Rex Krueger

Exclusive Video: Table Build-Along Pt. 7

Friends:

Just a short video this week. As we get into the legs, it's worth planning your stock selection a little bit. It's very easy to glue up leg blanks that are too big and then spend a ton of time dimensioning them to the correct size.

In today's video, I go over a bunch of options for getting that leg stock together. A little foresight here will save a bunch of time later. ...

Build-Along Series, Part 6

Friends:

Now that we've ripped out our apron stock, it's time to plane it up. That's four pieces and it could take a long time, but we're going to be as efficient as possible by doing the minimum work. In this video, I focus on the most difficult piece of apron stock to show you all the problems you might have. The other 3 pieces were much quicker.

Stop by the 2024-07-24 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post

Patron Version Video: Furniture Forensics with a Buck Board Bench

Friends:

Furniture Forensics returns!! 

Today, we have a fascinating piece of furniture made from an authentic American farm wagon. The "buck board bench" is actually a popular regional style that's still being built today. (Don't feel bad if you had never heard of it; I hadn't either.)

This bench is filled with interesting details and surprises and of c...

Build-Along Part 5

Friends:

In today's installment of the build-along series, we'll saw out the apron stock. I've got a bunch of tips for doing these rips cuts and making the most of a small board.

If you're building one of these (and I hope you are) don't forget to stop by the forum thread...

Early Access Video: Don't Be Pro

Friends:

We all hear a lot of talk about "how the pros do it." YouTube is filled with tips that help you to be more "pro."

But is that really a good idea?

Today, I take on the idea that pros are better woodworkers. I also get into the myths around professional woodworking and what happens when you make your hobby your profession.

I'm joined by Brad from 2024-07-13 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post

Build-Along Series Part 4

Friends:

Welcome to the Shaker Table Build-Along, Part 4. Today, we'll prepare the boards for the top and glue them up. It's a simple operation, but there are always a few tips to help out new builders.

If you're following along with this series, don't forget to drop by the 2024-07-10 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post

Patron Version Video: Who Needs Plans?

Friends:

Last week's medical drama has cooled down quite a bit. The little girl got a new liver (courtesy of her Aunt, who gave her a piece) and she is improving slowly but steadily. Her kidney function is stronger and her clotting is better. Things are moving in the right direction.

A warm and grateful thanks to everyone for their words of support and kindness during the ordeal. ...

Build-Along Series Part 3

Friends:

It's time to get back to our EXCLUSIVE Patron build-along series. Today, we'll pick the wood and when I see you next, it will be time to get building.

I recorded this video on a Go-Pro Camera, so the sound is a little off. I'll use the mic next time.

Thanks so much for your support. You make this content possible!

See you next week!

--Rex

Sudden Medical Drama (Don't Panic)

Friends:

There has been a medical emergency in my extended family. My wife and daughter are just fine, but another family member has a newborn who just received an emergency liver transplant and experimental drugs to fight a life-threatening viral infection.

Things have been utterly crazy. I've been looking after another child (who has unrelated pneumonia), doing...

Table Build-Along, Part 2

Friends:

It's time to go over the tools we need for our simple Shaker table. The video covers everything, but here are some links to tools you might want. I used my affiliate account to make the links because affiliate links are nice and short.

Saws from my recent video: 
Bad Axe No. 9: https...

Behind the Scenes: Grinders for the Wood Shop

Friends:

I'm in the middle of a big video on grinders for the wood shop. I see a LOT of misinformation about grinding tools. People say you can't do it on a high-speed grinder. They say you'll ruin your tools. They see you NEED slow-speed, or water-cooled, or CBM wheels.

Hogwash!

We're going to get down to ground truth on grinders for chisels and plane irons. Along the way, ...

Patron Exclusive Series: The Build-Along Series

Friends:

We've decided to do an all new series. Instead of building a project and then sharing it, we're going to build a project in tiny little bits so that anyone can follow along in real time.

It's a whole new thing and we're really excited. All the details are in the video. The plans are attached to this post and you can see them on the forum here: 2024-06-22 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post

Free, Exclusive Plans: The Riving Brake

Friends:

In our most recent video on the greenwood chair, you might have seen Rob and I using a neat little riving brake made from construction lumber and black pipe. It's a genius design; small enough to be easily stored, but you stand on it to get the leverage you need. The design comes to us via Sam Beauford, who has a respected woodworking school. Rob took a class there and learned a...

Free Plans: The Greenwood Kiln

Friends:

In our most recent video, Rob and I built a kiln out of stuff you can buy down at the Big Box store. It was a quick project and it's ready to receive our chair rungs (which we're finishing up tomorrow, I hope).

Everyone else pays for these detailed, full-color plans, but Patrons get them FREE. It's the least we can do for the community.

No, wait, w...

Patron Version Video: Making and Drying Chair Rungs

Friends:

The chair-building saga continues! We're far, far away from that green log we started with. Rob and I now have real chair parts and we need to dry them. So, we built a kiln!

It's easier than it sounds. The whole thing is made from inexpensive foam from the big-box store, a light bulb, and a few odds and ends. By the end of the video, we're ready to load up chair rungs and ...

Free Plans: Father's Day Tool Tote

Friends:

Here are the plans for the Father's Day Tool Tote. As a public service on this holiday, we're making the plans free to everyone, but Patrons still get them early. (They're attached to this post.)

If anyone builds this, I would love to see it!

--Rex

Patron Version Video: The Father's Day Tool Tote

Friends:

It’s just about Father’s Day and we’re celebrating with a special project!

I found a great traditional tool tote and I’ve recreated it so you can make it with your Dad, make it for your Dad, or maybe you are the Dad and you want to make it with your kid. No matter how you want to make it, we’ve got you covered. This full build video covers all the detail...

Early Access Video: How to (actually) saw straight.

Friends:

I've learned from YouTube comments--and even some forum posts--that precision sawing is a struggle for many woodworkers. It's even a problem for folks who have been in the craft for a while. When it's just you and the saw, there are no jig or guides. You have to make that saw track straight.

In the years I've been doing this, I've learned (and maybe ...

Early Access Video: My Hardest Restoration EVER!

Friends:

This was an unexpected challenge. I agreed to take this plane sight-unseen and fix it up. I thought it just needed a little tune-up. Boy, was I wrong! This plane was fixable, but just barely.

But I know a lot of you are struggling with that first hand plane restoration and this video has tips for tools in REALLY bad shape. If you've got a clunker, this video is for you. 2024-05-18 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post

Patron Version Video: Greenwood Chair Legs

Friends:

Welcome back to our multi-part series in building a greenwood chair straight from the log! In this installment, Rob and I are tackling the front "posts." (Regular people call them legs.)

This means lots of draw-knife and shavehorse work. For the first time, we're making finished chair components. These are going straight into the final chair, so the pressure is on to do c...

Free Plans: The Craftsman Table

Friends:

It's been a long road, but the Craftsman Table is done and I've got some plans for you. These plans also include the shop-made spokeshave.

If you're looking for older plans, they're right here on the Plans Archive.

All those plans are FREE, but only for Patrons.

T...

Early Access Video: Craftsman Table Pt3

Friends:

It's been a long road (much longer than expected), but our "live" build of the Craftsman Table has finally come to an end. In this part, I make a perfectly round top using only standard tools; not even a coping saw! It's easier than it looks, but it's not quick. Even I yearned for the bandsaw by the end.

We also tidy up and assemble the finished table.

As ...