Woodworking: The Christmas “Piggy Bank” for Ellerie is done
RichC | December 28, 2025
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Tidbits: Workshop 3-In One oil cans from the past
RichC | December 23, 2025
A regular social media Ohio guy that I follow on X.com always posts and asks interesting things dealing with people who still clearly remember the 1970 and 80s. A question and photo asked: “Are you this old? Hmm 😒 🤔?¿” (followed by a can of “3-in-One” oil”) Fortunately or unfortunately … I am not only that […]
Staying cool, finishing up the lawn bench and weekend chores
RichC | July 29, 2025
This past weekend was the last weekend of July 2025 (yikes!) and I tried to stay cool by jumping in and out of the pool during the 90+ degree summer heatwave that has been for the most part enjoyed for a few weeks now. I do prefer the heat of summer to the cold of […]
Project: Refurbishing our Lawn Bench using Oostra Oak
RichC | July 22, 2025
If you are like me, procrastination of home maintenance items is my modus operandi. There are summer things on my list that I need to do (fence repairs), some large undertaking I want to do (remove, paint and reinstall shutters) … and then semi-maintenance things that I interested in doing. Obvious those first two get […]
Advice: Buy the higher-quality tools the first time you need them
RichC | July 13, 2025
Here’s some advice you’ve probably heard before: “Purchase the best quality tools that you can afford” … and I’ll add, “when young.” I’ve found myself in this situation many times before. Likely the advice is simple, but in practice, stretching the dollar factors into our calculations. A couple weeks ago I went to my workshop […]
An idea for my blue bins and some workshop storage
RichC | July 9, 2025
Sitting up in the pool house loft are a bunch of blue bins … leftover from a pharmacy remodel way back in the 1990s. I don’t really know the size of them, but perhaps they could be used for some pieces and parts storage if incorporated into a cabinet? The design to the right as […]
Woodworking: Keep your fingers safe working on the Table Saw
RichC | June 19, 2025
As I have in the past, here’s another woodworking idea for a push block that keeps fingers safe and rides on the table saw fence. I my mind, I’m contemplating one that actually becomes a sliding fence for cutting thin strips for splines that are all of the same size.
Archive: A couple more woodworking snippets from WoodSmith
RichC | May 25, 2025
As with previous archived tidbits, I’m saving two more from WoodSmith magazine this month that I might want to try. The one above is using painter’s tape to cut more precise hand-cut dovetails. If I try again, this might help? The tip below the break is for pocket dowels and screws, a technique that I […]
Archive: Saving a Woodworking Tool Stool project idea and tips
RichC | May 20, 2025
I’m saving a few woodworking tips to my blog’s archive is becoming a convenient habit, although I’m not sure finding it again will be all that easy to find when I need them? Above was a “Full Coverage vs. a Wash” tidbit and might be something to try someday … along with a simple socket […]
Tidbit: A tip to wire-tie clamp instead of a hose clamp
RichC | May 3, 2025
Just a helpful filler tidbit that might be helpful someday. I spotted this one on social media and am adding it to my blog.
A few handy workshop tips I’ll forget when they are needed
RichC | April 18, 2025
When scanning my X.com social media feed, the handy short video tips often catch my eye. Most I’ll never need, but there are a few I wish I could remember when I need them. Saving them here likely won’t help, but who knows?
