Ben's Builds

Ben's Builds I’m a hobbyist woodworker who enjoys learning and sharing content.

I went to Vermont Tree Goods in Wallingford yesterday, and wow do they have an amazing selection of lumber! Highly recom...
07/23/2026

I went to Vermont Tree Goods in Wallingford yesterday, and wow do they have an amazing selection of lumber! Highly recommend! Levi and I had a blast. While I was there, I picked up these figured pieces of walnut for a special new project;)

Using one of my Stanley plane totes as a template, I tried making a tote out of some African Amazoue. I cut out the gene...
07/20/2026

Using one of my Stanley plane totes as a template, I tried making a tote out of some African Amazoue. I cut out the general shape on the bandsaw and then filed and sanded the contours from there. Next, I used the drill press to hollow the tote for the hardware. Finally, I used some polyurethane as a finish.

I’m very happy with the look and shape of this tote. Only one problem: it doesn’t fit perfectly on the Stanley planes:( That’s okay—it’s close, and I’m encouraged by how good it looks as a first attempt. Next time I’ll do the bandsawing and drill press work first until everything fits, and then I’ll do the finer shaping and finishing. Lesson learned!

I’ve just completed a walnut dovetail keepsake box for baby #2 (due 8/11/26). The exercise was one where I could channe...
07/18/2026

I’ve just completed a walnut dovetail keepsake box for baby #2 (due 8/11/26). The exercise was one where I could channel some paternal creativity and love, and the differences between this new box (on the right) and the one I made four years ago for Levi (on the left) are substantial. There’s so much more I want to learn and master in woodworking, but it’s encouraging to see how far I’ve come over the last few years.

We went on a family outing to The Elephant’s Trunk flea market in New Milford on Sunday. What an amazing collection of a...
07/14/2026

We went on a family outing to The Elephant’s Trunk flea market in New Milford on Sunday. What an amazing collection of antiques and collectibles! I picked up these vintage hand tools there and already restored the two hand planes—just forgot to take before photos. Levi helped me screw in some of the hand plane parts and then kept sanding his wooden block;)

I’ve had some 1” by 10” lumber sitting around, so I tried cutting some larger dovetails. I’m very happy with these resul...
07/12/2026

I’ve had some 1” by 10” lumber sitting around, so I tried cutting some larger dovetails. I’m very happy with these results, and now I know I can make this joint in bigger decorative pieces.

I enjoyed making a charcuterie board out of this slab of walnut. I had to flatten one face with my hand planes, pass it ...
07/12/2026

I enjoyed making a charcuterie board out of this slab of walnut. I had to flatten one face with my hand planes, pass it through the power planer, and then clean up the live edges while keeping the shape intact. What a rewarding process!

Just finished a bench and coat rack for a client’s entryway. Fun summer project!
07/08/2026

Just finished a bench and coat rack for a client’s entryway. Fun summer project!

Had some nice extra pine, so I’m hand cutting some dovetails to make a keepsake box for baby #2. Made with love, sweat,...
07/06/2026

Had some nice extra pine, so I’m hand cutting some dovetails to make a keepsake box for baby #2. Made with love, sweat, and a little blood from chisel work;)

Just finished another oak keepsake box for a friend. Lap joints and sash lock. Fun build!
07/01/2026

Just finished another oak keepsake box for a friend. Lap joints and sash lock. Fun build!

I have finished painting, oiling, and sharpening, and I’m very pleased with the way the hand planes turned out. Each is ...
06/24/2026

I have finished painting, oiling, and sharpening, and I’m very pleased with the way the hand planes turned out. Each is working great, as you can see by the test shavings in the last photo here;) This was a relaxing way for me to get into summer mode.

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White Plains Road
Trumbull, CT
06611

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