What the Deceased Say About Dragging Your Planes
Though dragging your plane backward on the return stroke can make your iron dull faster, not all the old books agree that you should avoid the practice. In fact, many of my books are silent on [...]
Say Hello to PWM’s New Managing Editor
On May 20, 2011, I wrote an encomium for a friend and co-worker who was leaving the staff to work full-time in his own shop on a large, long-term, multi-piece commission project…that [...]
When Planing, I Can Be a Real Drag
I’m the first to admit that I have some bad habits. I drink beer. I occasionally curse. And I sometimes drag my planes back across my work on the return stroke. When you receive traditional [...]
A Simple Shaker Table in a Weekend
Spend the last weekend of summer 2013 (and probably the first 1/2 hour or so of autumn, because we may not be done by 4:44 p.m.) with me at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking in Franklin, Ind., [...]
Highland Woodworking: Hand-tool Stalwarts of the South
If it weren’t for Highland Hardware in Atlanta (now called Highland Woodworking), my life would be a lot different. 1. That’s where I first met Roy Underhill. Well, “met” is not the right word. I [...]
Learn how to Forge a Compass with Peter Ross
Peter Ross’s blacksmith and whitesmith work is unparalleled. I’d wax prolific here, but instead, I’ll just share with you the entire story I wrote about him for our November [...]
Lighting the Lathe
Good lighting is essential for lathe work. I really don’t think you can have too much. But general overhead lighting doesn’t cut it because you constantly need to train full, bright [...]
Turned wood teapot, to be included in an upcoming show at the Fuller Craft Museum Part 1
Some of you might be wondering if a real teapot be made of wood. The truthful answer is, unfortunately, no. Wood is obviously not the best container for hot water. Therefore, the piece that I [...]
AW Extra 4/11/13 – At-Hand Tool Storage
At-Hand Tool Storage By Bob Ungar I hate fumbling around in drawers or digging into cabinets for tools.That’s why I love perf-board. It displays my hand tools out in the open [...]
A Trio of Common Beginner Questions (& Answers)
If you’re new to the craft of woodworking, this post is for you, and it’s to help spread the word on the brainchild of Tom Iovino (Tom’s Workbench), “Get Woodworking [...]
Laminate File: A Woodworking Hand Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed
Tool snobs beware: This post is about an inexpensive tool that is useful for woodworking and without an ounce of style or charm. In the cabinet industry, plastic laminate files are used for [...]
New Lee Valley Precision Screwdrivers Seeking Grace
If you are picky about the screws you use in your projects, you are probably as picky about your screwdrivers. I sure am. Typical inexpensive and mid-price screwdrivers for slotted screws have a [...]
