The Wood Whisperer shares a DIY plantation shutter project that delivered substantial savings over buying ready-made shutters. The project highlights custom window treatments as an opportunity to put woodworking skills to practical, money-saving use.

Making your own plantation shutters is actually pretty easy with the help fo Rockler. The post <a rel= " nofollow " href= " https: //thewoodwhisperer. Com/videos/i-made-my-own-plantation-shutters-saved-a-bunch-of-money/ " >I Made My Own Plantation Shutters | Saved a BUNCH of $$$</a> appeared first on <a rel= " nofollow " href= " https: //thewoodwhisperer. Com " >The Wood Whisperer</a>.

I Made My Own Plantation Shutters | Saved a BUNCH of $$$

Dovetails, DIY Shutters & Smarter Shop Builds

Put your woodworking skills to practical use in this week’s Woodworking Updates. The Wood Whisperer shares how building his own plantation shutters saved substantially over buying ready-made, and offers a tour of the new workbench replacing his Roubo.

For hands-on skill building, follow a step-by-step guide to hand-cut dovetails or explore Record Stay-Set planes and the first installment of a hand-plane knob restoration series. Looking to improve your shop? Two easy builds—a clamp-on router table and a saw till—add routing capability and dedicated saw storage.

Whether you’re planning a home project, refining traditional joinery, or making your workspace more useful, this issue offers plenty of inspiration.

This week in Woodworking Updates: DIY plantation shutters that save money, a step-by-step guide to hand-cut dovetails, and two easy shop builds—a clamp-on router table and saw till. Plus, a new workbench tour and hand-plane restoration.

Issue %%issue_number%%

This article presents a step-by-step DIY build for an island organizer cart, highlighting practical storage features and a compact design suitable for kitchens or workspaces. It offers a concise project overview with photos and construction details for readers interested in building a functional custom organizer.

Island Organizer Cart Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/21/2023 - 09: 42 <div class= " field field--name-field-brag-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item " >Hello, Ana. This is my first share and I plan to share more eventually. First, please know how much I appreciate your willingness to share with and motivate your followers. Thank you. As for the cart I am sharing, I do not have any plans other than the ones that were in my head so the cart would fit under the stainless steel top. My wife wanted more surface and storage space next to the electric stove in our camp here in Maine. We purchased a used stainless steel table from a restaurant supplier, removed the legs, and prepared the underside of it so it would attach to the cart. In case it is not clear from the two photos, one end is for her cookbooks, the opposite end has a place for the garbage can and a drawer for various kitchen necessities. One long side has drawers where she puts pots and pans. The other side has a place for her to hang her heavy iron fry pans. I learned a lot from making this and I ' m happy to share it with you. <main role= " main " >Frank </main> </div>

Island Organizer Cart 

Epoxy Bowl, Cart & Outdoor Chair Picks

This week in Woodworking Updates, we’re highlighting a great mix of beginner-friendly builds, practical furniture ideas, and a noteworthy community feature. One standout project is a first epoxy bowl build, which walks through the process of turning and finishing an epoxy-and-wood piece while sharing useful lessons learned along the way. It’s a helpful introduction for anyone curious about trying epoxy in a manageable woodworking project.

Also featured is a DIY island organizer cart that combines compact design with smart storage, making it a useful build for kitchens, shops, or other workspaces. For readers focused on home furniture, this issue also includes bed plans and inspiration for shared bedrooms or guest rooms, with designs aimed at maximizing space and function without breaking the budget.

If outdoor projects are more your style, there’s also a step-by-step guide for building an outdoor wood chair with a higher seat. The elevated design makes it easier to sit down and stand up compared with lower patio chairs, while still offering an attractive handcrafted look.

Finally, Lost Art Press shares news of being featured in The Gristmill, a nice sign of continued recognition within the woodworking community. Altogether, this issue offers a strong blend of practical projects, inspiration, and industry highlights for woodworkers of all skill levels.

This week’s Woodworking Updates features a first epoxy bowl project, a smart DIY island organizer cart, bed ideas for shared or guest rooms, and plans for a higher-seat outdoor chair—plus Lost Art Press gets featured in The Gristmill.

This article features a step-by-step garden potting bench project from Ana White, including build plans, dimensions, materials, and user-submitted photos for practical outdoor workspace inspiration. It’s a concise DIY woodworking tutorial suited for readers looking to build a functional potting bench for gardening and storage.

