Woodworking Posts

Utter the word “Apprentice” and perhaps for many it conjures up wistful emotions of times past, a master passing on knowledge and values consigned to history. However that most traditional sounding method of training still exists today and it’s doing rather well. I have personal experience of completing an apprenticeship and from my family’s perspective, we have throughout the last 105 years experienced the changing face of training the trades. […]

The post Woodworking Apprenticeships — A Family History appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Sure, we have several excellent new woodworking books and videos in the works and I’m sure I should be writing about those. But with “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” sales coming up (and me hopefully off work most of next week to clean, cook and eat, then eat some more), I thought I’d take a few minutes while I’m still in the office to list what I consider “must haves” […]

The post ‘Black Friday’ & ‘Cyber Monday’ Backlist Suggestions appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

My dovetails are always at their best if I warm up before sawing. But I’ll be honest – when I am pressed for time I have no patience to cut an entire joint, much less prep the wood for a practice set. So here are two things I do to get my sawing on track that don’t require extra material or significant time. Crosscut Your Rough Stock by Hand Even […]

The post 2 Ways to Warm up For Dovetails (Without Cutting One) appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

I have to admit it – I’m having a rough time in this relatively new job. Not my actual work duties, but figuring out what new technique or project I want to try next. I’m a beginner/intermediate woodworker in that I’ve learned enough to get myself in trouble, but I also have learned enough to know how much I don’t know. So coming to work every day and looking over […]

The post A New Issue (& An Expanding Wish List) appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

While putting a new tool through its paces for a future review, I was reminded just how important the basics are and what a fine job a regular bench plane will do when sharp. I was delighted with the new tool I was using but I was equally delighted with my normal “go to” planes. I’m very pleased to see the options we have now regarding specialist planes for shooting […]

The post Keep Simple; Keep Sharp appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Ah, the glamor of being on camera. The trailer with your name on the door…M&Ms separated by color to meet your needs…people hustling around to keep you happy and hydrated. Fans swarming you at openings and asking for your autograph. Relaxing at the pool and waiting for the reviews to come in. Right! Tell it to Alf Sharp. Alf spent a week with us shooting “Create a Newport Tea Table” and […]

The post So You Want to Be a Video Star? appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.