Tin Can + Wood = ?
I took a thin dollar-store can and wrapped it in thin wood strips, then added evenly spaced legs to turn it into a four-legged planter cover. It's a simple build, which made it a nice one to start with this week.
It Was Supposed to Be an Oval
Using a slide miter saw, I tried a cutting motion that was supposed to trace an oval. I figured I'd end up with an oval bowl-shaped hollow. Instead, moving the blade through that oval path made the cut surface shift in a much more complicated way than I expected, and what came out was something unintentional but genuinely beautiful. It was a happy accident, but I'm really happy with how the shape turned out. Sand it smooth and it's done.
Tapered Spline: A New Twist
After cutting a 45-degree miter joint, I tried adding a spline with an angled shape instead of a straight one. The wedge effect locks the joint together firmly. Trim off the excess and you're done.
Not Just a Heart
I made a heart-shaped box that closes. Since it's normally used open, as a tray, I didn't want a hinge sitting visibly in the middle. So I mounted a barrel hinge the opposite way from usual, hiding the pin when it's open. You can see the pin when it's closed, but I chose to prioritize how it looks in everyday use.
A Practical Two-Sided Corner Jig
Making a curved edge on a board usually means the hard part is making the first template. This time I used a piece of pipe instead, which made it easy to get a beautiful curve. It's simple enough that anyone can copy it.
A Portable Workbench, Rebuilt for the Benchtop
I took the vise that comes with a cheap workbench, attached a 2x4 to it, and sandwiched a thin board into the base so it could be clamped onto a stand. The result is a portable vise you can build very cheaply — a great option if you're just starting out.
A Simple Wall-Mounted Clothes Rack
I built a compact rack that holds four hangers, made from 2x4s. The materials are inexpensive, so it's an easy one to try for yourself.
A Note from Taku
Looking back on this week, there were a few moments where I chose the option that looked better over the one that worked better — the hinge on the heart box, the way I moved the miter saw. The more I keep making things and thinking them through, the more I run into shapes and techniques I never expected. There's always something new to find. I'd love it if you also read the comments on each video — what are you making this week? Thanks so much.
— Taku