Give Your Old Office Chair a Leather Makeover (Video Launching Tomorrow)

Got an old office chair that’s seen better days? Instead of tossing it, let’s turn it into something you’ll actually want to show off.

Tomorrow, I’m sharing a free video tutorial where I transform a worn-out chair using thrifted leather scraps, basic tools, and simple upholstery techniques. No prior experience needed—just a weekend and a staple gun.

What You’ll See in the Video:

• An amazing transformation from trash to luxury

• How to disassemble and prep an old chair (without losing screws).

• Stretching leather over curves and corners for a snug fit.

• Hand-stitching tips for seamless repairs.

The Full Guide:
For those who want every detail, I’ve put together a step-by-step guide with:

• Leather thickness recommendations and pattern templates.

• Tool lists (budget-friendly and pro options).

• Complete step by step process

Want First Access?
Join my newsletter, and I’ll send you:

• A direct link to the video + guide the moment they go live.

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Spring is Here—The Perfect Time for an Outdoor DIY Sofa Project!

The days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, and that means it’s time to start planning our outdoor projects! If you’re looking for an affordable, beginner-friendly build that will transform your patio, I’ve got the perfect one for you.

Last year, we built an outdoor sofa, and it instantly became one of our most-used outdoor pieces. Whether it was for relaxing with coffee in the mornings, hosting summer gatherings, or just making our patio more functional, this project proved its worth over and over again. And the best part? You can build it too!

I’ve put together a detailed, step-by-step building plan so you can easily recreate this project for your own space. The plan includes:
✔ Complete materials list – Know exactly what you need before you start.
✔ Clear, easy-to-follow instructions – No guesswork involved.
✔ Detailed diagrams and measurements – Perfect for beginners and experienced builders alike.

Why This Project is a Must-Build

✅ Budget-Friendly: A high-impact upgrade without the high price tag.
✅ Simple & Fast to Build: Perfect for a weekend project.
✅ Designed for Everyday Use: Whether you're entertaining or relaxing, this piece will be a staple in your outdoor space.

If you're ready to build a project that you’ll actually use and love, grab the plans today and get started!

👉 CLICK HERE TO GET THE BUILDING PLANS 👈

Spring is the perfect time to tackle DIY projects, and this one is guaranteed to add both function and style to your patio. Don’t wait—start building now!

To get a complete sense of the project, make sure to watch the building video!

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What If You Had 200 Years to Get Good at Life?

Let’s start with a weird question: If you lived for 200 years, would you actually become a genius? Or would you just… be you, but older?

That’s the thought experiment that’s been rattling around my head lately. We all like to imagine that immortality would turn us into polyglot violinists who’ve read every book and solved cold fusion. But deep down, I wonder: Would I really learn Mandarin in Year 87? Or would I just keep rewatching The Office forever?

This question nagged at me. We often assume endless time guarantees growth, but what if it doesn’t? What if effort, not years, is what actually changes us?

So I tested it. I spent a week learning three things I’d dismissed as “not for me”:

• Rubik’s Cube (a puzzle I’d avoided for years)

• Poetry (which always felt like decoding riddles)

• Long Division (a math gap I’d shrugged off since grade school)

The goal wasn’t perfection. It was to see if leaning into the discomfort of learning could shift something in how I think.

What I Learned:

Rubik’s Cube taught me patience. Solving it felt less like genius and more like untangling headphones—repetitive, frustrating, then suddenly satisfying.

Poetry surprised me. Sitting with a single poem (A Coat by Yeats) for days, I realized how much we miss by skimming surfaces. Words I’d glossed over started clicking into place.

Long Division was humbling. Schools may skip it now, but there’s value in wrestling with the “why” behind the steps.

The goal wasn’t mastery. It was to see if deliberate, awkward effort could crack open my brain a little.

The bigger takeaway? Growth isn’t passive. It’s not about waiting for time or talent to kick in. It’s about choosing the struggle—the kind that feels awkward, slow, and utterly unglamorous.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “stuck” as the person you are now, I shared the full experiment in this video. No flashy tricks or life-hacks—just a candid look at what happens when you trade “I can’t” for “I’ll try.”

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The Quiet Little Tool That Taught Generations to Read

Picture this: A small wooden paddle, covered with animal horn and etched with the alphabet. For over 300 years, this unassuming tool—called a hornbook—was the gateway to literacy for millions of children.

