As autumn leaves brighten in color, woodworkers are inevitably making their way back to the woodworking shop in their basement, garage or outbuilding to resume the work they love: making practical and beautiful things out of wood.

In these troubled economic times more than ever, possessing woodworking skills and the tools necessary to exercise them can help enrich and enliven a woodworker's life. Besides the joy and satisfaction that comes from creating something by hand, the opportunity exists to supplement your income by concentrating on practical projects that your local marketplace needs. Tables, chairs, shelving units and cabinets never go out of style and everyone needs them. Woodturning projects make excellent gifts, and everyone will be looking for unique gifts to give this holiday season. Woodcarving is great for this too.

We welcome your suggestions for specific project ideas that your fellow woodworkers around the country might use to generate income locally or save money on gifts that would otherwise need to be purchased. If you have some project ideas to share, please describe it by posting a reply to this blog entry.

The latest issue of Wood News Online, our monthly woodworking magazine, features an excellent article by Doug Bittinger that kicks off a series on taking the plunge into full-time professional woodworking. Whether woodworking is a hobby, a part-time moneymaker, or full-time occupation for you, Doug has some thoughtful ideas that are worth considering.

Here is a link to the full October issue of Wood News Online. An excerpt from Doug's article follows below:

Taking the Plunge into Professional Woodworking
by Douglas Bittinger

I cannot say that I know anyone who was going through life with no woodworking experience and simply said to themselves "I think I'll become a professional woodworker," signed up for some courses to learn what they needed to know, and then went looking for a job as a woodworker. Not to say it doesn't happen. I just don't know any.

All of the professional woodworkers I know discovered a talent and desire for woodworking and nurtured it. Some discovered it while young, some not so young, but they found it. Some got into it out of necessity: they wanted things they couldn't afford to buy and decided to make them. For others it started as a relaxing hobby. At some point they said, "You know, it would be great if I could make my living doing this instead of [whatever]."

If this thought has breached in your brain, let me issue a caution: When you take a hobby and turn it into your occupation, is ceases to be a hobby. Along with this change come responsibilities that weren't there before. Your hobby becomes your JOB.

If you possess certain capabilities and resources, it can indeed be a rewarding and fulfilling job, leading to a more pleasant life style. If not, it can turn into a stress filled nightmare. What are these capabilities?

In talking with some of my woodworking friends on this subject, I learned that most were not comfortable with kids being in their shops because of safety concerns. Granted, there are extra precautions that must be taken when kids are present, but don't let this keep you from introducing woodworking to your kids, grandchildren, or even the kids up the street. And if you're a parent or grandparent who doesn't have a lot of knowledge around woodworking, but your kids have an interest, don't let fear of them getting hurt keep you from teaching them.

It is up to us as adult woodworkers to pass our knowledge down to those that show interest. If we don't, who will? Our schools? Doubtful. Find a child to nurture and teach what you know. Don't be afraid to let them in because they "might" get hurt. How did you learn?

Here are somethings to keep in mind when working with kids in your shop:

• Make sure all your power tools are unplugged. That way you don't have to worry about it.
• Make sure that all the blades on your power tools are covered or lowered so they're not exposed to little fingers.
• Stick to hand tools in the beginning no matter how old the kids are. They need this foundation anyway.
• Don't leave your kids unsupervised in the shop no matter how comfortable you are with their knowledge, maturity level, or skill. Accidents can and will happen.
• Using hand tools like hand saws can wear kids out quickly. Watch for this, step-in and help out during these times. When kids (and adults) get tired, mistakes are more likely to occur.
• With that last point being said, however; don't do all the work for kids just because YOU CAN! Let them do the work they can, and be willing to let them make mistakes on their own. This one is tough for us parents, trust me, I know.
• First and foremost, make it fun for them! Let them have some say into what they build. There are only so many bird houses a kid can make.

The video that we shot on shop safety for kids is not all encompassing, not even close. But, it will give you some good points to help you get started. My hope for this video is take it will make you more comfortable with having kids in your shop and for your kids to have a good and safe time with you.

If you have any questions or comments about the video after you've viewed it, just send us an email at:

contactus@woodworkersresource.com

And for more information on woodworking whether you're 7 or 70, go to our website at:

www.WoodworkersResource.com

Enjoy!

