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#1 ·
The Year of the Book

The year of The Book
This year has been a good year of book buying for me. I have tried to expand my chair book selection and I think I just about got it. It started earlier this year with the wonderful book by Peter Galbert "The Chairmakers Notebook".
This is the best book on Woodworking let alone chairmaking I have ever read.

Bicycle tire Automotive tire Bicycle part Rim Tire


Just recently I bought a few more that I feel are really worth the read.

Rectangle Font Poster Art Jewellery


Chair:
The current state of the art, with the who, the why, and the what of it By Peter Bradford

Rectangle Font Magenta Logo Brand


Chairs By Judith Miller
Judith Miller also wrote the book on furniture, literally. If you ever want a comprehensive book on furniture her book would be it.

Chair Rectangle Club chair Outdoor furniture Font


Chairs: A History By Florence de Dampierre

I have many books just solely about chairs and it might be a bit obsessive, but hey I am a chairmaker and there are worse things I could be obsessed with.
I would say that woodworking is my healthy obsession.
I decided about 15 years ago to study woodworking in depth, in particular chairmaking. I have come a long way and this year acquiring these books has been helpful.
I am not sure how interesting this blog will be to the average person other than to show I am batty about chairs, I guess that might be a good thing. There are many other books I have and a few I don't, contact me for a good list if you would like to know more.
 

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#2 ·
The Year of the Book

The year of The Book
This year has been a good year of book buying for me. I have tried to expand my chair book selection and I think I just about got it. It started earlier this year with the wonderful book by Peter Galbert "The Chairmakers Notebook".
This is the best book on Woodworking let alone chairmaking I have ever read.

Bicycle tire Automotive tire Bicycle part Rim Tire


Just recently I bought a few more that I feel are really worth the read.

Rectangle Font Poster Art Jewellery


Chair:
The current state of the art, with the who, the why, and the what of it By Peter Bradford

Rectangle Font Magenta Logo Brand


Chairs By Judith Miller
Judith Miller also wrote the book on furniture, literally. If you ever want a comprehensive book on furniture her book would be it.

Chair Rectangle Club chair Outdoor furniture Font


Chairs: A History By Florence de Dampierre

I have many books just solely about chairs and it might be a bit obsessive, but hey I am a chairmaker and there are worse things I could be obsessed with.
I would say that woodworking is my healthy obsession.
I decided about 15 years ago to study woodworking in depth, in particular chairmaking. I have come a long way and this year acquiring these books has been helpful.
I am not sure how interesting this blog will be to the average person other than to show I am batty about chairs, I guess that might be a good thing. There are many other books I have and a few I don't, contact me for a good list if you would like to know more.
Thanks for the book recommendations, Brian.
 

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#3 ·
Getting Things in Perspective

Drawing in Perspective

Triangle Schematic Slope Parallel Font


You don't have to be an artist to be a woodworker, but a good foundation in perspective drawing can come in very helpful. I have the fortunate history of many art classes to pull from and I am often asked by clients to draw up a design that I have proposed. Being able to draw a design that will eventually resemble the piece you plan to build can make the process easier. I am a firm believer that a woodworker should always keep a journal of design ideas nearby to sketch out any ideas you can come up with.

Wood Rectangle Road surface Flooring Floor


Perspective drawing will help immensely when you have drawn out a shape you like and want to enlarge it to full size to be used as a blueprint. Without this you could be just guessing when it comes to production.

Brown Rectangle Wood Font Material property


Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood

Sheraton, Chippendale, Hepplewhite all used perspective drawings to portray their furnishings in their books.
Font Schematic Parallel Art Engineering


The chair shown above was a miniature that was done in reverse where the full size drawing was done first and the reduction was done second. Using my sketch book I was able to make both plans using perspective drawing.

Knowing 1 point and 2 point perspective drawing is a valuable skill to have. It is used by architects and builders to draw up plans for buildings and can help alleviate the surprises that pop up when you are working out a piece of furniture. The 2 point perspective gives a view from an angle of the work.
Wood Rectangle Font Parallel Automotive design


This is a rough sketch that I did for a client of a bench I was contracted to build. It is done in the 2 point perspective and is helpful because you can see the piece in three planes at once. If you want to have three separate figures to work from try this trick to work up a blueprint.

1. Draw up your piece from the front angle with height measurements needed.
Furniture Chair Table Art Human leg


2. extend the horizontal lines to the right and using your depth measurements and angles draw in your side view. Above the first object draw a 45 degree angle from lower right to upper left. Take any vertical lines and carry them straight upward to the angle.
Furniture Basketball hoop Table Outdoor furniture Rectangle


3. Now take the vertical lines drawn on the right image and extend them upward as you did with the first image. Use the intersecting lines from the 45 degree angle to deflect to the right and you can work up your overhead view.
Rectangle Font Slope Parallel Schematic


You can use this to mark out joinery and make your patterns.

If you draw up your piece using the 2 point perspective and the blueprint view you can make a miniature or mock up of the piece to be made. Using these you can see your work from many different views and address any concerns before you have begun to use the good materials.
Using perspective drawing can make life easier.
 

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#4 ·
Getting Things in Perspective

Drawing in Perspective

Triangle Schematic Slope Parallel Font


You don't have to be an artist to be a woodworker, but a good foundation in perspective drawing can come in very helpful. I have the fortunate history of many art classes to pull from and I am often asked by clients to draw up a design that I have proposed. Being able to draw a design that will eventually resemble the piece you plan to build can make the process easier. I am a firm believer that a woodworker should always keep a journal of design ideas nearby to sketch out any ideas you can come up with.

