How to Listen to the Wood – Carving, Day 2

Sunday afternoon, I started a project with a board of butternut (I thought it was walnut at first).  The idea was to let the wood dictate the end result.  I documented the process of building and mounting wall brackets live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates from Day 2: Monday (you … Continue reading How to Listen to the Wood – Carving, Day 2

How to Listen to the Wood – Carving, Day 1

Sunday afternoon, I started a project with a board of butternut (I thought it was walnut at first).  The idea was to let the wood dictate the end result.  I documented the process of building and mounting wall brackets live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates from Sunday (the project wasn't … Continue reading How to Listen to the Wood – Carving, Day 1

Shiny Handles Suck

Many wooden-handled tools that you can buy come covered in a tough, shiny finish.  These tools look so perfect and pretty and would look right at home in a glass display case under a spotlight in the Museum of Modern Art.  While the shiny handles are pretty and easy to wipe clean, they are slippery … Continue reading Shiny Handles Suck

Hand-Carving Threads (to Connect a Mirka CEROS to a Festool 27mm Hose)

To see how I installed the CEROS transformer on my Festool CT26 dust extractor, click here. This article shows how to layout and carve threads in a rubber hose end-piece.  However, the same techniques can be used to carve male threads in wood or another material. The Mirka CEROS (Compact Electric Random Orbit Sander) has a … Continue reading Hand-Carving Threads (to Connect a Mirka CEROS to a Festool 27mm Hose)

Wall Brackets for Hollow Chisel Mortiser

Yesterday, at 2:05 pm, I decided that I needed to get my benchtop mortiser off my bench.  I documented the process of building and mounting wall brackets live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates.  This was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could see the rate at … Continue reading Wall Brackets for Hollow Chisel Mortiser

Small Ash Side Table

At 11:45 am on Saturday, December 17, I decided that I would make a small table as a Christmas gift.  I documented my process live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates.  This was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could see the rate at which I progressed. … Continue reading Small Ash Side Table

Aiming for Perfection

When should you aim for perfection?  I recently found a quote around which I wrote a poem. Of this, take note: I read a great quote. Remember this if you need direction: "Strive for excellence, not perfection." H. Jackson Brown Jr. said it And I will not soon forget.

Christmas Ornament Ideas

Everybody has an idea of the perfect Christmas and more than likely, a tree is part of that vision.  In my household, decorating the tree has always been a family activity.  We work together to put up the tree and adorn it with lights, garland and our favourite ornaments.  We each have our favourite decorations and … Continue reading Christmas Ornament Ideas

What I Learned at Woodworking In America

Woodworking In America (WIA) was held in Covington, Kentucky this year.  I attended the show as an exhibitor with Time Warp Tool Works. WIA was a very busy show which meant that I had very little time to wander the Marketplace where our booth was located.  Here, I was chopping a mortise in a large piece … Continue reading What I Learned at Woodworking In America

Combining a Mirka CEROS with a Festool CT26

To see how I connected the Festool D27 hose to the CEROS, click here. The Mirka CEROS (compact electric random orbital sander) is different from most electric sanders because it is powered by a brushless DC motor and requires a transformer.  The sander, transformer and cord come packed in a Systainer 2 (2 refers to the size).  Systainers … Continue reading Combining a Mirka CEROS with a Festool CT26