Lost Art Press

Author: Lost Art Press

Publisher of woodworking books and videos specializing in hand tool techniques.

New & Shipping Now: Plane & Pencil Pockets

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Our new Pencil Pocket.

About 2012, Ty Black and I developed some leather pockets for the inside of tool chests that would hold important stuff. One held a block plane. The other held pencils, pens, knives, 6” rule and other skinny things that could get lost in a tool chest.

We never intended to make them for sale, but after more than a decade of using them in our shop, I realized that other woodworkers would find them as useful as we do.

We enlisted our clothing designer, Tom Bonamici, to create canvas versions. And we had Sew Valley (here in Cincinnati) stitch them for us. They are made of the same great canvas we use for our waist apron and tool roll. (So you can be all matchy-matchy.)

We have just received our first shipment, and they are available in our store. They are sold individually, or as a set with a modest discount. 

You can read more about them here in our store.

— Christopher Schwarz

Plane Pocket

Another (Cheap-ish) Way to Make Sticks and Tenons

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Candlesticks? Kinda.

Years ago I used to make all my sticks with the 5/8” Ray Iles rounding plane. I think I must have had a bump on the head at some point because I cannot remember when or why I stopped using it.

Last year I bought one from Classic Hand Tools in the UK, and I quickly remembered how well it worked. When set with care, it can be used to shave sticks and tenons. And you can do it in a jiffy if you spin the stick with an electric drill.

There are other places that sell them, such as Workshop Heaven and Tools for Working Wood (plus some other small suppliers in the UK). If the tools are temporarily hard to get, Ray and his crew will make more.

The video above shows how I use the tool to create long sticks and tenons. It was shot by our new assistant editor, Kale Vogt. Kale is an enthusiastic chairmaker, and you’ll see a lot more of her in the coming weeks.

As per the usual, I buy all my tools with my own money. Nobody sponsors us. No affiliate links. No legerdemain.

— Christopher Schwarz

For other tips on making chairmaking cheaper, read these entries.

Free Download (Now & Forever): ‘The Anarchist’s Design Book’

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“The Anarchist’s Design Book, Expanded Edition” is now a free download for everyone. You don’t have to register, sign up for dumb marketing or give up your email address. Simply click here, and the book will start downloading to your device.

If you want to read more about what is in this book, click here. We will continue to offer printed copies of the book. I love physical books, and this one is particularly nice, with its premium endsheets and bookmark ribbon.

This is the fifth book of mine that I have made free as a download. Here are links to the other four (if you are interested):

“The Art of Joinery”
“Roman Workbenches”
“The Anarchist’s Workbench”
“The Stick Chair Book”

Eventually I hope to make all the books I’ve written as a free download. This is a small attempt to help the craft by lowering the bar to enter it.

— Christopher Schwarz

Free T-shirt Design to Download

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Today I had a few minutes of free time so I whipped up this quick T-shirt with my Cricut (yes, I have a mint green one) and the artwork of Rudy Everts. (If you love chair art and woodblocks and Escher stuff, check out his store.)

Anyway, Rudy kindly consented to put this design up as a free download. You can take it to a T-shirt printing shop, a maker space or an online vendor and get it in your favorite color and style.

You can download the jpeg of the design here.

https://blog.lostartpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WhatsBrownAndSticky.jpg

— Christopher Schwarz

Anthe Update & Delay in Our Opening Party

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Well, at least the awning works and looks good.

When we started fundraising last year to help repair the Anthe Building (the location of our warehouse in downtown Covington), we thought that surely, we would be ready to show it to the public in early 2024.

Unfortunately, old buildings don’t care about our plans.

Right now the back wall is being rebuilt and mortared. The roof needs its new skylight. And the material lift, which moves books from floor to floor, is being repaired. As a result, all our books and tools are crowded into the first floor, plus the planned storefront and the second floor. Until we can get the material lift functioning, there is little room for employees to move.

So as soon as we get the place functioning and safe for the public, we will notify everyone who donated about the Opening Day. Right now, we are shooting – with confidence – for June.

Even though I know the building is laughing at us right now (and leaking gas, which plumbers are fixing this minute).

Thanks for your patience!

— Christopher Schwarz