Sam & Herc • August 16 2026
This week was another reminder that progress in woodworking does not always come from starting something brand new. Sometimes it comes from repairing what is broken, sanding away an old finish, learning a new technique, and slowly turning a rough project into something worth keeping.
The Two Stools — With Herc Supervising
Herc keeping an eye on the two stools after sanding.
I continued working on the two wooden stools and got both of them sanded down to bare wood. The sanding takes time, especially when you are trying to remove an old finish without damaging the wood underneath, but once the old finish starts disappearing you can really see the potential in the pieces.
One stool also needed repair work, so the project has given me practice not only with sanding, but also with understanding how furniture is constructed and how to make a damaged piece solid again.
Herc was on supervision duty, although with the Texas temperatures over 100 degrees, his outdoor shifts were a lot shorter than mine. I cannot say I blame him.
Finishing the Black Door
The completed black door.
Another project I was happy to complete was the black door. This one required plenty of preparation before the finish ever went on. Sanding and surface preparation can feel like the slow part of a project, but I am learning that those steps often determine how good the final result will look.
Once the black finish went on, the whole door changed. Seeing it completed made the preparation worthwhile and gave me a little more confidence for the next project.
Building a Better Work Area: The Kreg Workbench
My Kreg workbench with dog holes, ready for clamping and future projects.
I also put together a Kreg workbench with dog holes so I could have a better work surface for sanding, clamping, assembling, and future builds. The bench I had available was broken, so before it could become useful I had to glue it, reinforce it, and make it solid again.
That repair felt fitting for this stage of my woodworking journey. I am learning that a workshop does not have to begin with perfect equipment. Sometimes you start with what you have, repair it, improve it, and put it back to work.
Learning Epoxy: The Blue Serving Tray
The blue epoxy serving board during the sanding and finishing process.
This week I also worked on something completely new for me: epoxy. Mr Ernest from Carmona Crafts showed me how to pour the epoxy, and I used what he taught me to create a serving board with a natural-edge piece of wood surrounded by deep blue epoxy.
After the epoxy cured, I began the sanding process. I started with the regular sanding grits and worked up to 120 grit, then moved into wet sanding from 300 grit all the way to 3,000 grit. Working through that many stages takes patience, but watching the surface become smoother and clearer with each step showed me how much the finishing process matters.
My next step is to add feet and handles so I can turn it into a completed serving tray. I am looking forward to seeing how the wood and blue epoxy look when everything is finished.
The Black Walnut Cross
The black walnut cross after sanding.
I also spent time sanding a cross made from black walnut. The walnut has beautiful grain, and the sanding process really started to bring its character out.
This project is different from furniture because the shape itself is such an important part of the piece. It made me pay closer attention to the curves, edges, symmetry, and the overall feel of the wood. There is still finishing work ahead, but I am enjoying watching it develop.
A Little Texas BBQ Along the Way
A stop at Terry Black’s BBQ in Houston.
Somewhere between all the sanding, repairs, and sawdust, I also got to enjoy a little Texas BBQ. Terry Black’s opened a restaurant in Houston, and I had the chance to visit. It was a good experience, good food, and a nice break from the workshop.
One Project Leads to Another
Looking around at the stools, the finished door, the repaired workbench, the epoxy tray, and the walnut cross, I realize how many different skills I am practicing at the same time: sanding, repairing, finishing, working with epoxy, learning how different woods behave, and becoming more comfortable with tools again.
There is still a lot I want to learn, but that is becoming one of the best parts of this journey. Every project teaches me something I can carry into the next one.
One project at a time.
Sam & Herc