Over The Workbench
Changing tastes
I used to really like dark stain and used it on almost everything. Now, I rarely touch the stuff.
My little corner or the world
Remember your very first real shop? Sally was digging around through photographs and came across a picture of my very first real, permanent woodshop. Oh, I’d been woodworking for more than a decade, but it was always in a not-a-real-shop location, like the patio, driveway, porch or any other area where I could swing a hammer and make some sawdust.
Nothing wasted
When you alter an in-progress project, the changes wind up as waste material unless you consider the possibilities.
Order of danger
What’s the most dangerous thing in the woodshop? The list is a long one.
Order of safety
We all know – or should know – every safety practice for the woodshop. And there are a lot of them.
Out of sight
I’m not really a forgetful person, but in the woodshop I do tend to misremember what I own.
Of time and tint
One of the things I like about cherry is how its color changes over the years. That’s also one of the things that bugs me about it.
No. 1,000
The old proverb goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” I wonder how many steps I’ve taken to reach this point?
Dusting for dollars
I clean my woodshop frequently, but lately I’ve been feeling pangs of guilt at how much money was ending up in my dust collector.
Art of the matter
Woodworking is an art, so it’s only fitting to surround myself in my woodshop with more art – in a manner of speaking.
Always time for wood play
Working on two major projects simultaneously, I didn’t have time to play around. So, I made time.
From down under
Businesses appear to be coming back, but there’s no denying there’s been an impact. If you’ve bought wood lately, you know that.
All square
I bought my Stanley No. 20 ages ago at an antique store, or a flea market, or maybe an estate auction. It was so long ago that I honestly don’t remember. It was filthy from years of use followed by years of non-use.
Instant age
I hate getting older, personally speaking, but for some woodworking supplies something older beats something newer.
Order in the court
It was hard for this woodworker to remain focused during jury duty when surrounded by some of the most marvelous woodworking I’d ever seen.
A.J’s guide to instructions
Tool instructions today couldn’t be more confusing. I’m here to make everything a lot simpler.
Hand in hand
I like using just about any hand-held power tool, except one: a trim router. Actually, routers scare the bejabbers out of me in general, and while I give utmost respect to every power tool in my shop, routers top my respect list.
Really, really off
Once upon a time, off-white was a common paint color for decorators. You can’t find it now.
I always wonder
When it comes to cheap, mass-produced furniture, for the life of me I can’t figure out why they do some of the things they do.
Lucky find
Without even trying, we found a match for a piece of furniture. It needs some work, of course.
Chef’s choice
I’ve spoken often about my love for both woodworking and cooking – it’s no joke when I refer to the kitchen as “my other workshop.”
Knowledge + time = taste
As years go by, you learn more. So, for my woodworking tastes to change drastically over time is only natural.
Holding back
When you typically go all-out for your own projects, it’s sometimes difficult to do only what’s been requested for someone else.