Friends:
As I mentioned in my last post, I have a pretty bad chest-infection. It's not pneumonia (which is nice, since I've already had that three times). Still, I'm pretty under the weather.
But we've been busily packing and shipping your signed copies of Everyday Woodworking. In the picture, you can see about 120 of them all bagged up to go to the post o...
2021-06-19 12:08:25 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Here's the next in our series of new and improved plans. I'm still working closely with my new 3D modeler/designer to make these the clearest, most professional plans in the business. Some of you gave some good feedback on the last plans, so we've changed a few things for this set.
I'm really pleased and I hope you enjoy them.
In other news, I have a...
2021-06-16 16:39:26 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
This video has been in the works for a while. I found this lovely Mission bench in a photo months ago and set out to recreate it. As you'll see in the video, it was a long journey.
The finished product is delightful. It's sturdy, simple, and elegant. It already has a proud place in my home.
The best part is the simple, nailed construction. This piece...
2021-06-12 11:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Just ahead of the publication of my new book, I’m very pleased to offer my Patrons autographed copies, as well as a special Limited Patron Edition. You can get an autographed copy at this private store, visible only to Patrons until June 15th:
2021-06-11 21:16:56 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
I'm very pleased to post the plans for my new bench. These are the first plans from my new designer and I think you'll see some big changes in the presentation.
I teased a Mission-style seating bench last week. That video is being edited right now and will be up next week.
Until then, have fun with this cheap and easy bench that's perfect for beginne...
2021-06-09 11:01:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
It's a big day! I'm releasing my newest workbench design. It's a slimmed-down version of the Low Roman Bench and you can build it from just 2 pieces of 2x6 lumber and the most basic tools. You can build this bench in your back yard.
I did.
When you're done, you'll have a bench that's almost as stout and useful as the original Roman bench, but f...
2021-06-05 11:01:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
As I wrote a few weeks ago, I'm taking the last week of each month off so I can do things like payroll and taxes; the things the keep any business going.
So this week, I'm not doing a regular video, but I do have a sneak peek at the new graphics style you'll be seeing in plans and videos. I recently hired a CAD designer (who is also finishing a Master's in Archi...
2021-05-29 11:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I know many of you are contemplating that all-important first bench build and many folks don't even have a proper shop. For those intrepid souls, a knock-down bench is the most attractive solution.
At the heart of all good knock-down designs is some kind of keyed joint that holds strong but also comes apart. These joints aren't easy to cut or even that easy to u...
2021-05-22 11:01:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Nate and I have a lot of fun when we film these videos and a lot of good stuff never makes it to the final edit. So, as a tiny mid-week treat, we humbly present this short video of us messing up and looking dumb.
It's hump day!
--Rex
2021-05-19 14:09:49 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
True Beginner Returns!!!!!
The lockdown is over and Nate and I are back in the shop for our much-requested series. If you're new to these videos, I teach Nate to do basic shop stuff with hand tools. He has a lot of enthusiasm, but not a lot of experience, so he's the perfect student.
Watch as Nate learns all about the core skill of crosscu...
2021-05-15 11:01:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
This week’s video is all about chisels! When do you use them? How do you use them? Bevel up? Bevel down? This video is mostly aimed at beginners, but even experienced woodworkers might find a couple of useful tips. I did my best to take a dry topic and make it entertaining.
You might have noticed that I haven’t built any pieces of furniture recently. I’m in the middle...
2021-05-08 11:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
This video is a full year in the making! 12 months ago, I bought three semi-premium hand planes and started using them in my day-to-day work. I know that many of my viewers are ready to step up to higher quality tools, but they’re still reluctant to spend big money. So, I purchased three planes that looked like a solid value and tested them for a full year so I could be sure of...
2021-05-01 11:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post(This article is part of my monthly newsletter Fabrication First. There's no reason for Patrons to subscribe to Fab First. You already get all the same content, but you get it early.)
How many videos or articles have you seen on woodworking techniques like crosscutting or planing? Dozens? Hundreds? Another question: how much time have you spent researching f...
2021-04-30 13:12:58 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Today’s video is extra-special. We’ve gathered a bunch of fantastic projects from our Discourse Discussion Board and I’m looking at them for the first time ever, live on camera!
This video was only possible because of our amazing community, as well as our extraordinary moderators, Ethan Chitty...
2021-04-24 11:01:00 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
I caught a bit of a cold this week. I had big plans for interesting things, but I ended up welded to the couch instead. It happens to all of us.
