JBS Blog

See how current projects are unfolding.

Well this hasnt been an easy find. About 17 years ago I came across this style of backsplash when working on a public works building in Eugene, Oregon. But I have never come across a supplier who promotes this product and it is not easy to find on the internet. After...

Walnut lamp with maple and ebony features.

by Jeff Johnson | Mar 25, 2017

I originally saw this by another woodworker on Reddit. I asked him about some of the unknowns, such as the electrical and light bulb, which he readily shared. While I modeled the design after his, I did my own measurements to ensure proper proportion and a whole...

Shou sugi ban

by Jeff Johnson | Dec 4, 2016

An ancient woodworking technique found in Japan is known as Shou Sugi Ban. It is the process of heat treating, or burning the wood, cleaning off the residual burnt wood, and coating with tung oil. This technique can preserve wood for about 80 years without further...

Hardwood, is hard to install.

by Jeff Johnson | Jul 23, 2016

This weeks job is tough - its the installation of 700 square feet of hickory 3/4" solid hardwood. A beautiful looking product, yet difficult for two reasons: Its SO HEAVY, and also as a result, is very dense and doesnt like to be nailed. Needless to say, two guys are...

Carpentry on a boat

by Jeff Johnson | Jul 22, 2016

There is no greater challenge then working as a carpenter on a boat. So many rounded surfaces and virtually nothing is built square. Here is the latest project I have taken on - a couple of stairs on a boat undergoing refurbishment. But rather than simply redoing...