Scrapers, a must have in the tool box.

If you are starting out woodworking, or using hand tools, here is the simplest of tools, and one of the best. This cut off section of a ruler is a great scraper.

This scraper does magic on wood surfaces.

This is what a scraper does,

Scrapers can remove the finest shavings, and […]

August 11th, 2008 | Category: Hand Tools, Tutorials | One comment

Wax Mix

I am doing a bit of outdoor work and need a bit more of my wax mix, so I thought I would be kind and share the recipe and process.

The mix is very simple. Equal parts of Safflower Oil, Turpentine, and Paraffin.

For wax I am using a candle I bought cheap.

[…]

August 6th, 2008 | Category: Recipes, Tutorials, Woodworking | 10 comments

Improving a Scratch Awl

I have a tool that is almost perfect, that I use constantly. I will search for hours for it, I am so dependent on it- a little Japanese Socket Awl.

The big one in the picture above is one of the best made western style scratch awls. You can pound it, mark with it, […]

August 4th, 2008 | Category: Chemistry, Hand Tools, Recipes, Tool Making, Tutorials, Woodworking | 11 comments

Fast Easy Mortise Making!

I am putting together an outdoor sink. I decided to practice my mortise making.

Here is what I want to make;

To quickly make mortises first I drilled a big hole in the center and four smaller holes at the corners. This is easy to do with a brace.

Then I cut into […]

July 25th, 2008 | Category: Hand Tools, Tutorials, Woodworking | 9 comments

My Forge

Here is how I built my forge. Inexpensively. The boards you see are treated dog eared pine picket fence that has been run through a planer. The supports are scrap 4×4 from old fences, cut with a 30 degree taper on two sides to support a hexagonal shape. Like a bee, a lot of what […]

June 20th, 2008 | Category: Hand Tools, Metalworking, Power Tools, Tool Making, Tutorials, Woodworking | 6 comments
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