Obsessed Woodworking

Good morning. In today's newsletter, I'm including a variety of woodworking projects, from building a high-quality chessboard to constructing a functional firewood rack. You'll also find step-by-step guides on fitting drawers, flattening wide boards, and using routers more effectively. Additionally, check out tool comparisons and money-saving jig ideas in the video section.

As always, please respond with any feedback.

Woodworking Projects

Some are harder than others, but you can build all of them!

=> Build a High-Quality Chessboard: A precision woodworking project that results in a stunning chessboard. This build involves cutting maple and purpleheart into uniform squares, gluing and clamping for perfect alignment, and adding decorative inlays for an elegant border. The process includes meticulous sanding and a protective finish, ensuring a smooth, durable playing surface.

=> DIY Modern Plywood Coasters: A simple yet stylish project using scrap plywood. This guide walks through selecting the right material, precise cutting techniques, and edge sanding for a clean look. A protective finish enhances durability, making these coasters both practical and visually appealing.

=> Nightstand with Hidden Features: This nightstand goes beyond storage, featuring a hidden slide-out shelf and a faux fluted drawer front for added style. Built with an integrated power strip for convenient charging, the design includes careful material selection, precise joinery, and a smooth, durable finish.

=> Make a Tabletop Ring Toss Game: A quick, engaging build that results in a fun, portable game. The project covers material selection, accurate drilling, and assembling the base for stability. Finishing techniques ensure durability, making it a great addition to game nights.

=> Vertical Sliding Storage Shelves: Maximize storage with a space-efficient shelving system. This build utilizes a compact 2' x 5' base while providing up to 750 cubic feet of organized storage. Heavy-duty trolley rollers allow smooth shelf movement, and the sturdy 2x4 frame ensures stability.​

=> Perfect Adirondack Chair Build: A refined take on the classic Adirondack chair, using cedar decking planks for a long-lasting, weather-resistant design. MDF templates help create precise cuts, while stainless steel screws and spindle sanders ensure clean assembly. A finishing guide enhances both appearance and durability.

=> How to Make Lincoln Logs: Recreate a classic toy with a woodworking twist. This project guides you through cutting uniform logs from 2x6 lumber, routing precise dados for interlocking, and assembling structures like a birdhouse with a garage. The nostalgic design is enhanced with staining for an authentic look.

=> DIY Firewood Rack for Organized Storage: Build a sturdy, weather-resistant firewood rack using pressure-treated 2x4s and cedar pickets. This step-by-step guide covers proper frame construction, bracing for stability, and finishing techniques that enhance durability while keeping your firewood accessible and dry.

=> Spacious Pine Storage Chest: A versatile storage chest built from solid pine, featuring a classic design with tongue and groove paneling. The sturdy frame is reinforced with pocket hole joinery, while slatted panels support the base. A non-mortise hinge system and side handles add function, making this a practical addition to any home.

*If you are looking for a specific project, reply, and I will see what I can find.

Woodworking Tools, Tips & Tricks

I promise you will learn something!

=> Installing Undermount Drawer Slides with Precision: Achieve smooth, professional-looking drawers with properly installed undermount slides. This guide breaks down measuring techniques, constructing accurate drawer boxes, and ensuring perfect alignment. Tips for troubleshooting and adjustments make this an approachable project for any skill level.

=> Flattening Boards Wider Than Your Jointer: Working with oversized lumber? This guide explores practical methods like planer sleds with shims for stable passes and hand-planing techniques for precise flattening. These approaches help create true surfaces without investing in specialty equipment.

=> A Router Trick You’re Probably Not Using: Using large router bits can be tricky, but a few adjustments can improve both safety and results. Learn how securing material against a fence, making incremental passes, and using masking tape on a stop block can enhance accuracy and minimize tear-out.

Woodworking Videos

Learn a new skill or technique from other woodworkers and creators.

=> Drill vs. Impact Driver: What’s the Difference?: Not sure when to use a drill versus an impact driver? This video explains their torque delivery, clutch settings, and best use cases to help you choose the right tool for every job.

=> Is the Festool Domino Worth It?: The Festool Domino promises fast, strong mortise joints, but is it worth the investment? This video breaks down its advantages over traditional mortise and tenon joinery, comparing cost, efficiency, and strength.

=> 6 Simple Jigs That Save You Thousands: Skip expensive tools and use these six DIY jigs instead. Learn how to make a circular saw track guide, a crosscut sled, an auxiliary table saw fence, a vertical support jig, a spline jig, and an "L-fence" for straight and taper cuts. Each jig is designed to improve accuracy and expand your woodworking capabilities.