Category Archives: Woodworking

Playing with Fire

Posted on December 20, 2017 by fitz

As you may know from a Lost Art Press event (or at last summer’s Lie-Nielsen open house), I’m always delighted to light a torch and demonstrate shou sugi ban – the Japanese art of charring wood to preserve and protect … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodworking | 13 Comments

Bad Case of the Piles

Posted on December 17, 2017 by fitz

For about a decade, I had tools in two places. When I began buying nice tools about 12 years ago, I was diligent about taking the ones I needed back and forth between home and the shop at PopWood – … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodworking | 8 Comments

Dovetail Class Kit to the Baking Rescue

Posted on November 23, 2017 by fitz

Yesterday, I reached into the cabinet for toothpicks so I could test the cake doneness for my annual Thanksgiving dinner dessert, a raspberry and marsala trifle. But I was out of toothpicks. Eek! Then I remembered I have some in … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodworking | 9 Comments

Get Real

Posted on October 21, 2016 by fitz

Christopher Schwarz sent me a ridiculous link from Amazon this morning. So I spent a few minutes learning how to use the scroll saw (never touched it until today) to make this far more realistic representation of a “safety assistant … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites, Woodworking | 12 Comments

6-week Install

Posted on October 2, 2016 by fitz

It took only an hour or so to actually get a door fit and hung between the hall and one of the two front rooms on the second floor. But add in the distractions and prep work and it took … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration, Woodworking | 12 Comments

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

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

Instant Replay

Posted on May 24, 2015 by fitz

Good thing I can “refer to the tape” on some of the larger pieces I’ve built. I was too boneheaded to take measurements before they were loaded onto and locked on the truck. Turns out, my big bookcase and stepback … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodworking | 2 Comments

As Long as I Don’t Answer Back…

Posted on October 10, 2014 by fitz

I was in the shop last weekend surfacing lumber for the Roubo bench-style kitchen island I planned (lo these many months ago). But as I was surfacing the walnut, it started talking to me. It whispered “Please don’t rip then … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodworking | 16 Comments