Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event – April 5-6 at PWM

On Friday April 5th and Saturday April 6th, we’ll be throwing the Popular Woodworking doors wide open (rolling them up, actually) for a Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event (I predict you’ll be looking a little peaky on April 5th, and will need to skip work). Hours are Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn about hand tools, sharpening them and using them, you can’t miss it. And if you’re already a connoisseur of these fine, American-made hand tools, well, you probably know that a Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event is the best opportunity to not only fondle but actually try out just about every tool this Warren, Maine, company makes (with tutelage, if you like, from the fine representatives of Lie-Nielsen).

And of course, we’ll have the shop open, where you can check out our tools, ask questions, see demonstrations (more on that in a couple weeks) and see several projects on which we’re currently working – including the extremely cool piece Robert W. Lang is building for the August issue…and that’s all I’m going to say about that build right now. Show up and find out. Plus, we’ll have a bookstore set up with discounts available on all Popular Woodworking books, CDs, DVDs, and posters.

One of the best things about the Lie-Nielsen show is that other toolmakers and demonstrators are invited to participate, too. And for this event, we expect:

• Lost Art Press. Christopher Schwarz (who will have just returned from Australia) will have his two Dutch tool chests on hand (and his tools, of course), and will be sharing with you all the books LAP has to offer – plus updates on many projects on which he and John Hoffman are currently working. Chris tells me he’ll be pantsless – but don’t believe it. (We do, after all, want people to show up.)

• Glen-Drake Toolworks. Ask Kevin Drake to teach you how to cut dovetails. Drake (a graduate of the College of the Redwoods) has developed a number of innovative tools that help make the process easier, especially if you’re new to the joint. Plus, you can buy an extra Tite-Mark cutting gauge from the guy who invented it. I would, but I’m up to four already (pretty sure I’ve mentioned more than once how much I love my Tite-Mark(s)).

• Daed Toolworks. Sure, Raney Nelson’s infill planes cut wood, but they are also gorgeous works of art that perform their jobs at the highest standard. And you can try them out, and consider a special plane for your shop. (Raney has told me that dovetails are easier to cut in metal than in wood; I’m hoping I can get him to prove it to me over the two days we’ll have the pleasure of his company.)

• Czeck Edge Hand Tool. Bob Zajicek will be here with his awesome awls (Bob’s birdcage awl is truly a joy to use), marking knives, chisels and more (and he has a new marking knife at which you should take a look – especially if you use your knife a lot; it has a carbide blade, among other differences, and requires less frequent sharpening than most knives. Chris Schwarz has been testing a prototype in his shop, and will have a report soon).

• The Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM). Members will be demonstrating cool stuff all weekend – and as soon as I have a final list of demo topics and times, I’ll post it for your planning pleasure. But I feel safe in saying that whether you’re into chairmaking or cartouche carving, Federal or Colonial furniture, you’ll find something of interest going on in the SAPFM booth.  And be sure to join SAPFM while you are here. The organization’s magazine, Period Furniture, is worth the nominal fee for joining.

And one important thing I’ve not yet mentioned: All this is free. Including parking.

The Popular Woodworking shop and office are located at 8469 Blue Ash Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45236 (the parking lot is around the back of the building, off Vorhees Lane (click here for directions).

— Megan Fitzpatrick

• Can’t make the show but want to learn about hand-tools? I recommend Christopher Schwarz’s 2-DVD set “Mastering Hand Tools.”