I know no one minds when I take a week off, especially for my health. Many of you have urged me to take it a bit easier and take better care of myself. So that’s what I’m doing. In the early days of my channel, I worked even wh...
2021-04-17 11:01:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
They say a woodworker can't own enough clamps, but is that really true? Could we maybe do great work without constantly hoarding expensive and bulky clamps? (Spoiler: the answer is yes.)
Let's look at some ways to approach the craft that take fewer clamps or possibly none at all.
Enjoy your weekend!
--Rex
2021-04-10 11:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Everyone seems to be enjoying the recent video on the Fish-Head Marking Gauge and I'm pleased to present you with the plans. It's a simple project, but just complicated enough that the measurements will be helpful. I had an example to build from, but these plans with their printable shaping template should be just as good.
Hope you find them useful!
--Rex<...
2021-04-07 11:16:32 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
In my never-ending quest to unearth every obscure woodworking tool ever, I proudly present this week’s video on building and using the Fish-Head Marking Gauge. This useful little tool appears to be nearly forgotten and is rarely mentioned in the woodworking literature. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic little device and will get you out of some tight spots. This is a tool that yo...
2021-04-03 11:01:00 +0000 UTC View Post
(This article is part of my monthly newsletter Fabrication First. There's no reason for Patrons to subscribe to Fab First. You already get all the same content, but you get it early.)
I recently finished a two-part series on buying and restoring wooden planes. My viewers left me ...
2021-04-01 12:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Lots of people in our community are building their first (or maybe second) workbench. Building a good bench isn't rocket-science, but there are a few common traps that many bench-builders fall into.
Join me for a tour of my first bench and the LONG list of things I wish I had done differently. After this, you'll know the big mistakes and how to avoid them. ...
2021-03-20 11:01:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I'm delighted to share the plans for our little end-table. Honestly, you probably don't even need plans to build such a simple project, but exact measurements are always handy.
They are attached to this post and included on the Discourse Plan Archive.
Hope t...
2021-03-17 16:18:23 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Our Shaker end table is done! You might have thought all the action was last week, but you'll be shocked at how many details remain and how those details transform the piece.
This week, we shape, bevel, taper, glue, trim, and finish to arrive at an elegant little table. I hope a lot of people try this one. It will give your craft a real boost!
Friends:
We are back to furniture projects with this lovely Shaker-inspired end-table! Tables might seem intimidating, but if you've practiced your mortise technique, then there's nothing holding you back. A simple table is just 9 pieces and 8 joints. That's it.
This week, we're trying something different and splitting the build into 2 parts. In this video, we'll m...
2021-03-06 12:01:01 +0000 UTC View Post(This article is part of my monthly newsletter Fabrication First. There's no reason for Patrons to subscribe to Fab First. You already get all the same content, but you get it early.)
A friend of mine is a master wood turner. He’s shown in galleries and taught hundreds of classes. He’s the real deal. A few years ago, I showed him a bowl I had turned and he c...
2021-03-01 12:34:27 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I've had a lot of requests for a video on fixing the mouth of a wooden plane. Well, it turns out that I have a plane that really needs a new mouth! This video will take you through the whole process.
This week's video is exclusive because I will be switching to doing 3 regular videos per month. Most of the time, I'll still do a Patron video for the 4...
2021-02-27 12:01:01 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
(Click here if the embedded video doesn't work. The "play" button is on the left.)
I'm continuing to work on bringing the turning saw kit to life. The most exciting development is that I'm now working with John Saunders from the ou...
2021-02-25 13:11:31 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
The humble mortise is just a rectangular hole in a piece of wood. It's simple. But it gives woodworkers fits!
The mortise is deceptively complex to cut, but I have a bunch of tools, tricks, and hacks to help you master this essential joint. Get practicing now; we'll have a project using this joint in early March.
I also link to a bunch of channels, v...
2021-02-20 12:01:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I'm happy to present the 2nd part in my little series on wooden planes. The more I think about it, the more I think these traditional tools are the unsung heroes of the budget shop. Many wooden planes perform beautifully and deliver excellent results for very little money.
This video will tell you which ones to buy and it covers the finer points of setup and adj...
2021-02-13 12:01:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
My buddy Sam (who is a Patron!) recently bought a couple of planes from the junk store. I offered to fix them up and ended up going on a restoration adventure. Both of these planes had a lot of challenges, so the video is long, but it also tells you almost everything you need to get a beat-up old plane going again.
Next week: choosing and using wooden planes in ...
2021-02-06 12:01:00 +0000 UTC View Post