This week, six projects worth sharing — proof that a small adjustment can solve a surprisingly big problem.
The Perfect Joint?
My first attempt used a nail to transfer the joint's position, but it came out slightly off. For the second try, I cut away the misaligned piece and used it as the guide instead — this time the joint fit perfectly.
Can This Idea Cut Straight Grooves?
I wanted to see if a jig could let me start a straight groove from anywhere along a board's edge. Freehand, it's tricky — with the jig, I got close to a straight line, though marking a guideline first and adjusting as I went worked best. Not the finished idea yet — more to come.
Two Rulers, One Marking Gauge
I built a marking gauge that holds two measurements at once. Two-beam gauges aren't new, but I hadn't seen one where two steel rulers sit flush and slide independently. That lets me switch between two measurements from the same reference face instantly, and the fence riding the material's edge keeps lines straighter than a single ruler alone.
How to Fit a Japanese Hammer Handle
A traditional Japanese hammer (genno) handle is fitted without a wedge — shaved slightly oversized and driven in by force, usually stopping around 80% so there's room to tighten later. This time, after oiling and driving it in, it went in further than planned — almost flush. A genno is a lifetime tool, and fitting this one was genuinely enjoyable.
Compact Box Joint Jig for a Router
I built a compact box joint jig for a standard handheld router. The key: keep the guide width and the bit-to-guide distance equal to the bit's diameter, using a bearing-guided bit against the jig. Simple setup, great results — full build coming later. Box joints look intimidating, but this method makes them approachable, even for small-batch DIY runs.
Simple Wooden Salt & Pepper Shakers
I made simple wooden salt and pepper shakers — just a deep bored hole plugged with cork at the bottom, 3mm for pepper and 1.5mm for salt, made mostly on the drill press. I like designs with nothing extra; simple things tend to age well. Pepper shaker is cherry, salt shaker is maple.
A Note from Taku
This was a week of trying things out — imagining jigs and methods you could easily copy at home. A few videos ended with "more on this build later"; if one caught your eye, just hit reply and let us know, plan requests included.
— Taku and Masa
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