Lowe's & Home Depot disappoint

Lowe's is now asking for my phone number when I pay with cash! I understand the value of data mining, but this is as big a turn-off as when Radio Shack wants your personal info with every purchase.

Home Depot has been about 10% higher on most things I have compared between the two stores lately - especially plywood and trim molding. Both Lowe's & HD seem to be getting extremely proud of their lumber products.

Anyone else noticing these phenomena?

The Shoe Problem - more pics

Some details...

The Shoe Problem - part 5... complete

Done!

For me this is huge - the number of started woodworking projects I have is FAR greater than the number of completed projects!

This was a great project for me to learn how to use the Kreg pocket hole system...

I love Google Docs!

I can share spreadsheets with colleagues, word-like docs with my kids and wife, and now they have a Powerpoint knockoff... here's my first attempt: The Shoe Project

The Shoe Problem - part 4... pics of the shelves

Primed and ready for paint... (my LOVELY WIFE is painting them for me - ain't she great?!?)

The Shoe Problem - part 3... the technology

(Alright, I just typed about 5 paragraphs into blogger then POOF they were gone! Reminder to self: save more often.)

The shelves are my first project with pocket holes / pocket screws. I bought a Kreg Jig which makes the whole process very easy. In fact I cannot believe how much fun woodworking is for me now! I'm no purist, if technology makes things easier, and I don't have to cut mortises ans tenons, then I AM ALL FOR IT!!!

It's easy - set the jig for the thickness of your wood (3/4" for both my plywood and my poplar, so that was easy). Clamp the wood into the jig. Use the included drill bit to drill using whichever guide holes you want. Then use the included drive bit and included screws to connect the two boards. Easy!

I used a LOT of screws and had to buy more mid-project. Since I didn't use glue, I probably went overboard with the number of screws.

The Shoe Problem - part 2... the design

... so I downloaded and used Google Sketchup to design the shelves. My first design was a group of shelves with a big seat/bin on the bottom.

I decided that was a bit much for my first project, so I ended up just going with a simple bookcase looking shelving unit. It's open in back and will attach to the wall studs with long screws.

Here's a link to both models for Sketchup

The Shoe Problem!

Here's the problem: too many shoes cluttering the garage... (you know a lot of them are Crocs - those people are making GOOD money!!!).

The solution will be to create a shelving unit to go into an otherwise useless little corner near the door from the garage into the house.

The method for creating these shelves is to use pocket screws. (This is what AFFYX is all about, finding the best way to connect, join, attach, etc.) The shelves and carcass are 3/4" birch plywood connected solely by pocket screws, and I'm creating a face frame from poplar.

I should mention that this project is nearly complete. In the future it is my intention to use this site to show the process step by step, but in my typical cart-before-horse style, I decided to create this blog after I started on the shelves - so ther you have it. The pictures here show it in primer, my lovely wife is in the garage right now putting the top coat on.

I am now convinced that pocket screws are one of the BEST ways to quickly create shelves, bookcases, dressers, beds, etc. (my next project will be to make a queen sized bed). I can't believe I haven't used these before! The multitude of saws and drills and etc. that have been gathering dust in my garage suddenly have purpose again - I am brushing off my woodworking to-do list ... a list mind you that has grown over the years, yet only a bout two or three things have ever been completed. WOW I AM EXCITED!

(I am going to break this into a few posts - next post will describe what I'm making...)

First Post

Welcome to AFFYX. I am all about connecting and joining and fastening. I like to build projects and spend a lot of time nailing, screwing, bolting, glueing, clamping and taping. As a result I have learned a lot and seek to learn even more about the best methods for creatively connecting items together. I am also building a website at affyx.com and will be trying out new joining methods and sharing my experiences.