The Best System for Growing Vegetables and Herbs Indoors

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Cordless Lightweight Cable Stapler

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The Deck Transformation You Need to See

A single mom gets a back porch renovation, complete with a screened-in porch.

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How to Clean Inside the Glass on an Oven Door

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How to Clean Tiles Faster Than Ever

Attach the head of a scrub brush to a power drill and you'll never hand-scrub tile floors again!

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How to Remove Standing Water From a Clogged Sink

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How to Make Your Shed Burglar Proof

Here's how to secure your shed and make it burglar-resistant.

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How to Make a Shoe Rack for Your Garage or Mudroom

Build this DIY shoe rack and tracking mud indoors will become a thing of the past.

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How to Fix Split Furniture with Wood Glue

Have a split chair leg or a tabletop? Here's how to get the wood glue in tight spaces when you fix it, and coat both sides evenly!

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This Faucet Makes Bathroom Cleaning Easy

The pull-down spray wand is now available for bathroom sinks, too. Meet the Broadmoor Bath Faucet from Delta.

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How to Make Easy Floating Shelves

Need more kitchen storage? Build these floating shelves! They're easy, modern and trendy.

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How to Turn a Deck into a Screened Porch

Turning a deck into a screened-in porch isn't difficult, and you get to enjoy the outdoors without the bugs.

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4 Tips for How to Store Your Christmas Decorations

Storing Christmas decorations after the holidays doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Here are tips to make everything easy!

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Building A Bunk Bed with a Rock Climbing Wall

I traveled to Florida to visit my brother and his family. And while there, I built my nephews a set of bunk beds. The bunk beds include a rock climbing wall, individual shelves for both bunks, and plenty of drawer storage along the bottom.

I did the design for the bed on the plane ride over so that as soon as my boots hit the ground, we could jump in and start building. If you have the time, it is a tremdious time saver to paint all your boards before you start building.

I was limited to two days so after one side got two coats and was dry enough to touch, I started cutting.

I do have a set of plans HERE if you’re interested, which comes with not only a material shopping list but also a full cut list.

This also saves a great amount of time as I could make all the cuts needed, at the same time, for the boards that make up two main bed frames, and the two side assemblies that connect the beds. 

We had a full family operation going on. After I made the cuts needed, I pulled out my Amor Tool self adjusting jig and showed my dad how to drill in pocket holes in the needed boards.

While he continue to drill pocket holes, I continued working down my cutlist to get boards to their needed length. My brother would gather up the finished boards that needed to be hauled inside, and my mom would be feeding me new boards that needed cuts. 

I do recommend doing all the assembly in the final location the bed will go. I did design so that portions can be taken a part and moved easily, but it will save time and effort if you build it in the bedroom. 

I know you guys are used to seeing me in my shop where I have things pretty set up. But remember that the key to being a Maker or builder is to be resourceful when not having all the things.

Before going in to start assembling I wanted to cut all the 20 something slats needed for the beds and a stop block on the miter saw is the way to make this go quick, so I improvised. I used a Bessey quick clamp to attach a board to the underside of the welding table I was using as a stand, so that I could then clamp another board to the topside right where I needed my stop block to be placed. And now I’ll be able to lay my new board down, slide it down until it runs into this stop, and then make my cut without measuring.

We once again got into a cute family groove where dad would feed me new boards and my mom would take the cut ones while my brother moved in the piles. 

Ok lets move in and start assembling. Let me introduce you to the most adorable apprentice I’ve come across. I’m starting with the frame for the bunk beds and since Noah was so interested in being apart of anything I was doing, I tried to include him. He loved just sitting and watching but he also loved being tasked with things like getting the screws or pushing on the drill.

By the way, if a whole box of screws go missing, be sure to check the kid’s dump trucks near you.

Before setting that aside, I glued and then screwed on a ledge that the slats will later rest on top of. Since this is an inside project, I used Titebond Original for the majority of connections.

Alright, setting that aside so that we can build the two side assemblies. This was going to require multiple hands so I brought in some sawhorses so my folks wouldn’t have to be on the ground.

We first attached some blocks that will act as ledges for the bed frame to rest on, later on. Just a tip for you when building, put a clamp on things you’re about to join so that when you drive in a screw it won’t be able to push the parts apart.

Then moving up to the top of the sides, we also attached what will later be the header and footer of the top bunk frame. Another tip is to use a countersink before driving in the screws. This not only creates a pilot hole to prevent cracking but also creates a divot in the wood for the head to sit below the surface. While my mom helped hold things, my dad would countersink, then I would follow him with the screws. 

After repeating to make another side, I was ready to start attaching things together. If you have two people to hold the sides, then it’s as simple as placing the bottom bunk right on top of the ledge blocks, put into place earlier. 

So putting the bed frame together, I used wood glue but when attaching the frame to the sides, I’m only using screws, and this is so it can be disassembled and moved in the future.

Once it was attached on the four legs, we dropped in the slats, spacing them just by eye, and while my brother went through to countersink, I drove in screws.

Next we moved to the top and attached the two remaining members to complete that bed frame then dropped in the slats up there as well.

Then the last thing we were able to do that night was attach the second portion of the four legs. We could set these in place, make sure they were flush, hold them using Bessey clamps, then attach them using screws. 

It was so cute how all Noah wanted to do was go look at his new bed. He was so insistent that we went ahead and put the mattress on so he could sleep on it. It’s easy to get an early start when you have a three year old telling you it’s wake up time and he will love you if you build his bed. 

The next morning I started off by building the ladder which is made up of simple 2x4s. After cutting the pieces to length, each one got a few pocket holes so they could be attached to the main board.

Since these steps will be in contact with little feet, I would recommend using a router and round over to soften the top edges. Or, if you’re like me and didn’t have one, then use a sander to do the same.

I used wood glue on all the ends of the pieces before attaching with screws and a good way to think about when to use glue and when not….is the components that make up a larger assembly typically get glue….such as the rung to the ladder, but I would skip the glue when attaching the ladder to the bed frame so that in the future it can be removed if needed. 

Ok we’re making some progress and ready to move on to making and attaching the shelves for both the lower and upper bunks.

So I first moved the entire bed up against the wall as these shelves attach directly the wall in between the two sides. These are definitely an add on so they are easily left off but I like them because they bring a ton of function to the otherwise, unused space. I started off by drilling a few pocket holes in the bottom of each long shelf. Next I started attaching the vertical boards to make three individual areas of the shelving unit. 

Before adding the shelves though I decided to add in some of the railing needed on the top bunk. While mattresses have a standard length and width you can get off line, the height of mattresses do vary so I recommend getting that dimension before you place your railings. You want them to be high enough over the mattress to capture a rolling child of course. 

Now if you put in the second mattress you’ll have a comfy platform to sit and on while installing them. I first went through and marked off the stud locations, then attached the slats. After placing one screw, I would use a level to make sure it was going on straight, then attach the rest in the same manner. 

After getting the backer boards attached now the shelving unit we built before can be added. These are simple to be attached since all the pocket holes are already drilled and the unit can be lined up to the back boards.

And of course the shelf sizes can easily be changed I just thought this arrangement looked nice.

Ok a little touch up paint, then to the top bunk to repeat. 

I still had about half a day before having to catch a plane so I decided to add in a few additions to increase the function for the parents, but also the fun for the kids. 

When I think of little kids and beds, I think of books so I made sure to incorporate a built in bookshelf to utilize some otherwise dead space.

I started off by cutting to size and attaching some little standoffs to the front portion of the bed. I couldn’t use screws to attach these so instead I used a really powerful adhesive. I applied some to the back of all the blocks then held it in place with clamps for a few mins to dry while I went outside and ripped a few more needed boards to length and width.

Two boards can be added to the standoffs to create railings that will later prevent the books from being able to fall forward. Easy enough huh? It doesn’t hold as much as a bookshelf but you can at least place the children’s favorites within reach. 

