Rex Krueger posts
Posts: 592
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Exclusive Video: Table Build-Along Pt. 7
Friends: Just a short video this week. As we get into the legs, it's worth planning your stock selection a little bit. It's very easy to glue up leg blanks that are too big and then spend a ton of time dimensioning them to the correct size. In today's video, I go over a bunch of options for getting that leg stock together. A little foresight here will save a bunch of time later. Next week, we'll saw out the leg pieces. --Rex
Build-Along Series, Part 6
Friends: Now that we've ripped out our apron stock, it's time to plane it up. That's four pieces and it could take a long time, but we're going to be as efficient as possible by doing the minimum work. In this video, I focus on the most difficult piece of apron stock to show you all the problems you might have. The other 3 pieces were much quicker. Stop by the forum threadto see the rest of the builds and chat with everyone who is following along. Hope you're having fun. I am...
Patron Version Video: Furniture Forensics with a Buck Board Bench
Friends: Furniture Forensics returns!!Today, we have a fascinating piece of furniture made from an authentic American farm wagon. The "buck board bench" is actually a popular regional style that's still being built today. (Don't feel bad if you had never heard of it; I hadn't either.)This bench is filled with interesting details and surprises and of course, there's a little extra in here just for Patrons. I know that many people want to see more of these videos and I want...
Build-Along Part 5
Friends: In today's installment of the build-along series, we'll saw out the apron stock. I've got a bunch of tips for doing these rips cuts and making the most of a small board. If you're building one of these (and I hope you are) don't forget to stop by the forum threadand show it off! We all want to see it. See you next week!--Rex
Early Access Video: Don't Be Pro
Friends: We all hear a lot of talk about "how the pros do it." YouTube is filled with tips that help you to be more "pro."But is that really a good idea? Today, I take on the idea that pros are better woodworkers. I also get into the myths around professional woodworking and what happens when you make your hobby your profession. I'm joined by Brad from Brad's Workbench,a former electrician who made the leap into pro woodworking. Brad helps me dispel some of the myths arou...
Build-Along Series Part 4
Friends: Welcome to the Shaker Table Build-Along, Part 4. Today, we'll prepare the boards for the top and glue them up. It's a simple operation, but there are always a few tips to help out new builders. If you're following along with this series, don't forget to drop by the Build-Along Threadon the forum. Lot's of good stuff there. See you next Wednesday!--Rex
Patron Version Video: Who Needs Plans?
Friends: Last week's medical drama has cooled down quite a bit. The little girl got a new liver (courtesy of her Aunt, who gave her a piece) and she is improving slowly but steadily. Her kidney function is stronger and her clotting is better. Things are moving in the right direction. A warm and grateful thanks to everyone for their words of support and kindness during the ordeal. We're not out of the woods yet, but being part of a community like this certainly helps. On to business. I se...
Build-Along Series Part 3
Friends: It's time to get back to our EXCLUSIVE Patron build-along series. Today, we'll pick the wood and when I see you next, it will be time to get building. I recorded this video on a Go-Pro Camera, so the sound is a little off. I'll use the mic next time. Thanks so much for your support. You make this content possible!See you next week!--Rex
Sudden Medical Drama (Don't Panic)
Friends: There has been a medical emergency in my extended family. My wife and daughter are just fine, but another family member has a newborn who just received an emergency liver transplant and experimental drugs to fight a life-threatening viral infection. Things have been utterly crazy. I've been looking after another child (who has unrelated pneumonia), doing errands, helping family members make travel arrangements, and trying to do some amount of work. I've also been put in charge o...
Table Build-Along, Part 2
Friends: It's time to go over the tools we need for our simple Shaker table. The video covers everything, but here are some links to tools you might want. I used my affiliate account to make the links because affiliate links are nice and short. Saws from my recent video:Bad Axe No. 9: https://tinyurl.com/3hhd5rfvSpear & Jackson Tenon Saw: https://amzn.to/3X4cr1V(This saw needs to be tuned before you use it. Here's a complete guide to doing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBJ3Wm2DMA0&...
