More Shop Tips

Here are a couple of things that I've found helpful lately in my shop. When I started making kilns for drying wood, the only thing available was too complex to wire for my experience, or chicken incubator thermostats. Well, technology has made some advances, I'm sure solely for the home kiln builder and now you can get this beauty.

This thing is a champ, accurate and easy. Here is a link to an Amazon page (not an endorsement, just a link, buy it where you like). It's $28 and much more trustworthy, plus it also senses humidity, but I haven't played with that feature yet.

Here is a favorite splitting tool of mine. It's an Estwing hatchet, available everywhere. I use it to create the initial score line when splitting as well as for splitting small parts. It's super slim which helps it "sneak" into the split without the crack running too far. This helps the wood separate along the fibers. Also, the handle makes it easy to hold while striking the back of the head and also to dislodge from the wood. Finally, the flare at the back of the head helps the split finish with a resounding "POP" when you drive it in. I reach for this tool all the time.

And my last tips for today is to share Wendell Castle's 10 Adopted Rules that Michael Fortune had on a poster at Fine Woodworking LIve

Crested Rocker Success Stories

We just finished up an advanced chair class building the Crested Rocker. Honestly, I was a bit nervous going into this one. The students all had experience, but many of the techniques that I've developed over the years to make it all work were untested on students. I am thrilled that all the chairs were a smashing success, comfortable and beautiful!!!

Here's some pics.

I will definitely be offering this again next year. I will probably add a day or two to the class to give plenty of time to focus on the details. The process that I teach in this class is really a language of using references to build any chair you might like, it's all about being able to design within a geometric framework that will make a great chair, regardless of the aesthetics that you choose. Of course, some experience is required because so much time must be dedicated to the finer points.

I'll be announcing new classes soon. I hope to do this rocker class as a birdcage, crested and perhaps even a design class with a special guest instructor. Stay tuned for more details

If you are looking for the experience that will enable you to take one of these classes, check out my August class at North Bennet Street School, there are still openings!