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The Czeck Edge tools on display at Woodworking in America at Valley Forge

October 15, 2009 By

Layout tools are critical in the shop, as they make it possible to mark a work piece accurately and clearly. And this is the sole reason for the existence of Czeck Edge Hand Tool.

Bob Zajicek, Owner of Czeck Edge, sold out his new dovetail chisels at Valley Forge, as he had only a limited number from the first production run. Notice the nice taper, which will allow the chisel to get into tight spaces, such as when paring, to get perfect joint fit:

czeck-edge-dovetail-chisel-valley-forge

Please read this earlier article I wrote about the pre-production version of this chisel after the Woodworking in America conference in St Charles, Ill., and Bob’s comments about it.

Update: I just received word from Bob that he is expecting the next batch of blades in three sizes, 3/16″, 1/4″ and 5/16″. Be sure to contact Bob through his web site, to add your name to the waiting list for the new chisels.

How about some eye candy? The Czeck Edge marking knives, awls, and burnishers – and barely seen on the left of this photo, Andrew Lunn, saw maker extraordinaire, who was immediately to the left of the Czeck Edge display position:

czeck-edge-display-philly

The awl display is colorful and warm, both for the beautiful woods used, as well as the workmanship:

czeck-edge-awls-philly

The burnishers, too, just about sold out. I own one, and it will probably be the last I ever need — the popular brand burnisher I bought many years ago went out in the trash some time earlier this year:

czeck-edge-burnishers-philly

Do yourself a favor, and try out one of the Czeck Edge tools; you will be glad you did. And, in the interest of full disclosure, Czeck Edge is one of the sponsors of this blog. I use Bob’s tools in my shop, and can recommend them without reservation!

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Filed Under: Blog, Czeck Edge, Dovetails, Hand tools, Joinery, Layout Tagged With: , , , ,

Two marking gauges, one old and one new

August 28, 2009 By

I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that keeping your practice pieces will confirm the progress you have made. And I find this is true. Below is a photograph of my practice “bucket”, plus some of the more recent results of my hand-cut dovetail journey, with focus on very small joinery for very small boxes:

practice-bucket

My practice "bucket".

To me, it is fundamental to always keep the grain aligned, such that it flows seamlessly around the corners:

cherry-prctice-boards

I don’t care much for the round marking gauges, such as the Tite-Mark and all its incarnations. Enter the Marketplace in St Charles, during the Woodworking in America Conference. I bought the 4-inch Hamilton marking gauge – it is sold exclusively by di legno Woodshop Supply:

hamilton-gauge-ready

It takes but a few minutes’ practice to learn to hold the gauge properly, and it soon becomes second nature:

using-hamilton-gauge

For years I used the Stanley 92 butt marking gauge, because it cuts a beautiful line – but more and more it felt awkward to use it on thin boards. It felt like it was trying to  “rock” on the edge of the work piece:

using-stanley-92

The results:

marked-cherry-boards

Summary: Both gauges cut beautifully. But the Hamilton gauge gives much better tactile feedback; I can “feel” when the gauge is truly square to the face of the board, even with very thin work pieces. Maybe it is because the fence is considerably wider than the face on the older Stanley; maybe it is due to its much lighter weight. But I now mark with much more confidence.

With that this part of a process resolved, I really must concentrate on not cutting beyond that line.

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Filed Under: Blog, Dovetails, Hand tools, Joinery, Layout Tagged With: , , , ,

Eye candy at the WIA Marketplace

August 21, 2009 By

Christopher Schwarz, Editor of Popular Woodworking and Woodworking magazines, has written at least two reviews of the Czeck Edge Hand Tool layout tools. His most recent review,  on the marking knives and bird cage awls, appeared in the August 2009 issue of Popular Woodworking.

The Czeck Edge (Bob Zajicek, Owner) display at Woodworking in America in St Charles, Ill., was colorful, and inviting. Bob “Zee” got help from Benchcrafted on the tool displays. Father John Abraham (Jameel Abraham’s brother) designed the marking knife holder, Bob designed the rest, and Jameel made them all; of course, Bob made all the tools:

czeck-edge-display

I bought one of these burnishers during the Lie-Nielsen event in Cincinnati – there is no going back to less than the quality of this tool:

czeckedge-burnishers

The display of marking knives:

czeck-edge-knives

The following is the arrangement of the bird cage awls:

czeck-edge-awls

Bob Zajicek stayed busy (Bob is on the right in the photo below):

czeckedge-at-work

As I have mentioned several times before, the quality of today’s tools is terrific. And, as others have pointed out correctly, the popularity of hand tools seems to be on the increase primarily due to the quality, pricing, and appeal of the new tools appearing almost every day.

Maybe The Schwarz has put it best (from the review I quoted above):

If you’re ready to put your Boy Scout knife away, the Czeck Edge tools will make it easier to scribe fine lines, and let you do it with class.

I would add only the following: My scrapers thank me, too, for I can now burnish their edges beautifully!

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Filed Under: Blog, Conference, Czeck Edge, Joinery, Layout, St Charles, Woodworking in America Tagged With: , , ,

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