Garden Potting Bench Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 06/08/2024 - 08: 59 Dad was an avid gardener. After he passed away we wanted to build something in memory of him for our garden. Thanks for the inspiration to build this potters bench.

Garden Potting Bench

Build This Week: Potting Benches & More

This week’s Woodworking Updates highlights a great mix of practical and decorative DIY builds. Featured projects include a functional garden potting bench with step-by-step plans, dimensions, and real user inspiration, plus a potting bench variation with charming scallop detail for anyone upgrading their outdoor workspace. There’s also a stylish DIY X bench plant stand that works well for indoor or outdoor plants, offering both function and visual appeal. For readers looking for smaller decorative builds, the wood DIY wedding lanterns project provides a customizable idea that can work for special events or home decor. Rounding out the issue is a simple cookbook shelf project, a beginner-friendly build that adds useful kitchen storage without a complicated process. Overall, this issue is packed with approachable woodworking ideas that balance beauty, utility, and creativity.

This week’s Woodworking Updates features practical DIY builds including a garden potting bench, an X bench plant stand, wood wedding lanterns, and a simple cookbook shelf. Great inspiration for useful and stylish woodworking projects.

Paul Sellers reflects on "Another George Day," likely sharing a personal tribute or commemorative note centered on George and its significance within his woodworking community. The piece appears more reflective and narrative than instructional, making it best suited as unassigned rather than a tools, tutorial, shop hack, or sponsor article.

We were all busy, so busy, working away and under pressure when Jack, the foreman, told the apprentice just below me, it was time he changed out the bandsaw blade.  More life in it yet!  Les said, but Jack knew better than this sixteen-year-old and simply said the same to him again. Those were the. . . Source

Another George Day

Gift Guide, DIY Toys & Woodshop Picks

This week’s Woodworking Updates brings together a nice mix of reflection, community, gift ideas, and practical build plans. Highlights include Paul Sellers’ thoughtful piece “Another George Day,” a more personal and reflective post that stands out for its sense of community and craftsmanship. Lost Art Press also shares its Dec. 13, 2025 Open Wire, inviting woodworkers to join an open discussion and ask questions, along with Day 2 of the 2025 Anarchist’s Gift Guide for anyone looking for smart holiday gift ideas for hand-tool and woodworking enthusiasts. On the project side, there are two useful DIY builds: a fun toy fishing game that’s approachable and family-friendly, and a kids dresser bed with trundle that combines storage and sleeping space in one practical furniture project. Overall, this issue balances woodworking inspiration with hands-on ideas you can actually build.

This week in Woodworking Updates: a reflective post from Paul Sellers, Lost Art Press’s Open Wire and Anarchist’s Gift Guide, plus two practical DIY builds—a toy fishing game and a kids dresser bed with trundle.

This article walks through a DIY stair upgrade that integrates LED lighting into the risers for a modern, functional look. It outlines the project approach, materials, and build details to help readers replicate illuminated staircase treads in their own space.

Stair Tread LED Riser Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/25/2025 - 08: 05 Thanks for the design. I used a red oak stair tread from a big box store to keep the price reasonable. I also used a few drops of hot glue to hold the lights in place. An easy project that’s getting rave reviews. Best of all, the wife loved it. - Patrick Gregg

Stair Tread LED Riser

5 Woodworking Projects to Inspire Your Shop

This week’s Woodworking Updates features a great mix of practical builds and skill-building inspiration for every level of maker. Highlights include a striking DIY stair upgrade with LED-lit risers that adds both safety and modern style, plus Paul Sellers’ detailed look at building a coat cabinet with sliding dovetails—an excellent resource for anyone wanting to sharpen traditional joinery techniques. For beginners, there’s an approachable outdoor chair project that makes a strong first furniture build, while more home-focused DIYers will appreciate the end-of-pantry plate rack, a smart way to turn narrow kitchen space into useful storage. Rounding out the issue is a patio console table project that offers a simple way to add functional outdoor surface space. If you’re looking for fresh woodworking ideas that combine technique, usefulness, and approachable plans, this issue is full of worthwhile projects.

This week’s Woodworking Updates highlights a modern LED stair riser project, Paul Sellers’ coat cabinet with sliding dovetails, a beginner-friendly outdoor chair, a space-saving pantry plate rack, and a practical patio console table.

