Author name: Enthusiast

I’m sure you’ve heard the admonition to measure twice before you cut once. If you haven’t, take it from me that it’s very good advice. You’ll save a lot of wood and grief by doing this. But what about “measure twice before you paint once?” The grounds crews at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium where the Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference Championship was being played apparently hadn’t heeded this warning and painted […]

The post Measure twice, paint once! appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

I have worked out of an 18th-century-style tool chest since 1997 or so, but I still love a good metal toolbox. They are great for moving tools to a jobsite or storing a dedicated set of wrenches or a socket set. The plastic or sheet-metal toolboxes at home centers do nothing for me. The plastic breaks and the sheet metal is thin and bends when you look at it too […]

The post Anarchist’s 2016 Gift Guide, Day 8: A Trusco Toolbox appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Like a good French rasp, a spokeshave will open your eyes to a new world. Furniture parts that were once simply flat or round can easily be made curved and subtly faceted. And though the type of spokeshave you prefer is pretty personal, it’s hard to argue that the most successful and copied model is the Stanley 151 shave. I think this model is the apogee of this form’s design. […]

The post Anarchist’s 2016 Gift Guide, Day 7: Veritas Spokeshave appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

I know, I know. If you’ve been reading this blog, my blog or following me on social media for while, you’re already familiar with my deep-seated love for the Benchcrafted Skraper (what is it with the tools I like and funny spellings?!). This is not your grandfather’s scraper. It has a 5/8″-wide x 3/16″- thick solid carbide bar on the business end that is honed on all working surfaces – […]

The post The Anarchist’s Editor’s Gift Guide, Item 2: Benchcrafted ‘Skraper’ appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

The weather is lukewarm and rainy at the shop today so that can only mean one thing. It’s the holiday season! OK, you can’t really predict what time of year it is by measuring the flighty weather of Cincinnati. The holiday season brings all of those old traditions that you love: eating great meals, gathering together to take awkward family photos immediately after eating great meals, discussing sudden hair loss with […]

The post December to Remember Holiday Sweepstakes appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Jameel “Jamal-Alabama” Abraham of Benchcrafted introduced me to these bits, and I still need to repay the favor with beer and/or bratwurst. These bits are the cat’s meow, knees and pyjamas. Made in Japan, the WoodOwls cut through tough, wet, thick wood like it almost isn’t there. When you drill a lot of holes through 6”-thick wet French oak, these bits are a lifesaver. But even if you don’t build […]

The post Anarchist’s 2016 Gift Guide, Day 6: WoodOwl Auger Bits appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.