Woodworking: Improved my table saw sled for my own safety
RichC | November 9, 2024
The “yellow tape” applied to the table saw sled has bothered me since adding it in 2019 (above left). I’ve never had a problem remembering to keep my hands away from pushing the sled with my hand in the wrong place, but realized not having a guard was foolish (added above right). So a little […]
Woodworking Snippets: Bandsaw template tracker and Doweling
RichC | October 20, 2024
There is probably a better way to archive tips and articles from online magazines these days (it was easier when I just cut it out of the monthly paper magazine), but until then, saving snippets and tidbits to my blog is what I’ll do, even though I have a few ideas saved in my MacBook […]
Woodworking: A couple tidbits worth saving for the workshop
RichC | October 12, 2024
Snipping from my digital woodworking magazines definitely become a habit, although I’m not sure I’ll remember how to find them, even though they are archived on the blog (or keep myself from marking up the image with digital red marks)! 😊 Nevertheless, the one above might be useful IF I make the edge guide a […]
The last garden tomatoes and a workshop bar clamp rack idea
RichC | September 15, 2024
The summer growing season is over and I’m eating the last of the tomatoes that KDAE brought from NW Ohio. They were a real treat and “all for me” since I’m the only one in the family who loves and eats tomatoes. They were so much better than store bought. Also, I know I sort […]
Woodworking project plans: A Slant Leg Coffee Table
RichC | August 30, 2024
In scanning through a couple of “foreign” woodworking magazines, there were a couple of ideas and even a set of plans (in metric) that I decided to snip and archive. Loved the idea above for hanging cords, etc … similar to a commercial one that I use … and a more complicated Slant Leg Coffee […]
Table Saw extension idea for wider sheet support
RichC | July 17, 2024
Just a clipped “Pick of the Tricks” from Woodworker’s Journal (publishing will end with October 2024 issue) ☹️
Filler: Router Table storage was a weekend workshop update
RichC | July 9, 2024
Usually workshop tinkering is saved for rainy days and shorter days, but I decided that there were too many jigs and router table components just laying around. When I had fewer items, I could stick them under the table, but now I’m accumulating a few too many jigs, hold-downs and push stick type items that […]
Happy Independence Day America … and a simple workbench repair for a ThrowBack Thursday memory #TBT
RichC | July 4, 2024
Five or so years ago while working in the garage, I damaged the oak banding edge on my workbench. It continued to bug me until I tried some car body filler as a repair. It has been fantastic ever since and continues to remind me that there’s a simple, economical fix for nearly everything. To […]
Watching President Biden struggle as he ages is difficult, even for those of us who disagree with his leadership and policies
RichC | June 29, 2024
This past week, I had the intention of blogging in a bit more detail on the first Biden – Trump Presidential Debate … but it almost feels wrong to be critical of President Biden in his current rapidly deteriorating condition. I’m not sure he will make a second debate no matter how accommodating it is […]
Excellent shop tip for better plug welds on automotive panels
RichC | June 12, 2024
Great from Eastwood‘s “Mark’s Garage” in using a 4-fluke end mill in a cordless drill to remove “weld through” primer’s and coatings when making plug welds. Also appreciated the budget minded 3/16″ drill bit advice from a follower: “You don’t need to buy an end mill. Grind a drill bit flat on the end and […]
Treasures found prepping old workbench for my granddaughters
RichC | June 6, 2024
My Grandpa Bluhm made this workbench and gave it to me for Christmas back in 1966. His influence early-on likely influenced my interest in tinkering and woodworking (car restoration and rebuilding was probably mostly influenced by DadC). This past weekend I cleaned it up a bit and added a homemade light strip with a roll of […]
Tidbit: Keeping the bristles on a paint brush gunk free
RichC | June 5, 2024
While reading paper or digital versions of magazines, I’m prone to clipping tips that I might find useful. Here’s one on soaking “just the bristles” of a varnish or polyurethane paint brush in solvent without the tips of the brush getting gunked up on the bottom. I have several wood handled brushes that I tried […]
Instead of a Jorgensen Handscrew, here’s a drill press jig idea
RichC | May 26, 2024
Here’s an interesting rainy weekend workshop project idea: A squeeze clamp drill press vice to hold smaller items securely. Hm … looks interesting and simple enough. I currently use a classic Jorgensen wood clamp called a Jorgensen Handscrew (above) to hold pieces while using the small drill press, but could use something like this. Check […]
Transplanted buttercups and DadH’s workshop in 2013 #TBT
RichC | May 23, 2024