Wood Rectangle Road surface Flooring Floor


Perspective drawing will help immensely when you have drawn out a shape you like and want to enlarge it to full size to be used as a blueprint. Without this you could be just guessing when it comes to production.

Brown Rectangle Wood Font Material property


Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood

Sheraton, Chippendale, Hepplewhite all used perspective drawings to portray their furnishings in their books.
Font Schematic Parallel Art Engineering


The chair shown above was a miniature that was done in reverse where the full size drawing was done first and the reduction was done second. Using my sketch book I was able to make both plans using perspective drawing.

Knowing 1 point and 2 point perspective drawing is a valuable skill to have. It is used by architects and builders to draw up plans for buildings and can help alleviate the surprises that pop up when you are working out a piece of furniture. The 2 point perspective gives a view from an angle of the work.
Wood Rectangle Font Parallel Automotive design


This is a rough sketch that I did for a client of a bench I was contracted to build. It is done in the 2 point perspective and is helpful because you can see the piece in three planes at once. If you want to have three separate figures to work from try this trick to work up a blueprint.

1. Draw up your piece from the front angle with height measurements needed.
Furniture Chair Table Art Human leg


2. extend the horizontal lines to the right and using your depth measurements and angles draw in your side view. Above the first object draw a 45 degree angle from lower right to upper left. Take any vertical lines and carry them straight upward to the angle.
Furniture Basketball hoop Table Outdoor furniture Rectangle


3. Now take the vertical lines drawn on the right image and extend them upward as you did with the first image. Use the intersecting lines from the 45 degree angle to deflect to the right and you can work up your overhead view.
Rectangle Font Slope Parallel Schematic


You can use this to mark out joinery and make your patterns.

If you draw up your piece using the 2 point perspective and the blueprint view you can make a miniature or mock up of the piece to be made. Using these you can see your work from many different views and address any concerns before you have begun to use the good materials.
Using perspective drawing can make life easier.
My last wife (deceased) would alway tell me to draw in perspective but alas I could not
However I have several Escher books and he was the master
Thanks for your article ,nee perspective.
 

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#9 ·
Mass Produce Your Wedges.

Wedges are very useful to have around. If you are using wedged tenon joinery they are a must. You can use them to fill a bad dovetail joint, hold an un-level chair from rocking while you mark out the leg to be cut, repair a bad tenon etc. When I make my wedges I try to make them is a mass scale so I don't have to worry about running out in the middle of a glue up. I have had that happen, where I had to stop in the middle of a glue up and make a wedge, very annoying. So here are some pictures of the way I do it. I mill up a 6"-7" wide board to the thickness of the wedge I will need.
Camera accessory Camera lens Gadget Audio equipment Reflex camera

Wood Rectangle Tool Hardwood Wood stain


Then using an angle finder I mark out the taper and thickness of the wedge I will want.

Then follow the lines on the band saw, but be careful to leave the pieces attached. It can be exciting if one comes loose and drops down into the throat of the saw or sander later on. If you don't feel confident you can leave them attached then you can cut them out using a 10-15tpi blade on your scroll saw.
Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Beige


When you have finished the lateral angled cuts turn the board and crosscut the shims out squishing the piece as you go to keep them from flying away.
Finger Wood Musical instrument accessory Thumb Nail


If you want to clean them up you can clamp a board up tightly to your belt sander and hit them over to bring them to a good point.
Wood Gesture Material property Gas Hardwood


Wood Gas Electrical tape Electric blue Circle


I like to snack on almonds which works out nicely as the cup are great containers for small parts, just write on them with a sharpie what wood type and size they are and they will be ready for the project when needed.

Then stick them in and wallah!
Wood Composite material Human leg Hardwood Auto part


Wood Chair Material property Table Auto part


Hood Wood Sleeve Beige Flooring

Have fun and be safe.
 

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#10 ·
Mass Produce Your Wedges.

Wedges are very useful to have around. If you are using wedged tenon joinery they are a must. You can use them to fill a bad dovetail joint, hold an un-level chair from rocking while you mark out the leg to be cut, repair a bad tenon etc. When I make my wedges I try to make them is a mass scale so I don't have to worry about running out in the middle of a glue up. I have had that happen, where I had to stop in the middle of a glue up and make a wedge, very annoying. So here are some pictures of the way I do it. I mill up a 6"-7" wide board to the thickness of the wedge I will need.



Then using an angle finder I mark out the taper and thickness of the wedge I will want.

Then follow the lines on the band saw, but be careful to leave the pieces attached. It can be exciting if one comes loose and drops down into the throat of the saw or sander later on. If you don't feel confident you can leave them attached then you can cut them out using a 10-15tpi blade on your scroll saw.


When you have finished the lateral angled cuts turn the board and crosscut the shims out squishing the piece as you go to keep them from flying away.


If you want to clean them up you can clamp a board up tightly to your belt sander and hit them over to bring them to a good point.




I like to snack on almonds which works out nicely as the cup are great containers for small parts, just write on them with a sharpie what wood type and size they are and they will be ready for the project when needed.

Then stick them in and wallah!





Have fun and be safe.
Great idea, I'm going to use this on my current project.

