The Shop - 2026

My 24"x48" CNC made by CNC Parts, which now known as AVID purchased in 2014.

Stack of lumber I've accumulated over the past 43 years. I contains Mesquite, Hickory, White & Red Oak, Mahogany, Ash, Maple and Cherry. Next to this lumber is a stack of strapping or furring strips to be used for the ceiling, and next to that is pine box store lumber.

Jet lathe with an extension. This is my second lathe to own.

Another view of my 24"x48" CNC Parts (AVID) CNC.

My bench grinder, Mini-Mill and Mini-Machine Lathe.

Building My Continuous Arm Windsor Chairs

A Ten-Year Woodworking Journey

Finished Continuous Arm Windsor Chair

Curtis Buchanan and I in Jonesborough, TN in October 2025.

Chairs around the table I completed in 2013.

In 2013, I designed and built a kitchen table inspired by one I had seen in the movie "Julie & Julia". Once the table was finished, I realized it needed some chairs to go with it. I had always admired traditional Windsor chairs, and I particularly fell in love with the elegant design of the Continuous Arm Windsor Chair.

During my research, I discovered the plans and instructional videos offered by renowned Windsor chairmaker Curtis Buchanan. His plans appeared to present quite a challenge, and as I soon discovered, they would test my woodworking skills in ways I hadn't anticipated. What began as a relatively straightforward furniture project eventually became a ten-year woodworking adventure. There were plenty of challenges, a few mistakes, some creative solutions, and even an excuse or two to acquire new tools. Despite the long journey, I am extremely pleased with the results.

Wooden Canteen

 This is a reproduction of a Revolutionary War Wooden Canteen that was designed more for functionality rather than period accuracy.  As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Color Guard, I desired a canteen that could hold water and be sanitized, and in my opinion the best way to accomplish this task was to use some sort of plastic container.  After searching the internet, I discovered the Boy Scouts of America 59 ounce Polyethylene Canteen.  Next, I designed a wooden canteen around the design detailed in the article Building a Wooden Canteen for your Uniform Kit, by Rick Laws - August 2022 in Popular Woodworking.  Another source for this information can be found on Instructables, Wooden Stave Canteen, and it contains a PDF copy of the previous article.  If I'm not mistaken, the Instructables project is by the original author, Rick Laws.

Building a Wooden Canteen for your Uniform Kit.pdf

Quilts by Susan Kirby

Drill Press Laser Guide

 

This a Laser Guide for my Drill Press which projects a cross-hair where the drill bit will contact the work piece. I designed this project in Fusion 360 and printed it on my Prusa MK3 3D Printer.

Instructions for this project can be found at Drill Press Laser Guide.

Remote CNC Stop and Monitor

This project provides an inexpensive means of remotely performing a STOP (ALT+S) to Mach3. This is accomplished with a Raspberry Pi (RPi) + Camera connected to a PC via a USB cable. Monitoring and activating the STOP on the CNC is done with a video streaming web application running on the RPi. Using this solution should be done at your own risk. I highly recommend contacting the manufacturer of your CNC, and purchase and install the recommended remote emergency stop specified.

Full instruction can be found at Remote CNC Stop and Monitor.

Note: This is not the same as an Emergency Stop (EStop) wired into your CNC control panel, but the execution of a hotkey to perform a STOP of Mach3.

Woodturning Live Center with Collet Chuck and Drawbar

Live Center with Collet Chuck and Drawbar holding a spindle.

Turning long slender spindles on a wood lathe is a challenging task which can result in poor finishes due to vibration and chatter. Results can be improved when the stock is stiffened to reduce work piece deflection from tool pressure or compressive forces from the tailstock. Steady rest can provide this support, but are not practical when using a lathe duplicator. One method of stiffening the work piece is to hold it firmly on both ends and place it in tension. As a result, longer and thinner spindles can be turned with better results.

My solution for holding work pieces in tension combines a Chuck with Spigot Jaws on the headstock with a Collet Chuck, Live Center and Drawbar on the tailstock.

Instructions for this technique can be found at Woodturning Slender Spindles.

Digital Vacuum Regulator

This is a Veneer Vacuum Press (Vacuum Pump) which has been modified with a Digital Vacuum Regulator to operate with a selectable vacuum pressure. This device is a replacement for the Vacuum Controller in my DIY Veneer Vacuum Press built with plans from VeneerSupplies.com or JoeWoodworking.com. These are great plans and the pumps operate very satisfactorily as designed. However, I'm a tinkerer, and I wanted to enhance my pump with the ability to easily and readily control the pressure settings (without a screw driver) over a wider range of pressures with a digitally controlled regulator.

Instructions for the project can be found at Digital Vacuum Regulator on Instructables.