Upstairs in the Western NY Farmhouse Barn’s workshop in 2013 In keeping with the occasional ThrowBack Thursday #TBT, the above was a pano photo of DadH’s workshop after he passed away. I mentioned to Brenda that I wondered how he was able to climb the stairs of the barn and work on such a large […]
Woodworking project: Finished my Table Saw Jointer Jig
RichC | April 17, 2024
If you aren’t into woodworking, a Table Saw Jointer Jig will mean nothing … but Katelyn and Drew have a pile of lumber from their lot in the garage, and some of it needs a new home.😉 So I need to start hauling some of it back and prepping it for woodworking projects (I […]
Cleaned and shuffled workshop lumber storage last weekend #TBT
RichC | March 21, 2024
I started reorganizing the south wall of my basement workshop on Sunday afternoon, first, so that I could store a bit more lumber on my storage rack (the extra Oosta lumber!) … and second, so that I could clean up my old children’s workbench for my granddaughters to use when they come this summer. After […]
An away from home work-table and a long overdue desk chair
RichC | January 21, 2024
Really this is to archive a few project ideas (below the break) for Taylor. He is a Mid-Century Modern lover and has consistently focused his decorating with this kind of taste. If dollars didn’t limit his shopping, I think he would be living in a Frank Lloyd Wright home and have it decorated with a […]
This Simple Joint is Stronger Than a Dovetail! #woodworking
RichC | January 11, 2024
All woodworkers making projects tinker with making joints and deciding on which ones are best for their drawers, frames and boxes. I’ve experimented with a variety usually based on traditional construction and visual appeal. BUT I also assumed certain joints were stronger an provided both glue and mechanical strength necessary (ie. drawers getting closed and […]
Wood screw lubrication tip: Use toilet bowl wax ring
RichC | November 12, 2023
While looking thorough my library borrowed e-version copy of Woodworker’s Journal magazine (Oct/Nov 2023), I scanned an interesting tip. Since the paraffin wax that I usually apply to a heated wood screw take a little more effort (butane torch the screw threads and stick it in the wax), I thought I might try this great […]
Woodworking: A Rockler inspired table saw taper jig idea
RichC | October 5, 2023
This isn’t the first time I’ve admired the clean professional, but “make-able” jigs from Rockler. This taper jib would be great to have when and IF I decide to make nesting tables. I do already have a “questionable quality” … but adjustable … taper jig that I quickly made for the high chair project, but […]
Router Table spline slot cutting and micro adjustment ideas
RichC | September 26, 2023
Here’s another idea for the router table that might work better than the table saw for cutting splines in the corners of small frames, simple drawers and boxes. I usually struggle with lining up and clamping framed boxes multiple times using my table saw and a tendon jig (with box that cuts splines) and thought something […]
Woodworking Ideas: Family heirloom Nesting Table example
RichC | September 17, 2023
Oostra House getting paint early in September 2023 While babysitting at my daughter’s house last week, a conversation with Brenda shifted to an heirloom “nesting table” woodworking project idea. Katelyn inherited the small tables made by her Jamestown, NY furniture making great grandfather Holmstrom and treasures them as much as Brenda and MomH did (photo […]
Workshop idea: A shelf for router table accessories
RichC | August 29, 2023
There is no plan to buy more stuff, but I’m collecting ideas for the wall behind my newly upgraded router table for the accessories. Previously I have either just hung the jigs, etc on the wall individually or put them in a drawer nearby with my table saw parts and jigs. Now that I finally […]
Workshop tinkering, ordering and an impressive post idea
RichC | August 26, 2023
Since I now have a few more featherboards to use with my table saw and router table, it seemed like a good idea to add a couple T-Tracks. Most modern woodworking workshops now seem to use these anodized aluminum tracks for a variety of purposes … they will be helpful for hold downs on my […]
Workshop: So much for tinkering with my router table fence
RichC | August 22, 2023
I really did have the best of intentions to used the new knobs from Rockler to upgrade my existing router table fence, but after putzing around with my 40 year old angled aluminum non-adjustable fence, decided that an upgrade from the Amazon Warehouse (Outlet) for $133.64 made sense — although I could be wrong? The […]
Woodworking thoughts: Saving a couple router table ideas
RichC | August 20, 2023
One of the frustrations in setting up tools of any kind is to get the settings precisely adjusted quickly and accurately on the first or at least close to the first try. For years I’ve struggled with my old questionable router table (35 years old) and dislike a few of the set up items. I […]
Project planning: A box for my dad’s military service flag
RichC | August 5, 2023
