Indholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2022 i Popular Woodworking

NEW TOOLS Blue Spruce Toolworks Scrapers and Burnisher The very first hand tool that I ever purchased was a set of Lie-Nielsen card scrapers back when I was taking highs-chool shop. Boy, did I think I was hot stuff with those fancy scrapers. And to this day, I still like them because they’re thin and flexible. But when Blue Spruce Toolworks announced a new set of scrapers and burnishers, I knew I had to add them to my collection. In stark contrast to my beloved Lie-Nielsen scrapers, these from Blue Spruce are thick. So thick, in fact, that you have a hard time flexing them. However, it's unnecessary with the up-swept corners and the razor-sharp edge that the 1095 steel produces. In fact, the Blue Spruce scrapers (of which there…

This tray is a slightly amended version of a shaker cutlery tray and is a great one-day project to help you hone your hand-tool skills while still producing a beautiful and utilitarian piece. I start by breaking down rough cherry lumber and mill pieces to thickness and length. Though the divider that makes up the handle will be slightly shorter than the long walls of the tray, I cut it the same length and will adjust it later. With planning and care, you can create an effect with the grain that wraps around from one face to the next, but since this is dovetail construction instead of miters, I don’t bother too much with that, preferring just to lay out the faces so the grain is pleasing to the eye.…

The holiday season will soon be upon us. Making ornaments as a gift is a tradition that can carry on for many years, and it offers the opportunity to explore different styles and techniques every year. Speaking of different techniques, I’ll touch real quick on each style of ornament before we get into the meat and potatoes. The first ornament, designed and built by Collin, is a great project to tackle with a kid. The simple cuts at the scroll saw make this an easy beginner project, but one that’s as rewarding as you can get. Leaning into the traditional, Danielle walks through carving a Santa ornament. This free-flowing, artistic approach allows you to explore hand carving, and I love the folk-art style. Finally, I show one of my favorite…

When I build a project, I use a variety of “fancy” tools (readers' words, not mine). Lie-Nielsen, Bill Carter, and Blue Spruce, amongst others. It never fails that I get comments about how “it must be nice” or “I can only afford vintage tools.” Well, here’s my secret: me too. Now, I don’t mind paying for craftsmanship. However, I’ve paid for almost every one of my “nice” modern tools by buying vintage tools, restoring them, and selling them. The money goes into a “nice tool” fund that I use to fund this… problem… that I have. Do these “fancy” tools work better than a good, restored vintage tool? Nope. Not at all. I’m just shallow and love the look of them. However, I don’t want anyone to think that a…

If you’re like me, you spent your formative years outdoors climbing trees, riding bikes, scraping knees, and enjoying the off erings of the natural world. This newfound form of self-government often resulted in day-long excursions where various items were collected and brought home (some living, much to our parents’ chagrin). These acquisitions were seen as tokens of liberation; a way to define our personalities, escape boredom, and satiate the endless curiosity about the world around us. As an adult—believe it or not—I still possess many of the items I collected in my youth. I needed a way to exhibit these relics, a place for the imagination of my past to converge in a tastefully arranged display. My remedy? A miniature version of a curiosity cabinet. Follow along to construct your…

The topic of DIY upholstery interests many woodworkers, however, few have access to detailed tutorials. Tacking a “no-sew” project like this Eastwood Ottoman can be a good confidence builder and a great place to start learning the craft of upholstery. If you get the upholstery details right, it will elevate the look and comfort of the piece. If nothing else, you can familiarize yourself with the basic terminology and techniques so you can accurately describe what you want from a professional upholsterer. But if you have any interest in doing the ottoman upholstery yourself, I bet you’ll succeed on your very first try. There are two common types of upholstery for Arts and Crafts style ottomans. One is a drop-in cushion that uses a wooden web frame with jute webbing…