Make-n-Do

Have you ever set out to do a ‘simple job’ that turns into an expensive four-day saga? Well I have – and this one was caught on camera.

Dust collection in any woodworking shop is almost a must have – unless you like wearing face masks all the time.

After great feedback on my chainsaw bowl carve in the previous video, two more gifts for my brother cut from the same piece of wood.

This is my first ever carving-with-a-chainsaw project – in fact, I sort of used two different chainsaws along the way.

This video showcases my workshop “Make-n-Do” philosophy – making do with found, recycled and cheap tools and bits, sometimes finding treasure.

Finally – c’est fini. It took me 14 days – only working a few hours a day because of back ache  – but I finally got the laundry done.

Progress on the laundry remodel at CONTACT HQ (i.e. our house) was going well. That is until karma – and

After months – nay, more than a year – of working to improve my workshop, along comes a ‘proper project’ – a laundry makeover at CONTACT HQ.

Like many construction projects, the finishing and fiddly bits seem to require more time – and naughty words – than the actual build itself.

After a frustrating (and visually boring) start, the mezzanine stairs has picked up pace, leaping from brain into being, taking shape nicely.

This is one of those projects you regret starting soon after you do – but stubbornness, or fear of failure drives you on to a happy ending.

This was another of the big projects I did in my shed recently – creating a long-timbers storage space by extending the existing mezzanine.

This was one of the major makeovers I did on small(ish) woodworking workshop – epoxy-coating the raw-concrete floor.

It’s not easy making Christmas presents for grandkids – competing with shiny, noisy things that go ‘ping’.

All I could think of for a three-year-old’s birthday present was a spinning top. And I made it from Nana’s wooden bits.

My daughter wanted a clock for the bar in her new home. She explained her design concept and I agreed to give it a go – Make-n-Do style.

This job was a long time coming and a long time doing. I could see the cracks in the wall opening wider year after year.

Rust on your car creeps up on you over several years and you almost get used to looking at it. Until, one day, you actually decide to fix it.