Craig Stevens

In this episode of the WoodworkersResource.com video podcast we're going to be looking into building simple bookcases. In this first part, we look at different joinery methods to construct our bookcase. We'll talk about advantages and disadvantages of using butt joints, rabbits, and pocket hole joinery to construct bookcases.

In part II we'll look into constructing face frames and ways to make sure that they fit perfectly, everytime.

If you would like to be alerted to when we release new episodes, simple go to our website and sign up to receive our newsletter. Just for signing up, you'll receive a special "Bonus" from us as our way of saying, THANKS!

www.WoodworkersResource.com

Craig Stevens

Part II of our Building a Bookcase video series covers the topic of face frames. We talk about ways to construct face frames (mortise and tenon, and pocket hole joinery) along with things to consider when figuring out what size your face frames need to be.

We'll even show you how to make sure your face frames fit your bookcase perfectly every time.

For more information on woodworking and to be alerted to future videos podcasts, go to our website and sign up for our newsletter.

www.WoodworkersResource.com

Thanks for watching!

Craig Stevens

In this episode of the Woodworkers Resource Video Podcast we're continuing the topic of building bookcases. This time we look at cutting and installing crown molding on our bookcase.

We will show you how to use simple off the shelf crown molding you can find at most "Big Box" hardware stores to really dress up your bookcase.

Ever had problems getting tight joints when install crown molding? I'll show you a simple way to get perfect looking miters every time!

If you would like to be notified when new espisodes come out, sign up for our newsletter at:

www.WoodworkersResource.com

And as always, if you have any questions or comments, you can email us at:

contactus@woodworkersresource.com

Thanks for Watching!

In this episode we look at attaching a fixed shelf by two different methods: Biscuit Joinery and with a Stopped Dado Joint.

Next, we look at different ways to reinforce our shelves so they won't sag under the weight that's put on them. We also talk about a cool program that can calculate for you, based on information you put in, whether your shelves are strong enough to support what you intend to put on them.

Finally, we look at how to cut the rabbit joints into the side pieces for the back to fit into so you end up with a nice, clean looking fit.

Thanks so much for watching, we hope you enjoy!

And as always, if you have any questions, or want more information, go to our website:

www.WoodworkersResource.com

Craig Stevens

Here's our interview with the Dean of Windsor Chairmakers, Michael Dunbar. Michael, along with his wife Sue, are owners of the The Windsor Institute , the only school in the world dedicated to teaching the art of building Windsor chairs. He has single handedly been responsible for the revival of building Windsor chairs, an art that was almost lost. Michael and his staff have also worked with many tool makers to improve the specialized tools involved in the making of chairs. His enthusiasm for Windsor chairs and for hand tools comes through loud and clear during our interview.

I know you're going to enjoy listening to Michael talk about how he got started in woodworking, The Windsor Institute, and what he will be teaching at this year's Woodworking in America Conference. After listening to the interview come back and check out The Windsor Institute's website to learn more about all the different classes that are available, and while you're there, be sure to catch up on what Michael is writing on his blog .

In this interview we have the opportunity to speak with John Economaki, founder and president of Bridge City Tool Works. John started out as a designer/craftsman, but after developing allergies to wood dust, had to find a new career.

John has always been a designer at heart and soon discovered that woodworkers were interested in many of the designs and improvements he had made to tools while building furniture for a living.

Fast forward to today, and you have one of the most innovative companies in the world when it comes to woodworking tools.

We hope you enjoy!

Craig

P.S. Be sure to check out our website for all kinds of other resources to help in your pursuit of this craft.

www.WoodworkersResource.com

I had a lot of fun interviewing Adam. He wears a lot of different hats: Period furniture maker, contributing editor for Popular Woodworking magazine, he writes on two different blogs, volunteers at Pennsbury Manor, and has a day "job" outside of woodworking.

Adam opens up about a variety of topics. He talks about being product oriented vs. process oriented and how there may be many more woodworkers that feel that way than we think.

Adam also explains why he chooses to build period furniture completely with hand tools (his answer will probably surprise you!)

We also get into a discussion on how the museum community is influencing the future of reproduction furniture making.

Our talk also gets into how our forefathers had advantages over us when it came to the availablity of hand tools and also what 18 century woodworkers lacked.

