Lost Art Press

This is Not for You (Mostly)

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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I’ve never been a fan of battery-powered woodworking tools – except for a begrudging acceptance of cordless drills. (And only because of their clutch technology.)

Tool manufacturers, however, have been trying to introduce cordless everythings – routers, sanders, jigsaws, nailers, miter saws, circular saws – into furniture-making shops since batteries were invented.

Heck, one year Black & Decker came out with both a battery-powered tape measure and a C-clamp. I tested both. Both broke immediately.

For the most part, woodworkers have resisted battery tools. Here’s why.

When a battery reaches the end of its cycle life and cannot hold a charge, you are faced with two expensive solutions: buy a new OEM battery or replace the tool. You might think these options have different price points. But typically, they don’t. Try buying a 12-volt battery for a 10-year-old cordless drill. It is usually cheaper to buy a new drill.

Here’s a typical equation: Replace my 14.4-volt batteries for my Bosch drill at $159.99? Or buy a new Bosch 18-volt drill for $10 less? (Note: The prices at Amazon might will change.)

(Yes, I know you can have the battery rebuilt or buy a gray-market battery; I have yet to be satisfied with those products.)

My skepticism on battery tools extends beyond the economics. At Popular Woodworking Magazine we were deluged every year with all manner of battery tools to test. In general, battery tools are built to a lower manufacturing standard than their corded brethren. I can say this after burning up a fair number of cordless doo-dads during typical woodworking operations, such as drilling a 3/4” dog hole in yellow pine.

In use, battery tools are generally less powerful. And when you need them, the batteries always seem to be discharged – so you need to wait while they recharge.

And that’s why I usually recommend new woodworkers buy corded tools or sweat-driven hand tools. I have the first corded drill, jigsaw and circular saw I bought in the mid-1990s. They are still going strong. I also quite like my meat-powered hand drills, braces and coping saw, which have been going strong since my grandfather was in college.

So why do I own a battery-powered drill? The multiple speeds and the clutch. Craftsman came out with a corded drill with these features, and I loved the heck out of it. Sadly, these features are rarely put on a corded drill.

Last caveat: I’m not a contractor or a carpenter. Battery tools might make sense to those professions, but I can’t say.

— Christopher Schwarz

New Sawbench Class at Highland Woodworking

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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This January I’m teaching a new two-day class at Highland Woodworking in Atlanta on building sawbenches using Windsor-chair techniques. The class will run Jan. 17-18, 2015; registration is open and through the Highland Woodworking site here.

I’m excited to teach this class because it will be the first time I’ve ventured into teaching Windsor techniques. I’ve built Windsor- and Welsh-style chairs for more than 10 years (not to mention Roorkee chairs), but this is my first toe into the water on teaching Windsor technology.

These sawbenches are excellent workhorses. John Hoffman, my partner at Lost Art Press, built the pair shown above about four years ago. They can take a heap of abuse and occupy little space in the shop. Plus, they look awesome.

During the class, we’ll learn about prepping stock by hand, making octagonal legs, creating tapered tenons and mortises, and lots about wood technology. And you’ll walk away with two (yes, two) great sawbenches.

— Christopher Schwarz

P.S. If you haven’t been to Highland Woodworking, you are missing out. If every city had a Highland Woodworking, the world would be a better place. Check out the blog entry from my last visit here.

Play Dead, Wally. Good Boy

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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I know that this blog entry will tick off some people because of this first line: We have someone clean our house.

I know, I know. It’s bourgeoise. But it’s the nicest anniversary present my wife and I ever gave one another. Nothing says love like: “Baby, you never have to clean a toilet again.”

Anyway, the woman who cleans our house showed up this morning and wouldn’t look me in the eye. In fact, she skittered out of the room if I entered.

So I looked down. Is my dork hanging out?

No. Good. Did we forget to pay her? Did a cat leave a special, soupy present for her to clean?

No matter. I gathered up my stuff and headed to the lumberyard to get some oak. On the way home I figured it out: We have three coffins sitting around, two of which have giant burn marks in the area where your head goes.

That probably would freak some people out.

Wally the cat, however, seems fine with the coffins.

— Christopher Schwarz

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Woodworks Conference – Spots Still Available

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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The first-ever Woodworks Conference later this month (Sept. 26-28) in Perth, Ontario, still has some spots available if you have that weekend free.

The organizers have lined up some great speakers: Garrett Hack, Tom Fidgen, Mark Harrell of Bad Axe Toolworks, planemaker Konrad Sauer, inlay whiz Linda Manzer and Ron Barter of Rosewood Studios. I’ll be there, too, talking about chipbreakers and traditional nails.

If you live in the Midwest or on the East Coast of the United States, Perth is actually an easy drive and is well worth the trip. It’s a quaint old stone town with lots of nice restaurants and shops. In other words, you can bring the family and they’ll be happy.

In addition to the speakers there will be a small “Emporium” where small-scale toolmakers and sellers will be showing off their stuff, both antique and new. Check out the vendor list here. The event is being put on by the Ottawa Woodworkers Association and is being held at Algonquin College Heritage Institute.

If you can make it, I highly recommend the trip. Registration information is here.

— Christopher Schwarz