Before I approach this contest, I had to think about what the core of the the contest is about. I had to understand what the result should be and then put my spin on it. Chances are, it would have to have to be a unique spin on an ancient piece of furniture that is universally appealing. This has to be photogenic to compete with the other wood working magazine, and yet has a calling to the Popular woodworkers.

I beging with the design aspect. The golden ratio is the base of all design, so I started here. The 4×8 sheet of plywood is the base of the cabinet builders’ arsenal. I started here as well. I added the two together and we have a bookcase that is base on the golden ratio, 38” x 65” x 12” DEEP, made from a 4×8’ – 3/4” ply wood and a 4×8’ -1/4” plyWOOD and dimensional lumber that is readily available to Most woodworkers. Having almost no waste form the plywood to produce this bookcase has the universal appeal to any woodworker.

My bookcase has the element of being flexible. A beginner can build this with circular saw and dowels, use stock molding, while the advanced woodworker can add the inset doors and the beaded face frame that can be jack mitered together and customize the crown.

I apologize I didn’t offer the sketch up on this contest as I design a lot faster and better on paper.

“What are you building now? “ He asked as he peered into the cart.

A hedge clipper and a garden hose repair kit was all that’s in.

“Stupid garden, really cuts into valuable woodshop time.” I replied.

He laughed. I continued pushing the cart as if I was doing time.

My wood shop is evolving slower than I wanted since I discovered the weekend task of yard work along with this new place. But there will be progress as I slowly moved my frequently used hand tools to the wall. I figured I should be able to measure, layout, mark, cut, chop and shave without having to do more than 3 steps. It’s part of my philosophy for my new workshop. I should be able to make simple box within an hour at any time. After all , most of what I do is joining small boxes to make big boxes.

Since I store most of my chisels in the tool chest out of harms’ way, I needed a chisel holder in front of the bench that would hold different chisels for the different project of the moment. This took a while to figure out as I had a general idea what it need to look like, then I had to substitute the maple push broom head, leather and steal with things I do have laying around, a bunch of card board boxes and left over base boards.

I also started working on storage solutions under the bench. I called it the sidekick as it is mobile and serves as extra storage, and a tool caddy when I am working in the shop or installing baseboard in the house. The back of the cart has storage for my CO2 regulator and my nail guns. Learning from the construction industry, brads and wood glue is the best joint ever*.

• Disclaimer – By best joint ever, I mean for trim carpentry and cabinet installation in comparison to cost and time efficiency, and NOT for heirloom quality furniture, where wood joinery is the standard.

But I didn’t get much shop time today to build my wall organization system. I blame daylight savings time. But then again, I was able to work later into the evening with the garage door open. It was nice. So here’s my late entry for the 2×4 stud contest. I should get some sort of handicap since I only used 34” of a 2×3.

This came from a left over piece of lumber from my work bench. I measured, grooved, notched, beveled, then bored the holes to accept the screws. This isn’t bad for about $1. The Chinese hand planes I used have these handles that make storing them a pain. That is until it dawned on me to hang them by their own handles. I’ll have to give the Shakers the credit for this one as I was going to use shaker pegs, but that would require a trip to the store to buy dowels or a mini lathe. I found a simpler solution with a 2×3.

I’m going have to figure out how to hang the chisels, saws and layout tools on this wall. Time to look into the Lumberjocks archive for ideas.

I did know the bench would be built permanently onto the wall, it would have a way to clamp wood for planning and cutting dovetails and tenons. That was it. My last work bench was an IKEA stepstool I had purchased for $9.99. It’s design would inspire my new workbench by having a multipurpose slot on the top.

So I went to work. Now, I’m not good at taking pictures of the procedures since it slows down my creative process. But this is the final product. Six hours of work and about $60 worth of materials. I hope it works. The slot is designed for my Japanese saw, it cuts on the pull stroke, so I use the downward force to hold down the wood. This notch gives me clearance as I like to kneel and cut on the down stroke.

The front slots is for clamps, there’s plenty of holes so it offers plenty of flexibility. I have more ideas on jigs and attachment for my bench, but that will have to wait for later.
The top is held down my gravity and wood dowels, hammered in and cut flushed. This lets me flip the top and change it should it wears.

After dinner, I continued working on the shop and found a used for an old bamboo ladder. I had a left over cherry door form one of my kitchen client, I used it on the white bookshelf even though it didn’t fit. It thought it looks better with it. Next step is to make wall cabinets from the old shelving the last owner left behind.

The tool chest is place in the corner of the garage. It has predrilled holes running the length of it for adjustability. I figured I should design the storage system with plenty of room to grow since there are plenty I still have to learn and plenty of bad habit I have to un-learn.

If I want to be organized then I better make things easy to put away, the magnetic strip for my handsaws should help. They’re in easy reach, in theory should be easy to put away as well. There are lesser used saws in the chest.

The next step is to install a couple rows of French cleats so that I can hand things without having to drill new holes and find studs.

I looked at the construction of this “workbench” and realized this is good quality, well built piece of furniture. It’s solid oak, slab construction, with no cracks or splits in the wood. Dove tail drawers and slides. I wiped it down, vacuum it up and dragged it into the living room – where it belongs. It will be restored or re-used or modified one day…after I get my new workshop going. Does any one know anything about this piece?

So here’s some ideas for the LumberJocks. Go to Rockler, Office Depot, get a roll of cork and line those tool boxes, knife holders, tool handels and maybe even the floors. I’m thinking about veneering the top of a writing desk with this stuff one day.!