Thanks,
 

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#14 ·
Adjustable Bench Hook

Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor

Adjustable Bench Hook
Bench hooks are a very nice addition to a workbench.
Sometimes for carving a small piece, a bench hook can be a bit too deep. Using a woodtek router bit (bit #942858I 14" shank) had for making jigs I routed two slots in a bench hook and drilled some holes for the hardware to slip in. I had thought about using a T-track inlayed in the hook for the adjustment, but I thought that it might mess up a chisel if you slipped off the piece you were working on. The slots are routed in to about 6" from the end so you can bring the stop up to work on small carvings. I glued and then added some screws into the permanent rests to hold them in place.
The only thing I would change is that I would like to be able to add a removable rest to the right side so you could wedge the piece in well. This bench hook is made from some leftover cherry I used for my table saw bench top.
 

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#15 ·
Adjustable Bench Hook

Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor

Adjustable Bench Hook
Bench hooks are a very nice addition to a workbench.
Sometimes for carving a small piece, a bench hook can be a bit too deep. Using a woodtek router bit (bit #942858I 14" shank) had for making jigs I routed two slots in a bench hook and drilled some holes for the hardware to slip in. I had thought about using a T-track inlayed in the hook for the adjustment, but I thought that it might mess up a chisel if you slipped off the piece you were working on. The slots are routed in to about 6" from the end so you can bring the stop up to work on small carvings. I glued and then added some screws into the permanent rests to hold them in place.
The only thing I would change is that I would like to be able to add a removable rest to the right side so you could wedge the piece in well. This bench hook is made from some leftover cherry I used for my table saw bench top.
Interesting, Brian. What kind of carving do you do on/with a bench hook? That is a new use to me.
 

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#22 ·
Don't get all bent out of shape

Sometimes in woodworking you need a shape that just won't work because of short grain issues, stock availability, design concerns etc. It comes to a choice of steam bending or bent lamination. When choosing bent lamination there are some concerns to consider.
Wood Wood stain Floor Flooring Hardwood


The First consideration is the form you wish to use to use for the glue-up process. I normally hate MDF with a passion, but for this application it works well. I have used cdx and a/c plywood, solid wood, and phenolic plastic to make forms and I like the smoothness of the form you can get with MDF, but they are very delicate and need to be stored safely. Laminating many sheets of MDF and using a pattern follow bit you can create a form of almost unlimited width, but they get heavy quick. When you use two piece bent lamination forms there is an inherent spring-back to the glue up that needs to be addressed so your piece will work out how you want.
Unfortunately we have to go back to math class before we can build our form. Working with your plan you need to discern your arc or chord depth, meaning the deflection the curve is to make from a straight plane. There are several formulas that can be used to approximate the final shape of the material after being removed from the form.
Rectangle Slope Font Parallel Plot


Font Parallel Symmetry Number Circle


Fortunately we don't need to read "Composite Materials: Mechanical Behavior and Structural Analysis" to figure this out. There are some simplified formulas to be found from woodworkers who have experimented for years. Now we can move forward and feel safe using our good materials to produce the bend. The simplest formula is as follows;
y=x/n2

Y=Distance the arc will change
X=Height of arc from base
N=The number of layers of material
Using this equation if you have a curve with a chord height of 3" and you are laminating 4 strips of wood to make the curve you will have
y=3/42 which will yield Y=.1875 or 3/16" difference.
Slope Parallel Circle Rectangle Symmetry


Knowing this you can change your pattern to give you the curve result you are looking for.
The next thing to consider is the thickness of the material you are laminating. Again if you are laminating 4 strips each 1/8" thick your lamination will be 1/2" thick. Your form must be made with a positive and negative part with a 1/2" hollow between them. This will result in two different arcs.
Slope Font Parallel Triangle Circle


After I have figured out the math and cut the layers out and glued them together it helps to run some bolts through the form to keep the layers from de-laminating under clamping pressure. I like to add a piece of plywood to disperse the clamp pressure and protect the form corners form being damaged.
A good coat of finish on the form helps when you need to get the glue cleaned up. I sheet the form with a clear drawer liner as added glue protection. You have put a lot of time and material into building this form, anything you can do to keep it from getting coated in glue that can telegraph into the piece is good.
Musical instrument Wood Musical instrument accessory Engineering Composite material


As you can see from my photos I have added strips of wood down the middle of the form, this helps keep the form even as it is pulled together.
So now you have a form and have milled up your wood and you are ready to glue it up, dry test everything to make sure you have all the tools you need at hand, have fun and good luck.
 

Attachments

#23 ·
Don't get all bent out of shape

Sometimes in woodworking you need a shape that just won't work because of short grain issues, stock availability, design concerns etc. It comes to a choice of steam bending or bent lamination. When choosing bent lamination there are some concerns to consider.
Wood Wood stain Floor Flooring Hardwood


The First consideration is the form you wish to use to use for the glue-up process. I normally hate MDF with a passion, but for this application it works well. I have used cdx and a/c plywood, solid wood, and phenolic plastic to make forms and I like the smoothness of the form you can get with MDF, but they are very delicate and need to be stored safely. Laminating many sheets of MDF and using a pattern follow bit you can create a form of almost unlimited width, but they get heavy quick. When you use two piece bent lamination forms there is an inherent spring-back to the glue up that needs to be addressed so your piece will work out how you want.
Unfortunately we have to go back to math class before we can build our form. Working with your plan you need to discern your arc or chord depth, meaning the deflection the curve is to make from a straight plane. There are several formulas that can be used to approximate the final shape of the material after being removed from the form.
Rectangle Slope Font Parallel Plot


