Blog - David Ohnstad

Summer Woodworking Projects: Skip the Cutting Board

Thousands of Minnesota woodworkers make the same mistake every July: building moisture-sensitive projects in 85-degree heat. David Ohnstad reveals why your cutting board will warp and what you should build instead based on the season.

Beginner Woodworking Projects: Summer Heat Reality Check

New woodworkers often choose ambitious projects without considering their garage environment. Summer heat makes long shop sessions unbearable, derailing progress before it starts. David Ohnstad explains which beginner woodworking projects actually work when conditions aren’t ideal.

Summer Woodworking: Why Heat Is Your Advantage

Most woodworkers avoid the shop in summer. David Ohnstad argues the opposite: summer’s heat and humidity unlock possibilities for building projects that actually matter—if you stop fighting the season and start working with it.

Summer Woodworking: Why Hot Weather Helps Your Projects

Most woodworkers avoid their shops in summer heat. But faster glue curing, dust-free outdoor spraying, and perfectly timed projects for outdoor use make these months your most productive season.

Father’s Day Gifts for Woodworkers: Skip the Listicles

Generic Father’s Day listicles recommend engraved mallets and beginner chisels to experienced makers. David Ohnstad exposes the gifting gap and explains why most advice treats woodworking as lifestyle aesthetic rather than legitimate craft skill.

Block Plane Selection: Why Expensive Tools Don’t Always Win

The most expensive tool in your chest isn’t always the best one for the job. David Ohnstad discovered that a beat-up $40 Stanley block plane outperforms a premium $1,200 Veritas for everyday woodworking tasks like chamfers and end grain cleanup.

Beginner Woodworking Tools: What You Actually Need

Most beginner woodworking guides overcomplicate the tool list. David Ohnstad built his first furniture piece with just six tools and free plans. Discover which tools deliver real value and which ones can wait until your skills—and budget—grow.

Designing a Small Woodshop: Maximizing Space and Workflow

With careful planning and attention to detail, even the most modest spaces can be transformed into productive hubs where creativity thrives.

Making Sculptural Furniture: Where Function Meets Art

We discuss how sculptural furniture combines creates functional works of art that redefine how we interact with our living spaces.

Safety First: Essential Safety Tips for Woodworking

Woodworking, whether as a hobby or profession, requires meticulous skill and precision. However, it’s equally important to prioritize safety. Each year, thousands of woodworkers suffer injuries due to neglect of basic safety rules. This guide from David Ohnstad of Minnesota aims to underline essential safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable woodworking experience.