I’m going to go ahead and apologize now for the poor lighting, this was a really difficult shot to get with my tripod. But you’ll still see how next I built a really fun rock wall on the side of the bed.

I original thought to add a solid sheet of plywood and paint a cool design on it, but I didn’t like the idea of cutting off visibility completely to the bottom bunk for my brother and sister in law. So I added some slats instead.

This still gives me plenty of surface area to next attach the hand and foot holds that will make up the climbing wall. It will also leaves some visibility for them to peak in from the door and put eyes on their boy.

And it shouldn’t be any surprise that this was Noah’s favorite feature. Once he realized what this was, all he did was go up the rock wall then down the ladder just to go up the rock wall again. 

Then the last feature I tried to include was adding drawers to the bottom of the bunk bed. There is so much wasted space here that drawers are perfect. I’m thinking of them being used for toy storage where the children can pull out a drawer, play with the toys inside of it, then push it back when they are done. However, I suppose they could also be used for clothing or other nurersy items.

After breaking down two large sheets of plywood, I did some simple drawer assembly using Quick and Thick and a brad nailer.

Since my brother has carpet in this room, the drawers don’t have casters but rather will be slide on top of the carpet. If you have tile or hardwood, then shortening the drawers is a simply adjustment so that you can add casters. 

I was really pushing my limits on time and getting to the airport, so I wasn’t able to put handles in the drawers. I also needed to touch up some paint, but my brother can handle that.

All in all, not bad for two days worth of work! Not only that, but I love how involved the entire family was. Especially Noah. I had no idea a three year old could be so involved in such a build.

If a bunk bed is on your to-do list, then I really hope this video will help you out. It’s a big build, but really a simple one. I love how much use the kids will get out of it for years.

If you would like a set of plans, I’ve got those for you HERE! They come with a material list, a cut list and all of the dimensions I used.

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up at the top of this page for my newsletter so you don’t miss new projects!

Hope you enjoyed this build and I’ll see you on the next one!

The post Building A Bunk Bed with a Rock Climbing Wall appeared first on Wilker Do's.

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How to Remove Ice from Steps, Walkways and Driveways

Ice can cause walkways and steps around your home to become extremely slippery and dangerous. Watch this video for tips on how to use deicers and anti-icers to remove ice and prevent it from forming.

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Things You Shouldn’t Burn in a Fireplace

Avoid burning these items in your fireplace or wood stove to reduce smoke pollution.

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6 Types of Home Loans (And How to Choose the Right One)

Wonder what type of home loan is the best? Well, that depends on your circumstances. But here's an overview to help you decide.

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How to Prevent Slips and Falls on Outside Steps

Have outdoor stairs? This is one of the easiest ways to protect against slips and falls — stay safe!

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5 Reasons Your Basement May Flood This Winter

Basement floods are common during winter weather. Here are five reasons why your basement may flood this season.

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Sink Cabinet Protector

The floor inside your kitchen sink cabinet is highly susceptible to damage caused by an occasional water leak or condensation dripping from sweaty pipes. Protect the floor with a single piece of vinyl sheet flooring.

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Preventing Water Damage in a Basement

Chuck has family in Wisconsin who needs help waterproofing a basement that was previously flooded.

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Sleek and Stylish Medicine Cabinet

Need more storage in your bathroom but want to avoid clutter? Koehler created a sleek and functional mirror cabinet that will get all of your toiletries out of sight and in one place.

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How to Create a Slick-Free Driveway

William's aggregate driveway is slanted and slick. He needs to know if there is a way to make it easier to walk on.

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How to Add Grit to a Slick Driveway

William's aggregate driveway is slanted and slick. He needs to know if there is a way to make it easier to walk on.

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Aerator Maintenance Using Vinegar

If you notice that sink faucets are suddenly experiencing low pressure or water is spurting out the problem may be a clogged aerator.

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How to Choose the Best Whole-House Air Purifier

Your heating and cooling system's air filter can only remove so many impurities. Here's how to choose the best whole house air purifier for your home so you can breathe easily and stay healthy.

