I'm not particularly knowledgeable of or skilled at pinball but always been fond of and fascinated by it - so when I learned virtual pinball was a thing, it was an easy choice for a project.

Lots of research, testing and proof-of-concept-ing later, it soon became apparent that a ton of stuff was n...

Picked up some prints a while ago in Japan with the hope of making them into something... but they are actually plastic document folders that don't look that great on a flat surface and so need background illumination, which I didn't have any ideas for at the time.

Fast forward a few years and I d...

Having few options for buying a compact PC case that would accept standard size components, I set out to build one of the smallest possible mATX cases, while keeping the standard, relatively accessible, tower format.

Also took the opportunity to make use of the CNC, both to make all the accurate c...

Another lockdown project - still tricky to get materials so focused on using up whatever was in the shed for this small footlocker-type unit for a guest bedroom.

This is sized to fit available space, and contains an integrated power strip to limit cables - there is a standard IEC inlet on the bott...

Made a couple before but this time put everything to use for this endgame keyboard. Definitely the last one.

First was the keypad - saves some desk space since it also functions as a calculator (bonus feature of typing the result into your computer).

Then came the matching keyboard - not being r...

Full build log with clips of it in action

Description of functionality on shop listing

This is a project that goes back a while. While making some nixie clocks - also featured here - I learned of the FLW - Four Letter Word, a toy created in the 70s using huge B7971 nixie-type tubes. I worked w...

A small job for the CNC - a new house number to go with the new front door. Used some offcuts of cedar to create a block - some CNCing created the cutouts for the number and a channel for the LED neon tape to go in. An aluminium back reflects the light and holds the centres of the 8 in place.

More pics, details and video clips at https://imgur.com/gallery/7NiOgrQ

I miss 1980s-style hifi systems with flashing lights, various knobs etc, so decided to make one that looked/worked exactly as I wanted. This is actually my second model - the first one came a couple of years ago - I learned wh...

A computer desk for a client who needed something to fit in a specific space, and make the best use of that space as possible. We worked out this design between us - the desktop is narrow, hence the stowable keyboard tray; and the centre gap in the cabinet portion will house the computer, with holes...

A less glamorous project - storage being the last part part of the hall/entrance remodel. Having said that, built-in storage can be interesting to make, and can both look better and make better use of space than an off the shelf unit.

As ever, plywood projects make liberal use of pocket screws - I...

The garage door was a trial run for this new double-glazed front door, made from Iroko. My first big external project and wasn't quite sure where to start; many thanks to user Trevanion on the UK Workshop forum for sharing some profiles and pointing me in the right direction on weatherseals etc....

Replacing a scruffy garage door has been on my to-do list for a long time. The garage is also the workshop, so I wanted to get some natural light in, make it slightly less icy in winter, and avoid it taking up any space inside (as the previous up-and-over door did).

This solution has worked well -...

Many thanks to interior designer Jane Cappleman for calling me back to her client Susie for this follow-up piece to the previous sideboard.

The brief was to create a cabinet to contain the usual array of TV miscellany; and particularly to hide the large bank of sockets/wires on the wall (as se...

Cabinet? Sideboard? Credenza? Who knows. Received this commission (via interior designer Jane Cappleman) from a client who wanted a large solid oak sideboard. They liked Russell Pinch's Wave sideboard for Conran - it's a nice piece, but we were after something more handmade and considerably larger...

A project I had in mind for a while - I enjoy the convenience of digital music, but wanted some physical, actual, non-cloud device to hold my collection. Lately, less is more so systems are style-over-substance, with few audio controls; but I got inspired by watching YouTuber TechMoan, who regular...

Bed frame in oak - required quickly so went with a fairly simple design. So not much real joinery as such since it has to be disassembleable - instead, a lot of screws involved.

The curved corner pieces were most fiddly - each is machined out of one piece of wood via a medley of tools - drill, ban...

Garden project invoving a lot of wood - almost a kilometer running length!

The deck is yellow balau - the step is closer to the original colour, whereas the horizontal surfaces are fading after some sunny months (pigmented treatment can delay this but opted not to as it tends to be opaque and mask...

