Friends:
This week, I'm trying out just about the cheapest plane I can find online. Well, the cheapest that has all the features, like a double-iron and good adjusters.
You all supported this video, so I won't keep you in suspense: this plane is not the budget smoother I'd been hoping for. It's close, but no cigar.
Still, I give a lot of tips and tricks for b...
2019-06-29 11:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
All woodworkers seem to think that you NEED a black plane for fine woodworking. I thought so, too. Until, a few weeks ago, I went to grab my block plane and found it covered with dust. Why?
I hadn't used it in weeks.
This got me thinking. What do I actually use this tool for? Not much. It's supposed to be the best tool for trimming and the ONLY tool ...
2019-06-22 11:13:21 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
You might have noticed the Electronic music I used in my last video. This track was composed by my friend Alex Larson, and he's graciously allowed me to give the track away as an MP3 download just for Patrons.
I might be a little biased because Alex is an old friend, but I think this is an outstanding piece of music and the full track is really worth a listen. I...
2019-06-17 12:33:45 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
The Viking Shield is live!
As always, let me know what you think of the process and the product. I'm always interested in Patron feedback.
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!
--Rex
2019-06-16 15:43:53 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I really enjoy the Forged From Wood series, and I get SUCH good suggestions from everyone. Here's this week's project: a Viking shield.
I have lots of period-correct details and a downright life-threatening lathe setup to turn this monster. The edit is a real bear, so ...
2019-06-14 18:47:41 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
Here are the plans from the recent Marking Gauge Build. I think these are my best yet, but I'll let you be the judge.
I hope little giveaways like this underscore just how grateful I am to my Patrons.
--Rex
2019-06-10 23:18:23 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Do you have a good marking gauge? Do you need one?
Good news: I've designed an built a simple and very effective marking gauge that can be made from wood scraps and a finishing nail. It's a quick and easy project and the final gauge works as well as my fancy rosewood gauge.
When you think about it, all the thing does is scratch a straight line into a...
2019-06-08 19:24:41 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Woodwork for Humans returns and I'm filling up your tool tote with cheap and effective tools!
Everyone needs a marking gauge, but commercial models are either very expensive, or kind of mediocre. But why buy it when you can make it for nothing?
In tomorrow's video, I'll show you how to craft these all-wood marking gauges. They don't need a screw or any oth...
2019-06-07 12:18:09 +0000 UTC View Post
Hoo-Boy!
This one was a handful. The project was challenging, the filming was tricky, and the edit was...painful. But I really think it came out in the end.
Many of you have praised me for a minimal video style, and I'm glad that you like it. But once in a while, I'm going to stretch out a little bit. Especially with the shiny new toys I've just gotten. So the film-making on t...
2019-06-02 17:35:23 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
To celebrate the paperback release of _One Week to Woodturning_, I decided to do an ambitions turning video.
This is a 16th century Hungarian mace. I copied it from an example in a famous historical weapons collection. It was a lot more difficult than expected (I should have thought harder about the challenges of turning a five-inch sphere and 22 wooden spikes)....
2019-06-01 11:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
I used to play in a great band. I played in a lot of bands in my 20s, but one sticks out. We were really, really good. You know what happened with that band?
Nothing.
In a year together, we played two shows and released one record that no one bought. Other groups I played in were far...
2019-05-31 11:10:15 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
As I've slowly been upgrading my gear, I've realized that I built my YouTube channel on some EXTREMELY basic equipment. I cannot believe I go so far with so little. So I decided to share everything I've learned about getting a channel going and keeping it running for essentially no money.
I admit that I'm kind of surprised at just how ghetto things have been beh...
2019-05-25 18:23:47 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
It's a big day over here. I'm officially de-commissioning my old Cannon Vixia camcorder. It didn't break (which is a miracle) but I did get a new and much better camera (the Panasonic HC-770) and so I'm putting the old girl out to pasture.
You might be surprised that I'm a little emotional about the whole thing. This camera isn't very good. It takes grainy foota...
2019-05-23 16:50:26 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
This morning, I sent out the "free plans" and then attached the wrong file. Honestly, Wednesdays are a pretty rough day for me. Anyway, here are the actual plans. I'm going to double-check.
Thanks for being patient!
--Rex
2019-05-22 20:12:46 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
Here are the plans for your shop-made try-squares. I've got two versions: hand-cut and laminated and of course, the plans are in Imperial and Metric. Make it YOUR way.
These plans are free for Patrons. Thanks so much for all your support!
--Rex
2019-05-22 10:40:24 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I'm really happy to bring you this video on shop-made squares. It exemplifies all the things I try to bring to the table: self-reliance, tool-making, keeping costs down, reusing scraps, and above all, top-shelf craftsmanship with minimal tools.
