Make a Joiner’s Mallet from Osage Orange

While attending the Video Woodworkers Skiatook Adventure, Ted Alexander milled some Osage Orange with his WoodMizer LT15 Bandsaw Mill. He had a full length section of the tree milled to nearly 5" thick and 13" wide to cut into blanks for bowls. On the day of departure, he cross cut part of that slab into … Continue reading Make a Joiner’s Mallet from Osage Orange

Make a Scratch Stock

The Nicholson bench I will be building in the coming months require a profile on the edges of the ship lapped boards for the shelf. Well, it isn't required but I like the detail it will add to the bench so I am going to make it a requirement. I want to build the bench … Continue reading Make a Scratch Stock

Up Coming Bench Build-Off

The Dusty Life crew (Brian McCauley, Kyle Toth, and Myself) is hosting a Workbench building event in the late weeks of August and into September. The event is conveniently called the Bench Build-Off. There is a sizable list of sponsors who are pledging prizes to be given at random to several lucky builders. You can … Continue reading Up Coming Bench Build-Off

Brass Chisel Hammer

A couple weeks ago I won this (above) brass mallet on eBay. I really like the old, mushroomed faces, wear marks, and the patina on the brass. The only thing wrong with it was the steel rod handle. The solution: contact a local machinist to remove the handle and bore a 1/2" through hole … Continue reading Brass Chisel Hammer

Split Top Saw Bench with Downloadable Plan

As I progress in my woodworking skills, my interests are persistently moving me toward more frequent hand tool usage. I will never give up my machines (with the exception of the table saw) because they perform the bulk of the preliminary work, milling lumber to S6S. In the coming months I will be building a … Continue reading Split Top Saw Bench with Downloadable Plan

Back Saw Restoration

I purchased this Back Saw on eBay at a good price. The points that sold me on the saw were the following: the handle was in good condition, no broken horns or cracks; the plate was already cleaned of rust; Tom Fidgen has a saw from the same maker and he said it was a … Continue reading Back Saw Restoration

The Idiot Stick

About 6 years ago, my wife and I flew to El Paso, TX, to visit her Grandfather. He loved tinkering in his shop, making copper wire art and other small wood mind puzzlers. When we arrived at this house he pulled out a small rectangular piece of wood and asked me if I had ever … Continue reading The Idiot Stick

Make a Bootjack

I received a book for Christmas titled "Weekend Woodworker: 101 Projects" or something along those lines. When I saw it I immediately thought "Great! 101 videos." Sadly, many of the projects just aren't something I consider myself interested in making (e.g. silhouettes of old ladies doing yard work). However, my sister-in-law and her family came … Continue reading Make a Bootjack

Custom Handle for a Coping Saw

One of the first hand saws I purchased was a cheap coping saw from my local Do-It Best Center. I purchased it so I could make a 3-piece burr puzzle for my Father-in-Law for Christmas. I used it for that project and haven't touched it since until recently, when I was removing waste from the dovetails … Continue reading Custom Handle for a Coping Saw

Heirloom Screwdrivers

While cleaning out some of my shop drawers I came across my screwdriver shanks I purchased from Lee Valley (unfortunately, they have a limited supply and no longer stock the shanks, I believe) along with the brass ferrules and the 5mm brad point bit (I had a 6mm and 8mm already). I purchased the screwdriver shanks after … Continue reading Heirloom Screwdrivers