It’s a piece of history most of us have never heard of, yet it shaped the minds of thinkers like Isaac Newton, Shakespeare, and even early American pioneers.

Today, I want to introduce you to this fascinating relic—and explore why its simplicity might hold lessons for our tech-saturated world. (And of course we’ll build one as well!)

For over 300 years, this simple wooden paddle—no bigger than your hand—taught children their ABCs. It was sturdy, portable, and focused entirely on the basics: letters, sounds, and a short text to memorize. No apps, no videos, no distractions. Just a child, a teacher (often a parent or sibling), and this humble tool.

By the middle of the 19th century, it vanished from classrooms. But as we navigate today’s world of buzzing screens and packed curriculums, there’s something quietly fascinating about how it worked.

What Made the Hornbook Special?

• Simplicity: One page of essentials. Mastery came from repetition, not rush.

• Durability: Covered in horn or epoxy, it survived generations of use.

• Focus: In an era without distractions, learning was slow, steady, and tactile.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it built strong foundations. Wealthy or poor, many children learned to read by tracing those letters daily—including thinkers who shaped history.

A Modern Question

Today, we have more tools than ever to teach reading. Yet literacy rates lag, attention spans shrink, and classrooms feel chaotic.

This isn’t about blaming technology or romanticizing the past. It’s about asking: What can we learn from a tool that prioritized focus and simplicity?

What’s in the Video

In my latest video, I explore:

• The hornbook’s quiet role in history (and why it disappeared).

• Why how we learn matters as much as what we learn.

• A DIY project to recreate a hornbook—no 16th-century tools required.

You’ll also see how its principles—repetition, tactile learning, minimal distractions—might still apply today.

Why Watch?

This isn’t a call to abandon modern tools. It’s an invitation to reflect.

Maybe there’s wisdom in slowing down. Maybe strong foundations still matter. Or maybe you’re just curious about a piece of history that’s been hiding in plain sight.

Either way, if you’ve ever wondered how children learned to read before textbooks (or TikTok), you’ll find this story quietly fascinating.

👉 [Watch here] to see the hornbook in action—and decide for yourself.

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18 Surprising Uses for Wax Polish + A Perfect Gift Idea

Wax polish might be one of the most versatile finishes you can keep in the shop—or even the kitchen! Whether you use it on wooden projects to enhance their beauty, on metal to prevent rust, or for any of the myriad other uses, wax polish is an incredibly handy item to have on hand.

Because of its versatility, I think a tin of wax polish makes a fantastic gift—for yourself or someone else. It’s also a perfect stocking stuffer.

In our shoppe, we offer three kinds of wax polish: raw linseed oil, 100% tung oil, and food-grade mineral oil, all made with pure, natural beeswax. Each batch is handmade in our workshop with care. We also offer a wax pot, which is a small wooden box with a snug-fitting lid containing our mineral oil polish. This set also comes with an extra tin, making it a practical gift option.

If you’re planning to give a tin as a gift, keep in mind that the last day to order to ensure delivery before Christmas (within the US) is December 15th!

Now, you might be thinking: Great—I know I can use this on my wooden projects, but what else can it do? Well, I’ve got you covered. I just put together a video sharing 18 different uses for our wax polish. These range from practical solutions to everyday annoyances to tips for achieving a stunning finish on your projects.

If you’ve found another clever use for wax polish, I’d love to hear about it.

Making Christmas gifts on the laser engraver

Every year around this time, I dive into making Christmas-related projects and presents. There’s just something fun about creating gifts from scratch—and this year, I’ve been putting my laser engraver to good use. It’s been the perfect tool for two projects I’ve been working on: a wooden advent calendar and personalized leather eyeglass cases, and in my latest youtube video I share these two projects and the process of making them.

A Wooden Advent Calendar with Mini Note Boxes

Advent calendars are a classic holiday tradition, but I wanted to do something a bit different this year. Instead of trinkets, I designed a wooden advent calendar with tiny boxes for little notes.

Find the plan (svg, pdf, eps, dxf and crv formats) here if you want to make your own.

Using the laser engraver, I cut out panels and pieces to assemble the calendar, giving it a clean, detailed look. The boxes are just big enough to hold little messages—things like poems, verses, or small pieces of candy. It’s a simple way to add a personal touch to the countdown to Christmas.

