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Announcing the winner of our Festool Giveaway Sweepstakes
11/13/2008, 19:35 | Highland Woodworking Blog
Some people are luckier than the rest of us. When it comes to winning contests, Patricia and Mike Mortimer fall into the lucky category. Patricia entered Highland Woodworking's Win a Festool Package Sweepstakes and was the lucky winner out of thousands of entrants. She's shown here being congratulated by Chris Bagby, Highland Woodworking's owner and co-founder. It wasn't just the first contest Patricia has won. Among other things that she's won are a flat screen television and an all-expense paid trip to Bejing, China to attend the 2008 Olympics. We asked her how she did playing the lottery and she replied "I don't play the lottery. You have to pay to do that!"
The Mortimer's new power tool package includes Festool's Kapex KS120 Sliding Compound Miter Saw, the first miter saw with variable speed, which enables the user to match the speed of the blade with the requirements of the material. The Kapex Sliding Compound Miter Saw combines a large cutting capacity with a compact lightweight design. Of course the perfect mate to their new Kapex Sliding Compound Miter Saw is the Kapex MFT3 Multifunction Table which is designed specifically for use with the Kapex Sliding Compound Miter Saw. It features additional holes in the perforated top plate for positioning the feet of the Kapex and for mounting with clamps. Also included as part of their Kapex prize package is the Festool CT22E Mobile Dust Extractorwhich comes with HEPA filters that remove dust particles down to .3 microns. A tool-triggered switch with smooth start-up and shut-off delay, and adjustable electronic suction control make this the ultimate vac to connect to any hand power tool.
Mike works professionally doing commercial repair and finish restoration on furniture, cabinets and interiors. He is actually known for being quite the "magician" when it comes to recreating grain patterns and surfaces that have been damaged or distressed. When asked, both admitted that they were not really sure what projects they would attempt first with their new woodworking equipment. One thing for certain is that they'll definitely have room for it, as they have a 2400 square foot shop! After mentioning projects like chairs and end tables, they both joked that given the space they have, perhaps they would make a gazebo for inside the shop.
Since Highland Woodworking is well known for its Education Program, which includes a wide variety of classes for both beginners as well as advanced woodworkers, hopefully we will see both of them soon in some of our
upcoming classes for a chance to study woodworking with our knowledgeable instructors.
Woodworking Tips for Sharpening Hand Tools
11/05/2008, 21:02 | Highland Woodworking Blog
A Guide to Sharpening Chisels and Plane Irons
User Review: Work Sharp 3000 Sharpening Machine
Hollow Grinding: Necessity or Relic?
Q & A: Not Ready for Prime Time?
Waterstone Sharpening: Care & Use of Japanese Waterstones
Guide to Sharpening and Using a Woodworker's Best Friend - The Scraper
Sharpening #80 Cabinet Scrapers
User's Guide for the Makita 9820-2 Sharpener
Tormek vs. Jet and Standard Bench Grinders
GATEWAY TO OUR ONLINE CATALOG OF SHARPENING TOOLS
Visit our huge archive of woodworking tips, articles, and Q&As
Visit the latest issue of Wood News, our monthly online magazine
A New Woodworking Season Begins
10/15/2008, 19:56 | Highland Woodworking Blog
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?
Narex Chisels Have Arrived!
09/09/2008, 16:13 | Highland Woodworking Blog
Narex Chisels have just arrived—in stock now! Fine Woodworking Magazine selected Narex Czech Republic Chisels from 23 top brands as Author's Choice for "Best Value" western style bench chisel.
Don't pay too much for Narex chisels! Our customers tell us that some retailers have raised Narex Chisel prices because of increased demand. Don't be fooled—Narex Chisels are a great value here at Highland Woodworking!
Visit Highland Woodworking for more information on this and all of our fine woodworking products.
At the Newsstand
04/15/2008, 05:01 | Musings From My Shop
I?m still in a mode with very little time for woodworking. That?s not a complaint since the project keeping me out of the shop is a great opportunity and incredible fun. But there is some news from the shop.
About a year ago I made a new arts & crafts kitchen table with a tile inlay top. I wrote about the process for Woodwork magazine. The article is in the June issue, available now.
