If you have ever wondered what a woodworking class looks like from start to finish, here’s your chance. During the six-board chest class at The Woodwright’s Shop, student Mattias Jonsson documented a lot of the “action” and created a slideshow of his images.
I hate to be photographed. And I think this slideshow will explain why.
View the photos here.
— Christopher Schwarz
Because I travel a lot with my tools, every ounce and inch (centimeter and kilogram) is critical.
I usually push the weight limit for luggage, so compact tools can mean the difference between bringing my own underwear and having to purchase some foreign undies that might just lift and separate things that should be neither lifted nor separated on a man (see also: my trip to Italy this June).
So I’ve always wanted a take-down framing square – it’s a standard carpentry tool that separates into two pieces for travel. It’s brilliant for travel. But I’d never buy one online – they have a reputation for being abused and out of square.
While I was teaching this weekend at Roy Underhill’s The Woodwright’s School, I sneaked up to Ed Lebetkin’s tool-porn-a-go-go store and examined three of the take-down squares he had for sale. All three were out of whack. But Roy thought he could fix one of them with a little metalwork.
It took a couple hours of filing, cleaning and peening, but he transformed this Pexto SR-100 into a factory-perfect jewel. The parts click when they slide together. And the cam lock snugs up everything tight.
I can now get rid of the old framing square I’ve had since college. Anyone want it? Come and get it. The only catch is you also have to take two pairs of pink and gray Italian undies.
And thanks Roy.
— Christopher Schwarz
6. Mike “Peter” Siemsen of the Mike Siemsen School of Woodworking.
One of the great unsung heroes of the hand-tool movement is Mike Siemsen. If Roy Underhill ever decides to retire, Mike gets my vote to be the new Woodwright. Mike’s whip-smart, has the personality of a carnival barker (in a good way), and has the hand skills to back it all up.
If you’ve attended WIA in past years, you’ve probably been assaulted by Mike in the Marketplace as he tried to goad or guilt you into participating. This year, Mike is a speaker and will be presenting a session called “The Thrifty Woodworker.” Mike told me a bit about it when we attended the Handworks show in May. Don’t miss it.
Sign up for Woodworking in America, Oct. 18-20 – or Mike will build a coffin, throw you in it and parade you around the Marketplace.
— Christopher Schwarz
7. The third Peter – Peter Follansbee. (Hmmm, it seems the theme of this year’s WIA is “Peters in Woodworking” – Peter Ross, Peter Galbert and Peter Follansbee are all speaking).
I hope you know Peter Follansbee from his book “Make a Joint Stool from a Tree” (now offered with free shipping from Lost Art Press). But if you haven’t heard Peter in a classroom/lecture situation, you are only getting half of the picture of the man.
His quick and dry Massachusetts wit and deftness with an axe is worth traveling to see. This year Peter is demonstrating 17th-century carving (I’ll be sitting in on that) and is giving the keynote at the big WIA banquet on Friday night.
Sign up for Woodworking in America, Oct. 18-20. Thirty Peters agree.
— Peter Schwarz
8. Peter Ross, the blacksmith wunderkind of Colonial Williamsburg, will be speaking at WIA. Peter makes some of the finest historic tools, and locks and hinges and hardware I’ve ever seen. He’s going to be talking at WIA on lots of subjects where the blacksmith’s art crosses paths with that of the woodworker – including fixing tools that have been overheated and some of his insights into historic tools.
Peter should know. He was one of the few craftsmen at Williamsburg to inspect and record all of the contents of the Benjamin Seaton tool chest during its U.S. tour. His work and drawings are in the newly revised “The Tool Chest of Benjamin Seaton” book. It is a must-have for history and tool nerds. (Nerd alert: I’m going to ask Peter to sign mine.)
Prying Peter out of his shop in North Carolina is a major coup for WIA. Don’t miss this.
Continued tomorrow.
Sign up for Woodworking in America, Oct. 18-20. Monkeys will not fly out of your bum.
— Christopher Schwarz