David Alison
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alisonworks.com
David Alison
@alisonworks.com
140 followers 35 following 160 posts
I hand build heirloom furniture and keepsakes from my small shop in Bethany Beach, DE. Visit me at AlisonWorks.com to learn more! #woodworking
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alisonworks.com
Visiting family in California. I’ve seen some weird things in my life, but a fake, full sized wolf hanging from a drone is right at the top of the list. #drone
December 29, 2024 at 12:47 AM
alisonworks.com
I also made a watch box for my son-in-law that matches the jewelry box I made for my daughter. Ambrosia maple with walnut trim, plus a USB port in the back to charge an Apple watch.

#woodworking #gift
A watch box made from ambrosia maple with walnut trim. The box is open to expose leather watch pillows for holding up to six watches. A watch box made from ambrosia maple with walnut trim.
December 25, 2024 at 1:22 PM
alisonworks.com
I made a piston fit jewelry box for my daughter out of ambrosia maple with walnut trim and a leather lined interior.

#woodworking #gift
December 24, 2024 at 1:27 PM
alisonworks.com
I come from a big family with a football pick-em pool. This year we’re starting a new tradition: a winners’ trophy passed around and proudly displayed. Walnut/Mahogany base, Baltic Birch plates, plus a Maple and Bloodwood football.

#woodworking
The front view of a fantasy football trophy made from black walnut and mahogany. It has baltic birch name plates memorializing the winner for that year. On top is a plaque that extends up from the base and contains a bloodwood football and the name "The League" - Football Pick Em Champions. An angled view of a fantasy football trophy made from black walnut and mahogany. It has baltic birch name plates memorializing the winner for that year. On top is a plaque that extends up from the base and contains a bloodwood football and the name "The League" - Football Pick Em Champions.
December 20, 2024 at 3:59 PM
alisonworks.com
I made a keepsake box for a client from Bloodwood. It has his son’s name engraved on it, as well as a Mandala heart. Had to rush it to get it in time for Christmas!
#woodworking
A keepsake box made from Bloodwood, engraved with a Mandala style heart and the name Austin. A keepsake box with a felt green base on the interior. Made from Bloodwood.
December 17, 2024 at 11:27 PM
alisonworks.com
I’m way to cheap to go buy a hepa dust collection system so I made my own. Rigid shop vac with a 5 gal dust separator. Vac has the hepa filters and bag.

Threw a fan with some filters on top to help reduce shop dust. Made with some spare 2x4s, plywood and clad in shiplap cut offs.

#woodworking
A rolling hepa dust collector / air filter. The entire top assembly comes off to empty the dust separator and change the bag in the vac. A rolling hepa dust collector / air filter. The entire top assembly comes off to empty the dust separator and change the bag in the vac. The small hole is the exhaust for the vacuum. In construction view of the dust separator box. View of the frame of the dust separator prior to construction to ensure it all fit.
December 10, 2024 at 8:15 PM
alisonworks.com
Being into #woodworking during the holidays means seeing something in a store for $150 and thinking “I can build that for a fraction of that price!”

Then I’ll go through expensive exotic woods, a new router bit, sanding disks, glue, finish, etc and spend 10 hours on it.

Still, worth it.
December 10, 2024 at 12:26 AM
alisonworks.com
One thing I do love about having a decent laser cutter:

"Crap, I need a business card holder..."
Looks around shop, sees some left over cedar planks...
Quick 5 minute design session, 4 minutes in the laser...

20 minutes later I have an aromatic business card holder. #woodworking #laserengraving
A small business card holder made from cedar 1/4" cedar planks sitting on a work bench
December 6, 2024 at 4:10 PM
alisonworks.com
I made some "book nooks" out of black walnut, with a white maple accent and a small slide out drawer for reading glasses. The four are called the Founding Fathers series, each with a reading quote from a US founding father. #woodworking
A collection of four book nooks for holding the place on a book. One shows the tray for reading glasses pulled out with a pair of glasses in it, while another has a book on it to demonstrate how they work. The side of the George Washington book nook, displaying his quote "Knowledge is, in every country, the surest basis of public happiness", along with his full signature. The side of the Benjamin Franklin book nook, displaying his quote "The only way to do all the things you'd like is to read", along with his full signature. The side of the Thomas Jefferson book nook, displaying his quote "I cannot live without books", along with his full signature.
December 6, 2024 at 3:11 PM
alisonworks.com
I just finished this small keepsake box, the ‘Tree of Life,’ crafted from Ambrosia Maple cutoffs left over from my last serving tray build. I love how beautifully Maple—especially Ambrosia Maple—engraves with a CO2 laser. #woodworking
Small 5x9x2.5 keepsake box with an integrated lid. Made from Ambrosia Maple, this box has a mandala style Tree of Life engraved on the lid, with a small thumb tab to aid in opening the lid. Small 5x9x2.5 keepsake box with an integrated lid. Made from Ambrosia Maple, this box has a mandala style Tree of Life engraved on the lid. Displayed with the lid open. Small 5x9x2.5 keepsake box with an integrated lid. Made from Ambrosia Maple, this box has a mandala style Tree of Life engraved on the lid, with a small thumb tab to aid in opening the lid. Angled view. Small 5x9x2.5 keepsake box with an integrated lid. Made from Ambrosia Maple, this box has a mandala style Tree of Life engraved on the lid, with a small thumb tab to aid in opening the lid. View of the bottom, showing the AlisonWorks brand.
December 5, 2024 at 12:46 PM
alisonworks.com
I'm doing a holiday bazaar at a local school and needed more stuff, so I grabbed some bamboo and slate coaster blanks and made some sets of these. Interested to see how they do.

