My style of woodwork has been influenced predominantly by the materials I had, things I saw, and ideas I explored. Naturally, my designs have evolved over the years. While reorganizing my workshop, I found a few unfamiliar cardboard boxes. They contained some of my work from around the start of Flair Woodworks. I will be sharing photographs … Continue reading Roots of Flair
Breaking Down Slabs
The large majority of the wood that I have is sawn in slabs. While the live edges allow more design possibilities, there are times when I don't need them. Layout To process this slab, I start by aligning my straight edge just inside the bark. This results in the straightest grain with the least amount of waste. … Continue reading Breaking Down Slabs
Overflow XXII
Up for grabs is a Stanley #194, which was designed to cut chamfers on the edges of fibreboard. A razor blade is clamped to the bed with clamping plate and two slotted screws. Meanwhile, two thumbscrews secure the adjustable fence. The plane features a corrugated sole. According to the hand tool reference site Blood and Gore, … Continue reading Overflow XXII
Overflow XX
This is a nice, lightweight fret saw with a 12"-deep throat for increased cutting capacity. It is a German-made saw and can be purchased new from Lee Valley Tools Ltd. A pair of thumbscrews secure the standard 5" pin-less blades which are tensioned by the lightweight frame. Overall, I do like this saw, but not as much … Continue reading Overflow XX
Overflow XIX – Bulk Items
These items are small and of little value. Unlike other Overflow items, these are first come, first serve. I would be happy to include anything from this page with anything else you may win in future Overflow draws - just let me know when that time comes. 1. Router bit boxes. They come in various … Continue reading Overflow XIX – Bulk Items
High Tide – The Biggest Overflow Ever
After a busy Christmas season, I found some time to do some cleaning and organizing. I tackled the storage room, which houses parts, supplies, and infrequently-used tools. In an effort to consolidate, I have sorted through my inventory and filled up a number of boxes of things I didn't need. Many of the items would … Continue reading High Tide – The Biggest Overflow Ever
Two New Yew Cribbage Boards
Orders have been coming in steadily and I have just completed two new cribbage boards in time for Christmas orders. Both are made of Pacific yew and feature very unique live edges. Each board has three full tracks and a scoring field, and comes with a set of metal cribbage pegs. Click on either image … Continue reading Two New Yew Cribbage Boards
Cutting a 3D Jigsaw Puzzle
People have always been fascinated by my 3D wooden jigsaw puzzles. "Wow! Is that ever cool?" they marvel. "How on Earth did you make this?" "They are little gems. I dared to unlock a few pieces from one puzzle and was pleasantly surprised to find that they are unexpectedly puzzling! Devilish and nicely done!" - Jonathan, … Continue reading Cutting a 3D Jigsaw Puzzle
January-April 2014 Seminars at Lee Valley Coquitlam
The next season of seminars at Lee Valley Tools Ltd. Coquitlam begins the day after New Years Day with Make Your Own Smoothing Plane taught by yours truly. Together, we will be making wooden, laminated smoothing planes while I regale you with tips, theory, options, alternate techniques and stories of goofs that I've made in … Continue reading January-April 2014 Seminars at Lee Valley Coquitlam
Hole Boring Bits with a 1/4″ Hex Drive
The Vancouver area is a great place to be a woodworker. There are literally dozens of quality lumber suppliers, a handful of big box stores, a scattering of specialty woodworking stores, and even toolmaking companies. One of those toolmaking companies is MEGAPRO, which specializes in making screwdrivers and bits, including three very unique bits - … Continue reading Hole Boring Bits with a 1/4″ Hex Drive
