Author Archives: fitz

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About fitz

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

Closer to Fine

Posted on April 2, 2016 by fitz

This morning, I rearranged some utility shelving so I’d have storage in my bench room. My shooting plane, carving tools, hardware and other less-often-needed items are now in easy reach of my workbench and tool chest. But sharpening is still … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodworking | 9 Comments

Hey – It’s a Shop!

Posted on March 29, 2016 by fitz

Were I strictly a hand-tool woodworker, I could call my shop done.* I finally made the tills for and attached the wheels to the chest I built in December 2012/January 2013. The tool rack on the front chest wall has … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodworking | 26 Comments

Just Add Wood

Posted on March 7, 2016 by fitz

I’m exhausted, but there’s still a few hours to go until the “Downton Abbey” finale; I had to do something to stay awake. So I decided to fix some floorboard problems. At some point in the distant past, presumably for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 25 Comments

Appetite (& Checkbook) for Destruction

Posted on February 23, 2016 by fitz

Tim gave me his invoice for the miles of re-wiring and many days of labor, and I’ve several quotes for removing the bats and keeping them out (guaranteed for three years by the fellow I’m hiring). So my electric is … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 11 Comments

Lighting by Milwaukee

Posted on February 16, 2016 by fitz

My house is in massive disarray right now, with wires sticking out of switch boxes and ceilings, holes in the plaster (some intentional, some not) and lifted floorboards that my cats are treating as a new playground. I have light … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Stumbling In the Dark

Posted on February 12, 2016 by fitz

After uncovering the knob-and-tube wiring, I called my electrician friend, Tim. I don’t mind fishing new wire or pigtailing to add a plug, switching out a fixture or putting in a new switch. But when it comes to abandoning and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Might as Well…

Posted on February 7, 2016 by fitz

Hmmm…the living room really could use a chandelier. And it’s directly under the room in which I’m pulling floorboards anyway. Hmmmm…

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 13 Comments

A Widening Gyre

Posted on February 6, 2016 by fitz

My staircase project is spiraling out of control. After uncovering a live wire buried in plaster right where I need to secure the new landing and turn on the stairs, I had to make some exploratory cuts in the ceiling … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 26 Comments

Let Me Explain. No, There is Too Much. Let Me Sum Up.

Posted on January 31, 2016 by fitz

On Facebook, I posted this question: “Best angle grinder for cutting thick plaster?” Thank you to those who answered that question. And thank you for the other advice. But – with the exception of a RotoZip – I already tried … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 21 Comments

The Snowball Effect

Posted on January 23, 2016 by fitz

It’s cold and grey here – a great day to hunker down in the house and get some work done. On the list (after making coffee, which is always job no. 1) was to chip off the plaster where the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments