Had my CPAP appointment at the VA today and all is going well. He explained how the CPAP machine works in a language I understood. I had searched on line for one and had more questions after reading the offerings. Before I got the CPAP machine I was averaging 13.8 apnea episodes per hour. Going into my 3rd week with it I am averaging 2.1 apnea episodes per hour. The goal with the machine is 5 or less and I'm... Read more

Back in 2014 I built my manually operated sit/stand desk. It served me well for a decade, but because it was inside an armoire style cabinet, it had limited desktop space.  As I put more hardware on the desk, it became harder to lift and lower.  So I eventually grew lazy about any standing. I […]... Read more

 Spent the morning running errands seemingly all over the state. It was cloudy with rain clouds closing in from the west so it was a good time to whack them out. I got my morning walk in also and going to Walmart at the same time. It didn't help though because I forgot a couple of things and I had to go back. The rain came around noon time but it didn't deposit much. When I left the shop in... Read more

Here’s a short video of how I use the plane tapping out tool. Hopefully this will give a better sense of how hard I’m hitting the blade with the hammer part of the tool. This corresponds to about how hard I hit the blade with a hammer if I’m tapping out that way. if it looks like the tapping out tool is placed at an awkward angle, it is. This was so I could get a good camera angle. Normally... Read more

 Another nice sunny day in RI. It was a little on the cold side due to winds coming out of the north. Tomorrow is supposed to rain starting in the afternoon so I'll try to get my walk done in the morning. I've walked a couple of times in the morning but lately I've been doing it after lunch. I still haven't gotten six days in a row walking due to weather but fingers crossed I'll be able to do... Read more

[Note: this step should not be needed with a new Japanese plane, but you never know. And It is an important part of sharpening and maintenance as you use your plane.]Now that the plane blade is in better shape, we can turn to sharpening. The first thing to check with sharpening a Japanese plane blade is the hollow on the back. The back of the blade is where the hard steel layer is. When sharpening, if we were to work... Read more

This post is a bit long and is for those who have wondered how auger bit extensions work.I'd been wanting to find an auger bit extension for a long time.  I finally hooked up with a guy from my tool collectors organization (PAST) and bought a Stanley #180, looking in perfect condition.  And he threw in another, very rusty one for good measure.  Total price: $10!  These tool collector guys are awesome! (He asked for $5 - I gave him... Read more

I’m never quite sure. I used to think Record’s steel sash clamps of old for joinery were the best but my mind changed through the years and I wouldn’t really want them near my furniture these days. Then, living in the USA, I used US Jorgensen pipe clamps for my making and they worked fine... Source... Read more

I have two more classes this year that have open spots. One in Germany, and one in Indiana. I’m teaching people to build the Dutch Tool Chest in Munich July 14-16. You can register and read more about the class here. The class takes place next to Dictum’s lovely Munich showroom and is easy to...... Read more

 I have three projects in varying stages with two close to being done and one I just started. I thought the portable chest of drawers would get a check mark today but it didn't happen. Maybe tomorrow I will get to do that. Got two coats of shellac on the lid with two more to go. Should finish that up today if I go back to the shop. Surprised myself with getting the new Lost Art Poster frame glued up.... Read more

Stanley Block Planes with Richard Gilbert’s Patented Lateral Adjuster A question about these Stanley block planes made in England comes up once in a while. [...]... Read more

Many people likely think the first true metal block plane was the Stanley No.9½, which appeared in 1872, but it wasn’t the first block plane. The first cast iron plane produced in North America was that of Hazard Knowles, in 1827. The first cast iron block planes were actually produced by Birdsill Holly in the … Continue reading Birdsill Holly – the first metal block plane... Read more

 I thought I would get the sanding block box and the portable chest of drawers done today but it didn't happen. I came oh so close but I'll need some more time to do it. So I started another project - a frame for a Lost Art Poster. Along with that my wife found two more paintings done by her mother's twin sister. I'll be making frames for those two but with a caveat. My wife wants an input on... Read more

I’ve finished the cherry bowl that I mentioned in my recent Drying Revisited post. The oil has cured and it’s ready to serve. I’ll share a few more shots of the finished bowl below, but first some photos of some … Continue reading →... Read more

Work is now underway on my next chambered body e-mando. Below you can see the all work that goes into its core which, once the instrument is complete will never ever be seen! I always treat my wood as precious and try to keep waste to a minimum; therefore, rather than machine the core from one large lump of wood, I laminate it from strips. Also, this method allows me to cut channels for the wiring to run through the body... Read more