Having grown up in the Midwest of good ol Merica, you’d think I would be savvy at identifying the trees that yield the material I spend the most time with. But alas, not so. In the eighth grade, I had a science project that involved identifying several different trees, photographing them, and then writing a…
Month: November 2017
Spinning Wheel
Several months ago, John Switzer of Black Bear Forge posted a picture on Instagram of his wife’s spinning wheel. The rim of the wheel was made of two pieces and laminated together but the laminations were coming apart. He asked for advice on repairing it and had many suggestions including mine. The wheel was a…
If you have to scrape…
…then do it, but go ahead and turn a burr on that blade so you’re actually taking shavings. Although I revel in those moments when my handplanes leave a smooth, glassy surface behind, there are times when that’s just not going to happen. Reversing grain and run-out plague even the best woodworkers, and there’s never…
Before I Die
I think it’s safe to say that most people have a list of things they would like to accomplish before they die. Most of the lists are a combination of places to visit and crazy things to do (which may bring you much closer to the end of your list). Not mine. I’m measuring the…
Cheap Chisels
I didn’t get a lot of advice and wisdom from my father. The majority of what was passed from father to son was highly inappropriate and would get me in trouble. But one piece I’ll share; “take care of your tools.” Actually, I don’t know if he was saying that to me or to remind…
Focus
I’ve been toying around with marquetry for a while now, but I wanted to learn more about working with veneer in general, so in August I took a class. What I thought was going to be a technique class turned out to be a technique class with a project. On day one, during the introduction…
At least it’s wood
Fancy LED display made of Sycamore and controls your home. You can learn more about it here. From what I’ve read, this is still a prototype but it would sure beat the plastic thermostat I have now. Would you buy it?
I Am a Whore Too
Do you read the letters in magazines? I do. I enjoy the perspectives of others and the transparency of the editors who print scathing letters they could have easily sent to the trash can. Recently, I was browsing the letters of the new Tools & Shops issue of Fine Woodworking and came across one that…
Buried in Southern yellow shavings.
Utilitarian does not necessarily mean without care. This bunk bed may be made with 2×4’s and 2×6’s, and pocket screws, but I still have to look at it every day. A few passes with the no.8 transforms each of the endposts from rough and ready, to something a little more refined. And this is a…
