Sharpening an edge has one purpose – allowing you to quickly get back to work. Christopher Schwarz has devised a system of sharpening that is simple and intuitive. By following his clear instructions, you will be able to sharpen your edges quickly and get back to your bench.
Read more
“The Joinery Challenge,” a new DVD from Ron Herman, is now available for pre-order at ShopWoodworking.com (and on sale for $5 off the regular price through the end of June). This exercise is one Ron had to pass when he was in his apprenticeship on his way to becoming a journeyman housewright (he’s now a … Read more
Megan Fitzpatrick and I drove up to Columbus, Ohio, last Thursday with Al Parrish, our staff photographer. We visited Ron Herman at the shop for his business, Antiquity Builders of Ohio. Ron had recently shot a couple of videos for us; one on sharpening saws and one on a joinery exercise. He’s working on an … Read more
Fridays are fun, but it’s Saturday at a woodworking event – such as this weekend’s Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event held at the offices of Popular Woodworking Magazine – when you can get a better glimpse into the future of woodworking. You may see new tools on display for the first time, which tools are getting … Read more
Jim Tolpin’s newest book, “The New Traditional Woodworker” teaches the reader how to work with hand tools by using them to build useful bench and shop tools. Each project builds on the skill learned in the preceding chapter. This process makes for an easy and fun learning curve. One of the more attractive project tools … Read more
I just received my advance copy of Jim Tolpin’s new book, The New Traditional Woodworker, and even though I was very involved with putting the book together, it’s always a pleasant surprise to see the finished product. I’m proud of this one! Beyond the fact that Jim has put together an excellent teaching platform for … Read more
A piece of scrap and an afternoon will challenge and stretch your skills.
by Robert W. Lang
Pages: 54-55
From the April 2011 issue #189
Buy this issue now
Imagine yourself in a shop class of 40 or 50 years ago. The assignment for the day is to lay out and cut the block shown in the photo at right. That’s the test; the lessons will come as you work. There is also one condition: All the cuts must be made with a backsaw or a coping saw, and the cleanup is done with a chisel.
Article: For a blow-by-blow description of making this block, visit our blog.
In our store: “Making Antique Furniture Reproductions: Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects” by Franklin Gottshall.
To buy: “Exercises in Wood-Working,” a classic book on using hand tools; companion videos on DVD are also available.
From the April 2011 issue #189
Buy this issue now
Read more
