Paul, I have a question on your sharpening technique and the sharpening substrates… I have Norton 1000, 4000, and 8000 grit waterstones – would I be able to use your convex method if I just purchased two diamond stones, the 250 and 600 grit eze-sharp brand? or do I have to worry about the 1000 grit water stone dishing to rapidly…
I think that it is no small thing that so many people ask questions of me that tell me what is on their mind, or, perhaps more relevant, what is on their heart. Now this is a good cross section of the general public, not so much woodworkers but them too. These people would naturally be…
I spent the day at Woodfest and as usual the biggest and bestest show in the UK did not disappoint me. Unfortunately I lost the images I took in cyberspace so cannot post what interested me most or give you up to date images. That hasn’t happened before so I should be grateful. If you are…
Make your own bench First of all make your own bench with confidence. I will help you through every stage and in a few days, no more than say four, you will have your new workbench ready to use. It will last you a lifetime and you will grow to just love it. I can…
Working wood by hand is not old fashioned and it doesn’t have to be mere traditional at all. Some times I regret seeing woodworkers dressed up in woodland clothes with baggy breeches and calico shirts tied loosely with leather thongs to create this rugged woodland-worker look in reenactment phase at renaissance fairs and such. It…
In the current Fine Woodworking Q&A section April 2012 the questioner asks a straightforward question about straightforward joinery with an angle for a chair he is making. He wants to know the best alignment of a mortise and tenon joint if the back of the chair is narrower than the front. The question is answered…
I have to say that I am surprised by Asa C’s article on honing guides. I found it intolerant and biased. Some statements seem written with the intent to persuade rather than present, with the use of certain terms; for instance, in his pro-guide bias he uses terms like, “Why the honing guide beats handheld.”…
Re Honing-guide sharpening A common fallacy I often come across is that the honing guide gives you the edge you cannot get freehand and that most freehand sharpeners are professional furniture makers. Most professional furniture makers are minimalist hand tool users and I worry that writers might falsely impress people that “hobbyists” cannot very quickly…
Some time ago I decided to go against my better judgment and counter some of the status quo currency by which people create an impressive and imposing posture. That’s not an altogether a wise thing to do and the giants in the world of woodworking are no different than in any other business in that…
Soon we will step from the affluent upstairs life to the work areas that supported from the kitchens below. For now we will conclude this tour with the Breakfast Room just off the greater Dining Room. This was a family dining room used when footmen were not required and a smaller complement of staff cold…