Tom
Tom McKenna, Wallingford, CT, USsenior editor
Contributions
What are The Turning Points Along Your Woodworking Path?
What events or skill developments raised your woodworking to the next level?
The Kids Have Spoken: I Have a Cool Job
Verbatims and pictures from a great 4th-grade class
My Day in the 4th Grade
I jumped at the chance to tell kids about my cool job
Finally, a Project I Really Want to Build
I've always wanted to build a cabinet-on-stand. I'm diving in.
Hop on Board the Woodworking Bus
California art association offers mobile woodshops for kids
Innovative Way to Carry Lumber in a Car
Please don't try this.
Woodworking Club Makes and Donates Toys for Christmas
Handmade wood toys are sure to be a hit with kids
Neglected Tablesaw Gets Some Attention
Editor mends fences with a rusty saw.
For These Kids, Making Toys is an Entryway to Woodworking
Sloyd education principles thrive at the Clear Spring School in Arkansas
Rolling Stand for My New Planer
A 3 1/2 hour project that should give years of service
The Workbench of a Lifetime
Check out Garrett Hack's new workbench, a thoughtful design based on 30 years of woodworking experience. Watch the video, read the article, buy the plans.
The Importance of Hand Skills in Education
The president of North Bennet Street School talks about the importance of hand skills in creating a well-balanced education
Homeless Woodcarver with a Fondness for Presidents
CSI in Rockford, Ill., tries to identify a body
How to Use a Toothed Handplane Blade
See the benefits of using a toothed blade to rough out stock with a jack plane
The Soul of a Wooden Shoe
Designer kicks it up a notch with high-style high-heel shoe sculptures
Former Student Reminisces About Krenov
A former student gives an eloquent account of his experiences with James Krenov
8 non-woodworking tools for woodworkers
Think outside woodworking when equipping your shop
iPhone Becomes a Wood Encyclopedia
New application for woodworkers makes it easy to identify wood and includes some handy tips and references
Classic American Furniture For Sale
Check out some of the best furniture in the country at the 2009 New Hampshire Furniture Masters auction
Oily rags blamed for fire that damaged Oregon home
Sobering reminder about disposing oil-soaked rags properly
Boxmakers Who Think Outside the Box
Check out boxes from around the globe at the Messler Gallery in Rockport, Maine
Solutions for splinters
Big ones are easy to get out, but how to deal with the little buggers?
Toothpick art may float your boat, but is it woodworking?
Check out this motorized boat made from toothpicks
Reader Says Mythbusters Missed on Hammer Strikes
Debate continues on the hazards of striking a hammer on hardened steel
Stick your tools in a shoe?
Woodworkers have always been good recyclers, but this idea may have taken one step too far.
How a Violin is Made
Discovery Channel's 'How It's Made' show gives play-by-play account of how a violin is built
Walking Tables Creep Me Out
Living tables conjure images of classic zombie flick
Salt Lake City Plane Maker Creates Line of Infill Smoothers
Gabardi & Son is hand-crafting planes to last generations
Unique expanding tables from DB Fletcher
English furniture maker designs expanding tables that will blow your mind.
Innovative Workstation for African Carpenters
American woodworker and teacher Jeffry Lohr and his wife, Linda, teamed up with a Ghanaian carpenter to help lift people in the West African nation from the grips of poverty
Sam Maloof's first commission
Taken from issue #25 of Fine Woodworking, Maloof describes his first experience with a client and her interior decorator
Down on the Farm with Garrett Hack
His handwork is not limited to the woodshop
Falling and tipping furniture a danger to kids
The number of children injured by falling furniture has increased dramatically
Chair, Heal Thyself
Too bad Humpty Dumpty didn't have this self-repairing technology
The Ultimate Mobile Base?
Need a hand moving that combination machine, cabinet saw, bench, or even a shop? Give this guy a call.
Cutting-edge High School Woodworking Program Thrives in Ohio
Check out the fun furniture created by these teen-age woodworking wunderkinds
Mark Edmundson: Out of the woodshop and into the woods
Mark Edmundson has a pretty typical shop inside a two-car garage, but the land outside his shop offers a unique escape from the noise and dust inside
Like jigs? Like box joints? You're gonna love this...
Jig fanatic makes sophisticated rig for cutting box joints
Pinewood Derby: An entrance ramp to woodworking
While building our latest entry for the Cub Scouts' annual race, my son learned how to handle a spokeshave
Baring My Basketball Soul
FWW editor makes his picks for the 2009 NCAA tournament.
