A few examples of applying the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle mantra to my workshop, and resources you can take advantage of that allow you to do the same. This is good for the planet, and good for your wallet. And - at least for me - gave me some warm fuzzies in meeting a community of fellow makers and woodworkers who could benefit from my scraps, and were willing to give me theirs, all free of charge.
Other Handy Calculators & Resources
How To & CalculatorsCommentMoisture & Wood Movement
How To & Calculators3 Comments“Wood movement” - or how wood expands and contracts in response to the environment - confuses a lot of folks, yet its a critical consideration in building solid wood furniture that will survive generations. This article consolidates a lot of disparate sources and calculators, providing both a foundational understanding of why wood moves, some detailed resources so that you can calculate how much movement to expect, and a few tips & tricks for how to design with movement in mind.
How to Avoid Sagging Shelving
How To & Calculators17 CommentsA few calculations upfront can help make sure your shelves (or coffee table) will stand up to loads of books - or stand up to you standing on it! This article outlines several key considerations and resources for wood furniture design, giving some tricks to strengthen a design that might be of borderline strength. And it also points to a few useful calculators - and how to use them - for metalwork as well.