Friends:
Just a short video this week. As we get into the legs, it's worth planning your stock selection a little bit. It's very easy to glue up leg blanks that are too big and then spend a ton of time dimensioning them to the correct size.
In today's video, I go over a bunch of options for getting that leg sto...
Friends:
Now that we've ripped out our apron stock, it's time to plane it up. That's four pieces and it could take a long time, but we're going to be as efficient as possible by doing the minimum work. In this video, I focus on the most difficult piece of apron stock to show you all the problems you might have. The oth...
2024-07-24 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Furniture Forensics returns!!
Today, we have a fascinating piece of furniture made from an authentic American farm wagon. The "buck board bench" is actually a popular regional style that's still being built today. (Don't feel bad if you had never heard of it; I hadn't either.)
<... 2024-07-20 11:00:13 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
In today's installment of the build-along series, we'll saw out the apron stock. I've got a bunch of tips for doing these rips cuts and making the most of a small board.
If you're building one of these (and I hope you are) don't forget to stop by the 2024-07-17 11:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
We all hear a lot of talk about "how the pros do it." YouTube is filled with tips that help you to be more "pro."
But is that really a good idea?
Today, I take on the idea that pros are better woodworkers. I also get into the myths around professional woodworking and what happens when you make you...
2024-07-13 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Welcome to the Shaker Table Build-Along, Part 4. Today, we'll prepare the boards for the top and glue them up. It's a simple operation, but there are always a few tips to help out new builders.
If you're following along with this series, don't forget to drop by the 2024-07-10 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Last week's medical drama has cooled down quite a bit. The little girl got a new liver (courtesy of her Aunt, who gave her a piece) and she is improving slowly but steadily. Her kidney function is stronger and her clotting is better. Things are moving in the right direction.
A warm and grateful thanks t...
2024-07-06 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
It's time to get back to our EXCLUSIVE Patron build-along series. Today, we'll pick the wood and when I see you next, it will be time to get building.
I recorded this video on a Go-Pro Camera, so the sound is a little off. I'll use the mic next time.
Thanks so much for your support. You make this...
2024-07-03 11:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
There has been a medical emergency in my extended family. My wife and daughter are just fine, but another family member has a newborn who just received an emergency liver transplant and experimental drugs to fight a life-threatening viral infection.
Things have been utterly crazy. I've...
Friends:
It's time to go over the tools we need for our simple Shaker table. The video covers everything, but here are some links to tools you might want. I used my affiliate account to make the links because affiliate links are nice and short.
Saws from my recent video:
Bad Axe No. 9: ...
Friends:
I'm in the middle of a big video on grinders for the wood shop. I see a LOT of misinformation about grinding tools. People say you can't do it on a high-speed grinder. They say you'll ruin your tools. They see you NEED slow-speed, or water-cooled, or CBM wheels.
Hogwash!
We're going to get down to...
2024-06-24 13:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
We've decided to do an all new series. Instead of building a project and then sharing it, we're going to build a project in tiny little bits so that anyone can follow along in real time.
It's a whole new thing and we're really excited. All the details are in the video. The plans are attached to this post ...
2024-06-22 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
In our most recent video on the greenwood chair, you might have seen Rob and I using a neat little riving brake made from construction lumber and black pipe. It's a genius design; small enough to be easily stored, but you stand on it to get the leverage you need. The design comes to us via Sam Beauford, who ha...
2024-06-20 13:00:12 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
In our most recent video, Rob and I built a kiln out of stuff you can buy down at the Big Box store. It was a quick project and it's ready to receive our chair rungs (which we're finishing up tomorrow, I hope).
Everyone else pays for these detailed, full-color plans, but Patrons get them FREE 2024-06-19 12:59:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
The chair-building saga continues! We're far, far away from that green log we started with. Rob and I now have real chair parts and we need to dry them. So, we built a kiln!
It's easier than it sounds. The whole thing is made from inexpensive foam from the big-box store, a light bulb, and a few odds and ...
