Every craftsman or "maker" of products knows that customers often help define how we look at, modify and sometimes even conceive of the things we make. We come up with an idea or conform to traditional concepts in the quest for what the buyer will like and then watch and listen Here's an example. A good friend suggested we include pen blocks in our product line over a year ago. Since this particular friend is an avid pen lover and enjoys attending Pen shows, she enlightened us about the market for a way to display favorite writing instruments for pen lovers such as herself. Over time we added a number of original design pen blocks to our...
On my December 4, 2017 blog post titled “My Best Finishing Tip for Hardwoods” I closed with my “Key Storage Tip” which had worked for me in the past. Well now I’m here to add to that tip. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from woodworking it’s to never think you have it all figured out, in other words, remain teachable!My key storage tip worked well for me until I got down to my can being about half empty, then I discovered that no matter how well I had sealed the can I was getting a film on the top of my finish. After doing some research and once again relying on the expertise of other woodworkers I found that...
After doing plenty of research and trying multiple methods I came up with my own process of finishing hardwoods for products that do not come in direct contact with food. I’ve used this process on chess boards, lathe pieces (such as candle holders and pepper mills) along with coaster sets, etc. The finish is clear, hard and beautiful! Before I begin I’ll tell you what I tried previously: 1. Minwax Paste Finishing Wax: a nice starter product that applies easy and protects the wood, but hardly an “eye popping” finish 2. Boiled Linseed Oil covered with Instant Bond Wood Adhesive: better, but not great 3. A variety of other finishes I saw online but again, none matched the success below:...
I’ve been a lathe owner for a little less than a year so I am in no way qualifying myself as an expert. That said, I have created several salt and pepper mills and chess pieces that have received high compliments so I am an active lathe user. Like many of my “turning” friends I started by purchasing a rather inexpensive 12” lathe from Harbor Freight. If you have about $80 to spend (even less with a HF coupon) and want to see if turning is your thing, I highly recommend this route. I burned this lathe out after a few months trying to drill center holes in my ginders. So, after a few weeks of pondering and...
Following is a list ( not exhaustive) of the most common posed questions I've received from friends and customers. I've answered briefly, but am always happy to respond in more detail to those who contact me. How did you get started in woodworking? Following my dad’s footsteps I became a “fixer upper” by taking on several home projects like: built in cabinets, desks, shelving units, etc. 2. Did you have any formal training in woodworking? Nothing like woodworking classes, but instead I watched plenty of YouTube videos and read a lot of online blogs, tips and “how to’s.” What impresses you most about other woodworkers? Obviously their skill level and detail of workmanship; however most of all is their overall desire...
