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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

Deconstructed, Session 1

Yesterday, I went down to the shop with the intention of completing a piece of furniture.  I had no idea what I was going to build, but knew it was likely to be sculpted. As always, I documented my progress live on Twitter using hashtag #FlairWW (follow me @FlairWoodworks) which was useful because each update had a … Continue reading Deconstructed, Session 1

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

Woodworking-Themed Jack-O-Lanterns

Last year, Festool USA sponsored a contest to find the best Festool-themed Jack-O-Lantern. I started with this: And transformed it into this: To carve this Fest-oo-Lantern, I used drew my design on the pumpkin with a washable marker, then used a carving knife to outline the areas to be removed.  I used a shallow and … Continue reading Woodworking-Themed Jack-O-Lanterns

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