Our retailers have been asking about the tools and books we have planned for 2021. If I have to write this explanation up for them, I might as well let y’all have a look, too.
If a book or tool is not on this list, that means I don’t have a timetable for it. So if you ask when Andrew Lunn’s sawmaking book will be released, my response will be: crickets. Please don’t be offended by this – I simply don’t have any information to give you.
These are roughly in order of when they will be released. Like many manufacturers, we are fighting supply-chain breakages from the paper mills all the way up to the cardboard box supplier we use to ship products.
“The Workbench Book”
by Scott Landis
We are still taking pre-publication orders for this book. We expect it to ship out in early February. We are also working on getting its companion book, “The Workshop Book,” to the printer by Feb. 1.
“Make a Chair From a Tree (Expanded and Revised Edition)”
by Jennie Alexander with Larry Barrett and Peter Follansbee
At long last, this should go to the printer in February. We still don’t have a retail price, but I suspect it will be less than $40. This book has been a group effort from people all over the country, and I hope you will be pleased. The layout is just about complete. We have a couple drawings and photos to add. And then some editing. Look for it this summer.
“The Woodworker’s Pocket Book”
Edited by Charles H. Hayward
This is a book I have wanted to reprint for many years, but we kept hitting obstacles. First printed in 1949, this small handbook (4” x 6-1/2”) is perfect for the hand-tool woodworker. It is filled with finish recipes, workshop geometry, details on tools, practical wood advice, moulding charts from different furniture periods – plus tons of information on using nails, screws and other fittings. I’ve owned a copy for many years and use it all the time. This book is at the printer and should be out in late March. The price will be $13, which is a steal as the book is built to take a beating. We also hope to offer a special slipcase (for an added charge) that screws to the inside of your tool chest or cabinet and keeps the book where it should be – by your tools.
“The Handmade Life of Dick Proenneke”
By Monroe Robinson
Kara just posted this update on the book last week. So I won’t repeat after her. Linda Watts is now designing the book (the proofs I’ve seen are gorgeous), and Elin Price is still making the illustrations. I don’t have a timetable for this title yet, but I suspect it will be released at the end of the summer.
“The Dutch Tool Chest Book”
By Megan Fitzpatrick
This is the working title. For all I know, the real title could be “Come Hither, Monkey Bride: A Guide to Dutch Tool Chests.” Megan is doing everything she can to get this book out this year. It will show you how to make two Dutch tool chests with a lot of different variations in the back, lid and how the interiors are arranged. The book will go into great detail on all the handwork, so if this chest is your first hand-tool project, this book will be a great guide.
Crucible Tool
We are hard at work on three new tools and hope to release all of them this year. One is a cast planing stop that works like a blacksmith-made stop (with a super-sneaky improvement). The second is an adaptation of A.J. Roubo’s miter square. This square, which has almost disappeared, is insanely useful for hand-tool woodworkers, especially for edge-jointing. And the third tool (fingers crossed) is to bring back our Crucible dividers, redesigned so they are less expensive (and can be manufactured without my wanting to pluck out my own spleen with barbecue tongs).
There also are a couple other books that might make it across the finish line in 2021 (“Guerrilla Chairmaking” is a contender). So stay tuned.
And finally, thank you for all your support and patience in 2020. We shipped 50,502 books and tools directly to customers last year (and sold thousands more through our retailers all over the world). We are still a tiny company. John and I are the only “employees”; Megan, Meghan and Kara are all part-time (but absolutely essential) contractors. So we still feel like we are gulping for air at times. We make mistakes every day, but we try to do a good job and make things right.
— Christopher Schwarz
Chris, I appreciate small businesses (and, for many reasons, worry about the fate of many small businesses in modern America) and really appreciate the outstanding work that your team does. I know it is sometimes not easy but keep up the good work. And thank you for your diligent attention to quality and customer service.
