Workshop Wednesday

After a bit of sanding, Mumm-Ra has a nice little spot to chill in. What will you use your box for?

How-To: A Quick and Sturdy Wood Box

At some point we're all going to need to build a box. Whether it's to keep a tool safe, or build a project enclosure, knowing how to make a box...

Posted by Michael Colombo | Wednesday May 29th, 2013 1:42 PM

Categories: Tools, Woodworking, Workshop | 32 Comments

If you need to use tape on the exterior of your project, consider placing it in a way that will bolster your piece's aesthetic. You can use it to make trim, pin stripes, or go all out and make art out of the tape itself.

Ten Tips for Adhesive Tape

Tape, tape, tape! There are so many different kinds and so many applications. Tape can be used for the jankiest repairs up to near-permanent fastening. Here are some pointers

Posted by Michael Colombo | Wednesday May 22nd, 2013 4:37 PM

Categories: Art & Design, Paper Crafts, Workshop | 11 Comments

Don't get me wrong, they're cheap and often get the job done, but they were made to not drive well. They were designed specifically in the early 20th century to cam out when too much force was applied. Now that we have torque-limiting drills this isn't a problem anymore, yet somehow we still use them.

Ten Tips for Screws and Screwdrivers

Screws and screwdrivers might not seem like the most exciting topic on its face, but you could write a book on their uses and intricacies. There are so many tricks...

Posted by Michael Colombo | Wednesday May 15th, 2013 12:40 PM

Categories: Woodworking, Tools | 38 Comments

Tricks for DIY Tuning Pegs

Tom Fox of Vulpestruments has been making his own stringed instruments for years. Check out the myriad of DIY ways he keeps them all in tune.

Posted by Tom Fox (Vulpestruments) | Wednesday May 8th, 2013 12:05 PM

Categories: Music, Woodworking, Workshop | 4 Comments

We use the phrase "two by four" in common parlance, but did you know it's actually 3.5 inches wide? Don't make assumptions on size; always measure first.

Ten Tips for Better Measurement

When working on projects, proper measurement can be one of the most enigmatic and frustrating skills to master. Here are some helpful pointers to make sure you measure correctly, and...

Posted by Michael Colombo | Wednesday May 1st, 2013 9:05 AM

Categories: Tools, Woodworking, Workshop | 21 Comments

15 Projects Made from Shipping Pallets

There's something about shipping pallets that makers are drawn to. They're easily obtainable on the roadside or by dumpster diving (don't steal!), the form-factor lends itself to certain types of...

Posted by Michael Colombo | Wednesday April 24th, 2013 11:09 AM

Categories: Furniture, Woodworking, Workshop | 8 Comments

If you're planning to go vertical in your workshop, pegboard can be your best friend. It's inexpensive, and there are so many add-ons you can buy that provide near-infinite organizational possibilities.

Ten Tips for Workshop Organization and Optimization

Along the way I've come across and devised some ways to improve efficiency and arrangement in many different types of workshops. Here are ten that I hope will help. Please...

Posted by Michael Colombo | Wednesday April 17th, 2013 1:08 PM

Categories: Workshop, Electronics, Tools, Woodworking | 28 Comments

Cyclist Chic: Turn a Wooden Crate into a Cool Cargo Box

Our friends at Dark Rye, an online magazine from Whole Foods, have come up with a project for turning a wooden crate into a retro bike cargo box. It's a...

Posted by Stett Holbrook | Wednesday April 10th, 2013 9:07 AM

Categories: Home, Paper Crafts, Woodworking, Workshop | 9 Comments

DiResta: Leather Pants

In each bi-monthly episode of DiResta (every other Wednesday at 2pm PST), artist and master builder Jimmy DiResta (Dirty Money, Hammered, Against the Grain, Trash for Cash) lets us into...

Posted by jimmydiresta | Wednesday April 3rd, 2013 1:52 PM

Categories: Tools, Workshop | 13 Comments

This is a given for nearly every power tool, but especially so for a circular saw. Chips fly and can obscure your vision or even lodge themselves in your eye.

Ten Tips for Using a Circular Saw

The circular saw is an essential modern woodworking tool. It's relatively inexpensive, rugged, and can be used for many applications. There are also many things to consider when trying to...

Posted by Michael Colombo | Wednesday March 27th, 2013 2:05 PM

Categories: Tools, Woodworking | 20 Comments

One of the best strengths about our shop is the community. Being a beginner-friendly and open place fosters a sense among the students that they can ask anyone for help. Not only does this save tools that might otherwise be abused due to misuse, but also increases the level of knowledge for the entire workshop as people learn new skill sets.

Ten Tips for Maintaining a High Volume Shop

Running and maintaining a workshop with over 200 users from varied backgrounds certainly has its challenges. Eric Hagan, Resident Researcher at NYU's ITP, shows you how to do just that.

Posted by Eric Hagan | Wednesday March 13th, 2013 11:04 AM

Categories: Tools, Woodworking, Workshop | 9 Comments