Earlex Steam Generator for Bending Wood
Tool: Steam Generator Manufacturer: Earlex MSRP: $69.99 You probably know Earlex as the British company that a few years back introduced North American woodworkers to an inexpensive but capable [...]
Wired for Beauty
A rotary tool, hammer and a few shop-made tools are all it takes. I recently had the opportunity to explore a concept that has been rattling around the dark recesses of my cranium for almost [...]
Arbortech Contour Random Sander
Tool: Contour Sander Manufacturer: Arbortech MSRP: $79 I’ve been building a stacked-lamination piece with plenty of concave and convex curves that require a good deal of sanding. Arbortech’s new [...]
Teak Oil: What is it?
No wood finish illustrates better than “teak oil” why finishing is so confusing. Brands vary from mineral oil, to linseed oil, to tung oil, to oil/varnish blend, to wiping varnish, to simply wax [...]
American Gothic
This early form – an aumbry – spawned many different types of furniture. It is easy to forget that many of our favorite pieces of furniture are recent innovations. Forms such as coffee tables, [...]
Shellac Tiger Flakes
Tool: Tiger Flakes Manufacturer: Brooklyn Tool & Craft MSRP: $28+ Because shellac is my favorite finish, I have tried nearly every brand of flakes on the market. By far, my favorite brand is [...]
Why I Love Ikea
Lessons from a big box guide my approach to woodworking. I love Ikea. Yes, I said it. This store has provided me with an understanding of furniture design and with products I use on many of my [...]
Weekend Pot Rack
This simple piece keeps your favorite cooking implements close at hand. I like having the pots, pans and cooking utensils I use most often within easy reach of my stove, and this simple pot rack [...]
Angle-Ease Router Base from Woodhaven
Tool: Angle-Ease Manufacturer: Woodhaven MSRP: $299.99 A router table that tilts opens up vast new worlds when it comes to making mouldings. The one feature that I love about the Angle-Ease (from [...]
Patio Planter
If you can build a box, you can build this planter. It’s much sturdier than most commercial versions, so it should last for many years. It’s also the perfect opportunity for you to try your hand [...]
How a Tree Became a Whale
A rescue and careful work reveal the spirit of land and sea. I have lusted for years after the wide, irregular planks used by the legendary George Nakashima to capture what he called “the soul of [...]
Not so Ordinary Router Cabinet
Great shop storage isn’t always built using plywood. As I look around my shop, or most woodworking shops, I see cabinets built with plywood and screws. But there are other options. I decided to [...]