Font Parallel Symmetry Number Circle


Fortunately we don't need to read "Composite Materials: Mechanical Behavior and Structural Analysis" to figure this out. There are some simplified formulas to be found from woodworkers who have experimented for years. Now we can move forward and feel safe using our good materials to produce the bend. The simplest formula is as follows;
y=x/n2

Y=Distance the arc will change
X=Height of arc from base
N=The number of layers of material
Using this equation if you have a curve with a chord height of 3" and you are laminating 4 strips of wood to make the curve you will have
y=3/42 which will yield Y=.1875 or 3/16" difference.
Slope Parallel Circle Rectangle Symmetry


Knowing this you can change your pattern to give you the curve result you are looking for.
The next thing to consider is the thickness of the material you are laminating. Again if you are laminating 4 strips each 1/8" thick your lamination will be 1/2" thick. Your form must be made with a positive and negative part with a 1/2" hollow between them. This will result in two different arcs.
Slope Font Parallel Triangle Circle


After I have figured out the math and cut the layers out and glued them together it helps to run some bolts through the form to keep the layers from de-laminating under clamping pressure. I like to add a piece of plywood to disperse the clamp pressure and protect the form corners form being damaged.
A good coat of finish on the form helps when you need to get the glue cleaned up. I sheet the form with a clear drawer liner as added glue protection. You have put a lot of time and material into building this form, anything you can do to keep it from getting coated in glue that can telegraph into the piece is good.
Musical instrument Wood Musical instrument accessory Engineering Composite material


As you can see from my photos I have added strips of wood down the middle of the form, this helps keep the form even as it is pulled together.
So now you have a form and have milled up your wood and you are ready to glue it up, dry test everything to make sure you have all the tools you need at hand, have fun and good luck.
Very nice How To!!!
This is one of those projects where you never have enough clamps.
 

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#24 ·
Photo shoot

Being a woodworker without a brick and mortar studio to sell my junk I have to rely on portraying my goods on-line and that requires acceptable photos. I do sell my furnishings in local art galleries, but they take a big commission and don't have a high turnover. I have sold through www.custommade.com for years and done very well, now I have gotten the all important word of mouth and don't need to go looking for work anymore which is great, but I still need good pictures of my work. Years ago my shop was a spare bedroom and I did the finish sanding in the living room. I bought three strips of fabric about 15 feet long and bobby pinned them together to use as a backdrop. I then put eyelets in the top and hooked them on the wall. After I moved into a big boy shop;) I hooked up a pulley system that had a board with hooks that could be raised up to the ceiling.
Wood Interior design Floor Flooring Shade


Wood Interior design Flooring Floor Hardwood


Rectangle Wood Material property Shelving Wood stain


A good outdoor shot can work well too.
Water Sky Table Cloud Furniture


If you have photoshop you can work wonders, putting your product on the moon if you like. I have used professional photographers for a few shoots and I am sure I will use them again, I have one I use on a regular basis right now.
Furniture Chair Wood Wood stain Windsor chair


If you have a quick project you put together for someone, it is worth the time to get some good pictures of it. Even if woodworking is your hobby it is nice to have good pictures to show off your work.
 

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#25 ·
Photo shoot

Being a woodworker without a brick and mortar studio to sell my junk I have to rely on portraying my goods on-line and that requires acceptable photos. I do sell my furnishings in local art galleries, but they take a big commission and don't have a high turnover. I have sold through www.custommade.com for years and done very well, now I have gotten the all important word of mouth and don't need to go looking for work anymore which is great, but I still need good pictures of my work. Years ago my shop was a spare bedroom and I did the finish sanding in the living room. I bought three strips of fabric about 15 feet long and bobby pinned them together to use as a backdrop. I then put eyelets in the top and hooked them on the wall. After I moved into a big boy shop;) I hooked up a pulley system that had a board with hooks that could be raised up to the ceiling.
Wood Interior design Floor Flooring Shade


Wood Interior design Flooring Floor Hardwood


Rectangle Wood Material property Shelving Wood stain


A good outdoor shot can work well too.
Water Sky Table Cloud Furniture


If you have photoshop you can work wonders, putting your product on the moon if you like. I have used professional photographers for a few shoots and I am sure I will use them again, I have one I use on a regular basis right now.
Furniture Chair Wood Wood stain Windsor chair


If you have a quick project you put together for someone, it is worth the time to get some good pictures of it. Even if woodworking is your hobby it is nice to have good pictures to show off your work.
I am putting together a finish room with a dedicated corner that will be painted white specifically for pictures. It has been a weak marketing point for me that will soon be improved.

Thanks for sharing.
 

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#29 ·
How Do You Measure up?

Recently there have been articles discussing tape measure maintenance, selection and how to use them in the shop. My opinion is to use them at the cutoff table for large crosscuts with a radial arm or chop saw, and leave them there. There should not be a dedicated place in your woodworking tool cabinet for a tape measure. The closest I would come would be a fabric tape to measure curved work. I worked in construction for a while and used a tape for everything, I just don't see their place among the measurement devices for fine woodworking.

These are the tools I use to measure for my work.

Gas Bullet Metal Engineering Hand tool


#1 The folding rule.
#2 Steel ruler (starting at zero)
#3 Calipers with inch and decimal placements
#4 Set up bars
#5 Marking gauges
#6 6" combo square

So the first one, the folding rule is the first thing I grab when I enter the shop.

Ruler Hand tool Office ruler Tool Wood


It goes right in my back pocket and stays there until I am done with the day. My preference is the rules with the measurements on the inside of the fold as they can be placed flat against the work to measure with the remainder of the fold massing upward. I just get mad at the rules that are reversed and have the mass under the measurements like the one pictured at top. I would like to find one that is laid out like that and has the slide out depth measurement, but I have yet to find one. I also have a few that fold outward and then flip back over, I used one to make a sector like shown in "By Hand and Eye". They are cumbersome and don't flow as easy for me so I don't use them too often.

Ruler Tape measure Book Office ruler Wood


The steel rule is probably my second most used measurement device.
I bought about 6 of them when I finally found the ones I wanted. I use the general steel rule #1201 The rules are great and very accurate.

Wood Ruler Finger Hardwood Thumb


http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-Instruments-1201ME-Precision/dp/B00004T7SS

Another pet peeve I have is rulers that don't start at zero, but instead have about 1/8" before the measurement lines begin, can somebody please explain this one to me?

The biggest thing you will need accurate measurements for in woodworking is for mortises and tenons. I have a few tricks that will help get your layout lines dead on accurate.
Using calipers, set up bars and marking gauges in conjunction can add a level of accuracy to your work you will love. You can make the most beautiful and cleanly executed mortise in the world, but if your layout lines are off it makes no difference.

Trick # 1 : How to setup your marking gauge.

Knowing how to get the first measurement on a marking gauge is key to having every measurement after be correct. For marking a line a set distance in from a shoulder I use set up bars and place it on the table then lay my gauge on the bar and drop the plunger down until it hits the table. If you are doing dovetails and need to know the stock thickness this trick works well, just lay the stock on the table and put the gauge on the stock and drop the plunger to the table.

Handbell Wood Metal Art Musical instrument


Another way you can achieve this is to open your calipers to the measurement you need, flip the calipers over and use the back plate to set your gauge.

Calipers Gauge Tool Measuring instrument Clock


Wood Tool Gas Auto part Metal


Trick #2 : Adding in your mortise width.

Now you have the first measurement for your mortise, next you need to define your outside line. My trick for is to use your first marking gauge and a setup bar the thickness of your needed mortise. Place the setup bar atop the first marker and the second gauge atop the setup bar. Drop the plunger down to the face of the first gauge and Bobs your uncle both gauges are set.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Cylinder


If you don't want to use my wild balancing act another way to do it for the ambidextrously challenged is to place two setup blocks atop each other. One for the distance you want the mortise from the shoulder and one for the width of the mortise and plunge down from the top of both.

Table Wood Pedestal Rectangle Flooring


Household hardware Tool Fastener Cylinder Gas


It helps to have two different looking gauges so you don't pick up the wrong one.

When you get your setup bars check them with calipers to make sure they are accurate, I have had a few duds that I had to get rid of.

Watch Calipers Analog watch Clock Watch accessory


Setup bars are very useful as you can see and can be used alone to setup your table saw blades and router table bits.

Wood Gas Composite material Tool Hardwood


I use a six inch combo square quite a bit as well for the same processes. Try to get a quality one. I have thrown a few away because they were out of square and they usually had a plastic knob to tighten down the rule so look for brass knobs and you will probably get a good one.

Wood Input device Electronic device Gadget Tool


If you are going to drop the measurements and go "Old School" using ratios and modes to create your piece the calipers and marking gauges can be used with dividers to help get that pin point accuracy you are looking for.

Tool Wood Wire Metal Fashion accessory


I hope by seeing the way I measure it adds to your toolbox of ideas and helps you measure more accurately so you can concentrate on building your masterpiece.
 

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#30 ·
How Do You Measure up?

Recently there have been articles discussing tape measure maintenance, selection and how to use them in the shop. My opinion is to use them at the cutoff table for large crosscuts with a radial arm or chop saw, and leave them there. There should not be a dedicated place in your woodworking tool cabinet for a tape measure. The closest I would come would be a fabric tape to measure curved work. I worked in construction for a while and used a tape for everything, I just don't see their place among the measurement devices for fine woodworking.

These are the tools I use to measure for my work.

Gas Bullet Metal Engineering Hand tool


#1 The folding rule.
#2 Steel ruler (starting at zero)
#3 Calipers with inch and decimal placements
#4 Set up bars
#5 Marking gauges
#6 6" combo square

So the first one, the folding rule is the first thing I grab when I enter the shop.

Ruler Hand tool Office ruler Tool Wood


It goes right in my back pocket and stays there until I am done with the day. My preference is the rules with the measurements on the inside of the fold as they can be placed flat against the work to measure with the remainder of the fold massing upward. I just get mad at the rules that are reversed and have the mass under the measurements like the one pictured at top. I would like to find one that is laid out like that and has the slide out depth measurement, but I have yet to find one. I also have a few that fold outward and then flip back over, I used one to make a sector like shown in "By Hand and Eye". They are cumbersome and don't flow as easy for me so I don't use them too often.

Ruler Tape measure Book Office ruler Wood


The steel rule is probably my second most used measurement device.
I bought about 6 of them when I finally found the ones I wanted. I use the general steel rule #1201 The rules are great and very accurate.

