I have seen shark mouths that looked less threatening than this: Stay tuned! — Al Navas … [Read More...]
Coming soon, carbide tips
I have seen shark mouths that looked less threatening than this: Stay tuned! — Al Navas… [more]
Extra hands during large glue-ups
Often overlooked, screw clamps are great when a second pair of hands is not available in the shop. For example, as I apply glue to the edges of what will become a wide table top, I use the clamps to stabilize the boards: Using a mallet with… [more]
Two dumb blows mean prepping a new board
Note: Most of the time I use thick, heavy cauls to help align the edges; but not for edge glue-ups of very long boards. Sometimes I do dumb things, but this one takes the cake — an edge glue-up gone awry by careless pounding with a mallet. To… [more]
The Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool event in Kansas City in less than 2 weeks!
Disclaimer: I do not have any connection with Lie-Nielsen. As always, click on the images to enlarge them. The first of the Events in the Midwest in 2010, the Lie-Nielsen (LN) Hand Tool Event will take place in Kansas City in less than two… [more]
Bring in the lumber and let it acclimate
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we hosted the Guild meeting in our shop last night. Today was clean-up day, to move the metal chairs back into the storage area in the shop, and to gather up leftover water bottles, empty soda cans, and clean… [more]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Recent articles:

Extra hands during large glue-ups
Often overlooked, screw clamps are great when a second pair of hands is not available in the shop. For example, as I apply glue to the edges of what will become a wide table top, I use the clamps to stabilize the boards: Using a mallet with good technique, and without damaging … [Read More...]

Two dumb blows mean prepping a new board
Note: Most of the time I use thick, heavy cauls to help align the edges; but not for edge glue-ups of very long boards. Sometimes I do dumb things, but this one takes the cake — an edge glue-up gone awry by careless pounding with a mallet. To minimize the risk of damage … [Read More...]

The Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool event in Kansas City in less than 2 weeks!
Disclaimer: I do not have any connection with Lie-Nielsen. As always, click on the images to enlarge them. The first of the Events in the Midwest in 2010, the Lie-Nielsen (LN) Hand Tool Event will take place in Kansas City in less than two weeks! The Kansas City Woodworkers Guild … [Read More...]

Bring in the lumber and let it acclimate
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we hosted the Guild meeting in our shop last night. Today was clean-up day, to move the metal chairs back into the storage area in the shop, and to gather up leftover water bottles, empty soda cans, and clean up cookie crumbles (yes, we do have … [Read More...]

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...]
More recent articles:
- It is just a workbench
- Announcement: get a free router bit set when you buy a Super 18 or 24 Leigh dovetail jig
- 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
- Tommy MacDonald will host new woodworking show on WGBH
- A display of saws at the Sloane-Stanley museum
- Old lathes at the Sloane-Stanley museum in Kent, Connecticut
- Love the grits!
- Huge sale at Woodcraft February 26 and 27!
- Preparing to finish the legs for the stand-up desk












