Category Archives: Books in the Works

On the Myth of Wide Lumber

Posted on May 3, 2013 by

When the only tool you have to flatten a board is a 6” electric jointer, all your boards look 6” wide. One of the greatest gifts of handwork is the ability to flatten boards of almost any width. Many times … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, Campaign Furniture | 11 Comments

Militia Training, 1891

Posted on May 2, 2013 by

One of the reasons that campaign furniture was so common in English society is that officers were required to purchase their own furniture and necessities for their commission. As a result, The Army & Navy Co-operative Society, Limited, was an … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, Campaign Furniture | 5 Comments

Campaign Chests: This One Goes to 11

Posted on May 2, 2013 by

The maximum size of British campaign chests is pretty standard. You’re unlikely to find ones that are wider than 40” and taller than 42”. Outliers are out there, of course, but 40” x 40” is pretty typical. And the chests … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, Campaign Furniture | 5 Comments

Campaign Chest Design Sheet

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

Next week I’m teaching a class on building a campaign chest at Marc Adams School of Woodworking that is a primer on the principles of casework construction. If you are interested in blowing off work on May 6-10, check out … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, Campaign Furniture, Woodworking Classes | 4 Comments

Spots Open in my Campaign Chest Class Next Week

Posted on April 28, 2013 by

There are still some spots open in my class on building a campaign chest that I’m teaching May 6-10, 2013, at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking in Franklin, Ind. For me, this class is the most important one I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, Campaign Furniture, Woodworking Classes | Leave a comment

Woodworking from the Cradle to the Grave

Posted on April 25, 2013 by

One of the most essential pieces of woodwork provided by joiners was the coffin – it’s a topic I’ve been doing research on for the “Furniture of Necessity” book. Coffin-making is a fascinating trade with special jigs and construction techniques … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, Furniture of Necessity, Historical Images | 15 Comments

The History of the Gnome Males

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

With “By Hand & Eye” at the printer, our sights are set on completing the first volume of the A.J. Roubo translation. All I can say is thank goodness for Jeff Burks. If it weren’t for his regular stream of … Continue reading →

Posted in By Hand & Eye, To Make as Perfectly as Possible, Roubo Translation | 38 Comments

‘By Hand & Eye’ Now in the Store with Free Domestic Shipping

Posted on April 23, 2013 by

After reading the authors’ first draft of “By Hand & Eye,” a curious question occurred to me: Can a book teach someone to sing? Throughout this book, George Walker and Jim Tolpin use music as a metaphor to explain the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, By Hand & Eye | 24 Comments

Your Best Work

Posted on April 19, 2013 by

“A roughly made bench serves the same purpose as an elegant Hepplewhite chair and has its own beauty. But how wonderful that the learned hands of humankind can fabricate something that has real craft and hard-won beauty.”  — Robert Genn … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, By Hand & Eye | 6 Comments

‘By Hand & Eye’ and on the Verge

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

Editor’s note: After more than two years of work, we are about to send “By Hand & Eye” to the printer. This 200-page book by George R. Walker and Jim Tolpin is unlike any other woodworking book I have ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, By Hand & Eye | 39 Comments