Milling the dowel jig I always wanted MatthiasWandel 2024-05-28 | Milling a metal block in to a dowel jig for 3/8-inch dowels. Essentially a 3/8-inch drill guide with four holes, to be screwed to a block of wood which is then clamped to the workpiece. This will simplify some of the dowel joinery I often make.This is my first project using my homemade milling machine contraption. Far from perfect, but much better than trying to do this with a drill press.
Stomp catapult MatthiasWandel 2024-05-22 | A catapult without springs or weights, powered by kids stomping on it.Have been able to shoot small potatoes over 45 meters or 150 feet with it. Much further than a comparable size trebuchet ever would!Safe? Well, without springs or weights to power it, it can never go off by accident. But any contraption that throws something has some inherent risk to it.
Crushing tiny sawhorses MatthiasWandel 2024-05-19 | Testing some scale model sawhorses for strength using my strength testing machine.Craftwrigth's workshopyoutube.com/@CraftswrightSawhorse video: youtube.com/watch?v=LJucrdhjIZkMy sawhorseswoodgears.ca/sawhorseVideo: youtube.com/watch?v=DtizUSUgUG4
Milling metal with the wooden milling machine MatthiasWandel 2024-05-14 | Finally got a collet holder and collets to try milling some steel with my wooden milling machine contraption
Drilling / milling machine build MatthiasWandel 2024-04-30 | Building something between a drill press and milling machine, using lots of Chinese parts of various quality bought online.Gear program:woodgears.ca/gearBigPrint programwoodgears.ca/bigprint
Standing desk footprint reduction MatthiasWandel 2024-04-24 | Taking a Flexispot E2 standing desk and modifying it to be less wide and less deep to fit a small desk top in a tight space.Sponsored by FlexiSpotFlexiSpot C7 Premium Ergonomic ChairUse code ‘C730’ for $30 off on $400+ purchase on C7 ChairUSA: bit.ly/3R1cZkyCanada: bit.ly/3tkFodx
Cut *any* thread pitch on a metal lathe MatthiasWandel 2024-03-15 | The threading table for my Vevor metal lathe was very inaccurate, so I set about to come up with a much more accurate thread cutting table. With five gears that can be swapped out, It's possible to approximate any arbitrary thread pitch with surprising accuracy. I also tried making some wooden gears to explore the possibility of just making custom gears for it.I have uploaded my Python script and spreadsheets to github:github.com/Matthias-Wandel/lathe-thread-gearsMy gear program: woodgears.ca/gearVevor mini lathe: https://s.vevor.com/bfQKTC
Making a lens sphere curvature gauge MatthiasWandel 2024-03-07 | Wanting to measure the index of refraction of a lens, I made a curvature gauge. Making this required drilling some holes very precisely, and an X-Y table was very handy for this task.
Making shelves for my desk MatthiasWandel 2024-02-28 | Making some shelves for over my desk, attached to my desk, to get some of the clutter off the desk.Lots more shelf build projects on my website:woodgears.ca/shelves
YouTube channel got hacked: how, timeline, and recovery. MatthiasWandel 2024-01-31 | How I accidentally compromised my computer as a result of a social engineering attach, resulting in a session hijack attack on my main YouTube channel, timing of it, analysis, and recovery.My initial very short video about the hack:youtu.be/Bzys4SSNqhU
Blueberry boxes storage rack MatthiasWandel 2024-01-26 | We have a lot of these identical cardboard boxes from buying blueberries over the years. They are very handy for storing stuff in, so I made a rack to hold 24 of those.More storage solutions:http://woodgears.ca/storage
A different way to attach table legs MatthiasWandel 2024-01-21 | Building a table for the kids to do their crafts on, and a different way of attaching the table legs, without an "apron" around it. Simpler and leaves more room under the table, but makes it less stiff. But the hardwood trim helps to stiffen up the table top.More table builds:http://woodgears.ca/table
Why all the hate for Vevor? MatthiasWandel 2024-01-16 | Reflecting on my experience with Vevor, and how they are quite ok with honest reviews pointing out some of their flaws, and how that, surprisingly, may be a good marketing strategy.So far have two Vevor products. The lathe -- which after some tweaking, I'm happy with, and the milling table, which I bought. The lead screws on it are crap, but I'm actually thinking about buying a second one.
