I've been standing on top of my workbench again. Strangely I'm up there quite a lot. Sometimes I just lay on there... and think.I've been a long time obsessive of Japanese woodworking. I find it truly fascinating and have promised myself if I make it to retirement, I'll treat myself to a nice … [Read more...]
To Trust Or Reinforce?
How confident do you feel trusting glue for edge joints? In traditional woodworking most of the glue bonds we do will have some mechanical strength, and a well cut joint will hold together without any glue at all - it's just there as a bonus.But when we're edge jointing long boards, such as … [Read more...]
How To Make Wooden Pegs
A good peg, is a lot more than a roughly ragged out bit of round wood.When you're draw-boring, or just reinforcing a joint, you need a peg that's strong.A good wooden peg should be straight grained, slightly tapered and preferably made up of a series of flats.I'm going to show you the … [Read more...]
Whining Is A Habit
Dear Helen,I know I'm difficult to work with, and my idea of business is not that of the rest of the world. But if you could listen I'd be most grateful.This evening I watched a car park pretty much on top of a restaurant, so they didn't have to walk far. A lady got out first, a little plump … [Read more...]
Designing To Learn
Cutting joint after joint isn't the best way to learn.At least not in my opinion. After a lovely sunny, Sunday afternoon, all you've got to show is twenty-odd, randomly dovetailed corners. Some neat, some shite, some alright.You'll sit and think about these twenty-odd dovetailed corners, and … [Read more...]
My Reason For Using Hide Glue
A Glue That Slides I get asked a fair old bit, why do you use liquid hide glue?People often follow up; so that it doesn't feel like their asking a daft question, by answering it themselves. Normally the most obvious answer is "so it'll be easy to restore later on".The reason I use hide … [Read more...]
Starting With The Timber Prep
Flattening Boards By Hand When prepping everything by hand, the start of a project can seem like a bit of a workout.I usually break up the task by planing up what I need as and when I need it, rather than all at once.The real key though is to make sure you're not taking any more shavings … [Read more...]
Moving Workshop, Again
This week we've finally come to the end of a back-log of work that I should never have taken on. Don’t worry, I'll have a jolly good moan about all that soon.Working on our barns is a bit like one of those games, where you have to slide a piece out of position, to move another one round, and … [Read more...]
The Side Table & Bridle Guides – Video Series
Our Side Table Video Series is Now Available - How to Build Furniture This Series can be purchased by clicking here. If you're already a Member then it's best to log in first. You won't find the Queen's English, or many bright and shiny new tools, but our latest Series is all about … [Read more...]
Good Cause, Good Company
Next weekend (4th & 5th June) is an opportunity to visit a small and rather special show for those interested in hand tool woodworking.It's held in Market Harborough, UK, at the workshop of traditional joiner Richard Arnold. This is the third year that Richard has been so generous with his … [Read more...]