‘Bench Bull:’ The Jack of All Bench Jigs, Part 1
Perhaps the most important instrument for the hand-tool oriented woodworker is a sturdy workbench. A reliable bench is fundamental for the success of sawing, chiseling, planing, grooving, [...]
Woodpile Reindeer Project for the Holidays
I’ve been know to make fun of the 1997 “Stumpy the Reindeer” project…but I have to admit that it’s a cute and simple decorative piece for the holidays – and one you [...]
Jim Tolpin: Design by the Seat of Your Pants (or Hand…or Foot…)
The February 2016, featuring Jim Tolpin’s Standing Desk, mails to subscribers next week. I have just a couple “Online Extras” to push live, but most of them are now available [...]
Anarchist’s 2015 Gift Guide, Day 9: Lie-Nielsen Honing Guide
Every year I recommend one tool that is a bit spendier than the rest, and this year it is the Lie-Nielsen Honing Guide. Thomas Lie-Nielsen first showed me the prototypes about eight years ago, [...]
Anarchist’s 2015 Gift Guide, Day 8: Better Beeswax
During the last few years as I have turned my back on finishes with lots of volatile organic compounds, I’ve begun looking for traditional high-quality finishes that won’t shorten my lifespan. [...]
Anarchist’s 2015 Gift Guide, Day 7: Forged Roman-style Nails
Good nails have been used in fine furniture for centuries. But during the last 100 years, nails have earned a bad reputation among furniture makers. That’s because good nails (cut nails and [...]
Make a Shaker Firewood Box, Part 2
So it’s been busy! I’m sorry that I’ve not had the time to write – but fear not, plenty on the way. I’m pleased to have the Shaker Firewood Box project done (read Part 1 [...]
Anarchist’s 2015 Gift Guide, Day 6: Soap Finish
This year I have experimented a lot with using a soap finish on chairs and tables. Soap is a traditional Danish finish used on furniture and floors. It’s easy to apply, easy to renew, low on the [...]
Anarchist’s 2015 Gift Guide, Day 5: Veritas Trammel Points
After 20 years, I finally wore out my grandfather’s Japanese-made trammel points. They were things of beauty, but the micro-adjustable friction mechanism began to slip and nothing could be done [...]
Anarchist’s 2015 Gift Guide, Day 4: B’laster Dry Lube
If you use only hand tools, this isn’t going to interest you much. If you use machines, read carefully. Lubrication makes a huge difference when you work alone. Moving heavy slabs across a [...]
Anarchist’s 2015 Gift Guide, Day 3: Starrett No. 92 Compass
I promise this is not an all-Starrett Christmas. Truth is (I hate to say) the last few things I’ve bought new from Starrett have been disappointing (especially a small pair of dividers). This [...]
Anarchist’s 2015 Gift Guide, Day 2: Starrett 819 Centering Punch
When I started seriously into building campaign furniture, I found that I was driving hundreds (no lie) of screws each week when building a typical piece with all the brass hinges, stays, corner [...]
