Episode 32 - Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show: Part One
October 31, 2007
Tommy and Al visit the show that Tommy won last year. There, John Landis of John Landis Cabinet Works shows them a beautiful, handmade table that seats up to 14. David Bazis of Bazis Studios shows off his furnishings, which incorporate his wife's glassmaking. Paul of Cathedral Woodworking describes how he works with a customer to design a custom piece. And Tommy talks with Karla Little, the founder of the Fine Furnishings Shows, about the exhibit's 12-year-history and expansion into other types of...
A New Saw Blade with a History
October 30, 2007
When I packed my shop to move from Columbus, Ohio to Des Moines, I just wrapped all my table saw blades in newspaper and stacked them in a box. I didn’t take time to sort out the ones that needed sharpened and the ones that probably should have been discarded (I hate throwing out saw blades). So when I finally set up shop in my two-car garage, I was using the same saw blade in my table saw that I was using in Ohio. It was a Signature Series blade made by Oldham. I’ve been very happy...
Tool Talk Podcast #28
October 29, 2007
This week Sean and I make an impassioned plea for you to try welding, talk reel vs. electric vs. gas mowers, and, as always, run down the week’s top five posts as selected by Toolmonger readers. Highlights: we discuss the zillions of small flux-core welders available inexpensively, question the cost of building with aluminum or other high-buck materials as compared to steel, reminisce about pushing reel mowers as kids, and talk tools, tools, tools. Remember, if you’ve got a question or...
Episode 31 - Bombe Series - Fitting Drawer Backings
October 29, 2007
With the sides and fronts cut, Tommy enjoys "smashing" the pins and tails together. The pine is so soft, working with these dovetails is easy. But before he can glue it all together, he has to clean up the drawer then make a groove in the back of the drawer front. With the drawers taking shape, Tommy is finally starting to feel like he's making progress. Read More →
Wanted: Good, Sharp Pocket Knife
October 28, 2007
I remember growing up that my dad always had a sharp pocketknife in his pocket. He still carries one with him all the time. He could never stand not having a sharp knife and sharpened it often. So, I guess I picked up the habit of carrying a pocket knife from Dad. My first decent pocket knife I purchased for myself was a small, two-bladed Buck knife. It had stainless steel blades and real wood scales. I bought it on my honeymoon and carried it with me every day for about 15 years. Imagine how...
A Better Steel Rule
October 26, 2007
I have a fascination with measuring tools — especially steel rules. I seem to collect them. I think it’s partly because I can never find one when and where I need it. And partly because they’re so inexpensive, I don’t break out into a cold sweat or have to come up with an explanation for my wife whenever I buy one. But there’s a problem I’ve always had with steel rules. I have a hard time seeing the graduations. At least in my shop, I have to angle the rule...
Episode 30 - Bombe Series - Drawer Shaping
October 26, 2007
Satisfied with his selection of wood, Tommy delves into the beginning stages of creating the drawer fronts - laying out the dovetails. After cutting the blank into a shape, he takes his shoulder plane to smooth rough ends and "sights" to make sure they're level. Read More →
Podcast #27: 10 Essential Hand Tools for Your Shop
October 25, 2007
I have a half dozen different squares in my shop. My framing square isn’t accurate enough for fine woodworking. A good try square is plenty accurate, but its uses are limited. The combination square, on the other hand, is one of the most versatile layout and measuring tools in my shop. That’s why it tops the list of my “10 Essential Hand Tools for Your Shop.” If you’re interested in purchasing any of the items I mention in this Woodsmith Woodworking Podcast, be sure...
Tool Talk Podcast #27
October 25, 2007
Join Sean and me for this week’s special break s#!$ edition of Tool Talk. As always, we also run down the week’s top five posts as selected by Toolmonger readers, taking some time at the end to call out a few posts we thought deserved attention, but we’re also joined by Mike Marusiak, Stanley’s global product manager for hammers and demolition. Highlights: we dish on all the stuff we broke at Maker Faire Austin last weekend to kick off Toolmonger’s Break S#!$ Week,...