2024-06-15 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Here are the plans for the Father's Day Tool Tote. As a public service on this holiday, we're making the plans free to everyone, but Patrons still get them early. (They're attached to this post.)
If anyone builds this, I would love to see it!
--Rex
2024-06-12 13:15:23 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
It’s just about Father’s Day and we’re celebrating with a special project!
I found a great traditional tool tote and I’ve recreated it so you can make it with your Dad, make it for your Dad, or maybe you are the Dad and you want to make it with your kid. No matter how you want to make it...
2024-06-08 11:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I've learned from YouTube comments--and even some forum posts--that precision sawing is a struggle for many woodworkers. It's even a problem for folks who have been in the craft for a while. When it's just you and the saw, there are no jig or guides. You have to make that saw track straig...
2024-05-25 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
This was an unexpected challenge. I agreed to take this plane sight-unseen and fix it up. I thought it just needed a little tune-up. Boy, was I wrong! This plane was fixable, but just barely.
But I know a lot of you are struggling with that first hand plane restoration and this video has tips for tools i...
2024-05-18 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Welcome back to our multi-part series in building a greenwood chair straight from the log! In this installment, Rob and I are tackling the front "posts." (Regular people call them legs.)
This means lots of draw-knife and shavehorse work. For the first time, we're making finished chair components. These ...
2024-05-11 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
It's been a long road, but the Craftsman Table is done and I've got some plans for you. These plans also include the shop-made spokeshave.
If you're looking for older plans, they're right here on the Plans Archive...
2024-05-01 19:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
It's been a long road (much longer than expected), but our "live" build of the Craftsman Table has finally come to an end. In this part, I make a perfectly round top using only standard tools; not even a coping saw! It's easier than it looks, but it's not quick. Even I yearned for the bandsaw by the end.
... 2024-04-27 11:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Why don't I have dogs or dog holes on my workbench? Because I use bench hooks! (And a planing stop). You can make bench hooks, but beginners might find the project a little challenging.
So today, we're releasing our newest kit: the Compass Rose Sawyer's Hooks. This ben...
2024-04-20 11:00:13 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Here's a tiny part of the next release from Compass Rose Toolworks.
It's a little selfish, but I love showing a snippet of an upcoming tool and reading the guesses. I'm always blown away by your analysis and creativity. I didn't think anyone could possibly guess the Vise Block (especially since we inve...
2024-04-19 11:47:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I’ll admit, this Craftsman Table was supposed to be a single video. I never expected it to sprawl the way it has. But doing the build “live” on camera and showing all the steps and mistakes just takes longer. I think it’s worth the effort, but I’ll let you be the judge.
Today, we’re doing the ...
2024-04-13 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
This would generally be our week "off," but I just can't leave you hanging in the middle of a project!
The Craftsman Table is coming along nicely and I have a bunch of news to share with you. Whether you're building along or just watching for fun, this update video will give you details and inside infor...
2024-04-06 11:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
You just saw our first video on the Craftsman table, and we're going to have full-color plans, free to Patrons, but many of you might want to get a jump on this project or even build along with me.
Before the full plans are ready, we've got a simple set of measured drawings. These are the plans I'm usin...
2024-04-01 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
A few weeks ago, I made a video about half-lap joinery. I thought the video was too long and slow, but people seemed to enjoy the detail and careful pace as I cut each joint “live.” In our recent 2024-03-30 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
First, thanks to all of you for making the Vise Block release such a success. We’re nearly sold out and that’s a huge accomplishment for a tool that’s been in development for so long. Thanks to everyone who boug...
2024-03-23 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
It's New Tool Day here at the shop. But we didn't buy a new tool; we made one.
For years, I've been frustrated by "affordable" vises. They're fine for most things, but when you need to cut joinery--especially dovetails--they just don't grip well enough. These vises "wrack." &n...
2024-03-16 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
