Elephant Restoration — Part Three. Surface repair, careful painting, and quiet progress.

Part three of the Elephant restoration project is now live on YouTube.

This stage focuses on damage on the left-hand side of the piece, the rear toenails, and the beginning of the painting process.

Much of the work here is about surface repair — building up missing areas with epoxy and then refining them carefully so they sit naturally with the original carving.

One technique I’ve been using is a thin plastic film laid over the epoxy while it cures. It’s a small thing, but it makes a real difference: the surface comes out smoother, with far less sanding and reshaping needed later. Less force, more control.

This is quiet, careful work — trying to get as much done as possible within the time available, without rushing the piece or losing sensitivity to its character.

These restoration projects aren’t about dramatic reveals or fast transformations. They’re about patience, observation, and letting the work unfold at its own pace. If you’re interested in restoration, surface repair, epoxy work, or thoughtful making, I hope there’s something useful here for you.

If you enjoy these slower, process-led videos, your support genuinely helps keep the channel going.

You can watch the video here

Watching, liking, commenting, or sharing all make a difference.

And if you’d like to go a step further, Super Thanks on YouTube or support via Buy Me a Coffee is always appreciated.

Thank you for being here,

Jamie

130 Christmas 'Puds'… in January?

This week I found myself making over 130 “Christmas puddings” — but not the edible kind.

They’re fuel briquettes, made from waste materials that would otherwise be thrown away. It’s slow, messy, very hands-on work, and oddly satisfying. This batch was made in February, which felt ridiculous enough to be worth filming.

I’ve been changing how I edit lately — quicker, rougher, more voice-over, less polishing. Instead of staying quiet while I work, I talk you through what’s going on in my head as I do it. It feels more like working alongside a friend than making a video for the masses.

The video is here:

👉 Watch: Over 130 Christmas Puddings… in February? 

If you’re interested in making your own fuel, using workshop waste, or just enjoy calm, honest making — you’ll probably enjoy this one.

Jamie

Elephant Restoration pt2

This video is about slowing down.

Not just in the work itself, but in the way we approach it — mentally as much as physically. Furniture making, restoration, and hand work all have a way of exposing impatience. Rush it, and the wood tells you straight away.

I’ve learned over the years that most mistakes don’t come from lack of skill, but from being slightly ahead of yourself. Thinking about the next cut before finishing the one you’re on. Letting the hands move faster than the head.

So this piece of work — like many on the channel — is about steady progress rather than quick results. Taking a breath, setting things up properly, and letting the process unfold at its own pace.

If you enjoy this way of working, I hope the video gives you something useful — whether that’s a technique, a way of thinking, or simply a few quiet minutes in the workshop.

These videos take time to plan, film, and edit, and while I make them primarily to share knowledge and record the work, they are also part of how I support myself long-term. If you’d like to help keep the channel going, there are two simple ways that genuinely make a difference:

YouTube Super Thanks (just below the video)

Buy Me a Coffee (link included with the video)

There’s absolutely no expectation — watching, liking, and leaving a comment already helps more than you might realise — but those options are there for anyone who feels inclined to support the work a little further.

As always, thank you for being here.

link to the YouTube video

 

Calm head, steady hands. 

Jamie 

Are Smaller Briquettes better?

Through December I’ve been testing my coffee-and-sawdust briquettes cut into quarters and sixths. It’s quick and easy to do on the bandsaw, and it changes how they burn in the stove.

In this video you’ll see why smaller briquettes behave differently, how I mix them with firewood, and exactly how I place them in the log burner. The footage is real, filmed across several winter evenings — no tricks, no edits to make things look better than they are.

It’s only 9 minutes long, but there’s a practical lesson in almost every minute if you’re interested in DIY fuel, wood burners, or getting the most heat from waste materials.

The briquette mix ratios are approximately by mass.

50% Coffee Grounds
30% Wood Shavings
10% Fine Wood Dust
10% Water

By Weight

50% Coffee Grounds
30% Water
20% Wood (shavings and dust)

I think that works out about right.

The video is doing really well and it great to have some wonderful comments for me to reply too. 

If you get a few minutes, it's well worth a relaxing chill out watching the flames and the way I put the fire 'together' 

Watch it here

Thanks for watching,
Jamie

2026 free plywood & better direction

I hope you are well and 2026 has started well for you. Mine is going well, as this video shows, someone gifted me 4 sheets of plywood. Which needs moving straight away.

Being in the present and mindful. 

I hope this theme will be throughout 2026. But I know I need to be less stressed out with making the perfect videos, film what's going on and let it go. 

So, to you and a reminder for myself 

Be kind, be helpful, be present. 

Watch the video here 

Let me know your thoughts and plans for 2026

Jamie

Saving An Indian Elephant

Save the Elephant – Can This Old Carving Be Restored?

This old hand-carved wooden elephant has seen better days. The front section — head, trunk, and front legs — is separating from the body along an old jointed piece of timber, leaving a  1-9mm gap!

Old black filler and dust is falling out, and it needs careful stabilising before any restoration can begin. Can I restore this Wood carving?

In this video watch here I take a close look at the damage, how it was made, and plan how to bring it back to life without losing any of its character, and make those all important first steps to full recovery.

🎥 Subscribe to follow the full restoration: @TheWorcestershireCabinetMaker

Thank you for your support

Jamie 

10ft Church Pew into Kitchen Corner Seating

This 10ft church pew had served its time — until Lou decided to give it a new life.

In this video, I take you through how I cut down an old church pew and transformed it into a beautiful kitchen corner seat.

It’s not a tutorial — more a look at the thought process, challenges, and small decisions along the way that make woodworking so rewarding.

Watch the video here

If you enjoy seeing old furniture brought back to life and reused with purpose, you’ll enjoy this one.

Thank you
Jamie

🪚 The Worcestershire Cabinet Maker
Sharing real woodworking, restoration, and craftsmanship — one project at a time.

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