Soon I?ll be able to post about the current project. I hope you?ll agree that it?s worth the wait.
A link to the mothership
01/10/2008, 23:18 | Musings From My Shop
I wrote once before about the generous gift I received from Kori Capaldi, Operations Manager of the Gamble House. I met Kori when I was in Pasadena for Pasadena Heritage Craftsman Weekend in October. Because I spent quite a bit of time at ?THE house? for various tours and receptions, I got a chance to talk with Kori for a while. I told her about the chest I was building and that the lid would be restrained by a leather strap. A month or so after I returned home Kori sent me an email and asked if I?d like a piece of the leather that was used in the Gamble house when the leather straps on the lighting fixtures were replaced several years ago.
Of course I said ?No? and that was the end of it. OK, maybe I said ?Yes? and tried not to appear overly anxious in the process. You see, the Gamble house is tantamount to a religious shrine for those of us afflicted with serious cases of Greene-itis. It is indescribably beautiful. I mean that literally. No attempt to convey, using words, that amazing vision can end in anything but utter failure. Thus, to have a tangible link between the core of the G&G universe and one of my pieces of furniture is very special indeed.
Though I?ve had the leather for some time now, I?ve just completed installing it. I didn?t want to be hasty -- it had to be just right. I spent hours scouring the internet for the perfect rivets to use to attach it and the search paid off. I found a product even better than I had hoped for. Screw posts are similar to rivets but because they screw together they are removable. So if I ever have to remove the lid of the chest I won?t have to cut the leather (Actually, I wouldn?t have been able to cut the leather I would have asked my wife to do it. When I wasn?t home.). And with persistence I was able to find them in solid brass with an oil-rubbed bronze patina. With that final piece of the puzzle in place, the installation is complete. And it was worth the wait. Thanks Kori.
By the way, this chest is the subject of an article to appear in the April issue of Popular Woodworking (available early March). Unfortunately, I didn?t have the Gamble leather when photos were shot for the article -- in the magazine you?ll see a piece of upholstery leather leftover from a Morris chair project.
Wesonbirt 2008 - still the perfect woodworking show.
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Sauer & Steiner
I had the good fortune to attend the Festival of the Tree again this August, and like last year - was not disappointed. The format was the same - camping on the grounds of the Westonbirt Arbouretum, large scale sculptures in a picturesque setting and very fine food prepared by “cheffie” (pictured below drying some tea-towels).
One of the most enjoyable things about traveling is the incredible people - and this year's adventure was no exception. There were many familiar faces to catch up with and just as many new ones. We were set up in the Classic Hand Tools marquee again - situated off to the side of the display area. But judging from the well worn pathways inside - we were certainly not out of sight.
There was a new demonstrator at the show this year - and for all intents and purposes - he stole the show. Steve Woodley specializes in supplying hand hewn timbers for restoration work and provided four days of inspirational demonstration.
He was supplied with 3 oak logs and over the course of the 4 days, managed to square up two of them. I found myself stopping to watch every time I walked by - with several additional deliberate trips to watch his progress. I was struck with the simplicity of the process - and the incredible skill and precision required to execute it properly. Steve taught me two very important lessons about axes. First - he taught me how to sharpen them - and yes - they should look like the backs of your plane irons. Secondly - a mediocre axe is not worth the struggle. He had at least 8 axes with him - all made by Gransfors. These are available in the UK from Classic Handtools or in North America through Lee Valley. Not only is he highly skilled - he is a fantastic guy. His brother lives less than an hour from my house and I am hoping to figure out a way to get him over to this side of the pond. I am working on it Steve.
It was great to see Jolyon Reynolds again this year - he was set up around the corner from Steve. Between the two of them - they had an amazing demonstration.
Mark Hancock and his charming wife Karen were at the show again and were a crucial part of the good natured fun and frolic in the classic handtools compound. There were only a few “safe” seconds for me to capture the above photo before Mark shifted his gouge and showered me with shavings. Typical : )
I was thrilled to see my good friend Michel Auriou again - it had been far too long since our last visit. I always enjoy Michel's insight into toolmaking, steel and business. The best piece of news was that Auriou is back in business. Hopefully some more left handed rasps will be in my future...