The precision of the laser engraver made it easy to get clean cuts and intricate details, which would have been much harder (and way less fun) by hand. I stuck with a natural wood finish and also added some raised letters and numbers as well as little cut out painted Christmas trees.

Leather Eyeglass Cases with a Personal Touch

The second project on my list was leather eyeglass cases—practical, customizable, and great for gifts. I designed a simple pattern, cleaned it up in the computer, and added the holes for punching, as well as the cutting of the leather. For closure, I went with small magnets, a rather clean and practical choice which ensures you don’t have to push down too hard on the case to close it. If you’d like to cut out your own eyeglass case (whether by hand or by a cnc or laser engraver), I have it here: leather eyeglass pattern

To watch these two projects come to life, make sure to check out the video!

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Gift Guide from our Shoppe

It's almost time for Christmas, and if you're looking for some special presents to give or make - I wanted to share some of the unique things we have to offer from our shoppe.

Everything we sell, we make and design in our workshop, nothing is made elsewhere. We have some favorite things that we always carry in our shoppe such as our wax polish, and then we usually introduce something new every now and then as well. This year I have a new tool, a beautiful awl. In addition to this we also offer many building plans, and I have collected a few here, that I think would be especially great for gift giving (no matter whether you're giving away the plan, or making the object in the plan to give away.)

So, here are our gift giving guide with objects and designs made in house:

Wax Polish

Wax polish makes a great little gift or stocking stuffer - and it's suitable for anybody who either enjoys making things - OR likes to cook and spend time in the kitchen. We offer three different kinds of wax polish:

Raw Linseed

Made with 100% raw linseed oil and pure beeswax this is our go to finish for most woodworking related things. It's great for shop tools, projects etc...

100% Tung oil

Made with 100% tung oil and pure beeswax, this is a slight upgrade from the linseed. It offers a unique scent and cures slightly harder than the linseed. It's what we use on all projects of a slightly more special nature.

Mineral

Made with food grade mineral oil and pure beeswax we use this polish in two areas: 1) In the kitchen on all wooden spoons, cutting boards etc. 2) In the shop on all metal tools and surfaces to prevent rust.

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Wax Pots

If you'd like to upgrade your wax polish purchase, then a wax pot is the way to go. Our wax pot is a take on the traditional grease pot that woodworkers always used to keep on their workbench. It's a small lidded box filled with mineral oil wax polish + one additional tin of wax polish for refill. This is tactile, classic and a very useful object to keep on your bench and constantly reach for.

Awls

Many awls are quite dull and not very pointy. We were looking for an awl that held a great point and comfortable handle, so this is what we came up with. The handles are cut here in the workshop, and we use HSS steel which we work to get a sharp point. Ever since making these awls, we use them all the time - whether for woodworking, leatherworking or bookbinding. It has an excellent point and is very comfortable to use.

We also make a special keepsake gift box especially designed to hold this object which it comes with.

Spinning Top

A classic toy, whether for children or fidgety adults. Our take on the spinning top is simple and traditional. It spins very well and is made in beautiful hardwood maple. We offer two sizes: A large one which comes with a special spinning dish, and a small one. Both come in specially made keepsake boxes to hold them.

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Building Plans (suited for Christmas presents)

Kids play table

For any children in your life, this classic kids play and train table makes a perfect gift. In our building plan we offer .svg files if you want to cut it out on a CNC, as well as detailed diagrams and measurements if you want to copy the design onto plywood and cut it out with a jigsaw. The four sides interconnect with mortise and tenon design, and it features two removable shelves, one below to store things on, and one above to play on.

Bookbinding equipment

If your recipient is interested in bookbinding, you might have heard of just how expensive the tools are to buy, or practically impossible to find. We offer a series of building plans for classic bookbinding tools:

- book press, - sewing frame, - book vise + cutting tool. You can purchase each plan individually or get a discount if you get the bundle with all of them.

Furniture

If you're looking to cut out some furniture on your CNC (or trace the design and use a jigsaw), we have three plans which I think would be great to make gifts from.

Adult desk

Using only 1 sheet of plywood, this desk features a modern and clean design. We use this desk every day and it's a personal favorite.

Kids and chair set

Mirroring the design of the adult desk, this kids version is great for kids anywhere from 2-6 years old. The chair and desk / table set is very versatile and can be used in a bunch of places. You can also make several two or three chairs for one table, to fit several children.

Bookcase

In our house, we have this design of a bookcase in several rooms. It's clean, practical and nice looking and feature interconnected joinery.

Christmas village

If you'd like to make some fun small houses to play with or display

Small designs

Finally some small building plans which I think make fun little gifts:

- Coffee filter holder

- Ornaments

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SHIPPING

If you’re ordering a physical product (all plans are downloadable PDF files), make sure to put your order in BEFORE Dec 15, 2024 in order to get it in time for Christmas.

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A simple writing desk (video + building plan)

A desk like the one Thoreau would have used to write Walden—that was the inspiration for this project. In other words, something classic and back to basics, but still beautiful and functional. Sounds interesting? I cover everything in our latest YouTube build video and in a very detailed building plan (ideal if you’d like to build one yourself).

When it comes to furniture, it's often fun to try out new styles and techniques. However, for pieces that we want to keep in our homes and grow with, my preference is solid materials and classic designs.

This desk measures 30"(76cm) wide, 25"(64cm) deep and 29 3/4" (75.6 cm) high —not huge by any means, but just right for an adult or a growing student.

In terms of wood, we went with white oak because it's a personal favorite, and feels true to what might have traditionally been used. But really, any wood would work fine. If I were buying from the home improvement store, I might go with pine. For the joinery, we used dowels, but you could easily go with pocket screws or biscuits if that’s what you have on hand.

The desk has two drawers that slide on wooden rails (no need for metal drawer slides). We chose half-blind dovetails for the front of the drawers and box joints for the back. In other words, the fronts are solid and clear and only once you open the drawer do you see the joinery.

All of this—cut list, step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and more—is laid out in the building plan, available on our website. The video’s there to help you see the process in action and get a feel for how it all comes together.

I really like the idea of furniture that we can use for years and years and hopefully pass on to future generations. Not all pieces we build fit in that category, but I think this one does. Check out the video and plan on our website, and let us know what you think.

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Unschooling with an academic focus

For a little over a year or so, we’ve been homeschooling (or rather unschooling) our 6 year old son. It’s been quite the adventure so far, and I from what I’ve gathered by meeting other homeschooling parents and seeing what people do online, I think we have a quite different approach. We don’t use a curriculum and we don’t have a strict schedule. Everything is quite relaxed, yet at the same time we have rather focused lessons that are far beyond what other kids are learning in school, in terms of similar ages.

If you’re curious about how we go about this, make sure to check out our latest video: Academic Unschooling - a Radically Different Approach

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Arduino Starter Kit Review

I've been using arduinos and other micro-controllers for about 10 years now, for all sorts of projects. My son is now old enough to start him on some basic programming, and teach him to understand how you can use these little computers to control all sorts of sensors and lights with just a little practice.

Links:

Kit Link: https://www.elecrow.com/crowtail-starter-kit-for-arduino.html

Code Link: https://www.elecrow.com/download/product/SEA0001T/Starter_Kit_for_Arduino_Code.zip

You only need a basic computer to run the Arduino IDE (integrated development environment) which is free from Arduino, and in this kit there is a booklet that takes you through all the projects with the included sensors. I am using a raspberry pi 5 to do all the testing, but windows works fine too. The kit is pretty complete so you don’t need any other wires or components to get anything running, but you should download the code from Elecrow’s website to help you out.

There are quite a few lights and sensors included in the kits. I’ve found the rigid plastic makes it difficult to remove the components so be careful not to damage anything. In order for this kit to be easy for beginners they have constructed a “shield” that you can attach to the top of the arduino, which allows you to add components without a breadboard, or the need for any wires or cutting of wires.

While this does make it easier for beginners my son had a lot of difficulty changing these wires, as did I. It would be nice if this could be improved. You are not required to use these wires as the provided arduino is a “real“ unit and can be used with a breadboard, or in any conventional project you solder wires to.

My son had a good time learning how to use the kit and I think this is a valuable tool, provided someone is there to teach them and practice. You can’t learn this in a day. So while it is easy, you need to practice and work with this for sometime before you can advance.

The best way to use the kit is to go through all the projects and learn how to use the sensors, and there are a lot provided so you can really try out some different things.

Included sensors and accessories:

• Button x1   

• Switch x1  

• Buzzer x1     

• LED(Red) x1     

• LED(Green) x1     

• LED(Yellow) x1     

• Logic AND x1     

• Logic OR x1     

• Logic NOT x1     

• Flame Sensor x1     

• Moisture Sensor x1     

• Touch Sensor x1     

• Relay x1     

• Light Sensor x1     

• Thermistor Temperature Sensor x1     

• Vibration Motor x1     

• Linear Potentiometer x1     

• Tilt Switch x1    

• Sound Sensor x1     

• 4-Digit Display x1

Making a Predator Style Clock

You know how young kids often like to know how old they are? And if they're anything like my son, just the number five or six is not good enough. He wants to know his precise age.

So we started thinking about how it would be neat to have a clock display that showed exactly how old he is all the time. And this clock would constantly be changing, because his age is never the same.

A few initial goals here:

• the clock should be fun to look at

• it should show changes rapidly

• it should tell you exactly how old someone is

and a little extra add on:

• why not also have it tell time in an interesting and visual way

To tell time we decided to create a predator style movement of symbols that would tell time in a real way, if only you knew how to decipher it!

All of the process and everything involved is covered in our latest youtube video. It goes over what the clock is made of, how each part is broken down etc, and how it it works!

If you want to build your own predator style clock, we have a bundle with the code and the files to cut out the case : Predator Style Clock Box

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Making a Leather Journal (Classic Bookbinding)

This is a blank leather journal that I’ve been making using our different bookbinding tools such as the book press, vise, plough and sewing frame. Let’s get into it!

Making books in a classic way obviously takes a fair amount of time, however what you get in return is a custom book in every way: you get to pick the size, the type of paper, the cover etc… Now the purpose of whatever book you’re making most likely will impact your decisions. For a while I’ve been wanting a really beautiful and strong journal that I can gather all my favorite recipes in: so results from baking experiments, different fermentation ideas and family favorites. And the thing about a recipe book, is unlike a regular book which you might open once or twice, this book you’ll most likely open again and again and again, so strength really matters.

I wanted the book to be slightly oversized and I wanted a durable and beautiful cover. That led me to leather since you can easily wipe it off in the kitchen, and it ages in such a beautiful way.

To make the book, I’m using sketch book paper, and I’m using our sewing frame with linen cords which makes for an exceptionally strong construction. I’m not a professional bookmaker, I’ve made a few and I enjoy the process, but I’m definitely an amateur. So my process is not THE way to make a book, just one of them!

I hope you enjoy the video. If you’re interested in picking up any of the plans, you can check out the bookbinding section where they are all listed. You can either pick up one individually or get the bundle with all 4 plans at a discount.

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Making (and Using) a Book Vise & Cutting Plough

In the course of making a book, there’s one tool you use many times throughout the process, and that is a book vise. It’s what you use to hold the paper properly while marking, cutting, rounding the spine, gluing, separating the cords and more. Now while the vise is a great tool all on its own, it also works in conjunction with another tool: the cutting plough. If you turn the vise around, there’s a groove which the plough fits into, and now you can use this tool to trim the sides of the paper nice and crisp.

Now I have just made a detailed building plan that includes how to build the vise AND how to build the accompanying cutting plough. If you’re someone who’s been thinking about building these tools for yourself, then I think this plan will be very useful as it includes cutlists, step by step instructions and tips and things to think about.

This project is a part of our bookbinding tool series which also includes the book press and the sewing frame. All of these tools feature a classic design and wooden screws wherever applicable.

I think the vise is one of those tools which is pretty straightforward and obviously quite useful. The cutting plough is a less obvious tool. It features a blade, a wooden screw, two blocks of wood and two rods, and while running in the groove in the vise, it does such a great job of cutting the paper into crisp, beautiful sides. If you’re someone who happen to have a big guillotine in your shop, you might not need it, but for the rest of us, it’s a big step up from using a razor blade to cut the paper.

Make sure to check out the video which is all about these tools: how they’re constructed and how you use them. And of course, if you’re serious about building your own, then you might want to check out the plan.

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Sewing Frame For Bookbinding + Plan

The sewing frame is a really interesting tool you use in bookbinding when binding signatures (or booklets) of paper together. In many ways, it’s like a jig that enables you to hold cords or tape taught while sewing your thread around the cord and in and out of the paper. Quite the ingenious contraption! And now I have a building plan of this project: Sewing Frame Plan

If you’re into bookbinding, this might have been one of those tools you’ve been wanting to get for a while. It’s not absolutely necessary to have sewing frame in order to bind books together, however it is exceptionally useful if you want to bind books together using this method.

