Why Colin Knecht Quit Using Pallet Wood

Read Time: 5 mins

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Many, many years ago I worked next door to a business that sold ceramic tiles that they imported from all over the world. Of course, these tiles came in on pallets, and sometimes there were some exotic and gorgeous woods that they used. Yes, it was still not very good wood, but some of it was salvageable.

Watch it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/EJhxFfQ0DQ8

Easy Dovetail Drawers with a Wood Router Jig

Read Time: 4 mins

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I always found making drawers to be fun, but there is controversy in drawers too. The way I make them is what I was taught was traditional, but sometimes I sway from that based on the size of the drawer and what it's use is.  

Watch it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/rOaZarYZNOc

Making drawers is really just making boxes, fancy boxes if you like, but still boxes with square corners and straight edges, now how could there be controversy in that you ask well read on to see how to make drawers and decide for yourself what you would choose ... 

Woodworking Myths and Useless Woodworking Hacks

Read Time: 7 mins

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Woodworking is not immune to myths and misinformation and some of it is shared unknowingly among the enthusiastic newbies to woodworking. What amazes me is some of this stuff has been around for years and years it keeps showing up in books and magazines.

Watch it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/W4FaoSJD6Mg

At first blush, some of these things appear like they are good ideas, and some people who try them will often tell others how well some little tip worked, not even knowing what it compared to ... 

Charles Whittaker - Woodwork Shop Teacher

Read Time: 6 mins

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Colin Knecht writes ... I had the good fortune to have a truly dedicated high school shop teacher. A person who not only had the foresight to be innovative in his lessons, but also the dedication to teaching teenage students not only the craft of woodworking but also the safety. His lessons and techniques have stuck with me my entire life and I am eternally grateful for his teachings and patience.

My first year with Mr. Whittaker was grade 10 and while most others in the class had the benefit of the previous year of wood working, this was my first year in actual school learning. When Mr. Whittaker found out I was new to woodworking he told me, and a couple of others, we would be given a “quiz” to see what we knew. I immediately thought “great, my first day of school and already I have a test to take”. The class carried on for a week or so, and still no test, so I asked Mr. Whittaker when the test would be, his reply was “Oh I gave you that the first day, remember our conversation? that was the quiz, you passed” and he just turned and walked away.

That first year was pretty amazing ......