How much does the general public know about forestry and the timber industry? As woodworkers, we have a decent knowledge of the timber industry and issues that affect our number one resource: a [...]
When working with green wood, it’s essential to prep it correctly in order to prevent cracking or splitting. Especially when you’re working with exotic lumber, you don’t want to [...]
A cost-effective and efficient way to take green boards to usable lumber. The solar drying kiln is the most cost-effective way for the craftsman to get quality boards for woodworking from green [...]
The cost of this stock is physical exertion, but it’s fun and rewarding. The riven oak that I use for joinery work is the best stock available; but it comes at a cost – the labor invested to [...]
It can save you lots of money—and grief! Are you a scrounger? Always looking for a deal? Self-reliant? Those words fit a lot of woodworkers, particularly those who search for unusual or [...]
Traditionally-trained furniture maker Martin Goebel takes you through the step-by-step process of making a live-edge solid-slab top. Follow along and learn: Why bark — while appealing — [...]
The end grain holds the secret to what stock to use where. The single-most important factor in the appearance of any woodworking project is the selection of the material. This isn’t what species [...]
Now that we’ve uncovered the reasons behind plain-sawn boards’ tendency to cup and explored methods to rectify their misalignment, let’s delve into addressing cupping in [...]
An easy way to fix cupped boards. After our discussion last week on why plain-sawn lumber tends to cup as it dries, I’m eager to share a solution for reforming cupped boards, like the old [...]
Getting to know the what and why of cupping lumber. In our 1960s house, many of the old-fashioned closet shelves were crafted from solid carpentry-grade softwood. It appears that the lumber for [...]
Having lived in our house for over three years now, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions about our trees. Unfortunately, we had to fell a few trees upon moving in, including some sick [...]
The bogs of New Zealand yield gargantuan Kauri logs. Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in American Woodworker #139. Ancientwood is listed as permanently closed on Google but [...]