With the New Year well under way, I have got a few must-do woodworking projects on my list that will use my woodworking skills, but they are not exactly run-of-the-mill woodworking. One is an exterior door into which I will engineer a better doggie-door. My current setup is woefully inadequate, especially in these days of below zero temperatures. Another is a solar kiln, which will not only dry wood, but, I hope, will help heat my woodshop. (Apparently, in January, cold weather is the mother of invention.)

These oddball ideas got me to wondering. Do you have anything on your agenda that is a bit off of the regular woodworking beam? If so, I would love to hear them. Maybe I will need to add them to my list as well!

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal