Workshop on Olde Tool Workshop

Why We Do It

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Why We Do It: A Reflection on Traditional Hand Tool Woodworking

In a world full of CNC routers, cordless brad nailers, and laser sited chop saws, it might seem odd, even unnecessary, to reach for a hand saw and a chisel. But many of us do. We plane our boards flat with muscle, sweat and intention. We mark our dovetails with knife and gauge. We reach for the familiar weight of a wooden mallet instead of plugging in a router (my most disliked modern power tool).

A Marriage of Convenience

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Stanley Number 3 Type 5 as it was when purchased

Up until now, this blog has almost exclusively focused on tools either made in the golden era of woodworking or new tools based on tools from that period. Well, today’s blog will be covering something a bit more modern—something new from the 21st century: 3D printing (I know there was 3D printing in the 20th century, but it was only in this century that it became available to home enthusiasts).

Hickory Bark and Ash Stool

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Hickory Bark Stool

Sit Your Ash Down

I recently attended the Greenwood Wrights Fest 2022 and took the “Stool Making with Terry Ratliff” class where we made a Hickory Bark and Ash Stool. This was a very informative and fun class and Terry was an excellent instructor. I ended up finishing my stool at home by weaving the hickory bark seat. Thankfully, I had exactly enough bark to seat my stool ( my stool was a fair bit larger than the example stool). These are made with a very few and basic tools (Axe, Maul, Wedge, Draw knife, Shaving Horse, and sloyd knife) but the design is highly evolved.

No Time Like the Present

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

I’m Movin’ my Shop Baby!

My wife is awesome! She is the reason I am making this blog entry today. She has given me the inspiration, the time and most of all the encouragement to pursue my passion for woodworking. She has agreed to let me move my workshop from my garage to our office inside the house. This new location has a lot of advantages over my current setup.