The making of a traditional black walnut box, for the military service flag I was presented at my father’s funeral, has long been on my mind. As I close in on almost a decade since his passing and the flag still lives in the plastic holder provided by the funeral home. It has been my […]
Looking at a minor workshop dust collection update
RichC | July 29, 2023
A couple of years ago when contemplating upgrading the dust collection equipment in my workshop … the urge passed. The old ShopSmith DC3300 was again cleaned and re-bagged … and still today the dusty basement shop continues to annoy me. Fast forward: Last week Rockler put their Dust Right FlexiPort Power Tool Hose Kit on […]
Rain forced me to inside to tinker on the side table project
RichC | July 9, 2023
Yesterday morning was rushed, as I attempted to get a few things done in the backyard. I mowed the front yard on Friday night and was hoping to get the back done on Saturday — nope, the rain and thunderstorms arrived before lunch. BUT … I was able to at least use my new Worx […]
Tech Friday: Ridgid 9Ah lithium battery claim for failing latch
RichC | July 7, 2023
One of the TWO reasons that I’ve opted for the Ridgid brand of cordless power tools is their LSA … which I’ve used once before on a couple of early batteries. Besides the minor hassle in registering and filing a claim, it seems to be the right way to go considering the problems with tools […]
Workshop tips and project ideas, with no particular need
RichC | July 1, 2023
Before I archive clipped workshop tips and ideas to a computer folder (saved in a place I will never look again => #humor), ideas that I’ve snipped from a variety of library borrowed woodworking magazines, I’m going to save them to my blog. If I were sharing and posting correctly, I would footnote or at […]
Woodworking: Restarted the Octagon Side Table project
RichC | June 17, 2023
Since the Cornhole game project for Taylor’s birthday is finished … and because we had a little bit of rain … I decided to restart work on the Octagon side table. The challenging eight-sided top was finished a couple months ago, but not the legs. The legs need to be sturdy enough to hold the […]
Woodworking: Practicing mortise and tenons on a project
RichC | June 1, 2023
The previous “refined” Cornhole game project for my granddaughters worked out so well that I decided to make a modified set for Taylor’s birthday in June this year. Thankfully I started it early since I’m modifying the project just a little bit to work on mortise and tenon jointery … and have been busy outside […]
Archive: Homemade band sander idea for the workshop
RichC | March 22, 2023
Started a side-table woodworking project this past weekend
RichC | March 14, 2023
Over the weekend, I started a woodworking project that has been buzzing around in my head. There is no hurry to this side-table (mentioned previously), but wanted to use recycled hardwood rather than the particle board in the mass manufactured tables. This required a different design that I patterned after our antique octagon foyer table and […]
Archive: The Cornhole woodworking project was a success
RichC | March 7, 2023
For years now, I’ve been planning to make a set of Cornhole boards for the backyard when entertaining in the summertime, but never really wanted to just slap together construction grade 2 x 4s and plywood. So when thinking about a project gift for my granddaughters 3rd and 6th birthdays this year, who are now […]
Routing corner splines on a woodworking project with a jig
RichC | January 29, 2023
Instead of painting the entire woodworking project that is currently underway in the workshop, I want at least to be able to naturally lacquer finish the frames of the Cornhole game. Partially it is to show off the miters and walnut splines in the frame corners and partially because I didn’t want to use any […]
Workshop Wednesday: Circle cutting with a router
RichC | January 25, 2023
Over weekend of snowy Bengal – Bills playoff football, I was able to get down to the workshop and continue working on a joint granddaughters’ birthdays present. The project required larger holes than I have a hole saw for and cutting it with a jigsaw would have left an imperfect hole. So … I used […]
Collected a couple digital magazine workshop tidbits
RichC | January 22, 2023
Reading periodicals from the library on the computer is not really something I do … but last week while checking out a couple of ebooks (one avaiilable the other on a long hold), I looked at the latest issue of the Woodworkers Journal magazine and realized just how much the iPad app for reading digital […]
More repairing: Dowels to strengthen a broken table leg
RichC | September 18, 2022
Who hasn’t needed to repair, or re-repair, a broken piece of furniture? In today’s world, most furniture, as well as other items, are throw-away after they break, but there are still a few of us who enjoy getting the last few useable years out of a well worn piece of furniture. My like-minded son-in-law showed […]
Summer 2022 at home with our granddaughters wrap-up
RichC | August 14, 2022
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Why are these paint brushes are my favorites?
