Author name: Enthusiast

Since my post on drawboring last week (read it here), I’ve gotten a number of requests for information about furniture restoration and conservation. One common thread seems to be people using those terms interchangeably. While they may both deal with repairing furniture, I’ve never thought the two terms had the same meaning. Restoration is something I started doing right out of high school. The cabinetmaker for whom I worked also […]

The post Restoration Versus Conservation appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

An interesting e-mail dropped into my inbox yesterday. Across the top of the message was simple written “Karl Holtey.” Knowing that name, I eagerly opened the message. And if you’re mouth juices are beginning to build, you too know that name. Along with three photos came a short press release about a new addition to the Holtey stable of planes, a limited-edition stainless steel No. 983 block plane. Of course, […]

The post Thank You Karl Holtey appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

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.