Vevor milling table cant get no precision! MatthiasWandel 2024-01-09 | Trying to get the wobble out of the lead screw advance on my Vevor milling table.This milling table doesn't cost a lot, but if you buy one, you are buying a project giving it the care and attention to detail that is lacking in the design and manufacture of this product.Having seen this video, Vevor emailed me:"I noticed that you created a vevor milling table, can you feature these product links?"US milling table https://s.vevor.com/bfQPkvCA milling table https://s.vevor.com/bfQPkJI bought the table myself, but I did get the mini lathe in a previous video for free, and they were ok with that video as well, even though I was quite critical of parts of it.
Lathe tool drawer for my mini lathe MatthiasWandel 2024-01-03 | Adding a drawer to the stand for my mini lathe so I can put it away easily together with the tools. I have already accumulated a few extra bits for the lathe, but hopefully I will be able to keep the accessories to a quantity that fits in the drawer.
How far will the chuck key fly? MatthiasWandel 2023-12-23 | An experiment that had to be done -- how far will a chuck key fly if left in the metal lathe chuck.Reminds me of my unsuccessful experiment of getting a shirt sucked into the table saw.youtube.com/watch?v=UeQzIzj3j_QMore about the metal lathe:youtu.be/oxQTtV91KIwLeaving the chuck key makes for more viewer enagement:youtu.be/goD9NTTflpI
I finally got a metal lathe MatthiasWandel 2023-12-19 | I finally got myself a metal lathe, making some parts for my strength testing machine with it, and going over issues with it.Metal lathe in this video: https://s.vevor.com/bfQKTCDiscount Code VVSALE5 (5% off)
Bamboo skewers stronger than pocket holes? Dowels vs. screws. MatthiasWandel 2023-11-28 | Testing right angle joints using screws into the end grain, pocket holes, and different size of dowels.
How much weight can a standing desk lift? (FlexiSpot E8) MatthiasWandel 2023-11-22 | Testing how much weight a FlexiSpot E8 standing desk can lift. Surprisingly much, it turns out, and I used it as a gantry crane too! Not a recommended use of standing desk frames.FlexiSpot Amazon Black Friday Deals, up to 70% offFor Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Nov 24 and 27), FlexiSpot will randomly select some customer orders and give full refunds (free product)USA: amzn.to/3QszqPi Canada: amzn.to/47ny6UB #blackfriday #amazon #standingdesk #flexispot
Simple camera or phone aiming platform (replaces tripod) MatthiasWandel 2023-11-03 | A very simple platform that allows for easy aiming of a camera or phone, based on the idea of a ball and socket joint.If you want plans, see the dimensions for it near the end of the video.
Yanking screws out of wood to test for strength MatthiasWandel 2023-10-28 | Modifying my strength testing machine for pull (tensile) tests.Then using the machine to test how well wood screws hold in wood against pull out.Also testing head pull through force and effect of pilot hole size on how well the screw holds.
Wooden project box for electronics MatthiasWandel 2023-10-13 | Building a wooden enclosure for a simple micro controller project.The project just changes the color of the built in light as a subtle reminderof time for counseling sessions for my brother in law. This is inspired by timeqube.com (no affiliation).Video about the electronics:youtu.be/6fzNHR834_EMy other YouTube channel:youtube.com/channel/UC3_AWXcf2K3l9ILVuQe-XwQ
Homemade vs. store bought edge clamps MatthiasWandel 2023-10-05 | More testing on Marius's edge clamps vs. the expensive Bessey edge clamps.Testing force applied with a jig and a load cell, friction limits of the cams, and practicality of edge clamps for some applications.