David Charlesworth and Pat stopped in on Saturday - it was great to see them again. They were set up beside me which gave us a chance to catch up a bit and talk shop. Here we are discussing one of Bill Carters planes (nice segue, eh?)
That same day - Bill and Sarah Carter arrived. It is always a thrill to see them. Bill had over a dozen planes with him - from wee little 1/2" boxwood smoothers, to an incredible 28-1/2" jointer. Bill was kept very busy with a steady stream of admirers and Sarah kept the three of us content with coffee and homemade cake.
If I had the money - this pair of mitre planes would have come home with me.
Another fine planemaker stopped in for a visit - Christopher Martyn. I met Christopher at last years show and was very impressed with his instrument planes. Some of his planes were featured in Fine Woodworkings 2007/2008 Tools & Shops issue.
My friend Tony stopped in to try a few planes - here he is testing out a No.4 smoother.
I also met Mike Riley and had a great visit with Phil Edwards. The Romanesque fellow is Alex Primmer - he works for Classic Handtools.
It is amazing how much changes in a year. Last year, Phil was contemplating making a few planes - and this year he had his own line of tools and was conducting a brisk business. A few days before I left for England, Phil sent me an email asking if there was anything he could bring along to help reduce my luggage. It was an extremely thoughtful offer and as it turned out - I did use many of his things over the course of the event. My deepest thanks Phil for taking good care of me during the show. I hope I can return the favour in Berea.
Mark Bennett was a new demonstrator at the show and I have to say I was quite impressed. He is a very kind, soft spoken fellow and we found ourselves discussing the finer points of plane design, our respective wood stashes (I suspect his will knock my socks off when I see it) and design in general. I thoroughly enjoyed his company. He was also a wealth of knowledge and passed on several great insights. One of the more interesting one was tree warts. I have to admit I was a little skeptical until he showed me one. He handed me a holly wart. He said they are very tight burls and cuts them into disks and uses them for inlay work. So I now have a Holly wart to add to my growing pile of timber.
Fun & games
The show was not just work - there was tremendous play as well. I sometimes feel guilty about it - and there were two instances where I found myself beautifully derailed.
The other derailment was Mark and I cleaning up a large piece of boxwood (with an Auriou rasp of course).
Philly and Mike Riley planting some vile shavings.
Chris Pye being majestic even when he is trying not to be. Chris was set up about 30 feet away but I was able to watch him transform a rather non-descript bit of wood into a very fanciful beast. I only wish I was able to pay closer attention - I know he has a lot to teach and I have a lot to learn.
I also had great visits with John Lloyd and Rob Cosman but did not manage to find them when I was collecting photos.
And last but certainly not least... a rather tuckered member of the International football team who was sadly defeated at the third annual “Billy Hancock Birthday showdown”. The Brits won 3/0. Mark shared a very funny comment on the last day. He was telling a few of us how surreal it was to be the keeper for the British team and seeing all these faces he recognizes from magazine head shots rushing at him. The quote went something like this... “and there was Rob Cosman - with the ball... rushing towards me. Bloody hell!”
I would also like to express my thanks to Mike Hancock, his lovely wife Mary, and their kids Alex and Billy. The Classic Handtool marquee is not the focus of Westonbirt - but it has become a very important part of it - and clearly inspires people to work with wood. Mike has done an outstanding job, and has proven that a vision of something different and a little creativity can make something very special happen. Congratulations Mike.
Lunch With a Miracle Worker
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Skiving OffDuring my visit, Megan took me to lunch along with Senior Editor Bob Lang and Art Director Linda Watts. (As a quick aside to the unknown scantily clad 19/20ish year old girl with the WiFi laptop who was singlehandedly taking up an entire 4+ person booth at Panera during the height of the lunchtime rush… it’s ok, Missy…. it’s all about you.)
Most folks who venture onto my blog know who Bob Lang is. Not only do his books make him the undisputed guru of measured drawings for seemingly everything related to Arts & Crafts…his own work is excellent (like the Sapele bookcase on the cover of the August 2008 issue of Popular Woodworking).
Today, however, I want everyone to learn about the work of a different master, so I am providing a bit of insight into the talent of Linda Watts. To be honest, I do not know everything Linda does. I only know that she did an amazing job on a project that meant the world to me.
Linda worked on the photo that was used on the back page feature I wrote for the April 2008 issue, but few people know the effort that went into creating that photo. We needed an image of Simon to use with the article, but in the years before he unexpectedly died, I had only taken one or two photos of Simon in the shop. And in each of these photos Simon was surrounded by mountains of junk. There were no stellar shots of Simon in the shop that screamed out for inclusion as the centerpiece of a feature for a national magazine.
I remember lamenting the situation with Megan over the phone last year when she told me that if that was the best photo we had, we would just throw it to Linda and see what she could come up with. I didn’t know what to expect, and a couple of days later when Megan emailed me the proof of the article and I saw what Linda had done I was overjoyed.
You see, when Simon died in January of 2007 I struggled to find a way to honor him properly. I sent a donation to Guide Dogs For The Blind. However, I wanted something bigger. He was that kind of dog. He deserved a statue like the "dog that saved Charlestown in the 1938 flood" in the movie Slapshot. Then, one day I came upstairs from the shop, sat down at my computer, and while looking through a stream of tears I wrote My New Apprentice as a testament to the dog that meant so much to me and died way too young.
Thinking of Simon and speaking of him still stirs up the strongest emotions in me. It would have been very easy to just include a photo of the beautiful little puppy Peyton in My New Apprentice, and at one point I suggested that. However, Megan said the column was about Simon, and she wanted it to have his photo.
Linda, I thank you so much for seeing to it that Simon’s photo was included. I am sure most of your work goes unnoticed by the vast majority of the readers, but I know firsthand that not all of the amazing craftsmanship that appears in the magazine comes from the sawdust clouded shop that sits just a few feet away from you.
The most important thing I have ever personally seen in Popular Woodworking was photographed in Holland, Michigan but tweaked and perfected on Linda Watts' computer screen.
Thank you, Linda.
The Do-It-All Patternmaker’s Vise
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
If you’re looking to add versatility to your workbench, a patternmaker’s vise is a good way to do it.
At the turn of the 20th-century, Emmert Manufacturing produced a bench vise to help patternmakers make wood parts for castings used in manufacturing. Unlike typical vises, the Emmert vise could twist and turn in several directions and angles. This allowed patternmakers to adjust a workpiece to a comfortable position without having to loosen the vise, adjust the workpiece, and tighten it down again. Simply flip a lever here or a knob there, and position the vise (and the workpiece) right where it needs to be. While the company no longer exists, the Emmert is still a highly sought-after vise, commanding prices up to $800. Fortunately, other companies now make similar vises.
The vise shown at right is available from Highland Hardware (stock #168040). Similar vises are available from a number of manufacturer’s.
For more information on patternmaker’s vises and to learn about more great tips and techniques for updating your shop, consider subscribing to ShopNotes magazine. You can get a free preview issue of ShopNotes magazine here: ShopNotes Preview Issue
Woodworking in America
00/00/0000, 00:00 | The Village CarpenterHere is a list of the classes I will attend and blog about in the coming weeks:
1) Japanese Saws in Western Work
2) Master the Spokeshave & Drawknife
3) Rehabbing Old Tools
4) Understanding Western Saws
5) Wooden Plane Technology
6) Setting Up A Handtool Shop
7) Mortise & Tenon—3 Solid Methods
8) Tools for Windsor Seats
9) Modern Tools—Tolerances & Myths
10) Eliminating Tear-Out When Planing
Whew! All that is packed into just 2.5 days. The folks at Popular Woodworking and Woodworking Magazine have put together what will surely be an awesome event. Plans are in the works for another conference next year if you are not able to make it to this one.
While I'm at the conference, my partner will spend time reading, sleeping, watching movies, sleeping, wo
rking out in the hotel's gym, and sleeping. In other words, both of us will be enjoying our perfect vacations. At left is a business card I designed and will take with me in case anyone asks about this blog (my partner's idea). I thought they might come in handy as shims, kindling, or disposal of gum.
