Category Archives: Make a Joint Stool from a Tree

Joint Stools Without a Lathe

Posted on July 2, 2012 by

Before “Make a Joint Stool from a Tree” was a book, it was a workshop that Jennie Alexander and I taught a few times. The first session was 1991 at Drew Langsner’s Country Workshops. We had 12 students – several … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 2 Comments

When the Fakes Look Authentic

Posted on April 28, 2012 by

Question from a reader: “I have seen websites like Mr. Follansbee’s with instructions on making these [joint stools] using absolute period techniques and tools or offers to buy one. I’ve seen stools that look (in pictures) to be authentic but … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 7 Comments

Wood the Oppressor

Posted on April 15, 2012 by

Our relationship with wood is complicated. When I see a beautiful maple in my neighborhood, I want to kill it, tear it open and use its guts to make something. But I also appreciate the beauty of its canopy. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 6 Comments

‘Make a Joint Stool’ Available in the U.K.

Posted on April 9, 2012 by

“Make a Joint Stool from a Tree” is now available for sale at Classic Hand Tools Ltd. in the U.K. You can purchase the book (and other Lost Art Press books) using this link. The price is £34.95. In other … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 2 Comments

A Joint Stool Comes to Greenbriar

Posted on April 6, 2012 by

The two most difficult things to photograph in woodworking are plow planes and joint stools. With plow planes there is not a single good angle that shows everything about the tool: the fence, the tote, the skate and the cutting … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 25 Comments

Breaking the Riving Rule

Posted on March 29, 2012 by

In our joint stool projects, Jennie Alexander and I always struggled with the riven seat board.  It takes a VERY large diameter oak to get a quartered board almost 11” wide. When it came to writing “Make a Joint Stool … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 3 Comments

Preparing a Book to Read it

Posted on March 24, 2012 by

When you are trying to read a book and you want it to lay flat, it can be frustrating. You can be gentle, and the book will close shut as soon as you unhand it. Or you can be rough … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 26 Comments

The Debate of the ‘Joint Stool’ Book

Posted on March 21, 2012 by

As the woodworking community begins to read and absorb “Make a Joint Stool from a Tree,” there have been some interesting criticisms. The most pointed: “The problem with (Peter) Follansbee’s 17th century methods are that they are completely impractical for … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 23 Comments

Unsolicited Praise for ‘Make a Joint Stool from a Tree’

Posted on March 14, 2012 by

We never request reviews from woodworkers, magazines or fellow authors. And we don’t sling around free copies of our books in the hopes of hooking a review. So when we get a review, it’s from someone who had to seek … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree, Uncategorized | 18 Comments

All the ‘Joint Stool’ Books are in the Mail

Posted on March 9, 2012 by

It took seven days and seven nights, but I just dropped off the last of the pre-publication orders of “Make a Joint Stool from a Tree” at the U.S. Post Office. We still have cleaning up to do – our … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Make a Joint Stool from a Tree | 16 Comments