Short Course Dates 08 and Entertainment
October 24, 2007
Finally and regretfully, slightly later than advertised, short course dates for 2008 are now posted on my website.They are available from late January, ... Read More →
Bench Dog Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
October 24, 2007
Well, I’ve been hearing rumors for quite some time that Bench Dog was having financial difficulty. It’s been confirmed from this listing in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune. Bench Dog filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last July: Bench Dog Inc., 3310 NE. 5th St., Minneapolis; filed July 27, 07-42546; Chap. 11; … I’ve always liked Bench Dog’s products. Though their products aimed for the “higher end” of the market, I think their designs are innovative...
Episode 29 - Bombe Series - Drawer Front Doves
October 24, 2007
Tommy works on the "really tough" drawer fronts, eight in all. He's trying to "elevate his game," but the project is "starting to get" to him, especially because of all the tiny pieces of wood. But Tommy is satisfied with the finished pieces and determined to keep moving forward. Read More →
Ep 12 Carlo Mollino Design 03
October 23, 2007
In this the third installment on a furniture design inspired by Carlo Mollino, we prep our bending ply, build our bending form, and construct a fixture for a machine operation, specific to the router.This woodworking podcast presents alot of woodworking material, you'll witness how traditional woodworking meets contemporary materials. The episode expressed an opinion on how a furniture design is mentally pushed forward by always having a prepared solution.This Carlo Mollino video continues to encourage...
Episode 28 - Bombe Series - Pigeon Hole Drawers: Part One
October 16, 2007
Tommy cuts the wood for the drawers and finds some "sweet" colors and swooping patterns. After putting the pieces in place, he says they look too "blasé" and "lame" compared to the beautiful wood of the writing surface and opts for a do-over. Stay tuned to see if the new wood meets Tommy's expectations. Read More →
Episode 27 - Episode 27 - Tuning a Plane
October 15, 2007
Taking a break from building the Bombe, Tommy tunes his hand plane by taking it apart and sharpening it. He demonstrates the power of the plane, showing how to flattening an uneven piece of wood. Using paraffin wax to glide the plane, he gets the piece of gnarly wood in perfect shape. Read More →
Cost Effective Stitches
October 11, 2007
Welll.......I have been extremely busy in the shop as of late and been making alot of headway on alot of projects. Today I was cutting some 2 1/4" thick oak on the bandsaw and knew I should have changed the blade for I knew it needed to be changed. I said to myself I will just cut out these last few and then I'll throw that blade out.Well.......The push block slipped and my left pointer finger went right into the blade and cut me good from the middle knuckle down to the nail and got me for.........7...
Podcast #26: Turning Pens on the Lathe: From Start to Finish
October 9, 2007
In this weeks Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar Podcast, Brian Simmons will show us the basics for turning pens in hardwood, burls, and man-made materials. He’ll give some tips for preparing the blank, mounting the blanks to a mandrel, and turning the pen. Finally, he’ll wrap things up by sanding, finishing and assembling a pen. Links to the seminar guides and products that you’ll see being used during the seminar podcast can be found at the Woodsmith Podcast Store. Read More →
Ep 11 a Carlo Mollino Design 02
October 3, 2007
Here's our second episode on the Carlo Mollino inspired coffee table. Our homage to the charismatic Italian Architect and Designer from Turin Italy.We start with a snap of furniture history and begin to develope the atmosphere that Carlo was trained in and worked arounded.Construction engineering is dealt with in this Mollino furniture design and a present day solution is found. Our bending form template is completed and we press our 2-ply, the answer to our construction issue.This Carlo Mollino...
Forum Flame Wars
October 2, 2007
I am constantly amazed at the differing reactions that can follow from rather mild advice proffered on woodworking forums.A recent thread on Fine Woodworking ... Read More →