RichC | August 3, 2022
It is likely that I’ve used and cleaned over 100 paint brushes in my lifetime … besides the throw-away bristle and foam versions. That said, I find myself gravitating to a couple favorites that I hang over the basement utility sink. These are of the softer full-bodied brushes that hold paint well, brush smooth and […]
Video: Comparing a few different wall anchors for screws
RichC | July 23, 2022
Here’s a very short video highlighting several different kinds of popular wall anchors or mollies and how easy they are to use compared to each other. I saw it on social media and found it an interesting tidbit for woodworking or for those of us spending time in a workshop.
What side and where do you mount a woodworking vice?
RichC | July 20, 2022
Some time ago I spotted a Rockler article with a couple of experienced woodworkers explaining the placement of a vice on a woodworking bench. Years ago (decades) I remember contemplating where to put “my” vice too (photo left) … so just stuck to tradition in the trade and put it on the left. I’ve often […]
Reworking my old corner computer desk for the home office
RichC | May 25, 2022
Now that the desk and hardwood floors are complete, and floor finish has cured enough in my home office, it is time to tackle the trim painting, putting the closet and bookshelves back. Another project I’ve been contemplating is to revitalize my older well-worn corner computer desk. Having used it for a couple of decades […]
An ideal use for my MicroJig dovetail clamps #woodworking
RichC | May 11, 2022
Since I use these dovetail MicroJig clamps for woodworking in my workshop, it seemed only logical to archive a photo so I can build a "jointer jig" or perhaps more appropriately just a jig to use with the table saw for small tapers … or especially for cuts when the piece of wood isn’t flat […]
Keeping the economy going by buying more stuff: Wood glue, sanding drums, Kubota maintenance items and grass seed
RichC | April 12, 2022
While ordering Titebond III glue in the 16 oz size (best choice for wood glue) from Walmart.com ($7.98) instead of Amazon, who happened to only have other sizes and bulk packaging (although gone is $67 Prime shipping), I needed to add another item to my order to avoid the shipping charges. The Kubota ZD326 zero-turn […]
Just a couple woodshop table saw splitter and pushstick ideas
RichC | March 29, 2022
I’ve been thinking a little bit more about workshop safety (although always do) and after posting about zero clearance throatplates the other day, I started contemplating adding a splitter to my table saw or to the insert when reading the Instructables.com article. Since my Delta Table Saw is pre-riving knife (below left), I either need to […]
Tidbits: A workshop hook and a Canton, Ohio based idiom
RichC | March 22, 2022
“A place for everything and everything in its place,” is probably not the most fitting idiom for my cluttered workshop, since the debatable originate has to do with “neatness” according to an Ohio Repository (Canton, Ohio) article by Charles A. Goodrich in 1827. Although with a little sleuthing, it has also been credited to Benjamin […]
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.