Author Archives: fitz

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About fitz

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

Astragal, Beads, Torus, Ovolo & Cavetto

Posted on August 31, 2018 by fitz

An astragal is a moulding of a semi-circular profile; its construction is so simple that it would be unnecessary to say any thing concerning it. Fig. 1. There are two kinds of beads, one is called a cocked bead, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/Editing/Writing, Rude Mechanicals Press | 2 Comments

Bookcase Catch-Up

Posted on August 28, 2018 by fitz

Last weekend, I helped to birth six new boarded bookcases (based on Christopher Schwarz’s plans in “The Anarchist’s Design Book“); I, however, am still in labor. Whenever I teach, I prep wood for a build of my own, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Classes, Woodworking | 7 Comments

Iron & Fire

Posted on August 23, 2018 by fitz

Sure, I love “Mechanic’s Companion” for the Carpentry, Woodworking and Turning sections. But Peter Nicholson also covers the early 1800s tools and trades of many of the other skills that go into making a building: Bricklaying, Masonry, Slating, Plastering and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/Editing/Writing, Rude Mechanicals Press | 3 Comments

Nicholson’s Indices & ‘Explanation of Terms’

Posted on August 14, 2018 by fitz

Among the valuable lessons on offer in “Mechanic’s Companion” are the “Explanation of Terms used in…” at the end of every section – quick definitions of the jargon, with reference to where they’re covered in the text for further reading … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/Editing/Writing, Rude Mechanicals Press | 4 Comments

2 Openings in Oct. Coffin/Bookcase Class

Posted on August 9, 2018 by fitz

Because life sometimes gets in the way of woodworking (sad but true!), I had two students have to cancel for the Oct. 20-21 Build a Traditional Pine Coffin Class  (we’ll turn the coffin into a bookshelf for use until you … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Nancy Hiller in Town Aug. 11!

Posted on August 2, 2018 by fitz

Nancy Hiller is among my favorite people. She is not only a talented woodworker and designer, she’s a good friend and a hilarious one – I always laugh a lot when she’s around. So I’m excited that Nancy will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

‘Mechanic’s Companion’ – Where to Buy Update

Posted on July 31, 2018 by fitz

JJ, Viola and I would be happy to pick, pack and ship to you (if you’re in the U.S.) a copy of “Mechanic’s Companion” (a favored few might even get a bonus cat hair or two under the packing tape!) … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/Editing/Writing, Rude Mechanicals Press | 2 Comments

The Curious Case of the Missing Holdfast

Posted on July 19, 2018 by fitz

We know the English knew about the holdfast by the early 1800s; Joseph Moxon shows it in “Mechanic Exercises” in 1683. Yet Peter Nicholson (who trained briefly as a joiner) neither shows nor mentions it in his 1812 book “Mechanical … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/Editing/Writing, Rude Mechanicals Press, Woodworking | 2 Comments

Cauls – Fancy Cauls – to the Rescue!

Posted on July 8, 2018 by fitz

For no particular reason, I decided to make some shelves for the bathroom on which to store towels, extra toilet paper and the like. Sure, on my to-do list there’s a hallway linen cupboard in which those things can eventually … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodworking | 9 Comments

Anyone Free for Dinner in Syracuse, N.Y.?

Posted on July 5, 2018 by fitz

I considered making the 16-hour drive from Cincinnati to Warren, Maine, in one day next week for the July 13-14 Lie-Nielsen Open House…but then remembered I’m almost 50 and one really ought not be that foolish beyond the age of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments