Hello Everyone!
A new week! Four weeks of disengaging and redefining has caused many exchanges in the way we work (or don’t work) according to both our circumstances and then too our individuality in making life work. Some of it is acceptable to us, by all accounts, I mean some of it is really good and then, of course, some of it is not what we wanted at all. But we humans are resilient and supportive of the less resilient and we are evolving into something that enables us to handle things. I’ve had to cook more than ever in that I prepare all of my meals three times a day. not part of my routine at all. I have needed to reorganise very differently and that includes my schedule. And to engage with everyone here has meant a completely different approach too, to make certain I stay connected to a more distant association with friends, family and indeed for those who follow from very afar on other continents. Perhaps for some, less has changed in connecting with my work here in Britain but changes have affected 98% of us, I am sure.
Whereas the pundits declaring failures in this or that didn’t take place at all as predicted (and now we will never know who was right or wrong), Britain’s exit from the European Union was upstaged by the COVID-19 virus, but not with the prior predictions of Britain going down the tubes but with an unpredicted future on a global scale. We now share in the even more disastrous results on an unprecedented scale and we all carry the weight of many sad losses. Whether for or against the divorce of the UK from Europe, the reality is that some things have taken disagreement to transform our international efforts by uniting us as never before in a common cause. To fight the common goal head-on we see many competing companies of power putting on their work boots to get in the trenches. Instead of fighting with one another in issues, as in times past, we’re still fighting, but with one another for that common cause that draws us closer in ways no one could ever envisage. Stepping away from politics and media clickbait, we find ourselves caring about the wellbeing of others, in many cases those we don’t even know, and opening up our clogged arteries to feel after what we can do to improve the lot, safety and wellbeing of those close by, and then again those that might find themselves fighting in isolation because of many diversely different reasons.
This is more a Thank-You letter to everyone for your continued support and friendship. I send you all spring and spring flowers.
You have sent me so many kind texts and communiqués wishing me and everyone supporting the work who are all in self-isolation working from home. These are the ones that keep pressing the buttons to ensure we stay current. Mark finalised the year-end accounts ahead of time, Izzy and I are keeping up with your questions and Natalie and Will are edited up with several weeks of content. Joseph is set up in an office at his house in a recently built garage where he has his violin workshop that now shares space with a computer desk, office chair and a monitor for his laptop computer. It’s nice. My granddaughter passes his window as she gardens with her momma. We all have our daily chats individually and digitally as needed and then also our weekly meeting where we conference together from our various geographical locations. To pretend everything is hunky-dory would be wrong. Everyone is raring for the divided condition to stop and get back being together, but we accept that safety is paramount and so feel it best to continue to isolate for the time being.
In my creative zone I have passed the prototype stages to conclude filming myself making the first four or five projects. Yup! A few retakes where the backs of my hands or an elbow blocked 98% of a special technique you really needed to see, but it is coming together. A hissy snake was really rewarding as was my granddaughter’s sandbox. So as soon as the edits come from Natalie’s genius manipulating the digital presentations to make me look good I will let you see them.
All in all, from what you’ve said and done and are aiming to do, the clampdown is not holding you down and a workbench project is probably the best anchor you can have. If you have any struggles with anything please let me know. Your struggles are mine that way and we can work through things together.
Hey Paul-
Thanks for the thoughts and updates. I like the flowers, and the food looks yummy!
I also really like the look of the sandbox. While we’re past the sandbox stage for our kids (and the grandchildren are several years away), I like the design enough to modify it for a porch table or two.
There’s always some inspiration in your posts. Be well!
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Paul.
Enjoying your videos on building new projects but no repair.
Having built kayaks guitars and all kinds of furniture and maintaining a 37 foot wooden sailboat I have found a need to take apart peaces in order to repair.
For instance a chair with a broken leg and needing to unglue parts to make the repair possible.it
On many occasions the use of a heatgun and giving it plenty of time to let the heat penetrate the joint all glue will melt to the point of easy disassembly .
In the jpeg you can see the method used. It took about 15 minutes to free the joint.
