The Crucible Tool Blog- At the Erhart FoundryOur holdfasts are produced two at a time at the Erhart Foundry, which is in the old industrial quarter of Cincinnati – less than two miles from my workshop. It’s a family-run operation that has been in business since 1854; when you call them you still talk to an Erhart. Like most foundries I’ve visited, everything is red hot or soot black. No one in the plac […]
- Why a 1” Holdfast Hole?The No. 1 question we hear about our holdfasts is this: Why did you choose to make a holdfast that needs a 1” hole? Why not 3/4”, which is the standard? The quick answer: history, appearance and performance. HistoryThe ubiquitous 3/4” holdfast is a relatively modern creation. If I had to guess, I’d say that it came about after Lee Valley Tools started making […]
- How to Drill & Ream a Holdfast HoleOne of the reasons the Crucible Iron Holdfast works so well is there is a close fit between its untapered shaft and its hole in the workbench top. To get this tight fit, we think you need to drill each hole in your workbench and then gently ream it out a bit to get a nice, close fit. It takes about two minutes per hole. But the results are worth it. To bor […]
- Where to Locate Your Holdfast HolesNo matter where you place your holdfast holes on your benchtop, we recommend you have a reason for each one – not just a vague feeling about its location. The pattern we recommend is based on historical examples, including the writing of A.J. Roubo and the dozens of vintage benches I’ve examined during the last 10 years. Each hole has a purpose. Here’s the m […]
- At the Erhart Foundry
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Author Archives: fitz
The ‘Calvin Cobb’ Chapter-Spot Contest Winners Are…
Thanks to everyone who entered the “Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker” chapter-spot contest. Some of your (wrong) answers were really funny – so I had a lot of fun going through the responses. Two photos, numbers 7 and 24, flummoxed everyone. … Continue reading
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Contest: Photo Fun with Calvin Cobb
If you’ve read “Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker!” by Roy Underhill perhaps you’ve noticed the numbered “chapter spots” – the little images at the beginning of each chapter. (If you haven’t yet read it, well, you should! It’s variously funny, poignant, … Continue reading
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First Review of ‘Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker’
J. Norman Reid of Wood News Online reviewed Roy Underhill’s “Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker! – A Novel with Measured Drawings” for the most recent issue. Here’s a short excerpt: “Fun, fast-moving and filled with vivid though sometimes arcane period details … Continue reading
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‘Calvin Cobb’ – The Final Flurry of Proofing
This evening, Christopher sat on his couch, I sat on his floor (so as to better commune with the cats), and we scrutinized the printer proofs of “Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker!” Chris uploaded the handful of corrections just minutes ago, … Continue reading
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Old Post Office 1:2000 Scale Model
While you can’t see the inside of Washington, D.C.’s Old Post Office building (and Calvin Cobb’s clocktower workshop) until renovations are complete, for $1.50, you can have your own model. And in fewer than two months, you can “see” the … Continue reading
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Even (Some) of the History is Correct!
Today, we got Jode Thompson’s final cover art for “Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker! A Novel with Measured Drawings” (thank you Jode – it looks awesome!). But because I’m too much of a tease to share it with you – yet … Continue reading
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From (Fictional) Workshop to Trump Hotel
The picture above is the clock tower of the Old Post Office building at the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and 12th Street in Washington, D.C. Calvin Cobb’s workshop is behind the clock faces – so in his shop, he says, … Continue reading
