March 10, 2010

Presentation to our Guild on resawing on the band saw

Our Guild meetings are always interesting, sessions during which I almost always learn something new. Tonight I made a one-hour presentation on resawing on the band saw, covering safety aspects, tuning the band saw, adjusting for drift, blades,… [more]

Presentation to our Guild on resawing on the band saw Presentation to our Guild on resawing on the band saw

Failure of finger joints on a closet rod

The setting: A nice, quiet dinner with a little music in the background. A wonderful meal on the table, fresh out of the oven. And then, a terrible sound, as if a small avalanche of snow is falling off the roof to the deck, and onto the ground… [more]

Failure of finger joints on a closet rod Failure of finger joints on a closet rod

Repairing a niddy noddy

Our woodworking involves making and, from time to time, repairing of items. I have repaired several boxes made for granddaughters, various racks, a small spinning wheel, etc. Most recently, little hands used and (possibly damaged) the niddy… [more]

Repairing a niddy noddy Repairing a niddy noddy

I cheated on my knife

I cheated today (by the time you read this, it will be tomorrow). I cheated on my knife. And I don't regret it...Shouldn't I feel guilty? Or should I feel sad? As a matter of fact, I am happy. If I have but a few pins to make to pull a joint… [more]

I cheated on my knife I cheated on my knife

Readying the drawboring pins, and applying finish to the dust cover

As I stepped out of the shop, I noticed the temperature gauge in the shade, on the wall of the wooden shed: I had to look. Confirmed! I might be able to get away with spraying some lacquer today. The temperature was just above 40°F: In… [more]

Readying the drawboring pins, and applying finish to the dust cover Readying the drawboring pins, and applying finish to the dust cover

It is just a workbench

My workbench is just a workbench. Of course, I did not always think so; it was so nice and clean when I first bought it, but it's not that way now. Over the years it has become a work "area", a work horse of a fixture in the shop. I mention… [more]

It is just a workbench It is just a workbench

A fret saw, and spinning and weaving tools at the Sloane-Stanley museum in Kent, CT

I have a fascination with old tools, regardless their origin; I know other people love them, too. And I especially love tools that are part of what is called Americana, in particular. At the top of my (personal) list of places to visit to see… [more]

A fret saw, and spinning and weaving tools at the Sloane-Stanley museum in Kent, CT A fret saw, and spinning and weaving tools at the Sloane-Stanley museum in Kent, CT

This was the view on the way back to the house

I had a nice day in the shop yesterday, shuffling back and forth to the house as the shellac dried. As I left for the last time near dusk, this view greeted me: I love it! It was 33°F at this time, just about T-shirt temperature after… [more]

This was the view on the way back to the house This was the view on the way back to the house

Tommy MacDonald will host new woodworking show on WGBH

From USNERDOC on YouTube David Pruett, of The Folding Rule blog podcast, announced today that Tommy and WGBH have inked the deal. Congratulations, Tommy! I wish you and the show all the success in the world. You will do a terrific job carrying… [more]

Tommy MacDonald will host new woodworking show on WGBH Tommy MacDonald will host new woodworking show on WGBH

A display of saws at the Sloane-Stanley museum

Acknowledgment: I thank Ms. Barbara Russ of the Sloane-Stanley Museum for allowing me to take photographs for publication on this blog. Although her official title is not “Curator”, she demonstrates the knowledge and research ability… [more]

A display of saws at the Sloane-Stanley museum A display of saws at the Sloane-Stanley museum

Recent articles:

Showing the details of resawing on the band saw.

Presentation to our Guild on resawing on the band saw

Our Guild meetings are always interesting, sessions during which I almost always learn something new. Tonight I made a one-hour presentation on resawing on the band saw, covering safety aspects, tuning the band saw, adjusting for drift, blades, drift, etc.: Toward the end … [Read More...]

Failure of finger joints on a closet rod

The setting: A nice, quiet dinner with a little music in the background. A wonderful meal on the table, fresh out of the oven. And then, a terrible sound, as if a small avalanche of snow is falling off the roof to the deck, and onto the ground below. Sandy and I looked at each … [Read More...]

Repairing a niddy noddy

Our woodworking involves making and, from time to time, repairing of items. I have repaired several boxes made for granddaughters, various racks, a small spinning wheel, etc. Most recently, little hands used and (possibly damaged) the niddy noddy our daughter uses to wrap a skein … [Read More...]

A first look at the new Popular Woodworking Magazine

I kept reading on the forums about people receiving their copy of the all-new format, the result of merging the old Popular Woodworking (PWW), and Woodworking (WW) magazines. I was getting...mildly upset I had not received mine. That changed last night. Sandy brought in the mail … [Read More...]

I cheated on my knife

I cheated today (by the time you read this, it will be tomorrow). I cheated on my knife. And I don't regret it...Shouldn't I feel guilty? Or should I feel sad? As a matter of fact, I am happy. If I have but a few pins to make to pull a joint tight using the drawboring technique, … [Read More...]

Readying the drawboring pins, and applying finish to the dust cover

As I stepped out of the shop, I noticed the temperature gauge in the shade, on the wall of the wooden shed: I had to look. Confirmed! I might be able to get away with spraying some lacquer today. The temperature was just above 40°F: In the shop, on the outer wall … [Read More...]

It is just a workbench

My workbench is just a workbench. Of course, I did not always think so; it was so nice and clean when I first bought it, but it's not that way now. Over the years it has become a work "area", a work horse of a fixture in the shop. I mention this because two readers wrote me a note … [Read More...]

Announcement: get a free router bit set when you buy a Super 18 or 24 Leigh dovetail jig

Yesterday I received an e-mail message from Leigh Industries and I must share it with you; this might save you a few bucks: March madness! Free $109 router bit set with the purchase of a Leigh Super 18 or Super 24 dovetail jig. Here's How It Works! During the month of March 2010, … [Read More...]

A fret saw, and spinning and weaving tools at the Sloane-Stanley museum in Kent, CT

I have a fascination with old tools, regardless their origin; I know other people love them, too. And I especially love tools that are part of what is called Americana, in particular. At the top of my (personal) list of places to visit to see old tools is the Sloane-Stanley museum … [Read More...]

This was the view on the way back to the house

I had a nice day in the shop yesterday, shuffling back and forth to the house as the shellac dried. As I left for the last time near dusk, this view greeted me: I love it! It was 33°F at this time, just about T-shirt temperature after the truly cold days we have had. The weather … [Read More...]

Tommy MacDonald will host new woodworking show on WGBH

From USNERDOC on YouTube David Pruett, of The Folding Rule blog podcast, announced today that Tommy and WGBH have inked the deal. Congratulations, Tommy! I wish you and the show all the success in the world. You will do a terrific job carrying the torch. I encourage you to … [Read More...]

A display of saws at the Sloane-Stanley museum

Acknowledgment: I thank Ms. Barbara Russ of the Sloane-Stanley Museum for allowing me to take photographs for publication on this blog. Although her official title is not “Curator”, she demonstrates the knowledge and research ability to be the Museum Curator. I grew up … [Read More...]