#HTE

How to Build a DIY Belt Sander, Restore Flea Market Hand Tools and Refinish Outdoor Furniture Properly 

Bringing Tools Back From the Dead

This week Jimmy DiResta takes four basket-case flea market hand tools, including a beefy Buck Bros. mortise chisel and what looks to be a timber-framing slick, and returns them to full functionality using shop magic and elbow grease:

Framing Upstairs

Jesse de Geest is building out the second story of his shop, adding his signature beefy timber-framed elements:

DIY Belt Sander

If a stationary belt sander is needed, but too expensive, most people would just buy a handheld belt sander and clamp it upside down in a vise or on their bench. But Matthias Wandel is not most people, so decides to build his own:

Two More Quick Ones from Matthias

Wandel’s inexpensive, no-building-required way to get your screws organized:

The Wandel Kitchen Hammer for reheating leftovers:

Revisting and Refinishing

I’m digging this one because Steve Ramsey shows us something most makers don’t: He revisits an outdoor table he built two years ago to see how it’s stood up to the elements. Turns out the table’s had a rough time of things, and here he fixes it, while also mentioning what he should have done the first time around:

Turning a Hair Stick Without a Lathe

Here April Wilkerson shows that you don’t need to have every tool in the world to make something you need:

How to Put Your Hair Up With a Pencil or Hair Stick

As someone who had a ponytail in college (it was the ‘90s, get off my back) I found it often got in the way, particularly in the shop. Now that I’ve had a shaved head ever since, I was mystified to see how this thing worked:

Adding a Riser Block to a Bandsaw to Increase Resawing Capacity

As with a jointer, the advice given to those buying a bandsaw is always “Buy as large as you can.” But few can afford the larger models right out of the gate. One option is to buy smaller, then add a riser block as your needs grow. Here Jay Bates shows you how:

How to Build Outdoor Firepit Benches with Countertops and Storage Areas

Ana White dips into furniture design this week, creating an unusual and functional piece of outdoor furniture:

Hanging File Box

This week Bob Clagett’s getting his paperwork in order, starting by building a box to hold hanging files:

The Bowtie Clamp

Here Ron Paulk demonstrates a handy organizing accessory produced by one of his sponsors, FastCap:

Small Parts Organizer Wall Cabinet With Drawers

Like most of us, Linn from Darbin Orvar is running out of storage space. Here she hunts down a rare piece of available real estate in her electronics workshop, and builds a unit that will fit it precisely while keeping things organized:

Modern Outdoor Bench

Another one from Linn, as she builds an outdoor bench with a contemporary design. Note that she finished it with spar urethane–ought we put her in touch with Steve Ramsey? (See his video, above.)

Entryway Catch-all Sideboard

Here self-taught designer/builder Chris Salomone, a/k/a Four Eyes, invokes George Nelson to create a handsome sideboard for his entryway. We’d guess that most of the makers in our weekly roundup put utility first and aesthetics second, which is my personal preference as the curator; but Salomone unabashedly states it’s the other way 'round for him, and I wanted to include him for the sake of balance.

Teak Endtables with Brass Inlay

Here Laura Kampf whips up a pair of bedside endtables using teak scraps, and adds some nice design flourishes via brass bar stock:

Build a Boat in Your Backyard

This week Louis Sauzedde from Tips From a Shipwright kicks off what’s bound to be a fascinating project: He’s going to build a work skiff from scratch in his backyard, without plans, showing us every step as he goes. Here in Part 1 he introduces the overall plan and materials. Can’t wait to see the rest!