St Charles — Sandal Woods

August 20, 2009 By Al Navas

WIA St Charles: Unlocking the Secrets of Traditional Design, with George Walker

While attending Woodworking in America last week, I had a chance to visit with George Walker in the Marketplace for a short while. This was before his presentation, Unlocking the Secrets of Traditional Design. After listening to his presentation, I went back his booth to let him know I was blown away by the Secrets.

I extracted the short video above from George’s 90-minute presentation. I hope this video will give you reason to buy his DVD, available from Lie-Nielsen; price: $25. I recommend it highly to everyone interested in designing furniture. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was lucky to buy the last copy at the Lie-Nielsen desk in the Marketplace.

I have already watched the DVD twice. But, just like the reaction expressed by others, my head was spinning with the sheer amount of information; I will keep watching it, and digesting. Christopher Schwarz, Editor of Popular Woodworking and Woodworking magazines, published a superb review of Unlocking Secrets, in June 2009. I encourage you to read the glowing review by The Schwarz.

Above all, I am certain you will be pleased to get the Walker DVD, study it, and unlock the secrets within. A good starting point: You will learn you must train your eye to recognize shapes and proportions in furniture, and in nature. I feel I have barely started the journey.

On more thing: George told me he will be writing a column on design for Popular Woodworking, starting in 2010. I look forward to it!

August 18, 2009 By Al Navas

The cut-a-tenon event at the Hand Tool Olympics in St Charles

This is Roger Knudson of Finlayson, MN, cutting a tenon in the competition. He impressed the judges with his accuracy; but, if I remember correctly, his speed was not sufficient to win a prize.

I wanted to compete on the first day, but totally forgot to enter on Friday. And on Saturday I did the dovetails, crosscut, and boring competition. My times were lousy in all events – that is to say, the best times completely blew me away. I stink, and will have to get in better shape for October, in Valley Forge.

August 17, 2009 By Al Navas

A new dovetail chisel from Czeck Edge Hand Tool

Dovetail alert – seen at the Woodworking in America conference in St Charles, IL.

Bob Zajicek, of Czeck Edge Hand Tool, will be introducing a new dovetail chisel. This new chisel will feature a tapered and beveled rib, as shown in the prototype in the photo above. The tapered bevel will allow getting into the tighter corners now being used by craftsmen who prefer cutting dovetails with a steep(er) angle, such as 14°. The resin-impregnated handle will remain, a huge plus to chopping without worry of damaging it with a mallet.