Small Projects

Desktop Clock

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:45:08 GMT

This desktop clock holds a secret, and its construction involves a few secrets as well. The case is made from 1/2-in.-thick mahogany plywood. You won’t find this at most lumberyards, but you can make your own by gluing together two layers of 1/4-in. plywood.

For more on how to build this desktop clock, please visit out blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/09/02/Small-Clock.aspx).

Stowaway Bench

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:44:25 GMT

This country-style stowaway bench will cut the clutter by the door and serve as a resting spot to put on your shoes. The lid opens up to reveal a handy storage area. At only 11-in. wide by 44-in. long, it neatly fits in an entryway or mudroom. And it’s simple enough to be a good weekend project.

Nesting Trays

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:43:08 GMT

Here’s your chance to cut lots of corners and still get great-looking results. These sturdy nesting trays are easy to build, thanks to their simple box joints and template-routed curves. You don’t need a super-equipped shop, just a tablesaw with a dado set, a router table and a drill press.

For more on how to build these nesting trays, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/11/03/nesting-trays.aspx).

Hallway Mirror

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:41:44 GMT

My front hallway is the most heavily traveled, and usually the most cluttered, space in my home. Keys are tossed here and there, notes are scattered and the mail keeps getting lost. Tired of misplacing small but important items, I found a decorative way to keep everything together and organized with this hallway mirror.

For more on how to make this hallway mirror, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/09/29/hallway-mirror.aspx).

Sliding Bookrack

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:40:34 GMT

I’ve always admired the work of Greene & Greene, two architects who designed Arts & Crafts homes and furnishings in the early 20th century. Their detailing is exquisite. I love the softened edges, pegged joinery, square motifs and overall lightness of their work. When I needed bookends to hold some special volumes, I turned to these gifted artists for inspiration - like in the case of this sliding bookrack.

For more on how to build this sliding bookrack, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2011/05/24/ws-sliding-bookrack.aspx).

3 Router Made Pictures Frames

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:39:05 GMT

Your router table is the perfect tool for making an almost limitless variety of picture frames. The problem is that with so many router bits and possible combination of bits, where do you start? The three picture-frame profiles in this article are a good beginning. With the exception of the final profile, all use common router bits. Each of these frames illustrates a basic technique; use them as springboards for your own unique creations.

For more on how to make one of these 3 router made picture frames, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/10/20/3-router-made-picture-frames.aspx).

Treasured Wood Jewelry Box

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:37:29 GMT

I’ll bet somewhere in the dark recesses of your shop you’ve squirreled away a small piece of special wood, just waiting for the right project. No doubt you’ve saved it to become the centerpiece of something well-crafted, small in scale and novel in design. This treasured wood jewelry box is the perfect project to showcase that dusty board.

Steam Bent Music Stand

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:33:09 GMT

This steam bent music stand requires only five board feet of lumber, but I recommend buying at least four times as much, so you can practice and refine your bending techniques. I resawed 8/4 stock to make all the parts.

For more on how to build this steam bent music stand, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/07/09/steam-bent-music-stand.aspx).

Craftsman Frame

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:31:08 GMT

Picture craftsman frames are pretty easy to make, except when it comes to putting the pieces together. Getting four mitered corners perfectly cut and glued can drive you batty! This frame uses a simpler approach—the half-lap, a traditional furniture maker’s joint. It’s very easy to make on the tablesaw and resembles a much more complicated mortise-and-tenon joint.

For more on how to build these craftsman frames, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/01/29/Craftsman-Frame.aspx).

Keepsake Boxes

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:29:09 GMT

As the holidays approach, my thoughts turn to how I can weasel out of gift shopping. And this year I have the perfect scheme: While the malls are jammed with poor saps, I’ll be in my shop blissfully building these keepsake boxes for everyone on my list.

For more on how to build these keepsake boxes, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/02/20/keepsake-box.aspx).

Speaker Stand with Hidden Storage

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:27:14 GMT

Don't you love hearing great sound with your movies at home? A pair of these oak speaker stands with hidden storage puts today's small speakers at the ideal height—3 ft. above the floor. We've built cabinets under the speakers that hold a total of 60 DVDs behind secret doors. And we've tucked the the speaker wires out of sight—they run inside the stands.

For more on how to build these speaker stands with hidden storage, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/09/04/Speaker-Stand.aspx).

Floating Shelves

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:24:00 GMT

Some time ago, an Ace Hardware ad in American Woodworker sparked a surprising number of inquiries from readers. They all wanted to know how to build the cool-looking floating shelves that appeared in the background. We liked the shelves, too.

For more on how to build these floating shelves, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/11/30/floating-shelves.aspx).

Cube In A Cube

AWTania — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:22:19 GMT

“I'm a carver. I've always admired whittled curiosities like balls trapped inside a cage, but never wanted to spend the time to make them. I figured there must be some way to make a similar object with a drill press. Kids play with it like a toy, but it drives adults nuts. They think it's a puzzle. They're sure there's some way to get the little cube out of the big cube. You can't.”

For more on how to make this cube in a cube project, please visit our blog (http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2007/07/24/Cube-In-A-Cube.aspx).