Building my own small garage workshop
The workbench built by myself using 12"x 2" roofing timber salvaged from the building site of a carehome. Its a bit overkill but certainly strong.
Making Lara’s jewellery box
To make the coasters, I used a tile cutter to cut metro tiles in half to make squares.
I then ground the corners to give them a radius.
I keyed the surface of the tile with 60grit sandpaper. I then applied a primer and then three coats of a chalky paint.
I used serviettes as the decoupage paper.
I then put three coats of varnish on top of the decoupage to prevent staining.
Another test of my joinery skills; I was quite pleased with the outcome of this one.
Making a lampshade
This project was a bit of an experiment. It started by taping a bowl to the top of an exercise ball. I then soaked hemp yarn in a mixture of cornflour and PVA and then wrapped the string around the exercise ball (it was quite a messy job).
Once it was dried in the sun for a day, I then popped the exercise ball. With a decent pair of scissors, I cut out the opening at the bottom and took out the ball. I then used a hole saw to cut out the top so the light fixture could be attached.
Replicating the case of a vintage light meter in SolidWorks
Making this jewellery box put my joinery skills to the test. I think I needed to make three more to practise and make a flawless one.
The wallpaper inlay makes it more exciting.
Only once I had finished the box did I remember the trick of making the lid and the box as one and then cutting it on a bandsaw.
Bulding my 3D printer
Bringing out the oak grain
It arrived in many boxes with plenty of parts that needed putting together
Decoupage coaster Christmas presents
Watching the printer come to life and print a part was very satisfying after spending three days carefully putting it together.
Making a drill bit holder
Clamping the mitre joints
My mini CNC router
Chiseling the hinges
Signs that I have made
Making plinths for displaying A Level work
