Website Changes

Raking Light is Essential

by Rob Carver

by Ed O'Neil

A woodworker has a lot of loyalty for tools that work for them, especially the workbench.  A woodworker is at home behind their workbench but for Ed, after decades of using his original workbench and developing new skills for furniture making, the time had come to make a new home.

This is a story of designing and building a workbench from scratch. Ed provides considerable detail, tool choices, resources, and copious pictures for anyone interested in replicating his efforts. As you can see it's an appealing, sturdy, and functional workbench.  The story is a perfect example of a Featured Piece by detailing the motivation, wood species, design issues, construction, overcoming pitfalls, lessons learned, wrap-up, finish, and acknowledgements.  Read A Workbench to Last a Lifetime.

You can contact here Ed O'Neil. 

Woodworking Establishment Clause

by Andrew Davis

Perhaps it's because of the new year.  Perhaps it's because Andrew has been traveling to foreign lands and has grasped a more global view.  Perhaps he's just tired of debating or hearing about the debates before us woodworkers.  Or perhaps he's simply run out of Bevel Cut topics to discuss.  In any event, Andrew has become a peacemaker.

Andrew's mission is an attempt to put our woodworking differences aside.  This article is a request about acceptance to an ideal.  It's your turn to abide.  Please read Woodworking Establishment Clause to understand Andrew's noble cause.  Woodworkers of the Guild Unite!  (And if you have ideas for a topic, please send them to the leading contender for the EMGW Peace Prize.)

Andrew welcomes your feedback.

Woodworking Tip for February 2025 -- Permanent Wax Finish by Joshua Shapiro

Bench Brush Project (formerly Dustpan and Brush Project) Update.

Presentation was delivered by Michael Patrick Wheeler.

Never-Ending Debates

by Rob Carver

Debates are rampant in woodworking.  You know, they are the age old issues of pins first vs. tails first, hand tools vs. power tools, and so on.  These issues are first-world preferences.  Rob puts his stamp on this topic.  He's not here to make a choice.  He's here to get some work done.  Read some wisdom from Rob's shop with Never-Ending Debates.

You can reach Rob by clicking Rob Carver.

Screw Tech

by Andrew Davis

Let me get this information right out there.  Andrew's use of the word screw in the title is not a verb.

I thought Andrews's epic October 2024 article called Butting Heads Over Screws (this can be found in the Resource archive on the website), was the piece de resistance for details about screws for woodworkers.  But Andrew, ever the screwologist, presents a follow-up with more specifications on screw thread, type, point, and composition.  You will have to pull out your copy of Butting Heads Over Screws and append this article to it for a more complete treatise.  Read Screw Tech.and you will understand. 

Andrew welcomes your feedback.

by Dave McCormick

Dave McCormick has graced the Featured Piece column once again. I choose my words carefully, because grace is the operative word.  Dave and woodworker extraordinaire Phil Lowe had developed a wonderful relationship prior to Phil's death three years ago. Dave was inspired by Phil's classical woodworking techniques, took classes by him, worked on projects in Phil's workshop, and befriended his woodworking idol.

Dave's article chronicles a time when he was developing his skill set by taking an early course at Phil's Furniture Institute of Massachusetts in Beverly.  We know from furniture pieces that Dave has built, a woodworking challenge is no stranger to him.  While completing required activities of the curriculum, such as making a simple table, Dave saw a piece he could not deny himself. Take advantage of reading Dave's story called Serpentine Tables for a wonderful, graceful treat

You can contact here Dave McCormick. 

Work Shirt and Hat.