A Happy Ending for a Terrible Chair
Upholsterer Mike Mascelli was kind enough to send along some photos of what happened in his class to the terrible chair frame I wrote about this week. It’s a bit like the story of George [...]
Q & A: The Chalk Test
Try this classic method: after jointing or planing, lightly rub the wood with the side of a piece of chalk.
Typical (& Frightening) Chair Construction
Most modern, factory-made furniture is poorly constructed – most woodworkers agree on that point. But would you ever call it dangerous? This fall while teaching at the Marc Adams School of [...]
Quick-release Vise Squad
If I’m going to get my workbench build started in December I’ll have to pull out all the stops. I’ve a project underway for which I soon hope to have a video done, and any [...]
My Difficult Relationship With Exotics
Being raised Protestant, guilt isn’t at the fiber of my being. But I know guilt; my wife is Catholic. And I get a feeling that resembles guilt whenever I work with tropical hardwoods. Like many [...]
Creating Realistic Images with SketchUp Plugins
Whenever I take on a new cabinet or built-in project, I like to model it in SketchUp. I sometimes have trouble visualizing how things are going to fit together, and an accurate 3D model helps me [...]
How to Apply Wood Veneer with Backing
When hobbyist woodworkers do any sort of veneering, they usually work with raw veneers. These un-backed sheets are great for small projects, and though they can be used for large work, most [...]
Modern ‘Register Calipers’ Available from Woodpeckers
One of my favorite tools from the Studley tool cabinet are his register calipers, which are displayed prominently on the right-hand side of the cabinet. These calipers were common in the late [...]
‘Folding Stool’ SketchUp Model
This is a model of the I Can Do That “Folding Stool” from the November 2015 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine. Download the free SketchUp model here. See all our SketchUp Models [...]
Make Convex Sharpening Forms for Round Edge Tools
Which tools are my favorites? Well, they are divided into a few categories. Sentimentality & fidelity: These are tools that I inherited from my dad or my grandfather, or that were gifted to [...]
First Look: ‘Workbenches, Revised Edition’
ShopWoodworking.com is now taking pre-orders for the new revised edition of “Workbenches: From Design & Theory to Construction & Use” for $34.99 plus free domestic shipping. The book will [...]
Passage Through Time (Surveying a Vintage Building in England)
It’s a privilege to be invited into people’s homes to discuss a potential project. Often it’s just an enjoyable meet-up where ideas can be discussed and proposals put forth. [...]