Made them with a 55W CO2 laser (xTool P2).
#woodworking #laserengraving
Four engraved bamboo coasters with humorous sayings: "In dog beers I've only had one" "Holy Sip! Did you even taste that?!?" "You had me at Merlot" "Would drink here again." with 5 stars Four engraved slate coasters with humorous sayings: "In dog beers I've only had one" "Holy Sip! Did you even taste that?!?" "You had me at Merlot" "Would drink here again." with 5 stars
December 4, 2024 at 1:06 PM
alisonworks.com
One of the side effects of making bandsaw style boxes is you’re left with a sizable block of nice wood from the center. I turned that into a collection of coasters and a holder to match the dart box I made. #woodworking
Coasters made from Mahogany, Baltic Birch, and Walnut. They have a cork pad on the bottom and a matching holder. Coasters made from Mahogany, Baltic Birch, and Walnut. They have a cork pad on the bottom and a matching holder. The dart box I originally made, which left a substantial chunk of wood that became the coasters and storage tray.
December 3, 2024 at 2:23 PM
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I used the bandsaw box technique to make this "dart box" for my son-in-law. Mahogany, Walnut and Baltic Birch. The hinged holder for the darts allows the lid to close while keeping the darts secure. #woodworking
A "dart box" made from Mahogany, Baltic Birch and Walnut, sitting on a dark cabinet with the lid closed. A "dart box" made from Mahogany, Baltic Birch and Walnut, sitting on a dark cabinet with the lid open, showing some darts inside. A "dart box" made from Mahogany, Baltic Birch and Walnut, sitting on a dark cabinet with the lid open and the rotating dart holder in the up position.
December 2, 2024 at 1:05 PM
alisonworks.com
My first bandsaw box, made from figured walnut with some Baltic birch sandwiched in there. I’ve since made a dozen or so. They are a lot of fun to make! If you have a decent bandsaw and haven’t made one, it’s a great project to try. #woodworking
A bandsaw box made with walnut and Baltic birch. A bandsaw box made with walnut and Baltic birch, drawer open. A bandsaw box made with walnut and Baltic birch. Back view.
November 30, 2024 at 12:50 AM
alisonworks.com
After working the morning I swapped my shop apron for a kitchen apron and baked a couple pies for tomorrow. Sour cherry crumble and chocolate pecan.

Thinking about getting bloodwork on Friday because I’ll likely be sliding into diabetes territory after eating those.
November 28, 2024 at 12:00 AM
alisonworks.com
Finished up yesterday’s project this morning. Large serving tray with a spalted maple base that includes some Baltic birch and walnut. The frame is made from quarter sawn sapele. Embedded maple logo on the bottom to address an imperfection in the wood. Odie’s Oil finish. #woodworking
Side view of a large serving tray with a spalted maple base, surrounded by Baltic birch and walnut. Frame and handles are made from quarter sawn sapele. Edge view of a large serving tray with a spalted maple base, surrounded by Baltic birch and walnut. Frame and handles are made from quarter sawn sapele. Side view of a large serving tray with a spalted maple base, surrounded by Baltic birch and walnut. Frame and handles are made from quarter sawn sapele. Bottom view of a large serving tray with a spalted maple base, surrounded by Baltic birch and walnut. Frame and handles are made from quarter sawn sapele.
November 27, 2024 at 3:23 PM
alisonworks.com
Hello world!