Wood Talk Online No. 44
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop Podcast
Status Report:
Marc delivered the gadget station to Leo Laporte, and had a chance to visit David Marks while he was there. While at Leo's TWiT Cottage, Marc had a chance to meet Cali Lewis from GeekBrief.TV.
Matt has been playing with his new Veritas Skew Plane and Plow Plane. He also finally got around to building a sharpening station. And Matt has made a promise to cut a set of dovetails everyday, until he can give Frank Klausz a run for his money.
Around the Web:
Western PA Table Project - a group of woodworkers building dining tables for victims of Katrina.
Toolsnob.com - article about NASA using a Rotozip to cut through permafrost on Mars...I wonder if its the one Matt sold in a garage sale last year?
Popular Woodworking blog post on mitersaws with cameras.
News:
Lee Valley Giveaway winners: Richard Sylvestre and Mack McKinney. They will each receive one of Lee Valley's new Skew Rabbet Planes!
Hot Deals:
PeachTree Woodworking- $100.00 OFF Freud SD600- WD Series 8" Dial-A-Width Dado Set. Regular Catalog Price $269.99 E-Direct Special Offer $169.99.
Just enter code 101708 in the discount code field (or give to the phone operator) on your next order of $50 or more of merchandise from Highland Woodworking before midnight on Friday, October 31, 2008 to receive FREE Ground Shipping within the 48 contiguous states.
Free shipping and 10% off purchases of $99 or more on Dewalt tools at Toolup.com
Popular Woodworking's All-Star Workshop Giveaway.
Topics:
Are you ready for your holiday projects? Here are some ideas: small clocks, a magazine rack, a long grain cutting board, or maybe a serving tray.
Voicemail:
Skee has some glue streaks on his veneered plywood.
David is getting the fuzzies when cutting his pine boards.
Tom's Tip:
A unique way to transfer designs.
Woodworking In America Bloggers
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop PodcastAs you've heard me mention, I had a chance to meet with a number of fellow bloggers and podcasters at Woodworking in America. The great thing about meeting them was to compare notes and find out how much more we had in common than we already knew.
Since I've been back I've been enjoying reading and looking at all of their posts and pics and I know you will too. So checkout all of these links and see what really happened behind the scenes...
Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine
With more to come soon!!
331 Small Table Project Part 3 - Audio Version
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop PodcastNormally I release these on Wednesdays, but this has been no ordinary week! So here's the latest episode of the small table build.
In this episode we're cutting and shaping the legs. A simple job of ripping each one to size and then cutting the double taper that give them their shape.
Sorry no schwag this week, but I'll get back on track next week, I promise!
Hendrik's back in November and we're taking your questions on table saws. Whether it's regarding setting up, safety or cutting, get your questions in early.
Comments, questions or schwag entries - drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com, or head over to the website where you can also leave your comments, or leave me a voicemail at 231 354-2338.
Since I've been back from WIA I've been enjoying reading and watching all of the posts and pics my fellow bloggers and podcaster have been posting, and I know you will too. So checkout all of these links and see what really happened behind the scenes...
Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine
With more to come soon!!
Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below
To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"
331 Small Table Project Part 3 - The Video
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop PodcastNormally I release these on Wednesdays, but this has been no ordinary week! So here's the latest episode of the small table build.
In this episode we're cutting and shaping the legs. A simple job of ripping each one to size and then cutting the double taper that give them their shape.
Sorry no schwag this week, but I'll get back on track next week, I promise!
Click on the image to see Lee Valley's New Dovetail Saw!
Hendrik's back in November and we're taking your questions on table saws. Whether it's regarding setting up, safety or cutting, get your questions in early.
Comments, questions or schwag entries - drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com, or head over to the website where you can also leave your comments, or leave me a voicemail at 231 354-2338.
Since I've been back from WIA I've been enjoying reading and watching all of the posts and pics my fellow bloggers and podcaster have been posting, and I know you will too. So checkout all of these links and see what really happened behind the scenes...
Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine
With more to come soon!!
To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"