One of my pieces from 2018 – Monticello bookcases in walnut and pine – are now up for sale on eBay. These were commissioned by a Michigan customer and came out rather nice.
He’s now putting them up for sale, with the starting bid at $1,500. Normally I don’t promote third-party sales like this on the blog, but this customer has been particularly kind to us in supplying tools for students.
So if you need some bookcases….
— Christopher Schwarz
After much analysis and debate, we have decided to put “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” – our bestselling book – on sale for the month of March. Until March 31, the book is $34 – that’s 34 percent off the $51 retail. Plus, all copies sold through us are signed by the author and include a nice wooden bookmark (more on that below).
We don’t do sales. So why are we doing this? During most of the pandemic, the printing plants we use were closed or operated on a skeleton crew. Paper was scarce. And other press supplies (like cover cloth) were impossible to find. So when we managed to get a book on press, we had to place a sizable order.
In 2021, we ordered a big run of “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” to get us through the uncertain time. It was our 15th printing of the book. And now, we have way too many copies. So many that we cannot fit them in our warehouse in Covington, Ky. They are spread out in expensive storage lockers all over the city.
We are near-desperate to make space so that we can fit everything into our warehouse. So we are reluctantly putting “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” on sale.
Because this book is a part of the foundation of our business, we wanted to make this event special. So all copies bought through us are signed individually by the author (me!). And we are including a nice U.S.-made wooden bookmark with each copy during the sale.
The bookmark features a quote from humorist Nick Offerman, who is a fan of the book. The first time Megan and I met Nick was in Louisville, Kentucky, at a coffee shop. When we were about to arrive, we texted Nick that he could look for me – a tall bearded fellow – and Megan – a white-haired goddess.
Nick texted back: “I’ll be brandishing an incendiary device.”
That “incendiary device” turned out to be a copy of “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest,” which he asked me to autograph. It was the oddest moment in my life – Nick Offerman asking me to autograph a book.
The bookmarks are birch, made in Michigan and quite durable (as they are laminated).
Like all our books, “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” is made in the U.S.A. and printed on quality materials you don’t find in modern books: The pages are sewn together then glued with fiber tape. Then wrapped with heavy hardbound boards covered in cotton cloth.
This book has changed the way that thousands of people do woodwork. Many have told us they quit their corporate jobs as a result of reading it. If you’d like to read what all the fuss is about, this is an excellent opportunity.
— Christopher Schwarz
P.S. We have notified our retailers that they are welcome to put the book on sale during March (and we have lowered their wholesale price as well). We try to be as fair as possible.
If you’ve ever wanted to meet Roy Underhill and toast his vast contributions to the craft, here is your chance. At 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23, we’re holding a happy hour for Roy at Juniper’s Gin Bar, which is a short walk from our Covington storefront.
The restaurant has kindly agreed to set aside space for us that evening. You can come meet Roy, ask him to sign a book (or your bosom) and purchase some food and drink if you like. We’ll have copies of Roy’s book “Calvin Cobb! Radio Woodworker” on hand for you to purchase and get signed by the man himself.
We have only limited space, and we are asking that you reserve a space through this free guestlist service. It doesn’t cost any money, but there is a price to pay if you sign up and don’t show up. Megan has threatened a curse upon anyone who would skip out on Roy.
So sign up if you are going to be there. If something comes up, please cancel your reservation so someone else can bask in the light of St. Roy.
Hope to see you there!
— Christopher Schwarz
We have the Lie-Nielsen folks in this weekend for the first Hand Tool Event in at least three years. So we are not able to answer questions online today.
If you are in the area, stop by the storefront and a whole host of people will be happy to answer your woodworking questions.
Megan and I will return next Saturday for Open Wire (I’ll be teaching in Florida next Saturday, but will answer questions in the evening.)
— Christopher Schwarz
I’m always on the lookout for local materials I can use to build stick chairs. Elm is my favorite wood, but it can be difficult to find for purchase.
Last month Shea Alexander of Alexander Bros. gave me a couple boards of honey locust to try out for a chair seat. It looks a lot like elm, with green undertones and slightly shimmering grain.
After surfacing it, I took a chunk and rived it out to see how it split. Unfortunately, it splits easily and cleanly. So it’s still OK for a chair seat (if I’m careful), but not as ideal as elm.
In the video above, I rive out some honey locust, white oak and American elm to show the differences.
Thanks for the wood, Shea. It really is beautiful and interesting stuff.
— Christopher Schwarz