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How to Prevent Water Damage in a Basement | Ep. 49

We help a homeowner who has a problem with water entering a basement. Here’s what he can do to limit damage to his floors and walls.

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How to Receive Free Help Weatherizing Your Home

If you live in a poorly insulated, energy-inefficient home, you might be eligible for government help. The U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program funds grants that provide free weatherization services to low-income homeowners.

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How to Choose the Perfect Paintbrush

When you're choosing a paintbrush for you next project you'll want to consider the size of the brush and the type of material it's made with. Watch this video to find out more.

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How to Give Any Home Some Christmas Cheer

Just a few additions can transform any home into a winter wonderland. Let these Christmas decor tips inspire you!

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3 Mess-Free Ways to Hang Christmas Lights

Here are three ways to give your home's exterior the holiday spirit without any damage.

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4 Items You May Not Know are Septic Safe

Your septic system is delicate, but if you stick to septic-safe items when you flush or drain, it could last for decades.

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Three Legged Shop Stool | Building with Greg Pennington

This week’s video is something special and also unexpected for me. See, I went to Nashville TN recently for an event and was only supposed to be in and out. However, two of my girlfriends (Jenny Bower who is a custom engraver out of Michigan and Anne Briggs) were in Nashville for a chair making course with the amazing chair maker, Greg Pennington. I couldn’t extend my trip to stay the entire week like them, but I was able to stay one extra day in order to make a perch. 

I started by picking out the wood for the seat and the legs. Greg had a beautiful piece of Sassafras (ha I love that word). I’ve never heard of it before this project. Then walnut for the legs.

We started off at the lathe, turning the spindles for the legs and stretchers. I’ve only turned a handful of times so Greg gave me a run down by making one part then I tried my best to replicate it twice more. 

While I was working on my perch, Jenny was working on her build which was a continuous arm chair.

And Anne started hers, which is a miniature continuous arm chair.

Greg has a neat set up here (neat is actually an understatement). He has the best shop I’ve set foot in so far. It’s one of those spaces where you walk in and you don’t want to leave. He built the entire thing himself over the course of a summer by ordering a trailer full of trees, milling them up, and now he gives classes on building a wide variety of chairs.

Once I had my spindles turned I moved to the main work area and joined the ladies on the shave horses where I could start adding facets to my spindles.

One chair I absolutely loved in Greg’s shop is called the Democrat chair.

It caught my eye because instead of smooth turned surfaces, every part was faceted and the overall competed look is stunning in my opinion.

So I asked Greg if we could do the perch with a Democrated twist. This meant taking each spindle and cutting in 8 flat sides on them with a spokeshave. 

With those done, next I moved on to the seat…… the Sassafras seat. We first started out by drilling holes that the legs will later be inserted into. And this is so cool! These holes are drilled at a compound angle and Greg has come up with this genius way of making sure the drill is cocked correctly where he made two stands that holds lasers.

The lasers can be set to the needed angles, then once lined up to the hole properly, it creates crosshairs which you can watch as you are punching the hole. Tell me that’s not cool. 

With the holes drilled, Greg showed me another cool tool that cuts the end of the tenon on the spindle to be the exact size and angle needed for the hole in the seat.

It’s basically an oversize pencil sharpener.

Then it was back inside to ream out the drilled holes in the seat to be the perfect angle and size as well. This is done with the two laser set up again so you know you’re maintaining the right compound angle. 

Next was to start carving the seat which was my favorite part of the entire process. It’s just so neat watching the shape take place. My love for sassafras did wane a tad bit here because it turns out, even green, it’s pretty darn hard. So I was really giving my forearms a workout.

I used a large assortment of Greg’s tools, a lot of them for the first time, and slowly but surely started getting a seat shape.

I honestly didn’t mind the time it took though. I was not only enjoying learning all the new tools and technique from Greg, but also the constant chatting and laughing with Anne and Jenny as they were making progress on their own chairs.

