March 17, 2010

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]

Two dumb blows mean prepping a new board Two dumb blows mean prepping a new board

I had almost enough clamps

. I found some boards with terrific fleck! — Al Navas .… [more]

I had almost enough clamps I had almost enough clamps

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]

The Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool event in Kansas City in less than 2 weeks! The Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool event in Kansas City in less than 2 weeks!

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]

Bring in the lumber and let it acclimate Bring in the lumber and let it acclimate

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

Recent articles:

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...]

I had almost enough clamps

. I found some boards with terrific fleck! — Al Navas . … [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...]

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...]

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