Earlex Steam Generator for Bending Wood
Tool: Steam Generator Manufacturer: Earlex MSRP: $69.99 You probably know Earlex as the British company that a few years back introduced North American woodworkers to an inexpensive but capable [...]
Wired for Beauty
A rotary tool, hammer and a few shop-made tools are all it takes. I recently had the opportunity to explore a concept that has been rattling around the dark recesses...
Arbortech Contour Random Sander
Tool: Contour Sander Manufacturer: Arbortech MSRP: $79 I’ve been building a stacked-lamination piece with plenty of concave and convex curves that require a good deal of sanding. Arbortech’s new [...]
Teak Oil: What is it?
No wood finish illustrates better than “teak oil” why finishing is so confusing. Brands vary from mineral oil, to linseed oil, to tung oil, to oil/varnish blend, to wiping varnish,...
American Gothic
This early form – an aumbry – spawned many different types of furniture. It is easy to forget that many of our favorite pieces of furniture are recent innovations. Forms...
Shellac Tiger Flakes
Tool: Tiger Flakes Manufacturer: Brooklyn Tool & Craft MSRP: $28+ Because shellac is my favorite finish, I have tried nearly every brand of flakes on the market. By far, my...
Why I Love Ikea
Lessons from a big box guide my approach to woodworking. I love Ikea. Yes, I said it. This store has provided me with an understanding of furniture design and with...
Weekend Pot Rack
This simple piece keeps your favorite cooking implements close at hand. I like having the pots, pans and cooking utensils I use most often within easy reach of my stove, and...
Angle-Ease Router Base from Woodhaven
Tool: Angle-Ease Manufacturer: Woodhaven MSRP: $299.99 A router table that tilts opens up vast new worlds when it comes to making mouldings. The one feature that I love about the...
Patio Planter
If you can build a box, you can build this planter. It’s much sturdier than most commercial versions, so it should last for many years. It’s also the perfect opportunity...
How a Tree Became a Whale
A rescue and careful work reveal the spirit of land and sea. I have lusted for years after the wide, irregular planks used by the legendary George Nakashima to capture...
Not so Ordinary Router Cabinet
Great shop storage isn’t always built using plywood. As I look around my shop, or most woodworking shops, I see cabinets built with plywood and screws. But there are other...
