jackrascal
ZAmember
Self-taught woodworker absorbing metalwork, thus pushing the boundaries of uninspirational slapdash tool-design. I have worked commercially as a woodworker for nearly 20 years now in aspects ranging from solid wall house construction to fine restoration and cabinet-work. Currently I do woodwork for my own pleasure and occasionally build tools for collectors or craftsmen. My shop faces the sea and I find peace there among my friends. A place to contemplate higher aspirations.
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Contributions
Stanley no 1/2 scaled from Stanley no.1
This story started back in 1998 as I remember, when I had found a second Stanley no.1 in the most unlikely of places. My first had been an 1892 patent and the second was a 1936. Sitting...
New on Fine Woodworking
Dovetailed hall table
accentcreate | February 12th, 2012
Arts & Crafts Dining Table
Turbochief | February 10th, 2012
Chiffonier in Elm Burl veneer
mouppe | February 10th, 2012
Recent comments
Re: "Trinity Table"
Magnificent!
posted: 4:47 am on April 4thRe: Stanley no 1/2 scaled from Stanley no.1
My apologies for the absence. Chippy, the no. 1/2 is 115mm long and 30mm wide. The 1/4 is 93mm long and 24mm wide. Toolchest, my thanks for your encouragement and good wishes for your dreams.
posted: 4:20 am on April 4thRe: Provincien's Prowess
Initially when I looked at this, I was thinking "tour de force". On reading further the word "patternmaker" emerged, allowing my appreciation to settle into....appreciation. My word, remarkable and my compliments to you. Having only joined very recently, there is this plethora of creativity I am enjoying, peeping into the minds of other craftsmen. Whilst most distort the truth with words, there is not much to hide between craftsmen.
posted: 10:48 pm on March 9thMy hat off to you sir
Re: Eye Candy
I found this utterly delightful and liberating. Africanchippy and I had been bitching recently about uses for the stuff called "offcuts". My compliments to you.
posted: 10:51 pm on March 8thRe: Coachmakers Rabbet Plane
Well now! It be a small world when two fellow South Africans meet in such illustrious company. What a stunning little fellow you gave birth to. May he smooth your path as ye reach those heights. May they curl to the angels chippy.
posted: 2:23 pm on March 7thRe: 10 Ways to Avoid Shop Fires
Fire, before water being the greatest nightmare in my shop, I would like to add my tuppence. Old bakelite plugs are a no-no. They build up carbon and on a switch-on load like a thicknesser, drawing enough amperage, it has the ability to ignite the shavings I was too tired to sweep up the night before. I work barefeet mostly, so the image of me dancing on the burning sawdust was memorable. The chant was no rain-dance but a vociferous string of expletives....you all know them. The other bugger is that 0000 grade steelwool. A lone spark from the bench grinder, never mind the shower of heat from an angle-grinder, sets that mess of metal ablaze with a heat I need in my fireplace in winter. Which leads me to the following. We all have some of the most flammable mixtures in our shops. Methylated spirits, thinners, turpentine, parrafin, penetrating sprays and an array of paints that would get Michelangelo inspired. The world is held together by paint?? Of course! We know this. Plus, if any of you are like me with good intentions of building a fire-proof cupboard for the flammables only to procrastinate because your best woodworking friend came around today etcetera and so forth.
posted: 12:29 am on March 7thWhen I leave my shop to do anything, I switch off the electricity.
Safety to you all and happy shavings.