PCs With Wood Roots
How a woodworker lent a helping hand to the development of the personal computer
It's Hip to Have a Square or Two
These two small tools are critical if you want a well-equipped shop
13 Tips from a Well-Traveled Woodworker
Some ideas to ease the pain of traveling; add your own, if you'd like
Beware of Stale Floor Epoxy
If your mixture doesn't blend well, you may have purchased a kit that's spent too much time on the store's shelf
Tour de Force of Woodworking Talent
Messler Gallery at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship shows off work of studio fellows
Think warm thoughts: Sign up for summer woodworking classes
Woodworking schools across the country are publishing their schedules; register before it's too late
Blanket Chest is on The Move
Peter Turner's blanket chest was recently sold
Test blocks for door trim installation? You betcha!
A woodworker's self-realization is complete.
Celebrity blanket chest for sale
Hickory and ash chest appeared on the cover of issue #203 of Fine Woodworking
Epoxy floor tip: If you don't add grit, you just might slip
If you plan to apply epoxy to a garage floor, add sand before the final coat, or you'll have to watch your step.
Economic reality check
Reader loses job, cancels subscription
Highway rest area for woodworkers
Rest area is comfortable, clean, and showcases furniture by Vermont woodworkers
Blanket Chest
This blanket chest is pretty basic. I've actually made two of them, one as a wedding gift for my sister-in-law and another as a Christmans present for my brother. I used red oak, purchased from a home center. My goal was to create continuous grain around the entire chest, so I opted to use a basic rabbet joint to connect the front, back and sides. I reinforced the joint with screws and covered the holes with grain-matched plugs. For the hinges, I used a combination hinge and lid support, which prevents the lid from crashing down on unsuspecting users.
New on Fine Woodworking
Table saw extension
benmess | February 9th, 2010
"680 Pound Workbench" Made Out Of Old Growth, White Oak
DennisZongker | February 9th, 2010
Yellow Cedar Burl
JohnSh | February 9th, 2010
Recent comments
Re: What are The Turning Points Along Your Woodworking Path?
Yup, hand tools are a big jump for most woodworkers... me included. The refinements you can make with hand tools are unrivaled by most machines.
posted: 1:58 pm on February 3rdRe: What are The Turning Points Along Your Woodworking Path?
I've learned a lot from Garrett during various photo shoots in his shop, not only about woodworking but also about design. He has a great eye.
posted: 9:12 am on February 3rdRe: The Kids Have Spoken: I Have a Cool Job
I'd love to go back and talk about woodworking, shrogers. I think it would be fun.
posted: 9:21 am on January 29thRe: Turning My First Green Bowl
I'm bowled over, JT. Nice job.
posted: 9:26 pm on January 26thRe: Hop on Board the Woodworking Bus
flubaru, you can make a donation by calling (626) 798-7774. You also could arrange to make a donation by visiting Side Street Projects' website (www.sidestreet.org); click on the "support" tab at the top of the page.
posted: 9:42 am on January 26thRe: Finally, a Project I Really Want to Build
But then I wouldn't be able to watch the game or eat my nachos without making a large mess.
posted: 3:27 pm on January 18thRe: Finally, a Project I Really Want to Build
I wish I had more time to learn about SketchUp. Honestly, I'd rather spend the little free time I have in the shop... or at a nice warm pub.
posted: 9:01 am on January 18thRe: Mock up leads to a happy ending
Nice job, Mike, as usual. I followed your lead on making a mockup. Check out my blog at:
posted: 9:23 am on January 14thhttp://www.finewoodworking.com/item/23295/finally-a-project-i-really-want-to-build
Re: Finally, a Project I Really Want to Build
Thanks, Gina. Just ignore some of my harsh language in the FWW shop as I build this thing. By the way, folks should also check out Mike Pekovich's blog on how he used a mockup in building his Arts and Crafts display case:
posted: 9:13 am on January 14thhttp://www.finewoodworking.com/item/22491/mock-up-leads-to-a-happy-ending
His project will be published in FWW #211.
