Building a Bookshelf: From Start to Finish, Part 2
This is the first seminar where we’ve promised a completed project by the end of two hours. No one expected Phil to get through the first hour without making at least one mistake (except maybe me!). It takes a lot of concentration to complete a woodworking project, start to finish, successfully, even when you’re working in your own home workshop. But working in front of 70 people, and a camera that is recording your every move, makes it particularly difficult to keep everything straight.
Last Thursday, Phil was humming along answering questions, laying out the template, making cuts and drilling holes without a lot of problems. Best of all, he was able to explain what he was doing in a clear and concise manner as he worked. It was only after he had cut out the curve on the bookcase’s second side piece, and drilled all the holes for the knockdown fasteners and shelf pins, that he noticed a slight problem. The two sides of the bookcase are mirrored pieces, which means for the template to work correctly, it has to be flipped a certain way so that the curve and the “good” side of the plywood faces out. Several members of the crowd noticed the mistake just after Phil did.
The truth is, mistakes happen, even when you’re in your comfort zone and working at your own pace. Unfortunately, the only way to fix this problem was to start over.
Tonight, Phil will complete the project. Due to time limitations (and thanks to the magic of television), an all new side piece, laid out and cut to size, will be on hand for Phil to work on. He’ll complete the project by adding the veneer, drilling the holes for the knock-apart joinery system, and assemble the finished project.
The Bonus Download for tonight: Edgebanding Plywood, explains some of the techniques Phil will be using tonight to add the veneer to the edges of this plywood project.
