As the grass turns green and cool nights warm, many of us turn to outdoor projects in the shop. There are plenty of projects to keep most of us busy through the summer months and I’m not talking about mowing the grass. This time of year we like to plant gardens and repair things after a long winter. Planters are an excellent summer project that can be made in many ways. Use router bits, shaper cutters, or your table saw to produce many different shapes and designs.
Birdmouth bits allow you to make 6, 8, 12, or 16 sided planters, columns, and other projects around the house. Birdmouth bits create a beautiful joint that hides the butt end of the material. Birdmouth bits can handle material up to 1” and any width. They create a strong interlocking joint that is easy to glue. You can even taper them to create an altogether cool design. If you want to go above and beyond, try turning the project when completed into a smooth rounded shape. Chamfer bits can also be used to create these types as well and come in a variety of angles.
Another project many of us will tackle over the summer is repairing decks and especially warped or damaged decking boards. We have a wide variety of countersink/plug cutters to help hide and/or counterbore all our decking screws. We carry basic countersink to our “No-MAR” heavy-duty countersink with stops and non-marking body. These same bits can be used to hide or counterbore any outdoor woodworking furniture/project to help give it that professional look. Another option used in joinery is hidden deck fasteners which use either a biscuit cutter or slot cutter to quickly and accurately align boards and joints using either biscuits or Ipe Clip™ Hidden Deck Fasteners.
For those looking to stay a little cooler doing an inside project, try adding wainscoting or beadboard to a wall or ceiling. This simple and easy project can be done with a table saw, router, or shaper. Woodworkers love our table saw bead cutter for this type of project. It allows you to use plywood or MDF to create wainscoting quickly and is easier to use than any other method.
We look forward to seeing all the tables, chairs, planters, and beyond you make this summer. Please remember to send photos of your summer projects to sales@woodline.com. If you need a new table saw or chop saw blade, we also carry a full line of premium blades from contractor grade to industrial workhorses with prices for every budget and job. Continue to stay safe and have a great time in the shop this summer.
Thanks for the suggestions. I am running out of ideas.