A friend of mine has a really nice 1970’s era Denon direct-drive turntable that was mounted on a blond laminated plywood base. Not only was the laminate chipping and pealing, it did not do justice this fabulous turntable. He asked if I could make him a new base that would give a timeless look to…
For a number of years now, I have been studying/messing with boat design to better understand construction elements and techniques. I probably have a dozen books on the shelf on different kayak, canoe, and small boat designs but never had an all-season place to work on a longer-duration projects. I ended up starting a number of one-meter yacht models to…
A friend of mine recently asked me for design ideas and construction assistance for a full-sized that bar he is planning for his basement. Although I am excited to be helping conceive and construct this grand bar, I also recognize that some spaces and budgets may not fit a traditional bar. In this quick note,…
While cleaning out a storage space, I came upon an old oak bread tray. The type that bakeries used to deliver fresh bread to the stores before the advent of the stackable plastic versions. I think we acquired it at an auction or estate sale, probably because it was old and unique. But eventually, it ended…
To complete my collection of Woodbridge-style furniture and accessories, I completed the design and construction of a pair of speaker stands that will allow me to position my studio monitors on either side of the credenza, at proper ear level. The project was simple and quick, copying the design of the Woodbridge coat rack. As…
I have had an old oak 4-drawer file cabinet in storage for a number of years waiting for the right time to restore it, or perhaps make it better than it ever was. With a little sandpaper, some wood glue, stain and sealer, what was probably a file cabinet in a 1960’s office turns into…
I am continuing with a theme of solidly built, functional but stylish furniture that allows the wood to stand on its own, create a textural element, and tell a story. As reclaimed lumber becomes a more popular media for building contemporary furniture, artisans are leaving the wood unfinished (no stain or sealer) so that the reclaimed…
As part of our continued house update project, we decided to have the original fireplace mantle removed and to add a stacked stone wall and new mantle. I wanted to continue the rustic theme that we have been following and decided to select a couple of pieces of 2×8 oak from my reclaimed barn wood…
I hate to waste good wood, or even bad wood for that matter. Yes, I have even gone to the extreme of re-sawing Cherry firewood, instead of burning it, to make small boxes and trays. So feeling the need to repurpose a 5’x8′ birch island top that I made as a temporary during the Cricket Cottage…
For a full gallery of pictures and programs visit the Elden Street Players Theater Company at http://www.pbase.com/eldenstreet/image/51606446 All photos courtesy of Elden Street Players and Tod Kerr.
The Full Photo Gallery of Elden Street Players’ “The Iceman Cometh” can be found at http://www.pbase.com/eldenstreet/image/73609343
People periodically ask me about my shop or the tools that I have to complete my projects. The Shop Space My shop is a modest one, attached to my house, and measuring about 12×22′ or so. The shop is big enough to allow projects like the stitch and glue canoe to be accomplished but requires everything to be on wheels…
Janet Kerr's Favorite Soup Recipes
....Splinters, Wood Chips, and Shavings of Projects Past and Present
Practical woodworking advice.
Because you gotta start somewhere
Woodworking and whiskey...though not both at the same time
The Sawdust Files 