Its that time of year again: HOLIDAY PROJECT TIME! So this year, I decided to make a few little keepsake boxes, thanks to some advice from The Great WOODini. I also took inspiration from a box Nicole keeps on her nightstand and developed a new design that is much more practical for the average woodworker to make. The boxes feature a secret locking pin. Once removed, the lid slides off on a sliding dovetail. And as always with these holiday gift projects, you can modify them by trying different sizes, shapes, and wood species to make your own one-of-a-kind box. And since they are so easy to make, its no problem batching out a bunch of them in a single weekend. If you decide to make some, please send me pics of your variations.

Topics Covered:

• Creating sliding dovetails
• Using a dowel-centering pin to locate holes
• Cutting a recess with a pattern bit
• Sanding end-grain

And here are a few pictures of the final boxes:

Circle Templates – $32.99 This template set has been incredibly useful for numerous projects including these keepsake boxes and the Contemporary Clock Project from last year.

GRR-Ripper™ Adjustable Push Block – $59.99 The GRR-Ripper is the fancy push block you see me using in this video. Incredibly useful and gives you ultimate control of the workpiece!

In the final part of this series, I assemble and attach the base, install the handles, and apply the final finish to the top. This project was an incredible learning experience, and not in the way you might think. I actually found it incredibly challenging to step back from my primary shop tools, and focus only on the portable power tools. Not only did I find new ways of doing things, but I have a new found appreciation for the tools I have been taking granted for years. But hopefully you’ll see now that even with a very basic set of tools, you can still produce high quality furniture.

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• Constructing the base.
• Gluing up miters using the tape trick.
• Attaching the base using pocket screws.
• Attaching the custom handles.

Mini Kreg Jig and Kit – $19.99
This is a less expensive and simpler version of the jig I used on the show. The kit contains the jig, a pocket hole bit and a stop collar. Check it out!

A Simple Varnish Finish DVD – $19.99
I mentioned my finishing DVD in the video, so here’s a quick link for anyone who might be interested. A Simple Varnish Finish

**New Project Plan!!**
If you are interested, we now have a digital plan available for this project. The set includes a PDF plan/cutlist and a full-featured Sketchup file. The download is available in the Wood Whisperer Store.

Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

An important aspect of building furniture that many new woodworkers overlook, is the importance of finishing BEFORE the project is completely glued together. That’s the primary focus of this part of the series.

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• How to deal with color differences between plywood and solid wood trim.
• Raising the grain and applying water-based dyes.
• Theory and application of wiping varnish.
• Creating shelf pin holes for adjustable shelving.
• Applying angled trim to the shelves.
• Final glueup and clamping strategy.

I mentioned my finishing DVD in the video, so here’s a quick link for anyone who might be interested. A Simple Varnish Finish

JIG IT® Shelving Jig Our original JIG IT® Shelving Jig is now even better! Get perfectly, consistently spaced and centered shelf-pin holes! JIG IT® Shelving Jig

**New Project Plan!!**
If you are interested, we now have a digital plan available for this project. The set includes a PDF plan/cutlist and a full-featured Sketchup file. The download is available in the Wood Whisperer Store.

Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

The absolute worst time to find out you’ve made a mistake is while the glue is drying. So this part focuses strongly on the importance of a dry assembly, which I consider to be an essential part of the glue up process. By the end we’ll have a partially glue-up entertainment center.

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• Gluing trim pieces.
• Using biscuits.
• Clamping strategies.
• Using a wood filler to hide miter flaws.
• Cutting the big bevels on the top and bottom trim.
• Sanding.
• Dry assembly strategy.
• Measuring and cutting the back panels.
• Initial glueup.

**New Project Plan!!**
If you are interested, we now have a digital plan available for this project. The set includes a PDF plan/cutlist and a full-featured Sketchup file. The download is available in the Wood Whisperer Store.

And this is the filler I recommended in the video. If you’ve had bad experiences with fillers in the past, you really need to give this stuff a shot. Shopping through this affiliate link will also help out the show.



Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

If there is one major negative aspect to working with plywood and other sheetgoods, its the fact that we have to deal with the ugly exposed edges. But with a little know-how and some strips of wood, you can dress up the edges so that only a trained eye can tell that the board is not completely made of solid wood.