Having no interest in producing videos I thought it may be of interest to your followers . (Works great on epoxy also having a low melting point)
Hope you find this interesting as it got me out of a bind on many occasions removing fittings epoxied in wood etc.
Keep up your excellent and interesting videos.
Regards Hank
Master Paul,
Thank you so much for sharing such beautiful photographs that provide insight into your daily life, lifestyle, and your surroundings “across the pond.” Today’s post is especially beautiful as you shared the gorgeously colored floral specimens and also the exquisite colors of your meals which you haves prepared for yourself.
Thank you, too, for your discipline of mentorship which you continue to faithfully document and disseminate to those of us profoundly indebted to you, as you pour your vast knowledge, wisdom, and demonstrations of artisanal skill(s) for into thousands of followers worldwide. Yours was/is an infinite passion and vision in this craft. Prayers for good health and God’s blessings.
And thank you for everything you do for beginning woodworkers.
Every day a few woodworking tools get repaired or restored. A few chisels flattened and sharpened every evening, a transitional plane restored (glueing on a new sole, reminiscing in the smell of Aerodux, repairing the tote with a piece of beech, sharpening the blade and fine-tuning everything). A plane that was last manufactured in 1917 and that hasn’t been used since the early ’70s is again put to work. Next up is the #4 1/2.
When a particular size of wood is needed to repair a windowframe, out come the trusty handplanes. In no time the wood is planed to size. Made a scrub plane two weeks ago according to your method and it has now become my most-used plane. Should’ve made one much sooner. Chisels that are now razor-sharp which makes using them a joy. It’s nice to see yourself improving in skills, with the invisible British master standing behind you and guiding you.
When tired of woodworking (including ‘rough’ woodworking repairs in the house) taking a stroll through the vegetable yard, enjoying the sun and watching everything grow. Apple trees blossoming. Reading a book on the patio in the sun. Work is progressing in the right direction, it’s good to see the progress unfold. Life is good.
Hi Paul: Great to read your words! …”a workbench project is probably the best anchor.” Indeed! I’ve got my top and legs laminated and planed. Next step is laminating the aprons and then the very scary mortise and tenons. All because of your teaching. So many foundational skills and as I get better I get more out of your videos, books and blog. Thanks for everything!
Hi Jon, don’t let procrastination get in the way. I think a lot of woodworking skill comes from backing yourself.
I’ve just finished Paul’s dovetail box with sliding lid an procrastinated over running the grooves for over a week. The dovetails went much better than expected and I was scared to ruin the good work. Needless to say a quick practice on an off cut gave me confidence and I don’t know what I was worried about. In some of Paul’s other videos he makes/uses a mortise guide and this looks to make chopping mortises much quicker and accurate. Mortises are now my favourite thing to do.
Hope the workbench turns out great. It’s on my list of projects. Just need to source the materials.
Rob
Hi Jon, get the mallet and chisel out and give it a go. With Paul’s method it really isn’t all that difficult.
In my living room I have what we affectionately call the 6-year table. When I was using machines, before Paul, I had made all of the components of the table, but like you was afraid of the mortise and tenons. Being a machine guy at the time, it took me that long to figure out how to do it with an electric router & jig. Now I can knock out a table, desk or bench in no time at all.
Doing it by hand is so much easier. Paul’s method makes it a snap.
If in doubt, practice on some scraps first.
Thanks Paul. I know you’ve mentioned in the past your son makes violins. I would love to hear a bit more about it and see some photos of the shop he has, etc. A vlog would work well with this.
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Rob and Dave. Hopefully, this weekend finish gluing up the aprons and then mortise and tenons next weekend. I’m a big procrastinator, so this will keep me pointed in the right direction.
Thank you Paul for your continued inspiration; despite being retired until lockdown I never seemed to spend enough time in the workshop. Over the last few weeks I have spent more time there and managed to make some items based on your designs both from the blog posts, and from your Working with Wood book – spatulas, spoons, strops, and a thin diamond plate sharpening station, which has made a real difference in getting tool sharp. Plus bootpullers fr the Men’s Shed I belong to.
