While we are on the subject of fine marquetry, it is always good to find a craftsman that inspires you. I have watched this video several times and every time I do, it amazes me. He is using a traditional tool called a frame saw. I would like to build one someday, in hopes that […]
Last weekend I taught two inlay classes. At the end of each class I did a little class extra for the students. Actually, it really was for me! I really enjoy the precision, detail and challenge of fine marquetry. I have often questioned myself and find it interesting that I go from splitting wood and […]
Join us in the comfort of our air-conditioned workshop for a hand tool woodworking-packed week. Our Foundational Course this coming August 4-9 has a few openings left so sign up soon! It is sometimes hard to express in writing the amount of knowledge that you will gain by actual hands-on work. Jonathan Schwennesen will be teaching and will […]
Today was a steamy day, both for me and my wood! I spent a good part of the day bending chair legs for 10 ladderback chairs that I am building. I was only able to fit 2 back legs in my steamer which I built from schedule 80 PVC. A turkey fryer provides the fire […]
Introduction In the Basics of Joinery online course, you will learn the three basic joints–dado, dovetail and mortise and tenon–that are the foundation for all wood joinery. Learn these three well and you can build almost anything out of wood. The techniques Frank teaches in this course are the base for all the endless variations of woodworking […]
I went up to Arkansas to find the white oak logs for these ladder back chairs I am making. The fellow that I bought the timber from let me go up and see where he was cutting the wood. I noticed that some of the logs were coming from the side of a fairly steep […]
Few things make the difference between success and failure as a fine, hand tool woodworker more than the sharpness of your tools. And nothing makes woodworking more frustrating than a dull edge. In this course, Frank Strazza will show you his secrets for honing a razor edge on your woodworking tools. What You’ll Learn in the […]
Since my return from Maine I have been hard at work shaping back legs for 10 ladder back chairs. Deadlines are real! I have started with a white oak log and split out all the parts, riving the wood down. You can see more pictures here, and just scroll down to the post on July […]
You never know what you will find down in the shavings! Sometimes I find missing tools, maybe a missing chair part, but today, I found my 4 year old son, oh what a ball of fun! I have been working hard on shaping the back legs for 10 ladder back chairs. There are several […]
This interview was originally published in the SustainLife Journal. See the original article here. Q. Do you have any interesting stories from any of your classes that you could tell? A. There are always interesting stories, but I think about one student in particular. He was in his 70’s. He had signed up for a foundational class, several […]