Wood Ruler Finger Hardwood Thumb


http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-Instruments-1201ME-Precision/dp/B00004T7SS

Another pet peeve I have is rulers that don't start at zero, but instead have about 1/8" before the measurement lines begin, can somebody please explain this one to me?

The biggest thing you will need accurate measurements for in woodworking is for mortises and tenons. I have a few tricks that will help get your layout lines dead on accurate.
Using calipers, set up bars and marking gauges in conjunction can add a level of accuracy to your work you will love. You can make the most beautiful and cleanly executed mortise in the world, but if your layout lines are off it makes no difference.

Trick # 1 : How to setup your marking gauge.

Knowing how to get the first measurement on a marking gauge is key to having every measurement after be correct. For marking a line a set distance in from a shoulder I use set up bars and place it on the table then lay my gauge on the bar and drop the plunger down until it hits the table. If you are doing dovetails and need to know the stock thickness this trick works well, just lay the stock on the table and put the gauge on the stock and drop the plunger to the table.

Handbell Wood Metal Art Musical instrument


Another way you can achieve this is to open your calipers to the measurement you need, flip the calipers over and use the back plate to set your gauge.

Calipers Gauge Tool Measuring instrument Clock


Wood Tool Gas Auto part Metal


Trick #2 : Adding in your mortise width.

Now you have the first measurement for your mortise, next you need to define your outside line. My trick for is to use your first marking gauge and a setup bar the thickness of your needed mortise. Place the setup bar atop the first marker and the second gauge atop the setup bar. Drop the plunger down to the face of the first gauge and Bobs your uncle both gauges are set.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Cylinder


If you don't want to use my wild balancing act another way to do it for the ambidextrously challenged is to place two setup blocks atop each other. One for the distance you want the mortise from the shoulder and one for the width of the mortise and plunge down from the top of both.

Table Wood Pedestal Rectangle Flooring


Household hardware Tool Fastener Cylinder Gas


It helps to have two different looking gauges so you don't pick up the wrong one.

When you get your setup bars check them with calipers to make sure they are accurate, I have had a few duds that I had to get rid of.

Watch Calipers Analog watch Clock Watch accessory


Setup bars are very useful as you can see and can be used alone to setup your table saw blades and router table bits.

Wood Gas Composite material Tool Hardwood


I use a six inch combo square quite a bit as well for the same processes. Try to get a quality one. I have thrown a few away because they were out of square and they usually had a plastic knob to tighten down the rule so look for brass knobs and you will probably get a good one.

Wood Input device Electronic device Gadget Tool


If you are going to drop the measurements and go "Old School" using ratios and modes to create your piece the calipers and marking gauges can be used with dividers to help get that pin point accuracy you are looking for.

Tool Wood Wire Metal Fashion accessory


I hope by seeing the way I measure it adds to your toolbox of ideas and helps you measure more accurately so you can concentrate on building your masterpiece.
Great pictorial, thanks Brian!
 

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#35 ·
Mind your own Beeswax

While I was in Portland I got to see the master class graduation at the Northwest School of Woodworking and all the beautiful work they had created. I had time to see Portland a bit and got to go to the famous Powell's bookstore. I went to an apple festival in Estacada where I got to make my own apple cider.
Shoe Automotive tire Wood Wheel Tire

Clothing Footwear Shoe Plant Shorts


While there I was able to watch some carvers working on a large tree stump that was to become a totem of a kind and some little kids trying out some old woodworking.

I saw an old stitching horse that was quite like a shave horse and used to work on livestock tack.
Wheel Wood Automotive tire Motor vehicle Rim


Automotive tire Wood Road surface Wheel Stool


Wood Font Metal Road surface Rectangle


I walked away with a fresh baked apple pie and two gallons of apple cider, but my best score of the day by far was when I visited the honey merchant and saw that he had raw beeswax blocks behind the stand. I ended up with a massive eight pounder that should last me a few years. I have been making my own beeswax linseed oil finish and this was a nice score for me.
Food Sliced bread Wood Staple food Ingredient


Just shows you that you should always keep your eyes open as you never know when you might find a good addition to your woodshop.

My Recipe;

2 cups of boiled linseed oil warmed in a pot until warm. Then I add about two cups of shredded beeswax and stir until mixed. Remove from the heat and add 1-1.5 cups of mineral spirits and pour into large mason jars or container of your choice. Seal once cooled and it will give you months of oil wax finish to finish off your projects. Shake the jar from time to time to keep the mix form setting up.
 

Attachments

#36 ·
Mind your own Beeswax

While I was in Portland I got to see the master class graduation at the Northwest School of Woodworking and all the beautiful work they had created. I had time to see Portland a bit and got to go to the famous Powell's bookstore. I went to an apple festival in Estacada where I got to make my own apple cider.
Shoe Automotive tire Wood Wheel Tire

Clothing Footwear Shoe Plant Shorts


While there I was able to watch some carvers working on a large tree stump that was to become a totem of a kind and some little kids trying out some old woodworking.

I saw an old stitching horse that was quite like a shave horse and used to work on livestock tack.
Wheel Wood Automotive tire Motor vehicle Rim


Automotive tire Wood Road surface Wheel Stool


Wood Font Metal Road surface Rectangle


I walked away with a fresh baked apple pie and two gallons of apple cider, but my best score of the day by far was when I visited the honey merchant and saw that he had raw beeswax blocks behind the stand. I ended up with a massive eight pounder that should last me a few years. I have been making my own beeswax linseed oil finish and this was a nice score for me.
Food Sliced bread Wood Staple food Ingredient


Just shows you that you should always keep your eyes open as you never know when you might find a good addition to your woodshop.

My Recipe;

2 cups of boiled linseed oil warmed in a pot until warm. Then I add about two cups of shredded beeswax and stir until mixed. Remove from the heat and add 1-1.5 cups of mineral spirits and pour into large mason jars or container of your choice. Seal once cooled and it will give you months of oil wax finish to finish off your projects. Shake the jar from time to time to keep the mix form setting up.
Sounds like a great trip, Brian! Thanks for sharing the pics and your recipe.
 

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#37 ·
My Magical Coast.

It is not often that I make it thru a day without realizing what an amazing place I am blessed to live in is. I know that sounds cheesy, but it is true. The Oregon Coast has a magical quality to it that I just can't escape from. I tried, years back I took my family on a cross country tour of America just to see it all. We got out to West Virginia and got hooked on it's beauty and history. We had been looking for a place to buy for years, but being so close to the number 1 golf course in the world has driven real estate prices up dramatically. We moved everything we had all the way across the country which took three trips to move a family of five and my woodshop, with all my wood supply. I sold off my woodtek table saw before the move and bought my uni in West Virginia.
After three years of remodeling a house and putting our blood, sweat and tears into a dream home, we came home one evening to find it completely engulfed in flame. Yeah, that sucked.
Motor vehicle Tree Plant Wood Pollution


It was hard to pick up from that, we stayed for a few months debating weather or not to rebuild, but we missed our coast. So we moved it all back. Funny enough it was winter both times we moved. So now I have a good selection of lumber in my shop that has about 6,000 miles on it. The bulk of my supply (about 3k bf) I got while in West Virginia. So the return trip included a table saw and all the new lumber, though I did have to leave some of it behind. Thankfully I had a new delivery truck to bring some things back in.
Which brings me to my comment of how thankful I am that I get to be where I am. It feels like a dream sometimes that I ever lived in West Virginia. I still miss my mountain home sometimes.
Sky Plant Cloud Mountain Natural landscape

We used to joke about that song by John Denver "Country roads" We called it speghetti road take me home, because the road to our house was so windy, I still get a little choked up when I hear it now.
This morning started early with an eerie sunrise. There was a splinter of sun trying to poke thru, but monstrous winds and dark gray clouds pushed in to drive away the light. The rain started just as I hooked up the trailer and started on my path. I was heading to get my new jointer, a find on craigslist. I have been wanting a wider jointer, but wasn't sure what I wanted. I had entertained the idea of a 12 inch combo grizzly, but it just didn't seem right. I absolutely love my Delta Unisaw table saw so when I saw the old dj-20 I knew it was the one for me.
Gas Machine tool Thickness planer Wood Office equipment


Unfortunately the first day I was supposed to have gone the two hours north to pick it up a massive landslide washed away part of the road. Thankfully they had one lane opened back up this morning. The trip up was very stormy and I have always loved the storms here, we get some doosies.
Car Vehicle Sky Hood Motor vehicle


I tried to get some good pictures of my trip, but it almost impossible to capture the majesty and power that can come from one of these coastal storms. The ocean waves seem to stretch up to the sky and you feel surrounded by this awesome churning power that threatens to squish you like a bug.
Sky Road surface Cloud Asphalt Highland


A trip up the coast of Oregon takes you through some wonderful quaint fishing towns with colorfully decorated shops that pander to the summer tourists. Winter is my favorite time to tour Oregon, that is when you meet the real people that live here and get to experience it a whole different way. It seems that in summer we are all just part of the exhibit, wildlife in a zoo for the visitors to experience while they madly click off pictures of their "trip to the coast". You ever see the movie "Goonies"? That was filmed in Astoria, it gives you a good idea of the coastal towns in the winter. Yeah we really are that weird out here. Truffle shuffle baby! ;)
Sky Street light Motor vehicle Window Cloud

Automotive parking light Tire Automotive side marker light Wheel Land vehicle


On my way back home I made a friend by the side of the road, it was too windy to fly so the bird just let me walk right up to it and almost touch it before it took off.

Plant Mountain Sky Highland Tree


Cloud Sky Water Plant Water resources


Water Plant Sky Cloud Mountain


The person I bought the jointer from also had a sander to add to my shop which I think my wife will like. I don't use them too often, but they are a good tool to have on hand.

Table Hood Gas Wood Audio equipment


Automotive tire Automotive design Gas Engineering Wood


On my way home I stopped at an antique store and found an old Stanley 71 router plane that was missing some parts so I got it for a song. I think I have what it was lacking back home, so that was a bonus to the trip.
By the time I got back home the sky's had cleared and the sun was shining on the wet pavement, the green surrounding shining with the drink, all the colors seemed to be bursting with fresh energy.
So there was my adventure for the day, it was not a day in the shop like most but a fun and enjoyable day just the same.
My new tool looks right at home, now I just need to get rid of my old one.
Wood Gas Machine tool Tool Machine


That thing has been part of my shop for about twelve years now and i know its' idiosyncrasies and how to best work with it. It is going to be weird to start with this new one, but I am excited to do it. I am going to run a fresh electric line to it as it is wired for 220. Thanks for reading about my adventurous day.
The Oregon Coast is a beautiful place and I hope you all get a chance to take a trip out here and experience it. If you do, be sure to drop me a line and let me know your coming so I can put a pot of coffee on. ;) until then.
Cloud Water Sky Water resources Light

Be safe and have fun woodworking
 

Attachments

#38 ·
My Magical Coast.

It is not often that I make it thru a day without realizing what an amazing place I am blessed to live in is. I know that sounds cheesy, but it is true. The Oregon Coast has a magical quality to it that I just can't escape from. I tried, years back I took my family on a cross country tour of America just to see it all. We got out to West Virginia and got hooked on it's beauty and history. We had been looking for a place to buy for years, but being so close to the number 1 golf course in the world has driven real estate prices up dramatically. We moved everything we had all the way across the country which took three trips to move a family of five and my woodshop, with all my wood supply. I sold off my woodtek table saw before the move and bought my uni in West Virginia.
After three years of remodeling a house and putting our blood, sweat and tears into a dream home, we came home one evening to find it completely engulfed in flame. Yeah, that sucked.
Motor vehicle Tree Plant Wood Pollution


It was hard to pick up from that, we stayed for a few months debating weather or not to rebuild, but we missed our coast. So we moved it all back. Funny enough it was winter both times we moved. So now I have a good selection of lumber in my shop that has about 6,000 miles on it. The bulk of my supply (about 3k bf) I got while in West Virginia. So the return trip included a table saw and all the new lumber, though I did have to leave some of it behind. Thankfully I had a new delivery truck to bring some things back in.
Which brings me to my comment of how thankful I am that I get to be where I am. It feels like a dream sometimes that I ever lived in West Virginia. I still miss my mountain home sometimes.
Sky Plant Cloud Mountain Natural landscape

We used to joke about that song by John Denver "Country roads" We called it speghetti road take me home, because the road to our house was so windy, I still get a little choked up when I hear it now.
This morning started early with an eerie sunrise. There was a splinter of sun trying to poke thru, but monstrous winds and dark gray clouds pushed in to drive away the light. The rain started just as I hooked up the trailer and started on my path. I was heading to get my new jointer, a find on craigslist. I have been wanting a wider jointer, but wasn't sure what I wanted. I had entertained the idea of a 12 inch combo grizzly, but it just didn't seem right. I absolutely love my Delta Unisaw table saw so when I saw the old dj-20 I knew it was the one for me.
Gas Machine tool Thickness planer Wood Office equipment


Unfortunately the first day I was supposed to have gone the two hours north to pick it up a massive landslide washed away part of the road. Thankfully they had one lane opened back up this morning. The trip up was very stormy and I have always loved the storms here, we get some doosies.
Car Vehicle Sky Hood Motor vehicle


I tried to get some good pictures of my trip, but it almost impossible to capture the majesty and power that can come from one of these coastal storms. The ocean waves seem to stretch up to the sky and you feel surrounded by this awesome churning power that threatens to squish you like a bug.
Sky Road surface Cloud Asphalt Highland


A trip up the coast of Oregon takes you through some wonderful quaint fishing towns with colorfully decorated shops that pander to the summer tourists. Winter is my favorite time to tour Oregon, that is when you meet the real people that live here and get to experience it a whole different way. It seems that in summer we are all just part of the exhibit, wildlife in a zoo for the visitors to experience while they madly click off pictures of their "trip to the coast". You ever see the movie "Goonies"? That was filmed in Astoria, it gives you a good idea of the coastal towns in the winter. Yeah we really are that weird out here. Truffle shuffle baby! ;)
Sky Street light Motor vehicle Window Cloud

Automotive parking light Tire Automotive side marker light Wheel Land vehicle


On my way back home I made a friend by the side of the road, it was too windy to fly so the bird just let me walk right up to it and almost touch it before it took off.

Plant Mountain Sky Highland Tree


Cloud Sky Water Plant Water resources


Water Plant Sky Cloud Mountain


The person I bought the jointer from also had a sander to add to my shop which I think my wife will like. I don't use them too often, but they are a good tool to have on hand.

Table Hood Gas Wood Audio equipment


Automotive tire Automotive design Gas Engineering Wood


On my way home I stopped at an antique store and found an old Stanley 71 router plane that was missing some parts so I got it for a song. I think I have what it was lacking back home, so that was a bonus to the trip.
By the time I got back home the sky's had cleared and the sun was shining on the wet pavement, the green surrounding shining with the drink, all the colors seemed to be bursting with fresh energy.
So there was my adventure for the day, it was not a day in the shop like most but a fun and enjoyable day just the same.
My new tool looks right at home, now I just need to get rid of my old one.
Wood Gas Machine tool Tool Machine


That thing has been part of my shop for about twelve years now and i know its' idiosyncrasies and how to best work with it. It is going to be weird to start with this new one, but I am excited to do it. I am going to run a fresh electric line to it as it is wired for 220. Thanks for reading about my adventurous day.
The Oregon Coast is a beautiful place and I hope you all get a chance to take a trip out here and experience it. If you do, be sure to drop me a line and let me know your coming so I can put a pot of coffee on. ;) until then.
Cloud Water Sky Water resources Light

Be safe and have fun woodworking
Life is Good ! Thanks for taking us on the trip and sharing the past Brian. Beautiful pics.
 

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