Re: How to Use a Toothed Handplane Blade
Not yet.
posted: 3:19 pm on October 1stRe: Working with reclaimed lumber, part 4
That's dandy! Seriously...
posted: 8:08 pm on September 29thRe: 8 non-woodworking tools for woodworkers
Davie, if you use it, it's a woodworking tool...
posted: 10:47 am on September 18thRe: 8 non-woodworking tools for woodworkers
Wow, these are all excellent ideas. I can't believe I forgot the Sharpie!
posted: 3:52 pm on September 16thRe: Top 7 Woodworking Pet Peeves
Matt, were you really woodworking with those hands or hunting wild boar with a knife?
posted: 9:01 am on September 2ndRe: Oily rags blamed for fire that damaged Oregon home
Scary stuff, and it's so easy to forget about the rags.
posted: 11:42 am on August 26thRe: Why yes, I am a dandy woodworker
Here's a dandy website: www.dandyism.net. Based on that site, I can attest to the fact that Matt is no dandy.
posted: 8:46 am on August 7thRe: Behind the scenes at a video workshop
Yup, we have a great video staff. I can attest to the fact that the producers make the talent work really hard... But it's worth the effort, for sure.
posted: 11:57 am on July 16thRe: Sharpening 101: A Lesson in Cutting the Cheese?
That's probably better than head cheese... though I suppose if he cut himself it could be wine cheese...
posted: 11:55 am on July 16thRe: How a Violin is Made
goodguy, thanks for your input and thoughtful comments. I'm happy the post brought back fond memories for you. (Thanks also for pointing out the mistake.)
posted: 8:31 am on July 16thRe: Salt Lake City Plane Maker Creates Line of Infill Smoothers
Not even close, sleepy. Matt doesn't have a price list on his site, but he tells me many of the planes cost a bit more than $2K. They are custom made, so the price obviously isn't as low as what you'd pay for a factory made tool.
posted: 9:04 am on July 13thRe: A rest stop for woodworkers
The folks who work there are very helpful and friendly, too.
posted: 8:46 am on July 10thRe: America's most important piece of furniture?
One word: Magnificent
posted: 10:40 pm on July 7thRe: Innovative Workstation for African Carpenters
Folks, I received a note from Jeff Lohr, with a bit more info on his program. Here's an excerpt...
posted: 12:38 pm on June 11th“Thanks for the fine write up on the blog and the effort you put forth to publish something about our project in Ghana, W. Africa. This effort was both founded and to this day remains in a primarily woodworking based community. You should know that 90% of the funding for this project has come solely from private and personal donations from the students that have attended my Practical Woodworking Course that I offer 8 weeks out of each year when I am able to schedule such classes around regular commission work. I am proud to say that each student based their donations and support for this project on the value of their own woodworking experience here at my shop in Schwenksville, PA. Nonetheless, we are in constant need of funding to keep our high quality grassroots project on track so your piece about us on the BLOG may generate some private interest in getting us much needed additional support from the USA based woodworking community.”
--Jeff Lohr
Re: Down on the Farm with Garrett Hack
I'm still trying to get all the manure out of the crevices in the soles of my shoes. Garrett does have a special life. Thanks for the comments (and background on farm safety)
posted: 9:14 am on May 21stRe: Pinewood Derby: An entrance ramp to woodworking
I'd join that league...
posted: 9:03 am on March 25thRe: Baring My Basketball Soul
There goes one Final Four prediction... See ya, W. VA.
posted: 3:02 pm on March 21stRe: 13 Tips from a Well-Traveled Woodworker
Great tips. Thanks for sharing...
posted: 3:20 pm on March 2ndRe: Test blocks for door trim installation? You betcha!
Memphis,
posted: 7:54 pm on January 25thI don't recall that article, but I'd be happy to help you with any of your questions about joints.
Re: Epoxy floor tip: If you don't add grit, you just might slip
Memphis, 70s is a nice temperature range for applying epoxy. Just be sure those ducks from the Peabody don't tread on it. As for the detritus, a little calamine goes a long way toward keeping it under control.
posted: 9:15 pm on December 25thRe: Epoxy floor tip: If you don't add grit, you just might slip
Exactly, but I think my language during and after the fall may have been a bit more ... colorful.
posted: 8:54 pm on December 22ndRe: Make this with your kids for Mother's Day
I recently made one of these with my son, Ryan. We had a great time doing it.
posted: 10:00 am on December 16thRe: Highway rest area for woodworkers
I loved that playscape dad.
posted: 7:05 pm on December 8thfrom,Ryan
Re: Blanket Chest
Thanks for the compliments...
posted: 8:24 am on November 7th