work up the final construction notes and drawings based on the pictures of similar bookcases they showed me. In today's episode we'll construct the sides of the bookcase and route a pair of grooves in each side panel that will house the adjustable shelving hardware I chose to use. We'll then follow up the construction portion of the video with a look at some of our shelving hardware options and even some jigs we can use to install the hardware. IN FACT...I'm digging up an old homemade jig plan that was submitted several years ago by Don Garner. To check out the plans for Don's Jig "right click and save as..." on THIS LINK. Huge thanks to Lee Valley Tools for loaning us a Veritas Cabinet 32 Cabinetmaking System and some hardware examples for today's show.

It's been awhile since our last episode, but the summer hiatus is wrapping up and it's time to get back to business. ; Before we get to far into new episodes I think we need to give away some long overdue schwag.

Today's "Try it Tuesday" is a look at Bob Lang's "Woodworker's Guide To Sketchup". A really amazing tutorial covering just about every aspect of Google's Sketchup 3D modeling system that a woodworker would need to create stunning and detailed drawings for their next project. Bob is a great teacher, author and of course woodworker. Bob has taken it upon himself to learn as much about Sketchup as humanly possible, and for the past couple of years has been teaching woodworkers how to get the most from it. "Woodworker's Guide To Sketchup" is a fully interactive eBook that you load onto your computer and can access while using Sketchup on your next project. It's like having Bob sitting next to you while you're designing. And to add to all of this are the multiple built-in videos that highlight the topics discussed throughout and reinforce the lessen. Trust me, if you've ever wanted to learn how to use Sketchup or just dramatically improve what you're already doing with it, this is the book for you! To learn more about it, to download a preview chapter or to checkout some of the embedded videos head over to Bob's website www.craftsmanplans.com. [dewplayer:http://blip.tv/file/get/Mattvan-438WoodworkersGuideToSketchup379.mp3]Click to PlayDownload Video FileDownload Audio FileDon't forget to enter for free Schwag and please support our sponsors by visiting their links here on the website.

We wrap up our discussion of the bench planes today with a discussion about Smoothing Planes. Next to the Jack Planes, the smoothers are probably one of the more common planes in the shop. In the Stanley Numbering System, the smoothers are the lowest numbers, 1-4. But you can easily recognize them by their smaller size, as they're usually no longer than 9-1/2 inches in length and 2 inches wide for a model like the No.4. This is also true for the bevel-up versions of smoothers. While I prefer to use my smoothing planes primarily for final prepping of my stock for finishing, they can easily be used much like you would a Jack or Jointer plane on small stock. It's only when it comes to working large stock that they're not ideal for flattening or roughing the pieces. To learn more about the world of Stanley Hand Planes visit Patrick Leach's website "Patrick's Blood and Gore" at www.supertool.com. [dewplayer:http://blip.tv/file/get/Mattvan-437SmoothingPlanes919.mp3]Click to PlayDownload Video FileDownload Audio FileDon't forget to enter for free Schwag and please support our sponsors by visiting their links here on the website.

Today's "Try it Tuesday" is the Veritas Jointer Fence. A great accessory for the hand plane user to help get nice square edges on your stock. Usable with almost all of the bench planes, it attaches to the body via two, strong rare earth magnets. Once attached to a plane, making square edges is a breeze and easily repeatable. Saving you time and of course aggravation when squaring up a stock's edge. I've used mine for years now and have never had a problem with it. The model featured in today's show is the regular model, but there is a version for low-angle planes too. If you're interested in ordering one for your shop, visit Highland Woodworking or Lee Valley. Please remember, every purchase you make helps to support the show! Tell them Matt's Basement Workshop sent you.[dewplayer:http://blip.tv/file/get/Mattvan-436JointerFence141.mp3]Click to PlayDownload Video FileDownload Audio FileDon't forget to enter for free Schwag and please support our sponsors by visiting their links here on the website.

Moving along with our discussion of bench planes it's time to take a look at the jointer planes. The jointers are our middle of the road tools. These are the tools we reach for once we've taken our stock from it's rough cut faces and edges, leveled out the big hills and valleys and are ready to take the material to it's final finished dimensions. The jointers are big planes that have the weight to push through knots and tricky grain with little to no effort. But they can wear you out quickly if you're not careful. Typically I use my own to prep stock for final smoothing with a smaller smoothing plane. But you can easily set one up to act very much like a smoother if you really desired the workout. To find out more about which planes are which and what kind of job they do best, visit Patrick's Blood & Gore at www.supertool.com. [dewplayer:http://blip.tv/file/get/Mattvan-435JointerPlanes340.mp3]Click to PlayDownload Video FileDownload Audio FileDon't forget to enter for free Schwag and please support our sponsors by visiting their links here on the website.Checkout this great deal at Popular Woodworking's Woodworker's Bookshop 5 Days Only - 20% Off No Minimum + Free Shipping on $25. Use coupon code June20WW. Hurry! The sale ends June 20, 2010.

The quickest and easiest way to improve an old hand plane is to swap out the original blade and maybe even the chipbreaker. Not that there's anything truly wrong with the original pieces, other than a little surface rust and maybe a nick or two, but if you were to hold the new old and blades side-by-side you'll quickly notice a big difference. The new blades are much thicker and therefore less likely to flex while being used and typically will hold their edge longer too. If there were any drawbacks to using the thicker blades it would be that they may fill more of the planes mouth than the original blade, but you may find in the case of a smoothing plane, this is a desirable drawback. And of course the cost of the new blades can set you back too, but it's a small price to pay for fantastic results. [dewplayer:http://blip.tv/file/get/Mattvan-434ReplacementBlades706.mp3]Click to PlayDownload Video FileDownload Audio File Don't forget to enter for free Schwag and please support our sponsors by visiting their links here on the website.

Today's Try it Tuesday is the Lee Valley Handplane Screwdriver. Since the next few episodes will be continuing our discussion of hand planes, it only makes sense we need to cover some tools or accessories that go along with them. The Handplane Screwdriver is one such accessory. Unlike an ordinary screwdriver, the full length slot and brass ferrule completely grip the chipbreaker screw ensuring it won't be damaged and make it amazingly easy to tighten and loosen. Along with the easy to grip handle, the handplane screwdriver is perfect for the handplane user. [dewplayer:http://blip.tv/file/get/Mattvan-432HandplaneScrewdriver947.mp3]Click to PlayDownload Video FileDownload Audio File Don't forget to enter for free Schwag and please support our sponsors by visiting their links here on the website.