It seems that the idea of starting my business this year might just become a reality. While my weekly hours at Lee Valley hover around 40, my shop hours are probably over 20. On days where I work at Lee Valley, I spend little time in the shop as I am often too tired to … Continue reading No Rest For The Weary
Acacia – Block to Bowl
Right now I have a half dozen blocks of green acacia in the garage. I spent a good portion of last Saturday turning a pair of bowls from a single block. I first outlined the shape of the bowl on the block and cut it out on the bandsaw. I screwed the block onto a faceplate … Continue reading Acacia – Block to Bowl
Heirloom Tool Chest – The Planning Stage
Inspired by the handcrafted tool chest on the back of Fine Woodworking's latest issue of tools and shops with french-fitted compartments for frequently used hand tools, I have challenged myself to build one for myself. Before any tool is lifted or wood is selected, I needed to design the chest. And the best way to … Continue reading Heirloom Tool Chest – The Planning Stage
Dogwood Arts and Crafts Table – Complete!
On December 24th at 7:30 pm, I completed the dogwood table. It took 130 hours to complete and was finished with two coats of Deft Exterior Oil. It included two drop-in leaves supported by telescoping arms. I am very pleased with how it turned out (and also that I got it done for Christmas) as … Continue reading Dogwood Arts and Crafts Table – Complete!
Dogwood Arts and Crafts Table
As I've mentioned in a previous entry, I've been spending all of my shop time working on a Dogwood Arts and Crafts table for Dave Kilpatrick and his wife. It's nearing completion and last night I took a few photos. The table is sitting inverted on sawhorses, so you may find it helpful to turn … Continue reading Dogwood Arts and Crafts Table
Food for Thought
For the past month or so, I've spent nearly every waking hour in my shop building a Dogwood dining room table for a friend (and sawyer) by the name of Dave Kilpatrick. It totals a little more that 60 hours, but it feels like a whole lot longer. It's still a lot of fun though … Continue reading Food for Thought
This Just In…
A month-and-a-half ago, I was asked by the editors at Canadian Home Workshop to come up with some ideas for their annual gift idea issue. I thought about it for a little while, about two weeks, before passing on my best idea - a little box I had dreamed up based on a wooden hinge … Continue reading This Just In…
Dedication to Woodworking
Some of you who regularly check for updates on this site have been reminding me that I haven't added anything new in a few months. The reason: all my free time is dedicated to woodworking. You see, while I punch these keys to form the words you are now reading, I am also letting a … Continue reading Dedication to Woodworking
100 lbs of Douglas Fir
Last week while walking home, I passed a house with what looked to be half a dozen sections of a fallen Douglas Fir tree trunk. Each was roughly 24" in diameter and 10" thick. I introduced myself to the fellow trimming branches in the front yard and asked him about the wood. He confirmed that it was indeed … Continue reading 100 lbs of Douglas Fir
Tribute to the Butt Hinge
It may seem odd to some, but the truth is that one of my greatest inspirational sources is Lee Valley's hardware catalog. Many hours I have spent poring over the pages - mainly the Specialty Hardware and Small Box Hardware, but also the knobs, pulls, and other assorted hardware. This was the case about a … Continue reading Tribute to the Butt Hinge
