By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. - Benjamin Franklin Preparing is not the same as planning. I think of planning as forethought specific to a task or project, such as creating detailed drawings, cut lists, or mock-ups. I would also include organizing construction steps in a logical sequence, which is often the extent … Continue reading On Preparation
Filler
Recently, I've been really busy between increased December work hours at Lee Valley Tools Ltd., the big push to complete the outstanding orders of hollow and round planes for my other company, Time Warp Tool Works, and other top-secret Christmas stuff. Until today, my shop was an absolute mess with all the projects in the works. … Continue reading Filler
Hardware Inspires Me
Experienced woodworkers know that one of the keys to a successful project is to have the hardware that will be used on-hand before the planning stage is complete and building begins. While having a thorough (and accurate) understanding of the hardware is one reason to explore what is available, I also study hardware for inspiration. … Continue reading Hardware Inspires Me
Overflow, Part XI
Router bit sets with 30 assorted bits seem like a great deal and an affordable way to start your collection. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who bought one of these sets. They are good value if you look at the cost per bit. However, the sets often come with moulding profile bits … Continue reading Overflow, Part XI
Exactly as Precise as Required
If it looks right, it's probably right. In my work, I've always tried to avoid numbers. Mostly, I used numbers to communicate with the rest of the world. For example, it was more helpful to tell you that Relationship Study was about 45 inches wide than to gesture with my hands. Recently, I made a … Continue reading Exactly as Precise as Required
Woodworkers in an Art Museum
After Woodworking in America in Pasadena, Paul-Marcel and I stayed in California for a few days to explore the local attractions, including The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Eagle Tools, and Paul Schurch's woodworking shop. Paul-Marcel's latest post includes video footage (duration - 15:11) from inside the Los Angeles County Museum of … Continue reading Woodworkers in an Art Museum
Black Locust Wall Table, Part III: Testing Blind Mounting Hardware
In Part I and Part II, I built this prototype table which was to be mounted on a wall. The next step in the design and construction of the table was to install hardware that would allow it to be mounted to a wall. The simplest way to attach the table would have been a pair of big … Continue reading Black Locust Wall Table, Part III: Testing Blind Mounting Hardware
Black Locust Wall Table, Part II: Putting it Together
In Part I - Visualizing in Wood, I selected and prepared the table components. Part II - Putting it Together covers everything else - joinery, sculpting, and assembly. To facilitate laying out and cutting the long tusk tenon, I first flattened one face of the upright. I used three round, wooden bench dogs to immobilize … Continue reading Black Locust Wall Table, Part II: Putting it Together
Black Locust Wall Table, Part I: Visualizing in Wood
This table was inspired by a coffee table design of Brian VanVreede with a daring cantilevered top. I worked out my design in my head over the next five months until I built the first wall-mounted version. How I Chose My Materials The entire table was made of black locust because it was hard and strong enough, and … Continue reading Black Locust Wall Table, Part I: Visualizing in Wood
Mechanical Puzzle Box
After Woodworking in America, I hitched a ride to Phoenix with Paul-Marcel. In his shop, I built a puzzle box with a mechanical lock. In this video, I demonstrate the operation of the box while talking about wooden jigsaw puzzles and the design and construction of the box. (Duration - 10:04) Read about another of … Continue reading Mechanical Puzzle Box