Got this message and thought it’s a good thing to keep in mind
We are not in the same boat.
I keep hearing that everyone is in the same boat. But it’s really not like that. We are in the same storm yes, but we are not in the same boat.
Your ship can be shipwrecked and mine cannot. Or vice versa.
For some, quarantine is optimal and full of moments of reflection, of reconnection and peace. Life is easy in flip flops, with a glass of coke or a cup of tea in hand.
For some , this is a desperate crisis. For others it is facing real loneliness. For some it means peace, rest time and a bit of a holiday.
For others, this is torture as they wonder how they are going to pay their bills?
Others are concerned about the bread for the weekend and if the pasta will last for a few more days.
Some are in their “home office” doing all they can to protect the company they work for and still do an honest days work from home.
Others are looking through rubbish bins to survive.
Some wants to go back to work because they are running out of money, but in the same breath they are worried about a virus and they have questions about it.
Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.
Some need to break the quarantine to stand in a queue at the supermarket. Others just really want to escape.
Others criticize the government for the queue at the shop and for all the uncertainty.
Some have faith in God and are patiently praying and waiting for miracles in 2020.
Others say the worse is yet to come and that’s probably our reality. Truth is life as we knew it before is gone.
So, friends, family and neighbours, we are not in the same boat.
We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.
And each one will emerge, in his/her own way, from that storm.
Some with a tan from their pool. Others with scars on the soul.
It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, more than looking, actually seeing.
See beyond the political party, beyond religion, beyond the nose on your face.
Do not underestimate the pain of others if you do not feel it.
Do not judge the good life of others, do not condemn the bad life of others. Just don’t be a judge. Let us not judge the one who lacks, as well as the one who exceeds him.
We are on different ships and all looking to survive. Let everyone navigate their route with respect, empathy and responsibility. Stop the judgment and please just be kind.
BE KIND 💜
Have a beautiful Sunday Wherever you are. Be safe. 🧡
Very wise comment.
Very true words indeed. We are all in our own boat, weathering the same storm. From here in New Zealand my boat is sailing in relatively calmer seas on the edge of this global storm.
I have seen (via zoom) firsthand accounts from those in the full force of this storm and see & feel the fear and anxiety of their situation. I remain positive that in the end we will all come out of this far better.
Philosopher Woodworker Father Filmmaker Grandfather Friend Inspiration Teacher Mentor Master. I could go on. Thank you for being you and sharing you with us.
Paul,
This type of content help balance out the muck that the internet tends to dredge up and give way too much attention. It was a very nice thing to wake up to this post this morning!
Please keep up the good work, both in the bench and in your videos.
paul,
first and foremost, thank you so much for adding to the sensible and good side of the human condition that never will go away.
Adaptable we are, you would have to be to be a hand tool woodworker in the ever increasing times of low quality and machine driven workshops.
This too shall pass, it is with us now forever as all the other viruses are.
My hope is that collectively the world will follow Japan’s lead and pressure China into closing wet markets (where the last four deadly viruses have come from) and pull out of China and bring back quality and proper manufacturing to our respective countries again. As consumers we should all refuse Chinese goods…. if we can isolate because of them, surely we can refuse certain goods until this economic balance of trade comes back to benefit our own countries again.
Looking at real proper studies in iceland germany and netherlands show a more realistic study of this virus. People should look at it. Educate and decide.
Those of you in the UK should consider yourselves extremely fortunate to have a proper educated government on your side. I was born in Ireland, grew up in Canada and now spend the winter months in Arizona USA……
If you need to see an example of a dangerous lying cheating Twat….Trump is a complete boxed set. Glad I am returning soon
We will all return to what I hope is a slightly more educated world
be well and learn from this, the wisdom of the crowd CAN change things.
Hi Paul. I could really use some advice. I want to build a spiral staircase I saw on pinterest. Its from a website called TimberhomesVermont.com.
The steps are built around an 8×8 post using through mortise & tenons. Some would be angled similar to back rails on a chair
I’m wondering what would be your approach to the mortises. Thank you. I think you would enjoy seeing the staircase on their website.
