How I sketch and plan my next big build
The smell of fresh cedar and the cold bite of a steel ruler against my palm are the only alarms ...
My method for a mirror finish with shellac
Imagine the scent of high proof alcohol mingling with the sweet, resinous aroma of dried insect secretions. It sounds bizarre; ...
Turning a thin walled bowl from green maple
Imagine the scent of fresh rain and sweet sap hitting your face as the first ribbon of wet wood spirals ...
The volumes that taught me the most
Imagine the smell of fresh cedar shavings mixing with the sharp, acidic tang of bookbinder's glue; it is a scent ...
Getting an even tone on dark walnut boards
Run your fingers across the surface of that raw American Black Walnut and you will feel the rhythmic ridges of ...
Why I never guess if wood is dry enough
Close your eyes and imagine running your palm across a slab of raw, live-edge black walnut. It feels cool; almost ...
Keeping my joints consistent across a build
Grab your apron and clear the bench because we are diving into the visceral world of precision joinery where the ...
The secret to the final coat looking perfect
Close your eyes and run your fingertips across that raw timber surface. You can feel the microscopic mountain ranges of ...
Understanding the difference between FAS and Select
Run your fingers across the surface of a raw walnut board and you will feel the history of the forest ...
Turning a fallen tree into usable boards
Imagine the scent of damp earth and crushed pine needles hitting you as you stand over a massive, downed oak. ...
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Small habits that made me a better maker
Finishing Secrets
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Trying my hand at the houndstooth joint
Finishing Secrets
How I eliminated shadows at my workbench
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How I stack wood to prevent warping
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How I sign my work for the next generation
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Finishing Secrets
Adding 3D detail to a flat furniture panel
Imagine the smell of freshly planed walnut hitting the air; it is that deep, earthy scent that tells you the ...
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Keeping the air clean during a big finish
Imagine the scent of freshly planed walnut hitting your nose; it is earthy and sweet. You run your fingers over ...
Finishing Secrets
My journey into the world of luthiery
The air in my studio smells like a heady cocktail of cedar shavings and citrus-based solvent. It is a scent ...
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Finishing Secrets
Making tools that help me make things better
Imagine the sharp, metallic scent of cold-rolled steel meeting the sweet, earthy aroma of freshly milled walnut. Your fingertips trace ...
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How I choose boards for a beautiful flow
Close your eyes and imagine the scent of freshly planed cedar hitting your nostrils while the grit of a sixty-grit ...
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My setup for resawing thick boards into veneer
Close your eyes and listen to the high pitched hum of a ...
The few high end machines I actually need
Imagine the scent of freshly planed walnut mingling with the ozone tang ...
Finding center points and perfect arcs
The scent of freshly sheared cedar hits you first; it is a ...
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My step by step guide to a perfect oil rub
Close your eyes and run your fingertips across that raw, thirsty surface. You feel the microscopic ridges where the steel blade of your planer met the cellular structure …
My process for the most dangerous tool I own
The smell of toasted white oak is basically my signature ...
The volumes that taught me the most
Imagine the smell of fresh cedar shavings mixing with the ...
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My final pass before the finish goes on
Close your eyes and listen for that specific sound; it is a crisp, rhythmic hiss that reminds me of dry snow crunching under a boot. That is the …
Why I still believe in the mortise and tenon
Imagine the scent of freshly sheared white oak filling your ...
Why I prioritize sustainable and local timber
Imagine the sharp, citrus scent of freshly planed White Oak ...
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My routine for keeping a workspace organized
Imagine the sharp, metallic scent of cold-rolled steel mingling with the sweet, resinous perfume of freshly planed cedar. There is ...
Creating something that speaks for itself
Close your eyes and listen to that high pitched sing of a sharp chisel meeting a stubborn block of cherry ...
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Turning a flea market find into a master tool
Imagine the scent of ancient iron and damp oak hitting you as ...
My step by step guide to a perfect oil rub
Close your eyes and run your fingertips across that raw, thirsty surface. ...
Learning the proper grip for delicate paring
Imagine the scent of freshly sheared white oak filling your lungs while ...