This article provides step-by-step plans for building a modern outdoor chair with a tilted back, including materials, dimensions, and assembly guidance. It’s a practical DIY woodworking tutorial aimed at helping readers create a stylish and functional outdoor seating project.

Modern Outdoor Chair with Tilted Back Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/06/2024 - 07: 23 Awesome front porch chairs. Added a back and tilted the seat back for more comfort! Michael

Modern Outdoor Chair with Tilted Back

Jigs, Flooring & a Chair Beyond Comfort Zone

This week’s Woodworking Updates features a strong mix of practical shop improvements, tool insights, and inspiring project builds. Highlights include a helpful look at coffee table jigs that can make builds more accurate, repeatable, and efficient, plus a useful guide to shop flooring options that compares materials based on durability, comfort, moisture resistance, and maintenance. There’s also a review of JessEm Precision Rulers for woodworkers who value clear markings and dependable accuracy in layout work. On the project side, readers can dig into step-by-step plans for a modern outdoor chair with a tilted back, a stylish and functional build for outdoor spaces. Rounding out the issue is an especially interesting feature from The Wood Whisperer on crafting an heirloom beam compass—a detailed project that explores precision, design decisions, and pushing beyond one’s usual woodworking comfort zone.

This week in Woodworking Updates: smart jigs for building better coffee tables, a practical guide to choosing shop flooring, a review of JessEm Precision Rulers, plans for a modern outdoor chair, and an inspiring heirloom beam compass build from The Wood Whisperer.

This article walks through a practical solution for refinishing hardwood floors using Osmo Polyx-Oil, focusing on application technique and key considerations for achieving durable, attractive results. It offers a concise, experience-based guide for woodworkers or homeowners evaluating floor finishing options and looking for a clear application process.

Transform your hardwood floor with Osmo PolyX Oil. Discover how this natural-colored finish can brighten up your space. The post Solving Your Floor Refinishing Dilemma: Osmo PolyX Oil Hardwood Floor Application appeared first on The Wood Whisperer.

Solving Your Floor Refinishing Dilemma: Osmo PolyX Oil Hardwood Floor Application

Woodworking Wins: Hacks, Benches & More

This week’s Woodworking Updates highlights a strong mix of practical finishing advice, build plans, and traditional craftsmanship. One standout feature looks at refinishing hardwood floors with Osmo Polyx-Oil, offering a clear, experience-based guide to application technique and the key decisions that help produce a durable, attractive finish. It’s especially useful for woodworkers and homeowners weighing floor finishing options and wanting a straightforward process.

The issue also includes several hands-on project ideas. There’s a step-by-step guide for building a DIY hockey scoreboard, complete with materials, cut plans, and assembly instructions for a fun, functional sports-themed project. For readers looking for something practical outdoors, the narrow potting bench plan shows how to create an efficient gardening workspace that fits smaller areas without sacrificing usefulness.

On the craftsmanship side, Backwoods Chairmakers – Setting Out explores the layout principles and traditional methods behind chairmaking, giving readers insight into classic techniques and design thinking. There’s also a feature on screw tips and hacks that promises useful shop know-how and practical fastening ideas.

Overall, this issue brings together finishing guidance, creative DIY builds, and timeless woodworking knowledge—making it a well-rounded read for anyone interested in improving skills and finding their next project.

This week in Woodworking Updates: hardwood floor refinishing with Osmo Polyx-Oil, a DIY hockey scoreboard build, a space-saving narrow potting bench, and insights into traditional chairmaking. A solid mix of practical tips, projects, and craftsmanship.

Lost Art Press shares an open-wire Saturday update featuring brief shop news, publishing notes, and community-related announcements. The post serves as a concise roundup of current happenings rather than a tutorial, tool review, or shop hack.

Comments are now closed. If we ve not yet answered your question, we ll get to it soon! Join us again on October 10. Welcome to Lost Art Press Open Wire, where until 5 p. M. Eastern, you can ask any and all woodworking questions and questions about Lost Art Press, our cats, Shakespeare (me), Late 19th/early 20th-century. . .

LAP Open Wire: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026

Free Plans: Plywood Bench + Table Ideas

This week in Woodworking Updates, the focus is on practical projects, quick shop advice, and a few community notes from around the woodworking world. Highlights include free plans for a DIY window seat and entryway storage bench made from a single sheet of plywood, a smart project that combines seating and storage in a compact build. It’s a great example of how plywood can be used efficiently to create something both useful and attractive for the home.

