As I’ve written before in this blog, many woodworkers are amazed to learn that I hand-cut my dovetails even though I consider myself mostly a power-tool woodworker – I would say I’m about 70 percent power and 30 percent hand. One area that I have used hand tools primarily is for dovetail work. At this … Read more
Between meetings, classes and regular living, I’ve cut 132 dovetails during the last couple weeks to build my next project, which will be featured on the cover of the June 2011 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine. Many of these dovetails have been mitered at their front corners, which I cut freehand (thank you Joseph Moxon). … Read more
“Now let us drink to the success of our hopeless endeavor.”— Russian dissident toast My plan for the June 2011 cover project was a 17th-century “book press” from Samuel Pepys library – considered by many historians to be the first glass-doored bookcase ever built. It is a massive example of carved oak and many mullions. … Read more
When I first started working here at the magazine we actually had time to go out for lunch each week (we now eat at our desks), and one day after eating at a Thai restaurant we wandered into a hippie-run gallery. Before being overcome by patchouli and someone’s very intrusive orange aura, I spied something … Read more
I’m just about to resaw my maple version of Roubo’s Folding Bookstand that’s based on Roy Underhill’s article, and I made a full-size pattern of the elevation of the project. Want it? It’s a pdf that shows the scrollwork at the top and bottom of the bookstand, plus it shows where you should make the … Read more
After making the down-and-dirty folding bookstand in a video last week, I decided to make another pair as a very late Christmas gift. I am not a good friend. These will be maple and sized more like the one from Roy Underhill’s article in the February 2011 issue. Of course, after building the first bookstand, … Read more
If you are having trouble with the Roubo’s Folding Bookstand article from the February 2011 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine, I urge you to attempt to lay out the joints on some wood and give it a try. If it still vexes you, however, then this short video might help. Disclaimer: This may or may … Read more