I've been on BlueSky for all of a week and enjoying it. Some things:

- Semi-retired software engineer / exec / coach
- Passionate woodworker with a small shop
- Happily married, recent first time grandpa
- Into cycling, photography, meditation & mindfulness
- Author of FindingDavey

👋
November 27, 2024 at 12:40 PM
alisonworks.com
My next #woodworking build. Sapele framed serving tray with an ambrosia maple center, Baltic birch strips, and black walnut edges.
A collection of boards on a table before a build. Sapele, ambrosia maple, Baltic birch on edge, and black walnut strips. Also displayed is the template used to cut the handles.
November 26, 2024 at 2:57 PM
alisonworks.com
The Big Ash Table I made for my daughter as a wedding present last year. Made from 8 quarter ash, this table weighs a ton. Working on this solo in my small shop damn near killed me a couple times. No, I didn't make the chairs! #woodworking
A side view of a large 10 person dining room table made from solid ash. The table has 10 chairs surrounding it and is topped with a thin sash cloth, as well as a walnut centerpiece containing a small, low floral arrangement. An overhead view of a large 10 person dining room table made from solid ash. The table has 10 chairs surrounding it and is topped with a thin sash cloth, as well as a walnut centerpiece containing a small, low floral arrangement. Underside view of the large ash table, showing the C-channel supports to ensure the table doesn't warp over time. The table itself is secured to the frame using z-clips to allow for seasonal expansion.
November 25, 2024 at 1:31 PM
alisonworks.com
I really need to get a drum sander with an open side for wider #woodworking panels. Currently considering the Grizzly G0458ZX, but the reviews aren't great. Space is an issue in my small shop.

Anyone have opinions on one to consider?
November 24, 2024 at 12:26 PM
alisonworks.com
Finished this one today in a mad rush to have inventory for a show in two weeks. Heavily figured black walnut in the center, bordered by baltic birch and two panels of quarter sawn sapele. Frame / handles are maple w/ walnut splines. Finished in Odie's Oil. #woodworking
Side view of a large serving tray made from quarter sawn Sapele, Baltic Birch and Walnut, with a Maple frame and handles, and sporting Walnut splines in the corners. Front view of a large serving tray made from quarter sawn Sapele, Baltic Birch and Walnut, with a Maple frame and handles, and sporting Walnut splines in the corners. Overhead view of a large serving tray made from quarter sawn Sapele, Baltic Birch and Walnut, with a Maple frame and handles, and sporting Walnut splines in the corners.
November 23, 2024 at 9:55 PM
alisonworks.com
If you're into #woodworking be sure to have this in your bookmarks:

www.wood-database.com/wood-filter/

Excellent resource to help learn about the wood species for your builds.
Wood Filter | The Wood Database
www.wood-database.com
November 23, 2024 at 2:52 PM
alisonworks.com
I’ve been doing a lot of “smalls” recently - keepsake boxes, serving trays and ornaments. Prepping for a Christmas Bazaar at the school my daughter teaches in.

I really enjoy the time working on these items; very satisfying to finish something so quickly! Last “big” took over a month. #woodworking
November 23, 2024 at 1:04 PM
alisonworks.com
Made this small keepsake box from black locust. Amazing and crazy durable wood species with a beautiful grain pattern. Going to do a lot more with black locust in the near future. It also laser engraves very easily; the mandala sun/moon really pops out. #woodworking
A small 5x8x2.5 inch keepsake box made from black locust, sitting on a granite counter with the lid closed. Engraved in the top is a mandala style rendering of the sun and a quarter moon merging together. A small 5x8x2.5 inch keepsake box made from black locust, sitting on a granite counter with the lid open and revealing a green felt bottom. Engraved in the top is a mandala style rendering of the sun and a quarter moon merging together. The back of a small 5x8x2.5 inch keepsake box made from black locust, sitting on a granite counter with the lid closed. Engraved in the top is a mandala style rendering of the sun and a quarter moon merging together.
November 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM
alisonworks.com
This was one of the last projects I made before I went full-time into #woodworking. A portable bar inspired by Bourbon Moth that I gave to my daughter for her wedding reception. Fun build! Those tiles took forever!
A large rolling bar made from Red Grandis, with a stainless steel top and two large insulated tubs to keep beverages cool. Photo shows the cart in the closed position. A large rolling bar made from Red Grandis, with a stainless steel top and two large insulated tubs to keep beverages cool. Photo shows the cart in the opened position. A large rolling bar made from Red Grandis, with a stainless steel top and two large insulated tubs to keep beverages cool. Photo shows the cart in the open position from the rear, with access to shelves for beverage storage.
November 22, 2024 at 7:02 PM