Thats the great thing about making things with only handtools, we can all work in the same room but also be talking.

Jenny was on the same bench as me, working on her own seat and doing great. Especially considering this was a little bit outside of her comfort zone as she focuses on being an engraver and not a woodworker. As I mentioned earlier, she is a fabulous hand engraver who takes all sorts of custom items and puts them on a new level with her artwork.

In fact, she did a hand plane for Greg and actually got to use it during the making of her own chair. 

Then Anne. Her miniature is so fun. You might think it’s less work because of it’s size but it isn’t. All the same steps are still required, it’s just at a different scale. If you don’t know, Anne has a farm and a ton of animals and she can’t wait to put one of her baby rabbits in her adorable chair, although I personally think a chicken would also be cute. 

I’ll tell you this much, whether you’re as experienced as Anne, intermediate like me, or sort of new like Jenny, this is a wonderful class to take and shop to be in. Greg teaches people from the ground up if needed and checks in to make sure you will come away with a treasure. It was not only relaxing and so fun but I was learning things left and right, little tricks that to me are little gold nuggets. 

Ok with the seat done, I was apparently on to drilling holes in the legs for the stretchers. Little bit of a nerve wracking step, hence my look of concentration…but it went off without a hitch. 

When it came time to drill the hole in the spindle, Greg set up this really genius jig to hold the spindle, as well as utilize mirrors to make sure the drill was going in straight. That man is so awesome. 

So now it was time for assembly but I had about two hours before I had to jet off to the airport and fly back to Texas. So Greg suggested we only glue up two legs to a stretcher, dry fit the rest, and that way I could flat pack it enough for me to carry on the plane. So that’s what we did.

I applied hide glue, which is able to be cleaned up with water but is also reversible should you ever need to take the piece of furniture apart and repair it or refinish it.

Then everything else was a simple dry fit.

This allowed us to not only see the stool complete but also allowed me to cut in the wedge slots in each one of the tenons, as well as level out the feet. Which meant finding a flat surface, marking each leg, and trimming off the excess. 

Ahhh, and now that it was as done as it could get, we all took turns sitting in it. : ) 

Greg helped me wrap up my parts to be a flat packed, then I tucked it under my arm and went off to the airport. If you want an interesting conversation starter, tote a stool around the airport. TSA and the flight attendants had a few questions for me, but there were no problems with getting it back home.

Once there, I was able to unpackaged it then glue the wedges into the top of the legs.

This is interesting to me, because the leg itself isn’t glued into the hole, that’s just a really nice snug fit. This wedge is actually the holding power. When driven in, it spreads the tenon out to expand in the hole even further and keep it in place. After letting the glue set up for a bit, I came back to trim the excess off flush with the seat. 

Last thing: applying a finish. Lets start with the walnut because watching it come to life is always the best.

Alright and now Sassafras. For a blonde wood, it sure is pretty. It has an interesting smell to it too….carving it, I was having trouble putting a name to the smell but Greg nailed it when he said Spicy…..it smells spicy. Whew, I love that combination with Walnut. What do y’all think? 

I plan to keep it as a shop stool. I love it so much, I’m thinking I need to start a hand tool collection so that I can make a few more. There was something so satisfying and relaxing cutting in the facets on the spindles and also carving out that seat. I would also like to run through the process again before I forget everything I learned. 

Jenny does not make videos but you can find her and her work over on Instagram. Engravers are even more of an endangered species than woodworkers so go support her if you need something amazing engraved.

Anne obviously makes YouTube videos and actually published one on her experience so check out her channel for that. 

If you have been wanting to learn how to make a chair but find the process intimidating, I can’t recommend Greg’s classes enough. He is a phenomenal person and an outstanding teacher. I’ve linked to his upcoming class schedule HERE for you to check out. 

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up at the top of this page for my newsletter so you don’t miss new projects!

That’s it for this one, I’ll see you soon!

The post Three Legged Shop Stool | Building with Greg Pennington appeared first on Wilker Do's.

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