Ronin Woodworking #1: TSDC The Sawdust Chronicles Desktop Organizer

I have almost finished my TSDC beginner woodworker contest entry. This has been a lot of fun and a lot of work at the same time. The 30 day dead line sounds easy enough to meet yet I’m struggling to make it. I have pushed myself a bit with this project. I came up with an original design and then, with the help of a friend and my wife, I realized that I should burn that and come up with a second original design.

My second design is more well received by my panel of personal critics.

I used some dowel pins to reinforce the joinery, which is new for me (to make sure there are no metal fasteners in the construction). Glue might have been enough since there is no real work being placed on the joints but they are end grain glue joints and I don’t want to risk it. I also used my router to cut through and stop dado’s (both never before attempted in my shop).

So,

Weekend one flies by and no wood gets cut.
Weekend two: um I’m out of town or something… I already forgot what happened. Again no wood cutting.
Weekend three… I get started. YEAH!

-- Wipe the blood stains from your blade before coming in.