Magic in Woodworking

The first three photos below would only seem like magic - a levitating phone cradle/charging stand and chopsticks holder.  As in any magic there is always a trick.  As in any trick it is just an illusion when looked at more closely.  But unlike most magicians, I readily show the trick.

It is at the peak of summer in Texas so I try to do just small projects, limiting the use of air conditioning at the workshop for the sake of the environment and the pocket book.  Small projects are more challenging though and since these are first-time attempts, the brain is challenged even more.

1. Chopsticks Stand 2G

Why a chopsticks project again?  European readers (from Germany and Denmark, in particular) seem to like the previous preceding blog. This is also an opportunity to get the rest of the chopsticks that had been in the kitchen drawer for all this time to have their own stand for dinner or lunch guests to use if they choose to try them over traditional utensils.  I walk the talk with chopsticks - I use them daily now.  As mentioned earlier in the prior blog, I like the idea of hand eye coordination for the brain when using chopsticks.  There is no real scientific proof that it works that way but I would like to think that it does ... somehow.

The magnifying visor (white contraption is something I should have had a long time ago.  Just acquired this recently and what a difference it had done for my vision. Suddenly I am seeing up close with more detail and clarity.  This is a must for all my fellow woodworkers of a "certain age".

The trick: I had some left over 3/8 inch thick acrylic from an earlier project.  I ripped on the table saw 1/2 inch strips which I then cut to the specific length. I made 3/8 inch grooves (dado) on the mating parts.  Clear epoxy and clamps did the rest.

Even though I know it, at a glance it still makes me do a double take. 

This seemingly fragile looking piece is quite structurally robust. The bond between the wood pieces and the 3/8 inch thick clear acrylic is exceptionally strong.

2. Phone Stand/Charging Cradle

This is the second but different version for my wife's phone.  It is still the same phone.  

Back side with two adjusting knobs

Again, scrap pieces were used.  Clear acrylic is surprisingly very strong.  Modern adhesives obviously make for very strong joinery given the right preparation of the work pieces (properly measured grooves or channels on the mating pieces). 

Note the clear acrylic on the right side of the photo.