Behind the Scenes: Grinders for the Wood Shop
Friends: I'm in the middle of a big video on grinders for the wood shop. I see a LOT of misinformation about grinding tools. People say you can't do it on a high-speed grinder. They say you'll ruin your tools. They see you NEED slow-speed, or water-cooled, or CBM wheels. Hogwash!We're going to get down to ground truth on grinders for chisels and plane irons. Along the way, we're also going to review the most affordable grinders and accessories on Amazon. Since you are my most...
Patron Exclusive Series: The Build-Along Series
Friends:We've decided to do an all new series. Instead of building a project and then sharing it, we're going to build a project in tiny little bits so that anyone can follow along in real time.It's a whole new thing and we're really excited. All the details are in the video. The plans are attached to this post and you can see them on the forum here: https://forum.woodworkforhumans.com/t/simple-shaker-end-table/7657Oh, and here are the original two build videos so you can see the...
Free, Exclusive Plans: The Riving Brake
Friends: In our most recent video on the greenwood chair, you might have seen Rob and I using a neat little riving brake made from construction lumber and black pipe. It's a genius design; small enough to be easily stored, but you stand on it to get the leverage you need. The design comes to us via Sam Beauford, who has a respected woodworking school. Rob took a class there and learned about the design. I really wanted to share it with all of you, so Rob emailed Sam and got permission for us...
Free Plans: The Greenwood Kiln
Friends: In our most recent video, Rob and I built a kiln out of stuff you can buy down at the Big Box store. It was a quick project and it's ready to receive our chair rungs (which we're finishing up tomorrow, I hope). Everyone else pays for these detailed, full-color plans, but Patrons get them FREE. It's the least we can do for the community. No, wait, we can do more. I'll have anotherset of free plans for you tomorrow. And those will be Patron exclusives; not available to the...
Patron Version Video: Making and Drying Chair Rungs
Friends:The chair-building saga continues! We're far, far away from that green log we started with. Rob and I now have real chair parts and we need to dry them. So, we built a kiln!It's easier than it sounds. The whole thing is made from inexpensive foam from the big-box store, a light bulb, and a few odds and ends. By the end of the video, we're ready to load up chair rungs and dry them out. We've also got the full rung-making process, both on the shave horse and on the workben...
Free Plans: Father's Day Tool Tote
Friends: Here are the plans for the Father's Day Tool Tote. As a public service on this holiday, we're making the plans free to everyone, but Patrons still get them early. (They're attached to this post.) If anyone builds this, I would love to see it!--Rex
Patron Version Video: The Father's Day Tool Tote
Friends:It’s just about Father’s Day and we’re celebrating with a special project!I found a great traditional tool tote and I’ve recreated it so you can make it with your Dad, make it foryour Dad, or maybe you arethe Dad and you want to make it with your kid. No matter how you want to make it, we’ve got you covered. This full build video covers all the details and we’ve done it in the longer “live build” format that you all prefer.We’re also having a big Father’s Day sale ove...
Early Access Video: How to (actually) saw straight.
Friends: I've learned from YouTube comments--and even some forum posts--that precision sawing is a struggle for many woodworkers. It's even a problem for folks who have been in the craft for a while. When it's just you and the saw, there are no jig or guides. Youhave to make that saw track straight. In the years I've been doing this, I've learned (and maybe invented) a few techniques that really help. I thought I would put them together into a single video to help people who ...
Early Access Video: My Hardest Restoration EVER!
Friends:This was an unexpected challenge. I agreed to take this plane sight-unseen and fix it up. I thought it just needed a little tune-up. Boy, was I wrong! This plane was fixable, but just barely. But I know a lot of you are struggling with that first hand plane restoration and this video has tips for tools in REALLY bad shape. If you've got a clunker, this video is for you. Happy Saturday!--Rex
Patron Version Video: Greenwood Chair Legs
Friends: Welcome back to our multi-part series in building a greenwood chair straight from the log! In this installment, Rob and I are tackling the front "posts." (Regular people call them legs.) This means lots of draw-knife and shavehorse work. For the first time, we're making finished chair components. These are going straight into the final chair, so the pressure is on to do clean work.In our next installment, we're going to build a kiln and dry the rungs. Rob and I are hard ...
