Columns/Blogs

I came across an interesting question the other day. The poster said he had no woodworking experience but wanted suggestions about what tools were needed to build a project he had in mind.

I spent the entire month of December moving my shop. It’s not the first time I have done this (but I do hope it’s the last!) so I was not completely blindsided by how much work it involved. But, somehow, this move was much more stressful than the last few.

Sadness, remembrance, appreciation, connection – just some of the things you feel when a gift project comes back into your life.

We are hearing a lot about how well the economy is doing these days. Unemployment figures are looking good. And that’s supposed to be one of the indicators of a healthy economy. But at the same time there is an undeniably widening discrepancy in the ratio of people making billions and people barely scraping by.

A recent experience with contractors taught me something about the importance of working as a team.

Ever have a one-off project unexpectedly become a series? It’s usually a surprise and, for me, a pleasant one.

The real cost of borrowing.

A response to a recent post contained a link to an article on dealing with “toxic” employees.

What drives a woodworker or DIYer nuts? It’s listening to other people working, but not being able to join them.

The title of this post seems to be the attitude of most people when it comes to anything involving the spending of money. There is an uncertain quality to how people feel about buying anything, especially if it involves a substantial investment.

It’s amazing how, after considering a woodshop problem for a long time, you find the solution was right in front of you all along.

In business, it is imperative that we maintain a positive energy. This is essential for good customer relations as well as a strong, positive work environment.

I’ve stated categorically before that there’s no such thing as scrap. Here’s proof.

Leave a paper trail.

Compatibility.

Writing G-code.

I love talking to kids about what I do, and even more so when some of them turn out to already be working with wood.

With all of the concern about our changing climate, we are finding ourselves needing to consider our own impact on our environment. Let’s forget, for the moment, the argument about the cause of climate change. The fact is that the climate is changing and it’s doing so at a much greater rate than was previously believed.

I’m technically capable of doing a lot of things, but sometimes I just don’t want to.