Author name: Enthusiast

A few weeks ago, I posted about “Build a Viking Tool Chest,” a start-to-finish instructional DVD (also available as a download) from woodworker and blacksmith Don Weber. He shows you not only how to build the historic chest, but how to make your own period-correct hardware. At the time, it was on pre-order; it’s now available in our store – and when you purchase through ShopWoodworking.com, you get a bonus […]

The post Compulsory Viking Tool Chest appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

There was a time when nearly even adult male in the United States owned a Stanley #4 smooth plane. The one I have was passed down to me by my dad (a chemical engineer) who got it from his dad (a tool and die maker). When I was a kid, dad dragged the thing out every few years, sharpened it on a Norton oil stone and had at the edge […]

The post Improve Hand Plane Performance appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Most everyone is familiar with the saying “When the editor is away the other staff members will play” (or you’re familiar with a similar saying). Late last week and early this week, our editor was away for a short vacation down south. The other staff members, two of whom were legitimately working on upcoming projects for the magazine, were in the shop doing what we do. I was out there […]

The post Always Check the Basics appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

One great aspect of being senior editor of Popular Woodworking Magazine is I get to meet people from all over the world who have the same warped (pun intended) sense of humor as I. So, naturally, when I got an email from John Madden (who is a Laguna representative “down under”…check out Gregory Machinery‘s web site for more info) letting me know that Laguna Australia is running a contest called The Laguna […]

The post Be The Best Woodworker in The World appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

When I started work at Popular Woodworking in 1996, the goal was to cram as many projects into each issue as possible. No techniques. No tool reviews. Just 17 to 20 projects. Oh, and we couldn’t use outside authors to help. As a result, we were building all day, everyday. And we were always trying to goose the numbers so we could increase the total count of projects in the […]

The post 5 Must-build FREE Project Plans! appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

While I was in Sarasota, Fla., for a short vacation/mini family reunion last weekend, much of my time was spent in family activities (and listening to my 4-year-old niece sing Katy Perry’s “Roar”), but I did have a few woodworking sightings in my travels. My mother and I took advantage of Monday free admission to the Ringling Museum of Art and walked the grounds of Ca’ D’ Zan (pictured above). […]

The post A Few Florida Furniture Sightings appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.