Marriage of Electronics & Craftsmanship

September 10, 2021Technology & SteampunkDavid WertheimerComment

My personal projects are often one-of-a-kind combinations of electronics and craftsmanship. In this post, I describe the steps in taking a “word clock” from rough idea to finished product, with many of the messy intermediate steps and lessons learned exposed.

Design for Manufacturing

August 27, 2021How To & Calculators, CNCDavid Wertheimer2 Comments

There is a world of difference between designing a one-off product for a commissioned job, and designing something to be manufactured by the dozen (or by the thousand) - those hard-to-reach corners or peculiar material choices might not be a big problem for one creation, but they can add real production costs and potential support problems when done in volume. In this post I touch on a few of the many considerations a product designer needs to consider when manufacturing something in wood.

Analytics & Woodworking

July 9, 2021Personal JourneyDavid Wertheimer5 Comments

Precision woodworking requires a sound understanding of math, angles, and geometry. But beyond that foundation that all good woodworkers possess, I also pursue - both for my own satisfaction and to meet client requirements - projects that have at least some elements of deeper analytical or mathematical elements at their foundations. In this post, I’ll touch on a few examples of these projects.

Veneering Curves

June 10, 2021How To & CalculatorsDavid WertheimerComment

Gluing veneer to a curved surface is a bit more challenging than a flat panel as the clamping pressure needs to be distributed evenly over the curve, and often, that clamping pressure also might act to deform the shape. In this post, I share a few tips and tricks - and include photos and examples of my own work - on how to overcome these challenges.

Biennial Solar Commitment Update

May 13, 2021SustainabilityDavid Wertheimer1 Comment

I remain committed to directing 10% of my revenue to net new clean energy projects, and since my last update on the accounting of this was over two years ago, it was time to refresh the systems I’ve had installed, and how much electricity they have generated.

Working with Your Heirlooms

March 28, 2021Products & ShowsDavid WertheimerComment

The most interesting and rewarding projects are those where the client has a deep emotional attachment between what I’m building or repurposing: refinishing a rocking horse, repurposing the shelving from an old office, or building a shadow box to show off heirlooms from a storied career. Here I touch on a few of those projects I’ve been privileged to work on over the years, including the steps I take to make sure the treasured centerpieces do not get damaged in the process.