With the world changing right before our eyes, we are having to accommodate for those changes within our homes. Not only are we focused on entertainment for our children while they are home a lot more often, we are also wanting to create learning spaces for them. Online and homeschool kids are a very popular thing right now and a lot of people are wanting to build to reflect that. You will also … [Read more...]
What is “fine woodworking”, anyway?
Fine woodworking consists of all those finer details that you might not be familiar with if you are new to the woodworking business. The materials you use are one of the factors that you should consider when trying to complete your woodworking project. It also matters how much effort you put into the pieces you work with, and it also matters who your clientele is. Your clientele are the ones that … [Read more...]
John Cox and the Lost Art of Traditional Coopering
Like many craftsman skills, coopering is being done by fewer and fewer people, but those still in this trade are really artisans. John Cox is one of these guys. Originally from Philadelphia, he was slated to become a doctor and not follow his father’s footsteps of being a tool and die manufacturer. He studied music and it’s the fortune of realizing his peers were better at it than himself that … [Read more...]
Make your own woodworking tools
Woodworking is a hobby that lets you explore your creative side while allowing improvisation. Like many hobbies, it can get expensive, especially when it comes to tools you’d like to use. Fortunately, many woodworking tools can be made by hobbyists. This will allow them to make the tool exactly suitable for the application, without breaking the bank. Cutting gauges and mortisers are excellent … [Read more...]
10 Rules for Workbenches
Before looking into workbenches, you first have to ask whether you need one or if you can do with something similar. Once your set then you can start thinking about how to build around your workbench. You want it to be sturdy so adding mass is a good way to make sure it stands the test of time. You'll want to use stout joints and pick wood based on stiffness. Use a design that is known to work and … [Read more...]
Grow Against Poverty
Woodworker’s Journal, a weekly magazine for hobbyists, asked its readers to submits projects they worked on during the shutdown. Many of its subscribers submitted items that can and will be auctioned during the holiday say where all the proceeds this year will go to Kenyan development projects. These fundraising projects are made possible by charitable donations of supplies and wood. Local … [Read more...]
Chainsaw Carving for Beginners
Learning to carve wood with a chainsaw begins with a steep learning curve, but is an ongoing process of experimentation and trial & error. When first starting out be sure to take all safety precautions with your chainsaw, including reading the manual and wearing proper protective equipment. Start with basic shapes to get the feel of carving. Pick a log that isn't too big to be overwhelming, … [Read more...]
Where Are They Today? A Profile of Aime Ontario Fraser
When it comes to fine woodworking, Aime Fraser was one of the pioneers. She was a frequent feature in specialized magazines at the times when women were rarely profiled. She got into woodworking in New Zealand, as an exchange student. At the time, New Zealand was a hotbed of composite wood boat building. Once she returned, she kept building, and her passion was further fueled by a romantic … [Read more...]
The Volcano & the Workbench
The ash from Mount Vesuvius's eruption in 79 C.E. covered and preserved the frescoes, pottery, remains and furniture of the ancient Italian cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. While the recorded history of woodworking began with the Egyptians, the history of workbenches begins in a fresco at Herculaneum. The fresco itself has been lost, but an engraving of it shows two cherubs working at a low … [Read more...]
Time-tested finishes that just work
Choosing a finish for your woodwork can not only be stressful, but choosing the wrong one can undermine the entire piece. A shop made blend of oil and varnish is a versatile finish suitable for many projects. Mix equal parts varnish, boiled linseed oil and thinner, then apply in thin coats. Allback Linseed Oil Wax is a finish suited for smaller projects that won't get much wear and tear. Shellac … [Read more...]