What a lovely post! I’ve recently taken up woodwork and saw you name mentioned several times by other professionals so decided to take a look at your website. I’m pleased I did! I’m pretty sure I’ve found an excellent font of knowledge and help, and wonderful blogs, which I look forward to more of. I’ve also got my eye on the build your own workbench.
Where would you say is the best place to go for wood? Sounds like a silly question but where I live I’m struggling to find anywhere.
Keep up the good work all and stay safe
Jen, If you are making the wooden one and not the plywood version, I have found straight and fairly knot-free CLS studs that were fairly dry at Home Base and used mostly those, 38 x 63 x 2400 makes the laminated top and the offcuts can be glued up to make the cross rails. Then too, you can laminate the legs and rails and aprons from other sizes. Here is the Travis Perkins link in case there is one near to you. they will have a wider variety of timber there.
Thank you Paul, you are very giving to people. God bless!
Hi Paul I cannot wait to see The hissy snake project video😄
Wishing you all the best
Iris from Taiwan
Hi Paul, thank you so much for the update, I am looking forward to watching all the new digital media which you say is on the way.
I really liked the flower bed and the picture on the empty street, empty because we have to socially distance and stay home to protect the nhs and ourselves, not because people no longer shop on the high street.
Thanks for all the updates they are very much appreciated.
Greetings Paul,
Hoping all is well with you and the family through this problematic time when something as simple as going to go and get food is at the least a cause for trepidation. I have been reading and absorbing your teachings as well as your memories and with much ambition and thought provoking emotions. I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something here, I am wishing to learn how to frame tempered glass into a bookshelf as sliding glass doors. Could you possibly provide a basic guide as to how i could do this? I have pet cats and need a place for my antique books and don’t want them used as scratching posts lol:) Thank You Paul I really enjoy and find peace in everything you have taught, written and done for us .
Hi Paul, I came across your site, and was very impressed to see such a dedicated person such as yourself, helping out others, with their ‘wood’ related questions, let alone providing for your readers, such wonderfully crafted blog stories, that seem to be emanated from your heart as well! I was duly impressed! Paul, when you have a moment, if you could help me out with my wood related concerns, or ‘struggles’, as you call it, from this blog post, I would greatly appreciate it! Paul, in terms of myself, and situation at hand, I am a retired educator, residing in rural Canada, and had a fellow build me an outside wooden barrel sauna. It is heated by a Harvia wooden stove. To reduce the costs of building the sauna, rather then it being built from cedar wood, it was built with pine! Upon the completion of the project, I was told that I would have many years of enjoyment. Well, unfortunately, after the first couple of months, I noticed that there were several water leaks inside the sauna, that seemed to penetrate from the outside of the sauna! I tried to track down the person who built the sauna, to require some assistance, yet, decided, perhaps it was best for me, to try and enlist a friend to help seal the outside of the sauna?! I went to a local hardware store, and the manager recommended to me, to use a high temperature silicone sealant. My question to you is that, if you also agree with this treatment for the water leaks, with this silicone high temperature sealant, will the sealant help prevent any more rain from leaking through? Secondly, Paul, should there also be any sealant applied to the inside of the sauna as well, or just have it applied to the outside of the sauna barrel? The other question I have for you Paul, is that while relaxing inside the sauna, unfortunately noticed, once the sauna heated up, I saw several knots in the pine wood, with the sap coming out! While sitting down on the bench inside of the sauna, the sap sometimes drips from the wood, and it’s very hot, especially, when dripped onto the body. Paul, when the sauna is not in use, is there a way I can either sand down the sap, and or, should I just apply a putty knife to try and smooth out the sap, so as to next time, when I relax inside the sauna, won’t have to worry about the sap dripping again from the knots in the pine wood?! Thank you very much Paul for reading my concern(s)/questions, and, any help, or suggestions that you could provide to me, would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Paul!
Hi Paul
Thanks for the post. It’s good to hear your thoughts, they are valuable and thought provoking for me, I’m also glad to see that you’re looking after yourself with good nutritious food.
Best regards