Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Butterfly Keys in Woodworking: Everything You Need to Know

In woodworking, the terms "bowtie” and "butterfly key" are often used interchangeably to describe a small, hourglass-shaped piece of wood used to reinforce cracks or join pieces of wood together. Despite their different names, both serve the same purpose: providing structural support and adding a decorative element to woodworking projects.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

How to Build a Three-Way Miter Joint

Hey there, woodworking enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the world of three-way miter joints—a super cool and visually stunning way to join three pieces of wood. I used this joint for creating the base of a cabinet hutch, giving it a sleek and modern look. Before we dive into the how-to, let's chat about why 3-way miter joints are awesome.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Ebonizing Wood with Quebracho Tea and Iron Acetate for the Blackest of Blacks

I am going to go over a particularly neat method to achieve that rich, dark finish: using quebracho tea and iron acetate. It’s not only cool but also kinder to the planet. Quebracho comes loaded with tannins, and when you mix it up with some homemade iron acetate (don't worry, it’s just steel wool and vinegar), you get a natural black stain that’s seriously durable and absolutely gorgeous.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Essential Tips for Building Better Cabinetry

I’ll show you everything you need to know about building a cabinet. In part 1 of this series, I go over how to build the cabinet carcass from hardwood. For this one, I used both white oak and walnut. Follow along with the series to see the whole cabinet system come together.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building a Kamado Grill Station

So today, I’ll delve into the intricacies of building a grill station crafted from Sapele and Eucalyptus hardwoods meticulously designed to accommodate a Kamado grill. From selecting the best wood for outdoor use to mastering mortise and tenon joinery techniques, and ensuring proper water drainage, every aspect of this project is aimed at achieving durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building a Unique Console Table

This piece combines the beauty of walnut and white oak hardwood, delivering a striking contrast. I've also incorporated some pretty advanced woodworking techniques to make it quite unique. From dovetailed drawers, to inlays, and even custom-made brass drawer pulls, this project pushed the boundaries of craftsmanship.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building Free-Standing Cabinets Like a Pro

When it comes to cabinets, the decision between plywood and hardwood is pivotal. Plywood, with its layers of thin wood pieces glued together, offers stability against warping—ideal for the cabinet’s body and shelves. Hardwood, on the other hand, introduces the charm of natural wood grain and is best suited for the front face of the cabinet, delivering a beautiful and sturdy surface.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Custom Tool Wall Vs. French Cleat Wall

I am not a big fan of the French cleat tool wall. It doesn’t allow for a tight layout and takes up more space than it saves in most cases. So, with that in mind, I decided to create custom hanging solutions for each of my layout tools.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building a Dining Table - The Heart of a Home

In keeping with this modern style, I wanted the table top to appear to be floating. To achieve this, I designed the table legs to go through the top of the table, exposing the end grain. This allows for the table legs to extend past the threshold of the table top and reinforces the elegance of the profile.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Crafting a Wooden Backgammon Board 

Imagine infusing your personality and creativity into this timeless game by crafting your very own Backgammon board. This project aims to guide you through the rewarding process of constructing a wooden Backgammon board and adding a personalized touch with a custom screen-printed design. Not only will you create a functional game board, but you'll also have a unique piece of art that reflects your style and flair.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Weatherproofing Wood: A Guide to Applying Wood Veneer with Epoxy

One of the significant advantages of using wood veneer is its ability to create stunning visuals while minimizing the cost of using solid wood. Veneer is also more environmentally friendly, as it maximizes the use of a single log by creating multiple sheets, reducing waste. Additionally, its thinness makes it highly flexible and easy to apply, making it an ideal choice for weatherproofing wood surfaces with epoxy on plywood, as we will explore in this guide.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building Knockdown Furniture

Knockdown furniture is the epitome of versatility as it is designed to be effortlessly assembled and disassembled. Its modular nature not only simplifies transportation but also ensures convenient storage. Picture the convenience of Ikea furniture but with an upgraded quality that guarantees durability and style.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Pros and Cons of Building Plywood Furniture

Are you on the fence about using plywood to build custom furniture? From sleek and stylish dining room tables, headboards to sideboards, plywood can be an affordable and durable choice for furniture projects.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Woodworkers Are Afraid of Building Chairs, but Why?

Building a chair can be a daunting task for many woodworkers. It requires a lot of precision and can be dangerous if not done correctly. Chairs are made up of many different parts, and each part must be the correct size and shape in order for the chair to look good and be both stable and comfortable. If parts are not made correctly, the chair could collapse or be uncomfortable, which is a major problem.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Super Mario Sound Diffuser Panels

I built sound diffuser panels using characters from Super Mario Bros. on NES. I made the sound diffuser art using 6 different types of wood and this woodworking project required me to cut over 1200 wooden blocks.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building a Modern Headboard with Stopped Dados

Today I’m going show you how to build a modern headboard. For this woodworking project, I used stopped dados and walnut hardwood to create a seamless 3D wave design. The organic feel in the wooden waves was achieved by using a combination of a bandsaw, spokeshave, and some other hand tools.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building a Modern Clock with Compound Miters and Bevels

If you're looking for a challenging woodworking project, why not try your hand at building a clock? Using compound miters and compound bevel cuts will add an extra level of difficulty to the project, but the end result will be a beautiful and unique clock that you can be proud of. My Modern Clock was inspired by George Nelson - the Father Time of mid-century modern clocks. And with the help of a few unique table saw jigs and some math, I was able to achieve the angles and bevels that give this clock the attention it deserves.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building an Outdoor Side Table for my Chaise Lounge

This side table is great beginner woodworking project, and it can be completed in a weekend. With a sleek design and durable construction, this side table is a great accompaniment to the chaise lounge that I built last year. As with all outdoor furniture, choosing a durable and rot resistant type of wood is imperative. So, for this project I went with cypress because of its durability in lasting outdoors and of course to match the chaise.

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Shane Mitchell Shane Mitchell

Building Modern Planter Boxes for My Front Porch

Building planter boxes is a great way to add some curb appeal to your home. And not only do these look amazing, but they can also be used to hold plants or other decorations. These modern planter boxes are sure to make your home stand out!

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