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• Edge-banding options.
• Sources for solid wood edge-banding.
• Attaching edgbanding to sheetgoods and trimming it flush with the surface.
• Cutting grooves and rabbets for the back panels with a router and edge guide.
• Using an inexpensive miter box.

**New Plan**
If you are interested, we now have a digital plan available for this project. The set includes a PDF plan/cutlist and a full-featured Sketchup file. The download is available in the Wood Whisperer Store.

Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

Think you can’t build furniture because you only have a few basic tools? Well, check this out! This walnut low entertainment center was built using three primary tools: a circular saw, a router, and a drill. But that doesn’t mean I skimped on quality and design. The unit has sliding doors, good ventilation, a little shelf in the back for a surge protector, and all of the trim is beveled at an angle for a more interesting visual effect (even the trim on the shelves features this bevel).

This video series is full of tips and tricks that will help you get professional results from these simple power tools!

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• Cutting down sheet goods.
• Using a guide with your circular saw
• The cheapest long rip guide on the planet.
• Plywood thicknesses.
• Cutting dados and grooves with the router.
• Fixing a dado that was cut through when it should have been “stopped”
• Chiseling the stopped dados square.

A Sketchup plan and cut list is on its way. We are hoping to have it by the release of the next part in this series.

And here’s a great clamping tool guide, very similar to the one used in this episode:

All-In-One Clamp Guides The first zero-deflection straight edge clamping guide! Provides you with straighter and more accurate cuts, dadoes and routing without additional clamps. All-In-One Clamp Guides

Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

The final installment of the Steamer Trunk series. I apply the faux walnut straps, apply the water-based finish using my HVLP turbine, and install the tansu hardware. All in all, this was a great project that really reinforces simple frame and panel construction. At the end of the video, I even have a little update on Duane’s progress on his trunks. Things are coming along nicely. Best of luck to you Duane!

And if you would like to donate to the cause, please check out the following links:
American Cancer Society
James Cancer Center

Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware

Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4

In this episode, I go over some pre-finishing tips and finish the inside of the trunk. I then go through the entire assembly and glueup process from start to finish. I then discuss the trunk’s lid, which is different from the original plan. You can download a Sketchup plan for the lid below. Once the lid is glued up, I realize that rushing through this project has resulted in a number of errors. So I fix them. I know how you guys love it when I make mistakes so you won’t be disappointed in this one, haha.

For the Sketchup File of the new revised top, click here. For a PDF version of the new top, click here.
And if you would like to donate to the cause, please check out the following links:
American Cancer Society
James Cancer Center

Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware

Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4

Moving right along, we continue cutting and assembling parts for the steamer trunk. I spend a good deal of time on techniques that will help you when working with plans. The key is to realize that some parts need to be cut using measurements from your project, NOT from the plan itself. I also spend some time creating the thicker top panels, since they are not as simple as they appear from the outside.

Now that all the joinery is pretty much complete, I show you an alternative method for making the tongue and groove joints that could very well be faster and easier, if you have a router table. I use a tongue and groove bit set from Eagle America. Check out the links below if you are interested in going that route.

And why do I wear a dunce cap in this episode? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Links:
Tongue & Groove Bit Set
Coping Sled
Razor Saw

For the Sketchup File of the new revised top, click here. For a PDF version of the new top, click here.
And if you would like to donate to the cause, please check out the following links:
American Cancer Society
James Cancer Center

Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware

Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4

On to our next project: a steamer trunk. This project was built and filmed in an effort to assist my new friend, Duane. The video gives the whole story. And here is a forum thread about the project: Wood Whisperer Forum

This first part focuses on building the frames that make up the sides of the trunk case. I cover numerous topics, but I spend a significant amount of time on grain matching. And since I don’t work with plans on the show very often, I thought it would be good to review some tips, tricks, and overall strategy for working with plans. I am incorporating a few notable changes to the original plan. First is the joinery of the corner “legs”. I will be using a rabbet instead of a reinforced miter. The second, and most dramatic change is the top. The plan calls for an arched top, and I have opted for a square top.

For the Sketchup File of the new revised top, click here. For a PDF version of the new top, click here.
And if you would like to donate to the cause, please check out the following links:
American Cancer Society
James Cancer Center

If you are interested in Lee Valley’s side rabbet plane, check this out.

Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware

Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4