I started woodworking around the age of ten, in middle school. I remember doing little projects like building balsa wood (and plastic) models before that as well. Some time in middle school, I started to build my shop. In high school, I landed a job (my first aside from delivering newspapers for holiday relief) at … Continue reading Looking Back
Blog
I’ve Got Mail!
One of the wonderful things about the internet is that it has the ability to connect people from all over the world. Today, I received the following message from someone in New Zealand: Hi Chris I stumbled across your blog. Very interesting and an enjoyable read. I'm about to embark upon renovating rooms in my … Continue reading I’ve Got Mail!
From Chair to Table, Literally
Dave Kilpatrick is the kind of guy who hates to see wood go to waste. So when he heard that six solid-walnut chairs were being tossed out, he offered to take them. His wife must have been thrilled when he brought them home. Anyhow, they ended up in my garage where I let them sit … Continue reading From Chair to Table, Literally
Woodworking is Fun!
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!
Another Post on Sharpening
Last week, I acquired a #4 plane and spent the time and had a bit of fun tuning up the blade.You cannot get a truly sharp edge no matter how much you sharpen the bevel if you do not flatten the back. The back should be flat - it does not need to be polished. … Continue reading Another Post on Sharpening
Construction of the Butternut Headboard
You might notice that this headboard seems a little less contemporary than most of my designs. And it is. The concept was a collaboration between my client and I - she wanted lots of curves and I needed to come up with a design that inspired me. I drew up a sketch of what it … Continue reading Construction of the Butternut Headboard
Lap Joints
The core of a torsion box is a grid made up of many thin strips of wood. For my shelves, those strips are 1/2"x3/4". I machined the strips for the core using my table saw and thickness planer to ensure they were dimensioned uniformly. Then I moved to my tablesaw to cut the half lap … Continue reading Lap Joints
Living The Life
Life is good. It got a little scattered over the holidays, but is now returning to form. I thrive when I have passion and purpose. The week I spent down in Phoenix, Arizona with Morgan to build the "Flow" bubinga table was a model lifestyle which I try to replicate. My routine was simple and … Continue reading Living The Life
Mixing Small Amounts of Epoxy
Quite often, I need to mix small amounts of epoxy. I've found the best way to mix it is to get a small, flat scrap of wood (about six square inches is usually ample). Then I squeeze out one bead of resin and one of hardener on the board. I've found that this is a … Continue reading Mixing Small Amounts of Epoxy
The Legacy of the In-N-Out Burger
Most years, I get one or two opportunities to fly down to California for five days to work a trade show for Lee Valley. And when that opportunity comes, I take it. Why not? California is sunny, warm, and near nice beaches. Most importantly, it's away from the shop, making it the closest thing to … Continue reading The Legacy of the In-N-Out Burger
