Episode 43 - Ask the Masters 02
November 30, 2007
In the second installment of "Ask the Masters," Tommy and Al discuss photos that PeteMichelinie from the North Bennet Street School posted on the forum of his beautiful replica Newport Kneehole Block-Front Bureau. They also respond to viewers' questions about Tommy's choice of dovetail saw as well as his bench, which he built himself. Read More →
Going Nationwide: The Woodsmith Shop TV Show
November 29, 2007
If you’re a subscriber to Woodsmith or ShopNotes magazine, or live in the state of Iowa, you probably already know that we’ve been busy around here. We’ve been working hard on a new TV show that has been airing on public television (PBS) stations in Iowa and will soon be available nationally in December. The Woodsmith Shop is unlike any other woodworking show you’ve seen. It’s the first one to be filmed and produced (by Iowa Public Television) in High Definition....
Miter Saw Product Recall
November 28, 2007
Well, the news from the Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps rolling in. Today, I received notice that Performax and Wilton miter saws are being recalled. These are Chinese import brands distributed by WMH Tool Group (makers of Jet and Powermatic tools). Here’s the hazard they’re reporting: “The saw handle’s switch can fail, causing the saw to smoke, spark, and trip circuit breakers, and disable the safety brake. The saw also can keep operating unless the unit is unplugged,...
USA versus UK language usage
November 27, 2007
There is one variation of usage which has struck me forcibly after many years of reading American magazines and Reviews.Larry Williams' wooden moulding ... Read More →
Shop Light Product Recall
November 26, 2007
I’ll admit it. When it came time to set up my shop, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on lighting. Yep…I’m cheap. So I went to my local big box store and picked out the least expensive flourescent shop lights I could find. But just so you don’t think I’m a total cheapskate, I did upgrade half of the tubes to the newer (and more expensive) daylight or full-spectrum tubes for more natural lighting. I learned that lesson from our new shop here at August...
Episode 42 - Bombe Series - Final Drawer Shaping
November 26, 2007
While listening to a little Chubb Rock, Tommy puts the finishing touches on shaping the drawers. To prevent tearing with the planer, he relieves some of the edge of the drawer. After being a little too aggressive with the planer, a small tear forms and Tommy checks to make sure both ends are still level with a square. Tommy then puts them in place to make sure the completed drawers fit. He then reviews the construction and design of the fitted drawers and discusses future plans for completing the...
Episode 41 - Ask the Masters 01
November 21, 2007
Tommy sits down with Al to respond to questions and comments posted in his newly-launched message board and send out a big thank you to all his fans (and especially Chicago Ron for the cigars!). After being asked by a viewer, Al gives a "quick" biography of himself. He also fields a question from another viewer about a matchstick holder he made. Read More →
Episode 40 - Bombe Series - Veneering the Drawer
November 19, 2007
With the drawers fully assembled, Tommy shares a insider's tip on protecting the finish of the exposed inside surface of the case where the drawers have a tendency to rub as they slide in and out. To offset the outside drawers ever so slightly, Tommy glues a thin strip of veneer to the outside wall of the drawer cubby interior. Once applied, the veneer provides just enough breathing room for the drawer to glide smoothly without touching the case wall thus preserving the finish. Read More →
Episode 39 - Bombe Series - Drawer Bottoms
November 16, 2007
Tommy takes a break from shaping the drawer fronts to construct the drawer bottoms and finish the drawers. He's using wood scraps saved along the way for the job. He first bevels the back edge then cleans up the side edges with a plane so the bottoms will fit snugly in the grooves along the drawer sides. Next he cuts the profile on the front edge and then bevels it. Once the profile is set and the bottom slides in smoothly and tucks in nicely on the front profile, he uses his bandsaw to cut the...
Flattening Traditional Oilstones
November 15, 2007
I have been watching Larry Williams excellent new dvd on the making of traditional side escapement wooden planes, which has just been published by ... Read More →
Episode 38 - Bombe Series - Gluing the Drawers
November 15, 2007
Tommy hits a "pretty big milestone" when he glues the first drawer together. Knowing how crucial setting the glue is after many long, labor-intensive hours getting the wood ready, he tries not to "freak out." When he attaches all four pieces together and clamps them, he's pleased because the drawer looks square and totally flat. Here's hoping the rest go as well. Read More →
Podcast #28: Oils and Varnishes
November 12, 2007
How many times have you overheard somebody make this comment? “Finishing is my least favorite part of woodworking. It’s so hard to figure out the difference between BLO and Danish oil and Teak oil, and all the other brands of varnishes and oils available.” I’ve been woodworking for years and I totally agreed with the comment. But it doesn’t have to be such a mystery. Doug Hicks has a clear and concise way of explaining it all during this weeks Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar...
Tool Talk Podcast #29
November 9, 2007
Besides this week’s incredible top five as selected by Toolmonger readers, we’re joined by Nick Engler, a Shopsmith trainer, who tells us why we should all join the Shopsmith brigade. Highlights: we discuss woodworking tools and projects, cover a device perfect for blowing up rocks and concrete, and argue for and against the all-in-one tool concept. Remember, if you’ve got a question or comment you can call us at 866-718-9403. (Podcast Download) Read More →
Do You Wear a Respirator?