Adam talks about how the hand tool market is lagging behind for cabinet makers vs. specialty woodworkers such as chair makers and why that is and what he's doing about it (check out Adam's line of hand tools on his website: www.adamcherubini.com)

Check out the interview and also hear Adam talk about what classes he will be teaching at this years Woodworking in America Conference being held in Berea, KY.

Let us know what you think by going to our website and leaving a comment on our blog @:

www.WoodworkersResource.com/blog/

Thanks for listening!

Craig Stevens

www.WoodworkersResource.com

For immediate release

LumberJocks.com Grows to More Than 10,000 Projects; Now Officially the Biggest Online Woodworking Gallery.

September, 29th, 2008 – LumberJocks.com, the largest project based website for woodworkers, today announced that more than 10,000 woodworking projects have been posted to the site.

“We are delighted that our members and viewers are finding LumberJocks.com to be a great place to publish and find woodworking content,” said Martin Sojka, CEO of Lumberjocks.com. “With more than 10,000 projects posted, we know that our members enjoy sharing their talents and showcasing their skills from beginners to professionals. With this rapid growth rate we expect the numbers to rise dramatically over the next quarter.”

The top 5 project contributors received a thank you award for taking the time to share their many wonderful projects. “I know it may only be a small sign of gratitude; however I would like all the contributors to our site to know that showcasing your talents and the helpful and friendly attitude of our members has truly made the site what it is today. I expect our online family of woodworkers and their projects to continue to grow and prosper. I feel that LumberJocks is now the biggest online woodworking gallery.” said Sojka.

LumberJocks.com is quickly becoming the #1 online social network for woodworkers. The site’s structure and growing features allow members to easily connect with other woodworkers, post projects and blogs and compete in friendly competitions for fantastic prizes. Stay tuned for our Winter Awards!

About LumberJocks.com
LumberJocks.com is part of the growing network of online communities hosted by Martin Sojka. The rapidly growing LumberJocks.com is comprised of men, women, children, and youth from around the world who are actively involved in woodworking. The members are a combination of professionals, skilled hobbyists, beginners and everything in between. They are furniture builders, artists, home renovators, and wood explorers.

The woodworkers join LumberJocks.com to share their experiences with wood, ask and answer questions, seek and post their personal tool reviews, find and share resource information, and blog their woodworking journeys.

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When people think of high quality hand planes, one of the first companies to come to mind for most is Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, and for good reason. Lie-Nielsen Toolworks has been turning out some of the best "Stanley" type hand planes for over 25 years.

However, over the last several years Lie-Nielsen Toolworks has been turning out a lot more tools than just hand planes.

In our fourth interview I get the opportunity to talk to the owner and founder of Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Thomas Lie-Nielsen. We talk about:

• What it was like to start a tool manufacturing company 25 years ago when woodworking hand tools weren't as popular

• The challenges they faced bringing chisels to the market

• Some of Lie-Nielsen's newest tools - Workbenches, Progressive Pitch Saws, Inlay Tools, Educational DVDs, and much more

• What a typical day is like for Tom Lie-Nielsen

• My own suggestion for a new product for Lie-Nielsen: You're gonna love this!

• You'll even get to hear first hand what new tools Lie-Nielsen will be coming out with in the near future (I'm VERY excited about this one!)

• And much, much more

And of course we talk about The Woodworking in America Conference and the classes the Tom will be teaching:

• Modern Tools: Tolerances and Myths

• How Modern Tools are Designed and Made

• Bevel-Up vs. Bevel-Down Planes (CLOSED)

• Modern Tools: Tolerances and Myths (repeated session)

Visit our website for more information and to hear more interviews!

www.WoodworkersResource.com

Craig Stevens

If you're on any of the woodworking forums around the Internet and asked a question to the group about Lee Valley Tools, or Veritas Tools,, you undoubtedly received a direct response from the President of the company, Robin Lee. And if you've ever bought any tools from the company (and if you haven't, you're doing yourself a disservice) you'll get that same down home friendly service. This is no surprise coming from a company whose philosophy on customer service is to "treat each customer like they're your friend".

Lee Valley has bee making some of the best woodworking, hardware, and garden tools in the business for the past 30 years.

