Sawdust is essentially glitter for the technically inclined; it gets everywhere and signifies that something magical is happening in the workshop. When I first committed to Building a Curved Chair, the air in my studio felt thick with the scent of kiln dried white oak and the sharp tang of machine oil. There is a […]
My experience with complex leg angles Read More »
Close your eyes and listen for that distinct, crisp hiss. It is the sound of a perfectly tuned blade shearing through wood fibers like they are made of cold butter. When you first unbox a factory tool, it feels heavy and promising, but it is not ready for the elite dance of fine joinery. To
Tuning a new plane for world class performance Read More »
Close your eyes and run your fingers across a raw slab of black walnut versus a piece of white oak. Do you feel that subtle, rhythmic resistance? That is the physical manifestation of wood anatomy. When you apply a wipe on varnish or a deep penetrating oil, you are not just painting a surface; you
Why some woods soak up finish differently Read More »
The smell of freshly milled black walnut is basically my version of expensive perfume; it is earthy, slightly sweet, and carries that unmistakable scent of tannins reacting with the oxygen in my studio. There is a specific vibration you feel in your palms when a sharp blade meets a high density grain. It is a
My rules for keeping my fingers in the shop Read More »
Close your eyes and listen to the high pitched hum of a three horsepower motor waking up. Feel the vibration through the soles of your boots as the drive belt catches. We are about to turn a massive, intimidating slab of four inch thick walnut into a stack of translucent, paper thin sheets. Mastering the
My setup for resawing thick boards into veneer Read More »
Listen to that high pitched whine. It is the sound of pure potential meeting absolute resistance. You know that feeling when you are holding a gorgeous piece of curly maple or a stubborn hunk of white oak and you just know the grain is waiting for one wrong move to splinter into a thousand regrets?
Getting clean profiles on difficult grain Read More »
Close your eyes and listen to that specific, low frequency thrum of a hand plane shearing through a slab of kiln dried black walnut. It is not just a sound; it is a physical vibration that travels through your marrow. When you are Building a Heirloom Chest, you are not just assembling a box. You
My take on a piece that lasts a century Read More »
Close your eyes and run your fingertips over a raw slab of walnut. You feel that? That is the chaotic landscape of open vessels and severed cellulose fibers fighting against your touch. It is rough; it is honest; but it is far from finished. To transform this rugged topography into something that feels like liquid
My step by step guide to a flawless surface Read More »
Imagine the sharp, metallic scent of cold-rolled steel meeting the sweet, earthy aroma of freshly milled walnut. Your fingertips trace the grain; it is a map of resistance and potential. You feel the tensile strength of the wood under your palm, knowing that without the right constraints, it will fight you at every turn. This
Making tools that help me make things better Read More »
Imagine the scent of freshly sheared white oak filling your lungs while your thumb rests against the cold, high carbon steel of a freshly honed blade. There is a specific, electric hum that happens when your tool meets the grain at the perfect angle. Mastering the Chisel is not just about brute force; it is
Learning the proper grip for delicate paring Read More »