Been wanting to make a retro games emulator console for a while - but knew a standard arcade cabinet would't really fly in this rather minimally-furnished household.

But after getting my hands on a Raspberry Pi 2 - and seeing the wonderful RetroPie distro for getting emulators up and running - I...

This commission was for a small bedroom, which only really had room for one other piece of furniture - the aim therefore to make it work hard. The client had the initial idea of a dressing table with some hanging storage; which I then refined into the final design.

Having the sides and top open ma...

Needed a new bin and couldn't find one I liked so figured I'd make this - came up with this design of plywood and aluminium - the lid removes but has a hole so it doesn't need to come off for small items.

If you can tell how this is made from the detail, then yes, it was as... interesting/tedious...

Another clock made from the same PCB/kit from Jonas @ TubeHobby. For this I used Raytheon 1916 tubes which are very, very nice - they are a bit more refined than the common Russian ones (and have a proper 5!) but are not particularly easy to find.

Also, bonus pic of ongoing project... some time ag...

A full kitchen refurbishment. Details include:

  • Custom spray-painted doors and draws - allowing for no handles or pull-recesses. In practice this just means that doors pop open all the time whenever you lean against something
  • Island made from plywood and stainless steel; and conceals a tray-sto...

A couple of Nixie tube clocks I've done. It's an overdone theme, but most you see are the typical tubes-sticking-out-of-a-base design; I wanted to do something that looked a little more like it was designed for the purpose.

Layered plywood body faced with a formica laminate. Confess I'm not smart...

Made for a friend, from birch ply and aluminium composite. Detail view confirms that it is a thick bit of plywood! Lots of arcs cut on the bandsaw and glued together. Drawer pull cutter used to give the draws a smooth finish.

The recipients - two beautiful borzois - proceeded to make quite a mess...

Table made from American black walnut, with oil finish. Designed as occasional extension to dining table; otherwise serves a console. Sides constructed from parallel slats.

Full height view just about shows through tenon detail at the base of the legs, and chamfered top.

Detail view shows mitred...

Been wanting to make myself a desk for ages and decided I was after something with a 50s or 60s feel. Opted for elm like a lot of older Ercol stuff that I like, rather than the darker, heavier teak that was used for a lot of furniture then.

Used the Leigh jig to cut dovetails - through on the draw...

Commission for a set of tables for eg drinks, etc in a living room, resulting in this set of 4 L-shaped tables, that fit together in 2 nests of 2. American black walnut and dark stained oak.

Side view shows nesting and jig-cut box/comb joints.

As well as upright, these work just as well horizont...

American black walnut console table with two drawers, oil finish.

Detail shows handcut half blind dovetails, with sycamore drawer sides. (I love sycamore, somebody please ask me to make something from it!) Drawers lined with baize, dark purple to match the purplish cast of American black walnut.

...

Commission for coffee table with book storage. Made from oak, stained near-black and wax finished, with glass top and mounted on castors.

Detail shows drawers - 3 each side - doesn't show them extended on bottom-mounted bearing runners, for easy opening and closing.]

Have done quite a lot of built-in storage - it's not particularly glamorous, hence often forgetting to take pics.

This one is a floor-to-ceiling bookcase, made from MDF and painted. But I am glad with how the stepped design works - it uses minimum space and looks less dominating, but still allowin...

Storage unit custom made for alcove. Birch ply, painted to match existing woodwork. Individual units that stack together with locating strips, so the order can be changed. Bookshelves slightly different heights to use space as efficiently as possible.

Oak garden furniture - table and four stools. Visible mortice and tenon joints hold the structure together. This involved a lot of machining!

Oak sideboard, made from more figured oak. Designed as media unit, 6 drawers plus 3 drop down doors for DVD players etc.

Detail shows handcut dovetail drawers; edges of cabinet jointed with Japanese-style dovetails, inclined in two planes. Tricky!

Set for hall, consisting of console table and umbrella stand. Mitre jointed; the tapering umbrella stand requiring some precision sawing to joint nicely. Limed finish.

A set of bathroom accessories in American black walnut.

Dovetails are hand-cut - this is an early project before I caved in and got a Leigh jig!