So, lately I’ve been working on a building plan that goes over how to make one of these in detail - either using regular woodworking tools, or using a CNC machine. The plan goes over cutlists, all the steps, how to make wooden screws, how to use the unit etc….

The sewing frame has been around a long time, and one of things about it, is it enables you to bind books together that are exceptionally strong and durable. I go over a bit about this in my latest youtube video which is all about how to make this tool, how to use it as well as a little background info and why this is a superior method when it comes to bindery.

If you’re interested in bookbinding, then you might also be interested in checking out my book press plan and accompanying video. Next up, I’m working on the book vise and book plough which enable you to hold the paper properly and to cut it nice and sharp.

All About the Book Press + New Building Plan

Lately I’ve been getting back into bookbinding which is such a fun and interesting thing to do. I love making my own books! Now, as I was starting to work on some projects, I was happy to get back to using our awesome book binding tools we made a while back.

The book press in particular is a project I often get questions about whether or not we have a building plan. Well now we do: BOOK PRESS BUILDING PLAN

And I completely get it! If you get into bookbinding, you quickly realize just how important a book press is, and when you start looking around you see just how expensive they are to buy. If you’re able to woodwork, a book press makes a lot of sense to build!

So, for the last week or so, I’ve been working hard on creating a really detailed building plan complete with cutlists, step by step instructions, diagrams etc… I think it’s quite easy to follow and clear.

As I’ve reacquainted myself with the nitty gritty details about this press, I figured it would be fun to make an accompanying video going into the project as well as a little about simple machines, the screw, different types of threads, the construction etc…

I hope you enjoy it. And, if you’ve been thinking about finally building that press, now is your chance. Here is the plan: BOOK PRESS BUILDING PLAN

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Let's Build an Outdoor Sofa!

An outdoor sofa that’s good looking, affordable and easy to disassemble, that’s what we’ve here. This design features a modern style and measures 55” wide and 30” deep. It's a straightforward project resulting in a very useful couch to relax in outside.

Here is the building plan: Outdoor Sofa Plan (including step by step instructions, cutlist + scalable design files)

Here are the cushions that we used: https://amzn.to/3KsX8Zi

The sofa is made up of 4 sections. We've got the seat, the back and two pieces for the arms. These sections are all bolted together, so at any point you can disassemble to move, and easily assemble again.

In terms of wood we're going to need the approximate sizes of 2x4s, 4x4s and 1x4s. You can either pick those up, or do what we did, use only 2x4s, but then glue up and resaw. All in all we ended up using 13 2x4s.

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How We Homeschool: a Box of Geometric Proofs

I always thought learning new things was fun, however it wasn't until we had a son and became responsible for his education that I have become more immersed in the concept of learning.

My child is 6 now and we have been teaching him things all along, ever since he was big enough to respond. I think that's the same for most parents who decided to take control over their kids’ education, whether or not they send them to school or decide to teach them at home.

Since we have a shop full of tools, we often include him in projects and make projects for him. And the latest thing is this little geometry box. And I just thought this project was kind of fun, and I wanted to share a little bit about this aspect of our lives.

Inside the box we have a bunch of geometric proofs that you can use as a part of a lesson plan or just play around with. In the video I go over exactly what the different parts are and how we use them.

We don't follow a specific curriculum in our education here, he's been working on basic division and subtraction, now we're doing larger numbers and borrowing as you're subtracting, we're starting to do some multiplication. In general he is responding quite well to all these things, and always wants to do more math when it’s time for bed!

I love the idea of a little box that you take out for learning and play - I also think something like this could be appealing to other families who share similar philosophies when it comes to their children. If you have thoughts on what else to include in the box (make sure to watch the video), be sure to let me know!

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Favorite Tool in the Shop: XTool S1 Laser Engraver

If I were to start fresh with an empty shop, what would be the first tool I would get? Well, while I'd be tempted to say tablesaw (is there a more practical tool?), I think I would actually get a laser engraver to start with. For the past year now we've been working quite a bit with laser engraving and cutting, and it's such a useful tool for making small and precise things. Especially boxes, gears, models not to mention marking out different things. It's fast, fun and opens up a new world of possibilities.

In my latest video I had the opportunity to review our latest upgrade in the shop - an Xtool S1 laser engraver. It's more powerful at 40w than our previous Atezr engraver which boasted 24w, however the main difference I would say, is the green cover.

