Lost Art Press

The Durga is in the Details

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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With my French oak Roubo bench sitting in pieces in the back of the shop, I’ve spent the last couple days trying to complete this teak campaign chest and catch up on a month of e-mails, bills and administrative crap.

Getting these casework projects ready for finishing requires lots of tweaking inside and out. I had to patch a few minor areas where the teak splintered (big thanks to Carl Bilderback for honing my Dutchmen skills). And I had to remove some pencil marks, errant machine marks and chalk that had embedded itself in the pores. Oh, and install the drawer stops (the hide glue is curing as I type).

If the weather holds, this project will be finished finished on Friday. And I will drink a huge beer. Perhaps a growler of IPA. Then a nap.

Then I have to decide on the next project to tackle:

Another Roorkhee (I still have a few outstanding orders)
A folding officers’ desk a la William IV
A “riveted” campaign floor chest
Coaching table
My French oak workbench
Nail cabinet

That list makes me want to take a nap – no growler necessary.

— Christopher Schwarz

Lumber Sale in Cincinnati Aug. 16-17. Be There

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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Midwest Woodworking – my favorite source for lumber – is selling off its stock of more than 300,000 board feet of premium hardwoods and softwoods. Wide mahogany. Clear sugar pine. Teak. Chestnut. Red gum. A near-endless cache of veneer.

Most of this lumber is more than 30 years old and has been stored flat in the Midwest warehouse. It is – without exception – the most stable stuff you will ever work.

And the prices are well below what you will pay elsewhere (if you could even find wood of this quality). The price list can be found here on Andy Brownell’s blog.

The sale is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 16-17 at Midwest Woodworking, 4019 Montgomery Road in Cincinnati. Here’s a Google map.

I will be emptying my savings account for this sale. I am not a wood hoarder – never have been – but once this stuff is gone, it is gone for good.

If you haven’t heard of Midwest, you can read all about it in the following posts. If these stories don’t inflame your wood/equipment/shop lust, you are probably ready for a hobby in miniature golf.

Wood Sale Invitation from Midwest Woodworking

The Midwest Woodworking Mega-Sale of the Century Aug 16-17

The Mahogany that Finishes the Book

For the Love of ‘Rippers’

Farewell, Fair Wood

Bring a truck and your checkbook (or a wad of cash). Midwest doesn’t take credit/debit cards.

— Christopher Schwarz

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Workbenches in the Danish Tradition

Posted on by fitz

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Joiner working at his bench (høvlebænk) 1767.

The above image was reprinted in a 4 volume set of Danish craft history books:
Håndværkets Kulturhistorie – Copenhagen 1982-1984.


The book titles in English are:
Vol. 1: Craft Coming to Denmark. The time before 1550.
By Grethe Jacobsen.
Vol. 2: Craft in Progress. The period from 1550 to 1700.
By Ole Degn and Inger Dübeck.
Vol. 3: The Craftsmanship and State Power. The period from 1700 to 1862.
By Vagn Dybdahl and Inger Dübeck.
Vol. 4: The Race with the Industry Period from 1862 to 1980.
By Henrik Fode, Jonas Miller and Bjarne Hastrup

The period source for this image has eluded me. All references point back to the reprint, which I don’t intend to purchase. If anybody owns this set of books, I’d like to know if the authors included background notes for this illustration.

While I was searching for the source to the above image I came across this interesting photograph of a workshop appliance located at Sønderborg Slot in Denmark. It is described as a Fugbænk, which I believe translates as [joint(ing) bench]. The description implies that the bench could also be used for plowing.

jointbench

–Jeff Burks

Another Point for Lower Workbenches

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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As I was making the final adjustments to the drawers on this teak campaign chest, I was reminded of another reason I like lower workbenches.

When I need to trim up a typical chest carcase or drawer, a lower bench ensures I can place the drawer on the floor and dress the dovetails. No platforms or other jiggery. Just drop and go.

But the No. 1 reason I like lower benches is that I can get my weight over my handplanes so I don’t have to use my arms when dressing panels and boards.

I started with a 38”-high bench in the 1990s and have steadily reduced my working height as I became better with hand tools. My current bench is 34”. The massive French oak workbench I’m finishing up this week will be 33”. I am perfectly comfortable at Megan Fitzpatrick’s bench, which is 28” (I think).

Disclaimer: I don’t give a flying ^&%$ at a rolling doughnut what bench height you use. You’ll figure it out.

— Christopher Schwarz

One Opening in an ‘Anarchist’s Tool Chest’ Class

Posted on by Lost Art Press
Build this chest (Roy not included)
Build this chest (Roy not included)

Because a student had to cancel, there is one spot open in my tool chest class on Aug. 5-9 at the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking.

This is the only opening in a tool chest class until 2014 I believe.

If you can ditch work that week, contact the school’s director, Bob Van Dyke, via e-mail or phone: bobvandyke@sbcglobal.net or 860-729-3186. During this class we’ll be building the chest out of some outstanding Eastern white pine – Bob is a wiz at finding beautiful stock.

And we will be eating at Frank Pepe’s pizza. A lot. Perhaps until I am sick.

— Christopher Schwarz