Monthly Archives: March 2015

Bench Work

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Wesley Beal

With all the necessary cleaning / drying taking place in the shop, it was a good opportunity to do some bench maintenance. On the one hand my bench is nothing to write home about. It was born of affordability combined … Continue reading →

Posted in Work Shop | Tagged | 5 Comments

All Wet

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Wesley Beal

Twice this week the check valve on the sump pump in the basement has busted, spraying water across about a fourth of the basement: the fourth of the basement where my bench, tools, and wood are at. So my woodworking … Continue reading →

Posted in Work Shop | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Hanging Clock Shelf, early work

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Wesley Beal

My current project is a small hanging shelf. If it turns out well it will be shipped to my Mother who will use it to display an antique clock that is 13” wide by 4” deep by 19” high. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Rewarding vs. Right

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Wesley Beal

My most enjoyable times in the shop have happened when I only had a vague idea how I was making something. I’ve known that I want to end up with a small table, or a box, or some shop jig. … Continue reading →

Posted in Deep Thoughts, Projects | Tagged | 8 Comments

Practice Projects

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Wesley Beal

In the shop yesterday morning, feeling frustrated. I needed to make something – anything. I stared at my tools, thinking about how I didn’t have all the wood I needed for any of the projects on my to-do list. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Joinery, Projects | Tagged | 10 Comments

The Problem with Wearing…

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Wesley Beal

Not that I wouldn’t still recommend this book, but… Below is an excerpt from Robert Wearing’s The Essential Woodworker: Skills, Tools And Methods. To learn to gauge, first put a length of wood in the vice, projecting about 50mm (2in.). … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Magazines, & DVDs, Experts | Tagged | 11 Comments

The Beginner’s List

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Wesley Beal

My beginner’s tool list: Workbench Panel cross-cut saw Two back saws, one rip, one cross-cut Stanley No. 5 Jack plane, or non-Stanley equivalent One 3/4″ chisel One 1/4″ mortise chisel [edit: go with a 3/8″ not 1/4″] A Mallet Two … Continue reading →

Posted in Experts, Getting Started, Tool Lists, Tools | 15 Comments

The Race Is On

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Wesley Beal

Got around today to adding a shoulder plane to my tool collection. I chose to go with the large plane with a 1 1/4″ wide blade. There’s an argument made by Chris Schwarz in The Anarchist’s Tool Chest that a … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Tools | Tagged , | 24 Comments