This video is a bit longer than usual, but it's also packed with details and examples. I also put extra attention into ...
2019-05-18 16:47:13 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
This week is going by quicker than most. I guess that's a good thing because so much interesting stuff is going on. Next week, I'll be a guest blogger on the excellent woodworking blog Toolerable < http://toolerable.blogspot.com/ > where I'll be discussing making your own squares.
<... 2019-05-17 10:50:03 +0000 UTC View Post
So, Vince Mitchell just asked about the reject pics from my recent thumb. We must have taken 30 shots to get one good one. Here are some of the better shots that ended up on the cutting-room floor.
Friends:
He's my complete breakdown of all the squares you're likely to encounter in your woodworking. Any square is better than no square, but there are real differences between all the various squares in the world. Some are great for woodwork. Some...not so much.
Here's hoping I clear up some of the confusion.
As always give me all the questions and feedbac...
2019-05-11 12:09:35 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
Last week's tool tote project reinforced the necessity of a good square in woodworking. I hate to say it, but a speed square just won't cut it.
Of course, even if you have the money for some squares, you still need to know what to get and how to use it. I plan to answer these questions and more in this week's video. I'll cover the essential try-square, the versa...
2019-05-09 22:52:24 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
I'm delighted to send out the plans for my recent One Board Tool tote video. These are free for Patrons.
I intend to do more plans in the future and many of them will be free to my supporters. Maybe they'll all be free. We'll just have to see what happens.
These are my first plans, so I'm always happy for feedback.
Thanks a lot!
--R...
2019-05-08 10:46:59 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
There's STILL a back-hoe in my front yard, but the work goes on.
Today, I bring you the One Board Tool Tote. I planned this project very carefully and I'm quite pleased with the result, but I always let you be the judge.
There are plans for this project and they are FREE for Patrons. I'll have those for you on Wednesday morning.
In the meantime...
2019-05-04 14:49:33 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I hope you all had a great week. Me, I've got a back-hoe and a giant hole in my front yard, so it's wild times over here.
Anyway, I got to spend last weekend at Spring Make, here in Cleveland. It was an amazing experience and my business will never be the same.
The conference had a hefty attendance fee and I only got to go because of the support of my Patr...
2019-05-03 13:27:54 +0000 UTC View PostFriends:
I just realized that I haven't been doing these sneak peaks in a while. You're the ones making this content possible, so you should get a look ahead.
This week, I'm finally going to make a PROJECT with the $30 bench. Since I'm having trouble keeping track of all my Woodwork for Humans tools, I need a tote. Seems like a perfect first project.
So, afte...
2019-05-01 10:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I'm just back from Spring make and...wow. I don't think my channel or my business will ever be the same. More stories about all that in the days ahead.
I also have a collapsed sewer pipe at my house and my yard is about to get VERY dug up...assuming my shop doesn't flood first. Please stop raining. Please.
In the meantime, here's my experience with a...
2019-04-28 12:54:12 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
I'm just back from Spring Make and...wow. I don't think my channel or my business will ever be the same. Hopefully, I'll be able to bring you some more stories about the conference in the days ahead.
I've also got a collapsed sewer pipe at my house and my yard is about to get very dug up...assuming my shop doesn't flood first. Please stop raining. Please. <...
2019-04-28 12:47:44 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
The $30 bench is done and it's AMAZING. With this humble pile of 2x4s and a couple of dowels and wedges, you can hold any piece of work imaginable, and all without a traditional, screw-operated vise. Honestly, using this bench is a revelation. You do all the stuff you did before, but in a totally different way.
This bench has been the start of something great, a...
2019-04-20 23:42:29 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
While I was with Tim Cunningham last week, he graciously agreed to do an exclusive video just for my Patrons. In this clip, we go over your options for quality smithing hammers that you can order online.
I know not all my Patrons are interested in blacksmithing, but if you are, grab one of the hammers we discuss and get swinging.
Enjoy!
2019-04-17 14:34:59 +0000 UTC
View Post
Friends:
This week we take little detour and visit with Tim Cunningham, a professional blacksmith and smithing teacher in Cleveland. Tim runs a thriving business with the most minimal gear imaginable and I just had to get a tour of his modest shop and get the low-down on how he makes a living with a forge, an anvil, a hammer, and not much else.
I hope you all enjoy this ...
2019-04-13 23:29:21 +0000 UTC View Post
Friends:
We built it. Now we need to flatten it.
The $30 workbench is great, but it needs to be flat to be really useful. Let's make that happen. Grab one plane (even a cheap one like the Stanley 12-404) and let's get it done.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
2019-04-06 13:47:02 +0000 UTC View Post