The left hand never denies the right. They are a true team. Though one’s strength is greater than the other, neither can live without the other. The two have strengths. One is strong and muscular, can wield the hammer and push the saw and plane with great skill and power, but the other has no such…
I have neglected bringing this tool to the forefront. Some years ago Joel of Tools for Working Wood (www.toolsforworkingwood.com) came out with a very special kit named under his brand name Gramercy the Gramercy 12″ Bow Saw Kit. It is an incredible kit and once you’ve made the saw you’ll find it works so beautifully…
Compelled to make a difference For years I have seen woodworkers struggle to make their way in woodworking from home workshops. They set themselves up with machines bought with borrowed money from relatives or the bank and then face the payback. Advice on how to mass-make their products, speed up operations, micro-manage time streams in…
I work with wood most days. Much of my work is with tools. I don’t mean machines. Americans in general call machines tools. It’s what gets the job done. The term has spilled over into other countries now and so the word needs redefining or reasserting. It’s dispiriting to call machines tools because the machine…
Working cutting splitting hard wood dense riven legs carved seat shaved shaped wooden chair complete rest
Perseverance produces endurance it’s said. Practice makes perfect say’s another. Another, a cello teacher, says practice makes permanent. But he says this only when his student begins to practice bad habits in playing. We all need practice to establish skill yet our culture of immediate self gratification denies the weightiness of practice somehow believing they…
This was a lovely day today. A couple of times I walked out of the castle into the grounds and realised how stunning it is to be here. I am a fortunate man. I followed my calling and never regretted becoming a woodworker. It answered all of my ambitions and now I can see the…
This week marks the release of 200,000 promotional DVDs about my recommended course for anyone to develop a working knowledge of how we work with hand tools. I have partnered with American Woodworker to bring a vibrant educational tool to the USA and Canada. You may have never been able to apprentice before, but now…
The Veritas dovetail saw cuts tenons and housing dado joints just as well as fine dovetails. Here is a great saw and what’s more, the saw actually fits my hand and it has a good sized handle I really like. Some years ago I spoke to Lee Valley Tools about producing a dovetail saw and…
The European Woodworking Show in Essex promises a broad spectrum of exhibitors and demonstrators and I know that show organiser Mike Hancock puts a great deal of effort into bringing a successful show together. His passion for woodworking shines through in this endeavour and I want to support his ambitions to make this venue…