November 8, 2007
I’m keenly aware of the affects of breathing in too much dust thanks to an unfortunate attempt years ago to carve a duck decoy with a moto-tool! Now, whenever I’m sanding or routing (or doing any job that produces a lot of fine dust) I wear a dust mask. The problem with your typical dust mask is that they don’t work very well. Believe me, this is not an area where “good enough” suffices. You certainly don’t want to scrimp on dust protection, but too often I’m...
Ep13 Carlo Mollino 03
November 8, 2007
Furniture design can take the form of many different shapes. In episode four of our Carlo Mollino inspired coffee table, we find....our...shape.From a picture to full scale drawering, to the construction of our bending form, you'll see our bending ply take a shape Carlo Mollino would be proud of. One of Birds-eye maple the other of Plum Pudding Mahogany.Enjoy and let me know what you think!!!!Carlo would.Formats available: Quicktime (.mov) Read More →
Episode 36 - Bombe Series - Drawer Front Dados
November 8, 2007
Al visits to check out Tommy's progress, admiring the valances and drawer fronts. Tommy shows him how he uses the shaper to add groves to the bottoms of the drawers. After running one through the cutter, he reflects that it was a little risky. With his second drawer front, he makes a little block of wood for the drawer front to sit it, which makes cutting safer and ensures against him accidentally destroying the grove. Read More →
Episode 37 - Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show: Part Three
November 8, 2007
Part three of the Providence show finds Tommy and Al discovering more fine woodwork and craftsmanship. Al steps in front of the camera and talks with Kevin, a student at Tommy's alma mater, North Bennett Street School, who shows off the work of his fellow students. Gale Satterly demonstrates a gorgeous and comfortable handmade lounge chair. Daniel Read, a glassblower, displays his beautiful work. Tommy sits with Brian Boggs, multiple award winner at the show, in his handmade rocking chairs. Lastly,...
Windsor Chair Class–comb back
November 7, 2007
How to Make a Comb Back Windsor ChairThis is the chair completed Read More →
What Would You Do With $25,000?
November 7, 2007
My shop is only 400 square feet. Things are always underfoot and I’m constantly having to move one machine so that I can get to another. The lathe is stored in an adjacent (finished) room, the miter saw and stand are out in the garage, and I have to set up a couple of sawhorses out there just to cut a sheet of plywood down to size. Boy, what I wouldn’t give for a big addition to my house for a new shop! The problem is, I don’t have an extra 25 grand laying around to spend on...
Fitting a Panel into a Frame
November 5, 2007
This weekend was one of those weekends when my lovely wife made it very clear that she had some things she wanted me to get done around the house. One of those tasks I had managed to put off for over a year. She wanted a white board put up in the kitchen so she’d have a place to write her grocery list, notes, and whatever else came to mind. Our 1960’s-vintage kitchen still has the original cabinets with the rabbeted plywood doors. But the way the cabinets were built, there’s...
The 2nd Annual Home Depot Woodworking Show
November 4, 2007
This years show was an overwhelming success. Special thanks to Mike from The Niagara Woodworking Club for all your help and to Warren from The Niagara Wood Carvers Assocaition whose group put on a great display of skills and talent for all to see. For the woodworking competition this year we had two categories in a more open woodworking competition that brought out some fantastic people and some really nice pieces of work. Competition entrants ranged between 18 and 88 years and everyone showed respect...
Is Your Saw Blade Really Dull or just Dirty?
November 2, 2007
A sure sign that your table saw blade needs attention is when it becomes difficult to push the workpiece through the cut. Or when the shop fills full of smoke as you try to cut that piece of maple. That’s what happened to me in my continuing saga of saw blades. I mentioned in this post that I had a couple of blades that needed sharpened. Now I’m not so sure. I spent some time the other evening working on them with an old tooth brush and Boeshield Blade and Bit Resin, Pitch, and...
Episode 34 - Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show: Part Two
November 2, 2007
Day two of the show finds Tommy talking with more interesting craftsmen-and women-including: Randy Crossman who does hand-cut wooden jigsaw puzzles up to 4,000 pieces; Robert Reiss of Window Views puts photographs behind window panes; Gary Keener who makes beautiful furniture and won Best in Show 2007 for Furniture-Traditional Body of Work; Harold Shapiro and Michele Sommer-Shapiro who make furniture and do metalwork using a lot of recycled materials; Joe, a stone carver, creates fountains as well...
Episode 35 - Bombe Series - Pigeonhole Valances
November 2, 2007
Tommy gets a second wind now that he can see noticeable progress on the Bombe. He draws and cuts the dividers for the pigeonhole assembly and inserts them from the back. Using scrap wood from previous cuttings because it has the same colors, tones and textures, he designs a pattern for the valances. Now the top row is almost complete, and Tommy is "feeling energized again." Read More →
Episode 33 - Bombe Series - Tommy & Al Think Things Out
November 1, 2007
Al says he "doesn't get in the zone until 9:30" and since it's only 9:00, he and Tommy sit around talking about...well, not much of anything. Read More →
