Blog

Woodshop Musings

Welcome to the Woodshop Musings Blog! 

I will periodically share my woodworking experiences, ideas and advice. If you have questions or comments on anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.


By Brian Muse 01 Dec, 2021
In the early 1800's, Shaker chairs featured wooden ball and socket feet on the back legs to keep the leg bottoms level while tilting. In the original design, the wooden ball foot was secured to the leg with a leather strap that threaded through the foot and into the leg. This design allowed the feet to be held firmly to the bottom of the leg, but not too firm to allow the chair to tilt backwards.
1 Essential Tool Everyone Should Own
By Brian Muse 01 Nov, 2021
Whether you want to get into woodworking or just a homeowner, a miter saw is a perfect tool to have around. It might seem like you need a full woodshop to get into woodworking, but you really don’t. When I started woodworking, the only tool I had to cut boards was a miter saw. This is one of the best basic tools to have in your garage. I have the 12” Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (DWS779) . I would recommend this saw, if you’re looking to buy one. There are 3 main things you can do using this tool: Straight Cross-Cut Angled cut Beveled cut 1. Straight Cross-Cut
Box Joint
By Brian Muse 01 Oct, 2021
There are so many ways to join two pieces of wood together. When I first started woodworking, I did the easiest joint I could make - the Butt Joint. This is simply butting two boards together using glue, nails and/or screws. Over time, my tools and skills improved, and I began to master various traditional joinery methods.
By Brian Muse 01 Sep, 2021
About Neighborhood Favorite Awards Local businesses are the cornerstone of thriving neighborhoods. So every year, Nextdoor runs a campaign called Neighborhood Favorites, to highlight beloved businesses in neighborhoods. This is the only local business award voted solely by neighbors who know. Only 2% of all businesses on Nextdoor are crowned a Neighborhood Favorite each year, which means winning is a pretty big deal! Neighborhood Favorite Award We were awarded the 2021 Neighborhood Favorite Award on August 17, 2021 in 4 neighborhoods. In Indianapolis: Meridian Hills East , College/Monon Trail Corridor and Woodcroft by the Monon . In Zionsville: Royal Run .
Quality built custom furniture with traditional joinery.
By Brian Muse 01 Aug, 2021
When people think of custom furniture, they might assume that it's too expensive. If you compare the price of an end table from a big-box store with a custom end table, the custom end table is sure to cost more (at first). In reality, you will spend more money buying Fast Furniture than Custom Furniture. Fast Furniture is designed, manufactured and mass-produced to be as cheap as possible. Particleboard is normally used which is made from sawdust, wood chips and urea-formaldehyde glue (a human carcinogen). Particleboard warps and bubbles when wet, brakes easily, and contains harmful toxins. As a result, this kind of furniture only lasts a few years on average. " Buy cheap, buy twice"
10 Steps for Bending Solid Wood
By Brian Muse 01 Jul, 2021
Red Oak has a bending strength of 14,300 pounds per square inch. To put that into perspective, a helicopter, school bus, and semi-trailer weigh about 14,000 pounds. Oak is super strong, and it's not going to want to bend without some serious convincing. Why am I wanting to bend solid oak? Well, a client wanted a high-quality, round end table but was unable to find exactly what she was looking for. I created a 3D sketch of what she wanted, which included curved sides right under the table top. I needed to create 4 sides with a 10" radius with one of those sides acting as a drawer front.
My First Woodworking Project
By Brian Muse 01 Jun, 2021
I recently finished up one of my most challenging projects to-date - A solid wood, round end table . It involved steam bending solid ¾" oak for the sides, a lattice pattern on the top and traditional joinery methods throughout. I couldn't help but reflect on when and how my woodworking journey began.
Show More
Share by: