Just Herons

Today I had a very special patient in my shop.

He needed the care of a nice crafts man.

Interested?

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes

Being much under pressure the week before, I spent most of my woodworking time on the "Autobahn" the last week.

It seems that in November and December the traffic is growing somehow.

I hate these weeks.

Fall Front Toolbox (Pt.3)

Finally I made it.

Friday evening the toolbox was in a condition to give it away.

Anyway, the last day of working on it had some little disasters.

Fall Front Toolbox (Pt.2)

The toolbox project is making progress.

This is the last week to work on.

By end of the week I will need the completed box

Let us see where I am.

The Japanese Toolbox Video

This post is different. Somehow.

It is about storing some of the valuable workshop aids.

In a little box - made while the camera was recording.

Fall Front Toolbox (Pt.1)

Time is running. I'm on a hurry. 

Always mindful not to make unnecessary mistakes.

Despite the pressure I'm working concentrated and productive.

Yet Another Toolbox

A new project is knocking at the door.

It is a toolbox for a special occasion.

But that's not all what's going on...

Another Wooden Jack

The queue of unfinished tasks is getting longer.

Time to spent my shop time with small tasks these days.

One of these tasks was rehabbing another wooden jack.

A Short Update

A few weeks off - time to say hello again.

Getting the head free for the upcoming was the goal of the game. And pretty necessary.

Now then, a short update what's going on.....

Live From The Shop

This are all the tools one will need for one of my next projects.

You might be right if you think that will be a simple one.

But there are good reasons for it.

It's All About Boxes

Time is running. Summer is nearly over and Fall is knocking on our doors.

The leaves are turning into red now and the very first ones are already falling.

Nice start for a post, or? But now I did not find the right bridge into the post.

Those Hot Summer Days

Some days you’re on fire. And some days, you’re not.

I haven't spent much time in the shop the last days.

Summer is back with pretty hot temperatures.

It Has To Be Perfect

Next stage of the oh-so-secret project.

It's all about dovetails and accuracy.

How Long Does a Honing Guide Last?

This question came up the last days, when I clamped a chisel into it and started sharpening.

I recognized soon that the bevel angle isn't correct any longer.

Heck, what's going on?

How to Keep a Project Secret

I'm in a dilemma. 

It's time for a new project I would like to report about.

But it is gonna be a surprise. So I have to keep it somehow secret.

I think I can show single elements of it and we will bring it all together when time comes.

Is This Tool Addiction?

On my road trip of hand tool woodworking I came to the realization that I have to find out what have been the tools of a traditional German craftsman.

A few interesting finds so far.

A Hand Saw Story

Have you ever had the feeling that the past catches up with you?

It happened to me at one of the last Saturdays.

So it comes that I have got a little story about hand saws today.

Saddle Stool ready!

After vacation and some tool rehab side projects, back to the stool build.

The Emperor's New Clothes

It's summer - Sun is shining, the temperatures are rising and the flea market season is at its peak.

A couple of used and/or vintage tools found their way into my shop.

I will report about a couple of them. 

Let me start with a small wooden plane.

Workbench Build Diaries (Pt.5)

I'm working at my new workbench for a while now and I still love it.

Time to move on....

A Big Surprise

Last week Saturday I received a letter from DHL (which is the main parcel service in DE), that a packet is waiting for me - at the main custom office.

What the heck.....???

Mid-Century Saddle Stool (Pt.3)

Figuring out new techniques is always exciting.

And there is a lot to learn making a chair.

I'm making good progress, but nevertheless there is a challenge with every step in the process.

Saddle Stool (Pt. 2)

After understanding sightlines and resulting angles I was ready to make the next steps.

Making a new seat plank, drilling and reaming the mortices and finally go over to the legs.

How I Understand Sight Lines

With starting my seating build I've done some things wrong. Right from the beginning.

I think that I'm starting to understand the parameters which are necessary for the leg layout.

Mid-Century Saddle Stool

My stool and chair building plans are going to become real.

Prototyping is a good starting point to practice with tools and material.

Pinie Wooden Scrub Plane

As I have to prepare some rough sawn stock for the drawers of my new bench, it came to my mind that a scrub plane would be helpful.

A wooden one would be great....

The Benefits of Getting Older

It was my fiftieth birthdays last week Tuesday.

As I dread this section in life, I had to recognized that nothing is different from the day before.

So my question is what might be the benefits?

Workbench Build Diaries (Pt.4)

At one of the last weekends time had come.

The tools had been packed. The old cabinets were empty.

Off we go!

How I Mastered a Wooden Jack

The wooden jack plane I've bought a few weeks ago did not want to perform as I would like to have it.

Spending some more time with it relaxed our relationship.

Plane Rehab

The available time for woodworking I spent on plane rehab.

Now having a wooden plane I'm impatient to see it at work.

Planes with Green Medallions

This weekend I was a lucky guy and was not.

Guess what made me happy.

The not so good part started on Friday noon. A cold caught me.

Man, that is like pestilence.

But I think I will survive.

Workbench Build Diaries (Pt.3)

The workbench becomes more and more complete.

I should be able to install it within the next weeks.

Except I have overseen something.

Vintage Books and Frame Saws

Spring is coming soon.

One of the good news about it is, that the flea market season is starting.

And I had a real nice find on one of the first markets this season.

Box of the Month - March

I have completed the Mid-Century inspired keepsake box yesterday.

Just a few final strokes of work.

Mid-Century Keepsake Box (Pt.2)

Box making was on my list for the last days.

And time flew by in a flash.

Mid-Century Keepsake Box

I have planned to build some boxes this year.

Today I will report about the first one.

It's a Mid-Century inspired design.

Workbench Build Diaries (Pt. 2)

Building the bench top for the new work bench keeps me busy.

It leaves no time to do other projects.

Here is an update about the bench top.

Anniversary

At the 24th of February is my first blogging anniversary.

How fast a year goes by.

A good time to reflect my blogging experience.

About Donkeys And Horses

What's the difference between a sawhorse and a saw donkey?

Good question.

Whatever will be the answer they are great helper in the shop.

Workbench Build Diaries (Pt.1)

Beside spending time on doing investigations on Mid Century chairs I made some progress on the bench build.

And I've started to get rid of some stuff.

Mid-Century Chair Design

How to combine Mid-Century lifestyle and woodworking?

Nothing easier than that.

There are a lot of Mid-Century furniture examples which are worth to build and will fit into this idea.

I'll start with a chair.

How I Made My Miter Shooting Board (Pt. 2)

While I poured herbal tea into me and tried to cure my cold I have used the time to complete the post from last week.

Have a look.....

How I Made My Miter Shooting Board

Some times boxes with mitered joints are looking more elegant than dovetails.

But how to do miters in a hand tool only workshop?

The solution is a miter shooting board or donkey ear, how it will be called too.

I've made one. Entirely by hand, with hand tools only. Curious how?

Then have a look.....

New Year - Fresh Start!

You're left with a new year when the holiday season comes to an end and all the festivities are over.

For me it will be a time to set in place new things to do and learn.

That said here comes my woodworking plans for the next couple of weeks (or month).