Free Plans: The Craftsman Table
Friends: It's been a long road, but the Craftsman Table is done and I've got some plans for you. These plans also include the shop-made spokeshave. If you're looking for older plans, they're right here on the Plans Archive. All those plans are FREE, but only for Patrons. Thanks for making it all possible!--Rex
Early Access Video: Craftsman Table Pt3
Friends: It's been a long road (much longer than expected), but our "live" build of the Craftsman Table has finally come to an end. In this part, I make a perfectly round top using only standard tools; not even a coping saw! It's easier than it looks, but it's not quick. Even I yearned for the bandsaw by the end. We also tidy up and assemble the finished table. As usual, the plans are being drafted now and they'll be available for FREE on Wednesday.I'm also happy to ...
Early Access Video: The new kit from Compass Rose
Friends: Why don't I have dogs or dog holes on my workbench? Because I use bench hooks! (And a planing stop). You can make bench hooks, but beginners might find the project a little challenging. So today, we're releasing our newest kit: the Compass Rose Sawyer's Hooks. This bench hook kit is CNC machined from cabinet-grade plywood and you assemble them with dowels in pore-drilled holes. It couldn't be easier. If you would like a perfectly straight and square set of bench hooks t...
Sneak Peek: The Newest Compass Rose
Friends: Here's a tiny part of the next release from Compass Rose Toolworks. It's a little selfish, but I love showing a snippet of an upcoming tool and reading the guesses. I'm always blown away by your analysis and creativity. I didn't think anyone could possibly guess the Vise Block (especially since we invented it) but twoof you got it right on the money. Amazing. Honestly, your guesses also spark ideas for other things we might make. So, here's a tiny shot of our next t...
Patron Version Video: The Craftsman Table Pt. 2
Friends:I’ll admit, this Craftsman Table was supposed to be a single video. I never expected it to sprawl the way it has. But doing the build “live” on camera and showing all the steps and mistakes just takes longer. I think it’s worth the effort, but I’ll let you be the judge.Today, we’re doing the joinery. A standard half-lap would have worked, but I couldn’t resist throwing in the fancy “dovetail half-lap” we covered a few weeks ago. It’s just one more angle but it gives t...
Bonus Video: Craftsman Table Update
Friends: This would generally be our week "off," but I just can't leave you hanging in the middle of a project! The Craftsman Table is coming along nicely and I have a bunch of news to share with you. Whether you're building along or just watching for fun, this update video will give you details and inside information on the build. Next week, we'll be back with Part 2, and it will be long-form an detailed, just like Part 1. Happy Saturday!--Rex
Exclusive Plans: The Craftsman Table
Friends: You just saw our first video on the Craftsman table, and we're going to have full-color plans, free to Patrons, but many of you might want to get a jump on this project or even build along with me. Before the full plans are ready, we've got a simple set of measured drawings. These are the plans I'm using for the build and you should find them approachable if you've made a couple of pieces already. These plans are a Patron EXCLUSIVE and will not be released to the general...
Patron Version Video: Building a Craftsman Table
Friends:A few weeks ago, I made a video about half-lap joinery. I thought the video was too long and slow, but people seemed to enjoy the detail and careful pace as I cut each joint “live.” In our recent discussion thread about what videos I should do this year, many people asked for more projects, especially approachable ones.This week, we’re putting all of that together. In today’s video, I start building a great little craftsman table. It’s a fantastic project—small and simple, bu...
Patron Version Video: Splitting the Big Log
Friends:First, thanks to all of you for making the Vise Block release such a success. We’re nearly sold out and that’s a huge accomplishment for a tool that’s been in development for so long. Thanks to everyone who bought one!Thanks also to everyone who made a suggestion for improving the tool. We know the left-handed woodworkers are interested in a leftie version. We’re about to start the long process of getting the Vise Block injection-molded, so we’ll try hard to get a left-handed v...
The Newest Tool from Compass Rose
Friends:It's New Tool Day here at the shop. But we didn't buy a new tool; we made one.For years, I've been frustrated by "affordable" vises. They're fine for most things, but when you need to cut joinery--especially dovetails--they just don't grip well enough. These vises "wrack." The jaws can't stay parallel, and they actually loosen the more you tighten the vise. It will make you crazy.The obvious solution is the "wrack-stop," a little stack of s...
