When it comes to budget hand planes, I think the smart money goes to a good quality used plane from a bygone era. Read more...
Blade selection is very much proprietary to your saw and what you cut.... It’s not as simple as just buying a reputable brand name either...Buy the blade, not the brand! Read more...
This was a new installation from scratch, and required the building of a chase, 45' of gas line, firebox installation, electrical, inspections, hearth, surround, and a new oak mantel. Read more...
I'm a self taught weekend warrior in my 8th "rookie" woodworking season. Some of you may even remember a post I made at the end of my first wwing season titled "Musings of a Rookie", that were a list of one-line observations and quips that were expressed out of frustration, that only a wood rookie or former rookie could truly appreciate. The gang at Wood liked them enough to publish them. Round two of those insights came at the end of my "2nd" rookie season....thanks to Lucas Peters @ Wood for following up on the which issues those were in:
Issue 145, p. 6
Issue 150, p. 6
Most of my projects are furniture of my own design for family and friends. Lots of mission/craftsman influenced styles, but I'll build whatever and whenever there's an inspiration. I enjoy salvaging or reclaiming wood from scrapped lumber or abandoned pieces of furniture. So far I've bought very little lumber since I began. It's really satisfying to build something new out of something old, and give it back to the person who gave me the wood in the first place. The pre-existing history in a piece of wood that's going into a new piece of furniture adds a lot of character and interest for me. My shop is 1/3 of the floor space of our 2-car garage. It's small with no climate control, so my season is fairly short, but I really enjoy the time I get out there. My "off-season" tends to be filled with "cyber woodworking" activities. One of these days I'd like to have real shop and be able to do actual wwing year round.
This was by far the most challenging project to date, but was also the most rewarding.... Read more...