Rob may be President of a large corporation but that doesn't mean that he just sits behind a big desk pushing paper. In fact Rob holds several patents on woodworking tools and is very active in new tool development.

Here are some of the topics that we covered during our interview:

• The first product that Lee Valley shipped (hint: It's not a woodworking tool).

• Why the customer base in woodworking differs from any other business out there (this one will make you proud to be a woodworker).

• What does Rob Lee do in his spare time?

• What's the best part of running Lee Valley Tools? (Hint: It has something to do with being the equivalent of a rock star!)

• What all goes into new product development?

• Ever wondered what the name Veritas means and why it was choosen?

• And much, much more!

And of coarse we talk about what Rob will be talking about at this year's Woodworking in America Conference:

Clarence is president of Antique & Collectible Tools Inc., the corporation that owns the Fine Tool Journal and Brown Auction Services. Clarence began collecting tools early on in his life, which first started because of his interest in woodworking. He quickly learned that he enjoyed collecting tools more than working with them. Clarence worked as a Chemical Engineer for years while his interest in tools steadily grew.

His interest culminated with the purchase of the Fine Tool Journal in 1995. After growing the journal for two years, Clarence then purchased Brown Auction Services in 1997, which is the number one antique tool auction company in the world!

Here's some of the things you'll learn in the interview:

• What exactly is the Fine Tool Journal?

• Where do the tools come from that the Fine Tool Journal and Brown Auction Services sell?

• What are some of the differences between antique tools and some of the hand tools being produced today by high-end manufactures?

• What goes on at the two large auctions that Brown Auction Services put on each year and what you can expect to find?

• How much the world record Sandusky center wheel plow plane went for? (This will blow your mind!)

• How you can find antique tools you're looking for using Clarence's companies.

And of coarse we'll talk about what Clarence will be talking about at the Woodworking in America Conference:

• Hands-On Clinic: Rehabbing Old Tools

• Vintage Tools: Their Advantages, Disadvantages and Value

If you'd like to hear other interviews and learn more about woodworking, go to our website at:

www.WoodworkersResource.com

Thanks,

Craig

You’ve probably heard of Google’s SketchUp. It’s a 3-D design and drawing program that’s easy to learn but very powerful. (I wrote about SketchUp in Woodsmith 167.) And there’s a free version you can download here (the Pro version costs $495 — still a bargain compared to other design software).  I use it to draw up rough sketches of projects I’m designing or to work out some tricky dimensions.

I grew up in the AutoCAD world (since version 2.52 for those of you keeping notes). So I’m familiar with high-priced CAD packages. And I’ve gotta’ say that SketchUp can’t be beat for the price. AutoCAD started back in the 1980’s as a two-dimensional drawing program and as such, has never quite been able to shake off that legacy. It’s become a powerful drawing program, but it doesn’t hold a candle to some of the newer 3-D packages. While SketchUp isn’t meant for creating detailed CAD drawings, it’s ideal for conceptual 3-D design.

A lot of woodworkers have discovered the ease of use in designing projects using SketchUp. And the challenge has been made over on WoodNet to show off your SketchUp models. Some folks have even placed their models up on Google’s 3D Warehouse so you can download them into SketchUp and modify them.

SketchUp’s online help and resources are second to none and worth checking out if you want to get the most out of SketchUp. And there’s an independent online community you can join at www.Sketchucation.com.

So don’t be shy! Head on over to WoodNet and post your best SketchUp models.

I love going to as many woodworking shows as I can throughout the year. You get to see the latest and greatest from the "big names" which is fun, but the booths I like the best are the small one product companies and the local retail stores.

One such retail store that I can almost always count on having a booth at shows, in and around the southeast, is Peachtree Woodworking Supply.

One of the things that I like best about Peachtree Woodworking, is that they carry all the tools and equipment that you would expect, but they carry many items that the "big guys" don't.

We recently did a video review of one of those products. A solid cast iron router table top.

The video goes through my experience of installing the router table top as a side extension to my table saw. The video covers most things, but there were a few things that I omitted to save time. To be able to better cover the review, I wrote an article to go with this video review. You can find the write-up here.

And as always, for more information on woodworking, go to our website:

www.WoodworkersResource.com

Craig Stevens