Also featured is a step-by-step guide to building a glass-top end table, offering a clean, modern furniture project with approachable construction details and key joinery insights. For woodworkers interested in smaller, more decorative work, Part 2 of the vertical Art Deco-inspired boxes series continues the build with shaping and assembly techniques that bring the design to life.

On the skills side, Woodsmith’s three quick tips from Issue 276 deliver short, actionable advice that can help improve workflow and results in the shop without requiring a major investment of time. And for readers who like to stay connected to the wider woodworking community, Lost Art Press’s latest Open Wire shares shop updates, publishing notes, and current announcements.

Overall, this issue offers a strong mix of build inspiration, practical techniques, and woodworking news for makers looking to sharpen their skills and find their next project.

This week in Woodworking Updates: free plans for a one-sheet plywood window seat/storage bench, a glass-top end table build, Art Deco-inspired box making, 3 quick shop tips from Woodsmith, and the latest community notes from Lost Art Press.

Discover how to construct a unique firepit chair using repurposed materials with this step-by-step guide, perfect for enhancing outdoor spaces in an eco-friendly manner. The article provides detailed instructions and necessary materials, making it an ideal project for DIY enthusiasts.

Repurposed Material Firepit Chair Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/19/2025 - 15: 30 I know I once said I had enough seats in Tahiti  ♀️. But now it was just that I have a lot of old (and still good) wood in the garage . And it ' s just fun to build chairs  The instructions are once again from @anawhiteplans. And even if I ' m not going to start a campfire in Tahiti, the Ultimate Firepit Chair fits perfectly  I ' m sure of that  - das_tahiti_projekt

Repurposed Material Firepit Chair

"Master Woodcuts & DIY Roman Benches Inside!"

This week's issue of Woodworking Updates brings exciting news for woodworking enthusiasts! Renowned instructor Rudy Everts is offering a new class focused on woodcuts, where participants can gain hands-on experience and master both traditional and innovative techniques. Paul Sellers has unveiled another comprehensive guide, rich with step-by-step tutorials and practical insights, designed to elevate your woodworking skills. You'll also find a fascinating article detailing the challenges and techniques of resawing green walnut on a bandsaw. For those interested in historical woodworking, Lost Art Press now offers Roman Workbench kits, providing woodworkers with an accessible way to craft authentic benches with ease. Additionally, explore the creative project of building a firepit chair using repurposed materials, a perfect blend of sustainability and craftsmanship. Don't miss out on these enriching experiences to expand your woodworking knowledge and skills.

Discover Rudy Everts' woodcut class, Paul Sellers' new woodworking guide, and Roman Workbench kits from Lost Art Press in this week's Woodworking Updates. Plus, learn about resawing walnut and crafting a firepit chair from repurposed materials. Dive into these exciting woodworking opportunities today!

Learn how to design a dream closet in this instructional video series by The Wood Whisperer. Part 1 covers the installation of clothing rods and shelves.

Her Clothes Fell Off the Wall | Dream Closet Part 1

Crafting Cushions & Live-Edge Bowls! 🪚✨

This week's newsletter is packed with engaging content for woodworking enthusiasts. Discover how to enhance your outdoor living spaces with a detailed tutorial on building a custom outdoor sectional designed for 26-inch cushions. This piece provides a comprehensive materials list and step-by-step assembly instructions, making it perfect for anyone eager to customize their outdoor furniture. For those looking to refine their craft, the introduction to the Precision Band Saw highlights its essential features, offering insights into achieving exceptional accuracy in your projects. Additionally, embark on a creative journey with The Wood Whisperer's Dream Closet series; Part 1 unveils the secrets to effectively installing clothing rods and shelves. Also featured this week is a captivating article on crafting a live-edge bowl, providing a detailed guide to mastering the tools and techniques needed for a professional finish. Finally, immerse yourself in a thought-provoking piece about the influence of family history on woodworking, as the author reflects on the meaningful intersections of tradition and creativity. Don't miss these inspiring stories and tutorials that celebrate the art and lineage of woodworking this week!

Enhance your woodworking skills with our latest tutorials and inspiring stories! Learn to build a 26" outdoor sectional, explore the Precision Band Saw, and start crafting a live-edge bowl. Dive into family traditions in woodworking and design your dream closet with The Wood Whisperer. Check it out now!

I'm curating this article for a newsletter, give me a 2 sentence summary of this article so I can copy and paste it in my newsletter.  Make the tone professional and concise.

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