I'm down in Costa Mesa, California to work at the Lee Valley booth at The Woodworking Show. After we set up our booth on Thursday, we had the remainder of the day to do whatever we wanted and, being woodworkers, we decided to visit the local woodworking store. Our first stop was Woodcraft where we … Continue reading The Slippery Slope of Festool
Last week, I obtained a mobile set of drawers full of hardware. Awesome. To transport it back to my shop, I removed all the drawers and laid the unit down in the back of my truck and stacked the drawers against the truck's cab. Then, to get it down to my shop, I carried down one … Continue reading Reality Check
I'm not one who typically bad-mouths, but in this case it was so bad it was laughable – even satirical that I can't not share what I witnessed today. Since this transpired, I've had Treble Charger's Brand New Low stuck in my head. So click the link, listen to the music, and read the rest … Continue reading A Brand New Low
We Canadians have long understood the value of the Robertson screw, invented by one Peter L. Robertson in 1907. Unlike Phillips- and slot-head screws, they don't cam out or strip easily. Also, with a well-made bit and well-made screws, the screw will stay securely on the tip of the driver. How well? These two pictures … Continue reading Peter Roberston Is My Hero
This is a long post. If you only have a few minutes, look at the pictures and read "The Point" which is almost half way through. I would also like to hear your reaction whatever it may be. The purpose of this piece is to encourage us to examine the use of precision instruments in woodworking, … Continue reading A Box Called “Necessessity?”
A woodworking shop is full of hazards and we are constantly reminded of that. Magazines and TV shows warn that woodworking itself is inherently dangerous. Power tool manuals have pages of warnings about electrical hazards, sharp edges, and noise and dust created. Many hand tools come with labels or packaging cautioning us to always wear … Continue reading Be Careful of that GENTLY ROUNDED EDGE!
I've been gradually learning more and more about sliding table saws over the past few years, and finally, a couple weeks ago, I made the decision and ordered one.It's been a bit of a drawn-out process, but yesterday my new saw was delivered into my garage. I uncrated the saw, took a measurement of the … Continue reading My New Sliding Table Saw
I have been working on developing a seminar at Lee Valley Tools to make a pair of sawhorses based on the ones I made for my own shop. The idea we came up with was to make one horse using power tools and the other with hand tools. That would give seminar participants good practice … Continue reading Bow Saws
Wednesday was a reminder that summer is on its way. It was gorgeous outside - sunny and warm. Some might even describe it as hot. Soon, 20-degree weather sunny weather will be the norm. Can't wait for that. The weather fired my imagination and resulted in this box, with a sea-side theme: rolling waves, sun, … Continue reading Life on the Coast
When I work with power tools, I am more production minded - more focused on the result. When I work with hand tools, often in the evenings when everyone else has went to bed, I am working for the fun of it - for the journey. I am working for myself and myself alone. Many … Continue reading Woodworking is Fun!
