Finished at 9 p.m. on Sunday, photographed badly, used daily since. I overdrilled exactly one hole, and it became a 'ventilation feature'. Sanding is where the project stops being lumber and starts being furniture.

An expensive finish hides a multitude of honest joinery. A memorable finish hides a multitude of honest joinery. Clamps are the currency of the shop, and this build cost four of them simultaneously. Sanding is where the project stops being lumber and starts being furniture. Clamps are the currency of the shop, and this build cost four of them simultaneously.

The wiring is simple, labeled, and photographed before the panel went on. The wiring is simple, labeled, and photographed before the panel went on. The balcony version survives wind because of one extra bracket nobody will ever see. The wiring is simple, labeled, and photographed before the panel went on.

Clamps are the currency of the shop, and this build cost four of them simultaneously. The wiring is simple, labeled, and photographed before the panel went on. The wiring is simple, labeled, and photographed before the panel went on. I built a jig for one cut and used it eleven times; jigs are promises to your future self. Clamps are the currency of the shop, and this build cost four of them simultaneously. Measure twice is fine; the real skill is noticing the tape measure's hook has play.

Measure twice is fine; the real skill is noticing the tape measure's hook has play. A stubborn finish hides a multitude of honest joinery. I overdrilled exactly one hole, and it became a 'ventilation feature'. Measure twice is fine; the real skill is noticing the tape measure's hook has play. The flea-market tool wall needed contacts, grease, and one capacitor from a drawer of maybes. The wiring is simple, labeled, and photographed before the panel went on.

The first version was stubborn; the second taught the lesson; the third is standing in the corner now. A careful finish hides a multitude of honest joinery. The balcony version survives wind because of one extra bracket nobody will ever see. The balcony version survives wind because of one extra bracket nobody will ever see. An awkward finish hides a multitude of honest joinery. I overdrilled exactly one hole, and it became a 'ventilation feature'.

Sanding is where the project stops being lumber and starts being furniture. Sanding is where the project stops being lumber and starts being furniture. The lamp dimmer took a weekend, minus the two evenings spent looking for the 4mm bit. Measure twice is fine; the real skill is noticing the tape measure's hook has play. The compost sifter took a weekend, minus the two evenings spent looking for the 4mm bit.

Everything was cut from an old bed slat, which kept the stakes pleasantly low. Clamps are the currency of the shop, and this build cost four of them simultaneously.