My 1 thought is this will be so informative. Thank you for sharing
All of those are on my “Have to buy” list. Except I may own the workbench book already. Now, if I can only find were I let it…
Chris,
Thank you for the update — that is quite some stuff to look forward to in the coming year!
Not least am I very curious to see what you and Raney Nelson have in petto for us re: the Crucible dividers. I was delighted to be able to buy a pair of the original design from the small batch that Raney sold from his website at the end of November; it was pure serendipity that I happened to look at the LAP blog one more time, instead of going straight to bed as I had meant to, and thus saw the announcement, literally five minutes before the sale went live …
Cheers,
Mattias
Nothing wrong with making mistakes, as long as you’re correcting them and learning from them…
Really looking forward to the Crucible barbecue tongs, they sound awesome
Please offer an insurance policy on your books for “leant to a friend and now it has disappeared.” 🙂
Thank You Christopher for the update. I look forward to contributing to your income in 2022.
I need that pocket handbook. I will make a spot to put that book in my chest.
Im excited to see what the planing stop looks like.
Thank you Chris for all you do. I am especially excited about the planing stop. You guys stay safe and healthy
Hoping to see some cool bookplates make it to the list! Thanks.
All the hard work you and you staff do is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Workshop Book? Have I missed the announcement of that? Inconceivable.
Come Hither, Monkey Bride sounds perfect. It will, of course, have Megan’s best come hither look on the cover — right?
I know how much you like shoulds. But Megan should design a holder for Hayward’s Pocket Book into the DTCs.
Thank you for the update. All of it sounds very interesting!
Sounds like a grand bookish year!
Long Live the Lost Art Press !
(and all who sail in her)
and May the Crucible Pour its Molten Goodness without Mishap.
I’m looking forward to the pocket Hayward & Roubo’s miter square.
Is Don Williams still writing a ‘traditional finishes-book’ for LAP ?
I seem to recollect something to that effect, but not sure …
Yup. Don is still at work on his book. But I don’t have any more information than that. I try not to nag….
Good, good.
I can wait.
Cheers!
Thanks! So much to look forward to! Just wondering… is the Lost Art Press board game still in the works?
So, here is my marketing ploy – WHEN “The Woodworker’s Pocket Book” is unveiled – it should be in a video where Megan opens a Dutch tool chest or one of the ATC’s and (with angels singing in the background) there it is in it’s little slipcover attached to the inside of the chest! (can’t wait for mine!)
Thanks for the update Chris. You and John have created a great little company. Looking forward to all of these.
-Patrick
I know you said if it’s not on the list you don’t have a timetable, but feel like you are distancing yourself from the LAP Interpretive Dance Squad you said you would lead. Your dreams won’t happen if you keep side stepping them.
“By Jazz Hands & Eye,” you’re right.
Thanks so much for letting us know this information! Many books I am looking forward to are on the list, but the Dutch tool chest one is near the top. Especially if Megan goes with “come hither, monkey bride” in the title. Lol.
I am deeply puzzled how the Roubo miter square can be useful for edge-jointing. Can you point me to somewhere on the internet that explains more?
The 90° included angle in the center of the square. Hold the stock at 45° and boom, you have a 90° angle for checking edges as they relate to the face of a board. I’ll post a photo in the coming days if this doesn’t make sense.
I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that Don Williams finishing book is coming soon.. REALLY looking forward to that one.
Me too.
I’d been looking at used copies of Make a Chair from a Tree. Asking prices $90! Looking forward to your reprint.
I’m loving Country Woodcraft!
As with all great works, mistakes are made. As with all great artists/craftspersons their art is making those mistakes into design opportunities. The fact you admit to mistakes makes the world of desired to be perfect an easier ride for folks like myself. I strive and catch myself disappointed that my result does not carry the finesse yours and other artisans have in their project. By admitting your mistakes it give me a “taste of reality” that is even a person whose life is incased in each piece, is all about continuing to strive for perfection. Thank you and all the craftspersons who display their work for us to admire, take inspiration from and enjot.