I think anyone who uses hand tools on a regular basis would benefit from some simple work bench appliances. Whether you build your own or purchase them, they really make a difference in the wood shop. A shooting board. The most effective way to trim…
When I first starting using the new, Veritas Dual Marking Gauge late last fall I wasn’t sure how often I’d actually use both sides of the gauge at once. Up until that point I used a single type gauge. Through the first week in use…
Busy days around the woodshop these past few weeks. Funny, since I posted the little video of my daughter making her wand a few weeks ago I’ve exclusively had female students! Coincidence? Two weeks ago it was a Mother and Daughter who were interested in…
After seeing her big brothers magic wand we made last week, my 5 year old daughter Piper decided she needed a little magic of her own. We followed the same basic steps, from spokeshave to sandpaper, saw to finish. She chose an off-cut of aromatic…
My seven year old son Nelson, recently watched the final part of the Harry Potter movies. He’s a bit of a book worm to say the least and ever since watching the series, he has been determined to make a magic wand. Yesterday, we spent…
“Slayer of the winter, art thou here again? O welcome, thou that bring’st the summer nigh! The bitter wind makes not the victory vain. Nor will we mock thee for thy faint blue sky.” – William Morris This past week I had three people ask…
Its been a very busy week here in the wood shop. Some shop made tools were at the top of my list both new book projects as well as a few made out of necessity. A furniture project that incorporates a mitered box with splines…
In the Autumn of 1949, a pattern maker named Ashley Iles began making and selling tools in a small workshop in Sheffield, England. Today, the family run business is still making and selling finely crafted tools in a factory now located in Lincolnshire. I had…
So some wood shop essentials eh? Jack plane- check. Panel saw-check. 24-in. steel rule-check. Waxed line-hmmm…?? A few years ago my Father-in-law gave me a spool of waxed line. I started using it for dry fits and other jigs and set ups around the wood…
