Today’s workshop

ByPaul Sellers

Learning curves are different for different folks, but the joy is in the journey as much as the conclusion. With a full class, we started on time and worked steadily through the day. As you can see it’s an all-male class,which in the UK is unusual. This Foundational Part I always starts with my sharpening system. From dull to surgery in under a minute is the fastest, most accurate method I know of bar none. This is the same for planes, chisels, spokeshave and knives. Maybe we should do another freebie video on this.

The age range in this workshop runs the gamut. We have diving gear (textile) makers and a doctor (MD), a pharmacist and an environmental worker, a magazine publisher and an about to graduate dentist. Those are the ones as I remember.

There are two dads-and-lads sets there in the class working on opposite benches. This happens in lots of classes here in the UK. Much different than the US and very refreshing to see.

 

 

I have always loved to teach this workshop and no matter the person, all my students, apprentices, teachers and staff go through this workshop. It’s the only way to get everyone on the same page. Watching dovetails emerge from square stock and than seeing the parts interlock is as fascinating as it was the first day I made my own, 47 years ago. What seemed awkward an hour ago is no longer quite so challenging and the results are quite stunning with some of the students. Real wood, tools and woodworking.

 

John has only a couple of days left with me at the castle. He’s been wrapping his tools and stuffing them in his tool box. My family and I will miss him when he’s gone. But we have plans for exhibits in the USA and the UK and perhaps he’ll find time to help with those. or just come for the fun.

5 Comments

  1. Hi Paul,

    Matthew here again (you recently answered my query on the aluminium sash clamps). Since discovering your teaching at the Harrogate show and your website, I do look forward to reading your daily blog. Although sometimes I wonder if you’ve spent the night reading Shakespeare or Wordsworth! (haha).

    One of the essentials for succesful wood working seems to be sharp chisels & planes. You demonstrated the sharpening process on the diamond plates at Harrogate but a video would be really useful. I have just invested in three plates but I am not quite sure on the “dull to surgery” process.

    Keep up the campaign!

    Regards, Matthew.

    1. I will see what I can do. Let me give it some thought as to how and when.

      Best regards,

      Paul

  2. Paul, I would appreciate a video on sharpening, I am getting back into hand tool work after a stroke and sharpening just isn’t working like it used to go.

    Great blog and thank you for the time you spend and the thoughts you share.

    Trevor – Vancouver BC

    1. You are the second one in two days. I am thinking about how best to do this. There is more to the initial set up and prep using my system. Once you have done it it should take you no more than 1 minute to sharpen any edge tool.

      Best for now,

      Paul

  3. This is months later – and I also have a question on sharpening, with regard to the back of the chisels.

    Do you work them dead flat? Wondering, because I discovered some Marples chisels that Lee Valley had on sale years ago – and the backs are definitely not flat.

    Regards – Miles Thompson
    Enfield, NS Canada

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