Shannon Rogers interviewed me a few weeks ago and in the interview I mentioned my disdain for certain chisel sizes. Specifically, I said that students who come to woodworking classes armed with the standard set of 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ have four chisels all of which are the wrong size. OK, that’s a bit … Read more
Arts & Mysteries Blog
Southern Furniture: American Attitudes
I believe that art contains specific and important information about the nature of the human condition and how we view ourselves and the world. Furniture is art and I think 18th-century furniture has much to tell us about ourselves. Art objects representing turning points often take on enhanced value and I think 18th-century furniture (which remains … Read more
Boarded Furniture from the Builder’s Point of View
The choice of building boarded or joined furniture wasn’t typically left to individual English craftsmen. The Trade Guilds to which English woodworkers belonged mandated what they were permitted to build (and sell). While we no longer have those restrictions, it can helpful to consider these very different furniture forms with the individual builders in mind. … Read more
Woodworking In America: Nailed Furniture
After you register for Woodworking in America, you will be asked for your preferences for classes. No one will be turned away from any classes. We’re just trying to establish if we need additional sessions or chairs. When you are asked, be sure to request a spot in my Nailed furniture talk. I’m up against … Read more
Is Nicholson the new Roubo?
With the exciting new publication of Nicholson’s 1850 text, I fully expect we will be hearing a great deal more about Nicholson, and very likely a great deal less about Roubo. This is as it should be. For those who feel these texts and our fascination with them are mere fads I offer my heartiest … Read more
Nicholson On Sale!
Chris reported 2 days ago that a reprint of Peter Nicholson’s book (known by many titles including) "The Mechanic’s Companion" has gone on sale here. This hit me like a ton of bricks. In a strange coincidence, I uncovered a scathing contemporary review (excerpt below) of Nicholson’s text in a period newspaper I purchased last Friday evening. Those … Read more
Through Dovetail Centrism
Beware “through dovetail centrism”! I’ve tried to steer away from 2 contentious subjects, sharpening and dovetails, because I have felt too much has been said about both. Everybody and his brother seems to have a YouTube video on 2 minute dovetails. There’s much that disturbs me about these videos. First is my puzzlement over what … Read more