Author Archives: fitz

Unknown's avatar

About fitz

Woodworker, writer, editor, teacher, ailurophile, Shakespearean. Will write for air-dried walnut.

Books, Baths & Food*

Posted on August 30, 2016 by fitz

As I move beyond the “must-do” in this house (taking out the 1950s walls that divided it in two, Romex to replace knob-and-tube wiring, a new roof and windows) and move on to the “want to do,” it becomes clear … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration, Woodworking | 13 Comments

A Love Letter to Bosch, M-Power & Wolfcraft

Posted on August 17, 2016 by fitz

I’ve been rushing to get a project done; it damn near killed me. It is thanks to a Bosch drill, the M-Power MERCPro bevel-edged chisel (sans replaceable chisel tip), and a Wolfcraft lock installation kit that is no longer made, … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites | 39 Comments

Don’t Worry (& Call Me if Old Yeller Shows Up)

Posted on July 22, 2016 by fitz

In the last couple days I’ve posted on social media about (more) bats in my basement, and a video of a bat flying around in my stairwell. In the last year (mostly over the winter when a few little buggers … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites | 23 Comments

2 Steps Up & 2 Steps Back

Posted on July 15, 2016 by fitz

At the Lie-Nielsen Toolworks 35th-anniversary open house last weekend, almost everyone with whom I talked asked one thing: How are the stairs coming along? Those who didn’t ask about the stairs asked about the house in general. (Except for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Foyer, Renovation/Restoration | 5 Comments

Why Not Go for (Sub-) Broke?

Posted on June 24, 2016 by fitz

After emptying out most of my savings account for a new roof, I thought, “What the hell. Might as well get new windows, too.” This is not an aesthetic choice. Half the windows in my house don’t close properly and … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 5 Comments

The Tipping Point

Posted on June 12, 2016 by fitz

Watching the roofers scurry up and down 40′ ladders and perching on gutters – with no apparent fear or regard for safety – must have addled my brain. I, who sit at a desk most days, thought it would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 4 Comments

So Many Choices, Only So Much Plasma to Sell

Posted on May 30, 2016 by fitz

In the last week (and over the long weekend), I’ve painted two ceilings, the walls in the hallway, replaced the screen in one of the front screen doors and painted the porch – well, most of it, anyway – after … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 5 Comments

A Heaping Serving of Humble Pie

Posted on May 22, 2016 by fitz

I vowed to use period-correct tools, techniques and – as much as possible – salvaged materials from the early 1900s for the house rehab projects. And I’ve caught a bit of grief for it, because, as several people have mentioned, … Continue reading →

Posted in Foyer, Renovation/Restoration | 11 Comments

Floored by the Kindness of Strangers

Posted on April 26, 2016 by fitz

I was hanging out with Chris Schwarz at his first Lost Art Press Saturday open shop a few weeks back, and in walks his neighbor, Dave. Dave and his wife, Marissa, are rehabbing a Victorian about a block away. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Foyer, Renovation/Restoration | 6 Comments

Some Things Old, Some Things New

Posted on April 3, 2016 by fitz

This weekend, after dithering a bit about how to go about it, I decided to cobble together the staircase landing from the original 2x8s (really that size) and some new materials…because much of the old was missing, thanks to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Foyer, Renovation/Restoration | 14 Comments