Jeff Miller’s new and important book, “The Foundations of Better Woodworking: How to use your body, tools and materials to do your best work,” is now available for pre-order at ShopWoodworking.com – but I thought you might like a little preview before the book ships. At the bottom of this post, you’ll find a free … Read more
Those of you at the Lie-Nielsen show in Chicago may have seen me and Christopher Schwarz pestering Jeff Miller to demonstrate his slick tenon jig and mortise jig – the ones about which he’s written for the June 2012 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine. If you were one of those who asked me when the … Read more
A former musician brings an improvisational skill to the craft.
By Christopher Schwarz
Pages: 58-59
From the February 2012 issue #195
Buy the issue now.
Somewhere between street musician and the symphony orchestra, between an 18th-century hand woodworker and a contemporary designer, is Jeff Miller, a Chicago furniture maker, teacher and author who defi es every pigeonhole. In fact, if given the chance, he might just redesign that hole to better fit the pigeon.
SLIDESHOW: See more photos of Jeff’s shop.
CLASS: Take a class from Jeff.
TO BUY: “Chairmaking & Design,” by Jeff Miller. Read more
Most of the challenge in making this graceful table is in the prep.
By Jeff Miller
Pages: 32-39
From the December 2011 issue # 194
Buy this issue now
Many interesting pieces of furniture are deceptively simple. Deceptive, because although they appear simple, they are actually very difficult to make. Although this is occasionally true in my own work, that’s not the case with the Arch Table, a piece that looks more complicated to make than it actually is. I’m not saying it’s easy; there’s a lot of preparatory work, and it is quite demanding in terms of shop resources. But the stuff that looks hard to do is actually not all that bad.
BLOG: Read Jeff’s design and furniture making blog.
VIDEO: Jeff talks about his table in our free online video.
VIDEO: Watch our free video of Jeff’s ellipse jig in action.
IN OUR STORE: “500 Tables: Inspiring Interpretations of Function & Style” by Julie Hale. Read more
Frogs, irons and handles can be repurposed into clever shop-made tools.
By Jeff Miller
Pages: 34-37
From the November 2011 issue #193
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The box arrives in the mail and the new plane you’ve been yearning for has finally arrived. You spend a few minutes admiring the workmanship, then get to work flattening the back of the plane iron and honing a razor sharp edge. You take a few whisper-thin shavings and feel contentment.
BLOG: Read Jeff’s design and furniture making blog.
WEB SITE: Visit Jeff’s web site to learn about the classes he teaches.
TO BUY: “Chairmaking & Design” by Jeff Miller.
IN OUR STORE: “Handplane Essentials” by Christopher Schwarz – available in both print and digital formats.
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In my book, Jeff Miller might just be one of the keys to the future of woodworking. The furniture he’s built during the last three decades is decidedly contemporary. It has clean lines, simple curves and impeccable joinery and wood selection. Yet Miller manages to fold a surprising number of traditional tools into his tool … Read more
A little geometry and a simple prototype ensure a pleasant ride.
By Jeff Miller
Pages: 48-51
From the October 2011 issue #192
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I recently set out to design and build a new rocking chair. I’ve designed and built a handful of rockers, but my past efforts didn’t rock as well as I would have liked. I have confidence in my ability to make a comfortable “regular” chair, but it seemed like I was dealing with an entirely different problem with a rocker. So I decided to look a bit more carefully than before into what makes a rocking chair “work.” I wanted to understand the geometry of a rocking chair in hopes that I could improve my overall results.
BLOG: Read Jeff’s blog, which often deals with chair design.
ARTICLE: Read about a chair Jeff made where the seat and back are all screws.
WEB SITE: Visit greatchairdesign.com.
TO BUY: “Chairmaking & Design” by Jeff Miller.
IN OUR STORE: “500 Chairs: Celebrating Traditional and Innovative Designs.”
From the October 2011 issue #192
Buy the issue now
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