Six standing desk drawers MatthiasWandel 2023-09-26 | Standing desks present a problem for adding drawers. The mechanism limits how deep the drawers can be. I came up with a drawer with a second set of slides further down so that the drawer can be pulled out most of the way, enabling maximum utility for the depth available.-------------------------------------------------------------STANDING DESK AFFILIATE LINKSE7Pro standing desk (the one in my workshop)bit.ly/MatthiasUSbit.ly/MatthiasCANMore economic standing desks (desks or frame only) for smaller desks:bit.ly/matthias_fsOr buy on Amazon. USA: amzn.to/3EGPdECCanada: bit.ly/3zv7ceQBuy the whole desk: amzn.to/3MeADJG-------------------------------------------HOMEMADE MACHINESScrew advance box joint jig:woodgears.ca/box_joint/jig.htmlTilting router lift:woodgears.ca/router_liftEdge belt sander:woodgears.ca/belt_sander26" bandsawwoodgears.ca/big_bandsaw/26in.html
Announcing live stream with Marius Hornberger MatthiasWandel 2023-09-17 | Marius's live streamyoutube.com/watch?v=T_mj94wz2F8
Testing joinery for edge clamps: collab with Marius Hornberger MatthiasWandel 2023-09-09 | Marius Hornberger wanted to know what type of joinery was best for his edge clamps, so he sent some samples for me to test on my joint strength tester. But it wasn't as straightforward as we had anticipated.Marius's video: youtu.be/OhwSUWqCCso
Bessey edge clamp vs. F-clamp and wedge hack MatthiasWandel 2023-08-23 | I bought one of those expensive Bessey edge clamps. A very solidly built clamp, but just as awkward to use as my f-clamp and wedge type hack.But in a pull off test in my strength testing machine, it held on impressively well.
How standing desk legs actually work MatthiasWandel 2023-07-18 | Investigating how separately motorized standing desk legs stay in sync even with very uneven loads, then dissecting a 3-segment standing desk leg to figure out how it actually works.E7Pro standing desk:bit.ly/MatthiasUSbit.ly/MatthiasCANMore economic standing desks (desks or frame only) for smaller desks:bit.ly/matthias_fsOr buy on Amazon. USA: amzn.to/3EGPdECCanada: bit.ly/3zv7ceQBuy the whole desk: amzn.to/3MeADJG
Pin boards together with bamboo skewers / standing desk MatthiasWandel 2023-05-30 | Joining pieces of wood that aren't quite straight, using bamboo skewers to reinforce and force alignment. This to build the top for a standing desk frame. Ordering the frame without the top is usually about $70 USD less.Standing desk frame (affiliate link USA only)bit.ly/3zv7ceQ Same frame, with desk topamzn.to/3MeADJGMore standing desks from Flexispot:USA: amzn.to/3zfBHoRCanada: amzn.to/3lNGvyLYou can also go to flexispot.com if the affiliate links show out of stock.
Fixing broken pedestal table legs MatthiasWandel 2023-05-12 | Fixing broken legs on a pedestal table. This style of table is kind of a faulty design and often breaks, where the legs meet the column, and the curved legs themselves often split apart along the wood grain
Trash picked dresser fix and new drawer MatthiasWandel 2023-05-05 | Fixing a dresser I picked up off the curb because it was made of solid wood, not particle board.The drawers had mostly come apart, and it was missing one. I also disassembled the carcas so I could glue the joinery, instead of relying just on knock-down fasteners.So much less work to fix this than to make a new one.
Architect lamp pedestal base MatthiasWandel 2023-04-17 | Using a swing-arm style architect lamp for a nightstand. The lamp needed to be raised up a bit more, so instead of using the flimsy base it comes with, I made a pedestal base that mounts on the nightstand to bring it to a good height.
Standing desk using a motorized frame MatthiasWandel 2023-03-29 | I bought an inexpensive motorized standing desk frame and built a standing desk from it. The video wasn't sponsored, but having built the desk, I was positively impressed with the solidity of the Flexispot standing desk frame, especially considering the price. I imagine the two-part telescoping legs, as opposed to 3-part telescoping have much to do with it,and with some adjustments I was able to make it go low enough for my needs,yet still go too high for even my tallest friend.So here is an affiliate link for the standing desk frame I used:bit.ly/3zv7ceQ Same frame, with desk topamzn.to/3MeADJGMore standing desks from Flexispot:USA: amzn.to/3zfBHoRCanada: amzn.to/3lNGvyL
Keyboard IN the drawer, not a keyboard drawer MatthiasWandel 2023-03-11 | Making some drawers for a small desk. I figured having keyboard in one of the drawers would be very useful, but I wanted the drawer to also be usable as a drawer, so its a drawer with a keyboard in it.
Hose cuff twisting on machine MatthiasWandel 2023-03-03 | A contraption Mac Sheldon asked me to come up with to help assemble dust collector hoses for pahtorouters. With thousands of hoses to do, simplifying one step is worth the trouble.This is for the metal pantorouters that Mac Sheldon sells at:pantorouter.com
Wooden kids sword, quickie project MatthiasWandel 2023-02-27 | Made 3 of these before with the kids in the shop. These don't take long to make, so I thought I'd make another one to show how it goes together.