With the cover down you can cut without having to wear glasses (which means other people can be in the shop as well in a more relaxed way), and there's a built in fan inside which will force the smoke and gases out wherever you position a hose.

There are other nice features in addition to this (great autofocus, selecting a precise area to engrave easily, safety features etc...) however the cover is actually my favorite.

Have you ever considered getting an engraver, or are you planning on upgrading? Either way I would check out XTool, right now they are having a trade in deal if you have a unit from a different brand, and you can get up to $500 in value towards a new machine.

I think one of my favorite aspects of using a laser engraver is just how fast it is to use. Whether you're prototyping or refining something, it's a lot faster than using a 3d printer, and a lot less setup than using a CNC.

Make sure to watch the video where I go over all the machine and what we've used it for.

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DIY Wireless Alert Boxes (with plans + parts)

You push a button on a box in one location, and it activates a light and a buzzer in another box. This is done over wifi, so you can place the boxes wherever you need them within that range. Where do you place them? One could be in your house, and the other in your workshop (so family members could contact you when needed), or you can put them in different rooms of the house… there are lots of options.

I’m using it so my kid (who doesn’t have a phone) can easily let me know when I’m working in the shop, and he needs me inside the house. It’s a pretty simple concept, yet very effective, and it can be used in a lot of ways. You could replace the button with different sensors, in which case the signaling box gets activated whenever a laser, temperature, pressure sensor is activated. In fact, you could build a whole little surveillance / alert system this way and make it as large or small as you wish.

So, what do you need to make this? We’re using two ESP32 micro controllers and some other basic electronics. We’re also building two boxes which we’re cutting out on a laser cutter, and of course we need code to get it all to work.

Here are the parts needed:

• ESP32 - https://amzn.to/3Q2VIb7

• Jumper Wires - https://amzn.to/3xrKW7F

• Wires - https://amzn.to/3vFiGOE

• Speaker - https://amzn.to/3xxJIrE

• Solderable BreadBoards - https://amzn.to/4cYTWBt

• Buttons - https://amzn.to/3Q3mNL7

• 1/8" Plywood - https://amzn.to/49zxCeX

• xtool S1 Laser - https://amzn.to/4cV00ee

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The Plan for the boxes
We have a plan for the lasercut boxes. In this digital download you’ll find the vcarve files, as well as PDF, AI, EPS, SVG & DXF formats. The plan costs $5, or it’s free if you’re a patron at the $5 level. Become a patron here.

The Code:

The code is divided up into two files, one for each device. Here you can download the code for free.

CLIENT FILE: Boot Client

SERVER FILE: Boot Server

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Video

To get a better perspective on the process, make sure to check out the video!

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Cheap & Efficient Garden Boxes

It's time to start thinking of garden projects! A raised garden bed is a great one since it brings the planting up (you don’t have to sit on the ground), you can control the quality of the soil, and it also looks really nice and can work as a divider in your garden.

For this project, we're going to go cheap and basic and resaw some 2x4s. I'm going to be using pressure treated wood which I will paint because it's what I had on hand, however you could just as easily use framing lumber.

In terms of buying wood, you need 58 ft of 1x4s which you can get from 29 ft of 2x4s if you resaw.

You also need 12 ft of 4x4 for the legs.

The finished planter measures 48 inches long by about 24 inches.

We have four legs, three boards on each side, two cleats and slats fen slats for the bottom.

Everything is connected with screws. The long sides wraps around the outside of the legs, the short sides on the inside.

Cutlist:

• #6 long sides out of 1x4: 3.5 x 48 inches

• #6 short sides out of 1x4s: 3.5 x 23.5 inches

• #4 legs out of 4x4s: 3.5 x 30 inches

• #2 cleats: 1.5 x 1.5 - 38 inches long

• #10 slats out of 1x4s: 3.5 x 23.5 inches

Method:

To start with, resaw the 2x4s if you’re working with that. Cut up all the pieces. Also, add a chamfer on all the edges on the legs for a nice look. I did a 33.9 degree angle about 5/8 inch from the top.

To connect the pieces together we’re going to be using screws.

The long sides go on the outside of the legs and the short sides on the inside. The cleat attaches to the bottom of the last rails and the slats rest upon those.

For a more in depth look as to how everything is connected, make sure to watch the video!

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