Posts by Paul Sellers
It’s a Wrap
I have a few of these Stanley 78s and surprisingly the handles all seem to me to feel different. in my hands. I have a couple that have very smooth castings and so too the painted finish. Some however feel quite rough and somehow cold to my touch in that they seem uninviting to work…
Read MoreDays Gone…
…Never to Return It’s a simple truism in every sense. An era has passed, never to return. Look into any past culture anywhere on the globe and you can trace perspectives on art of the day for that era. Each continent has expressed who it is in multidimensional works of art crafted by the human…
Read MoreSharpen a Saw in 5 Mins???
I was teaching saw sharpening when almost everyone I ever met or knew of had abandoned such practices. As a direct result from my efforts more people are sharpening their own saws than I have ever seen before and the numbers keep on growing. Who’s doing it? Amateur woodworkers all around the world are! I…
Read MoreIt’s Gone Bad…
Three decades ago we used to pick up a four-in-hand rasp at any hardware store in the US knowing it would be good to go and at an economical price. They weren’t fancy, just functional. The farriers used them to trim and shape the hooves on horses during and after shoeing them. Not a fine…
Read MoreAs the Days Draw In
It’s not too early to prepare for the coming of cold days and evenings of low light, low energy levels. The days are shortening now so prepare yourselves. In a few weeks our days will be around 8-9 hours long here and much of that daylight time for most will be spent indoors tapping keys…
Read MoreIn Case
Just in case you missed this current vlog out today I thought I should mention it here. I have enjoyed doing them through the past months and will keep going because it is more my way of life and I also want the next few years to embrace what I am doing in building furniture…
Read MoreS&J Bench Planes Review
When I blogged and even filmed about the Spear & Jackson hands saws it wasn’t because they sponsored me, gave me a kickback or gave me free tools or equipment. They gave me zilch because I don’t and won’t take anything. Not taking any sponsorship from any manufacturer means I have the total freedom to…
Read MoreTaking Shape
Today I’m planning to complete my prototype coffee table, replete with all joinery for the undercarriage of the tabletop. I have had some ideas planned in my head and have rehearsed them there but will make actual cuts today as an experiment on something I have wanted to try for some time. In my case…
Read MoreFalse Starts
After a few false starts dotted into my life, like trig points on pathways and cairns in wild places, I came to the conclusion that false starts are frequent happenings in the lives those striving to build an alternative way to live their lives. A creative life often means trying different things to see what…
Read MoreMy Foundation Course
Jack’s been with me now for about four months. He’s coming in two half days so about 8 hours a week. That’s how everyone starts at first. He has just completed my foundational course which anyone can follow for free online should they be beginners and want to visit my sites. My dream that those…
Read Moreon George Leaves…I apprenticed back in the mid sixties . I think almost every apprentice if they were lucky had a "George" in their life . in my case it was an "Ian" he sounds very similar to your…
on George Leaves…It's a bit sad for us now also, we now have to say goodbye to George as well.
on My GoalsI heard a story from a WWII era guy. He said that when the US men went off to war, Stanley hired women. The management thought the women would need more material to achieve the mac…
on George Leaves…Once again your words resonates greatly with me. I am almost ready to start your classes. I cannot deny it has taken me some serious time and money getting the place to call my wor…
on I Like These ThingsPaul: November 12, 2019 In 2010 I purchased a 1944 war production Delta drill press (pillar drill) for $400. I replaced the quill bearings and wired up a new switch, filled the "Ar…
on My GoalsPaul just wanted to say that there is nothing better than using a No 4 or 5 Stanley with a sharp blade. Thank you for being open with your knowledge and sharing so freely. Take car…
on My GoalsYou are right there's no way to know! It is whether you trust the salesman or not...reputation i guess. We trust you so i will copy what your team does. Figures lie and liars figur…