Threaded broomstick from hardwood MatthiasWandel 2023-02-14 | Making a replacement broom stick out of hardwood. First making a 7/8" (22 mm)dowel, then a thread on the end. Hand filed the thread, that took 15 minutes, less time than figuring out how to set up a machine to do it.
Cabinet from junky drawers and junk for storing junk MatthiasWandel 2023-01-19 | Using some terrible old desk drawers and recycled material to make a rough cabinet for storing miscellaneous junk
Mitten dryer MatthiasWandel 2023-01-13 | Building a contraption to blow air into mittens so they dry faster without having to turn them inside out. The kids get a lot of mittens wet!
I screw up more than I used to MatthiasWandel 2022-12-19 | Talking about woodworking videos and screwing up. Yes, I screw up more than I used to. But more than that, I show more screw-ups than I used to because I think they make the videos more entertaining. Going over the dresser I built and showing stuff I screwed up.This relating to the dresser I finished recently:youtu.be/OE4JhvynKzw
Dresser build MatthiasWandel 2022-12-15 | Building a dresser for the 5 drawers that I built in a previous video.Previous dresser build from 2014:http://woodgears.ca/dresser/7-drawer.html
Bar clamp extender for when my longest clamps arent long enough MatthiasWandel 2022-12-07 | Building a contraption to hook onto the end of a regular F-style bar clamp to give it more reach.
Making drawers for a dresser MatthiasWandel 2022-11-29 | making the drawers for a dresser.I often like to build the drawers first, I find it easier to size the cabinet to the drawers than the drawers to the cabinet.A previous dresser build: http://woodgears.ca/dresser/7-drawer.html
Building two small desks MatthiasWandel 2022-11-17 | Building a small desk for our 7-year old, and a worktable for me for electronics, both nearly the same design. But lots of little screw-ups during the build. and a cameo appearance by a real camera man from CBC!
Table built in an hour MatthiasWandel 2022-10-25 | A really quick table build on a Saturday, for my brother in law.I didn't even take the time to set up a camera, so I just used images from timelapses I captured with my imgcomp program. This worked surprisingly well.github.com/Matthias-Wandel/imgcomp
Clever little miter doweling jig MatthiasWandel 2022-10-17 | A simple jig that's easy to make so it lines up miter joints properly with dowels.Another picture frame build:http://woodgears.ca/frame/picture_frame.htmlMore about doweling:http://woodgears.ca/frame/dowel.html
Designing segmented Knapp-joint templates for the pantorouter MatthiasWandel 2022-10-12 | Sponsored by PCBWay.com. $5 off your 1st order with this link:pcbway.com/setinvite.aspx?inviteid=599997PCBWay.com does 3d printing, CNC machining and PCBs and PCB assemblies.Iterating through a design for a segmented Knapp-joint template for the pantorouter. This is work I was doing for Mac Sheldon (pantorouter.com). He plans on offering knapp joint templates for sale in a few months time. Getting production tooling made for injection molding these takes time.Previous knapp joint template work: woodgears.ca/box/knapp.html
How strong is plywood, MDF, OSB, particle board vs. solid wood MatthiasWandel 2022-09-22 | Testing some samples of plywood, Baltic birch (Russian birch), MDF, particle board and OSB. Also testing these against pine and birch.More about my wood strength testing machine at:http://woodgears.ca/wood_strength
Tray with locking flip-up handle MatthiasWandel 2022-09-16 | A tray with a flip up handle that has a wooden latch to keep it up.http://woodgears.ca/kitchen/ramekin_tray.htmlI built this in 2014, uploaded the video, but realized too late it was a low res test render, and re-uploading right away jinxes the algorithm. Re-uploaded a full res version in 2016, but some time in late 2021, YoTube managed to screw up the audio sync on it. So this was an opportunity to re-edit it, 8 minutes down to 5, and publish it again.
Bamboo skewers as 5mm dowels. Any good? MatthiasWandel 2022-09-09 | Looking into using 5 mm thick bamboo shish kabob skewers as dowels, testing strength and how well they hold glued into a hole. These don't cost very much so are a good alternative to using dowels.More about using dowels at: http://woodgears.ca/dowel
