Rex Krueger

Book Shipping and Illness

Friends: 

As I mentioned in my last post, I have a pretty bad chest-infection. It's not pneumonia (which is nice, since I've already had that three times).  Still, I'm pretty under the weather. 

But we've been busily packing and shipping your signed copies of Everyday Woodworking. In the picture, you can see about 120 of them all bagged up to go to the post office. Big thanks to Nate and his girlfriend who came by to transport the books. I'm really in no sh...

Free Plans: The Mission Bench

Friends: 

Here's the next in our series of new and improved plans. I'm still working closely with my new 3D modeler/designer to make these the clearest, most professional plans in the business. Some of you gave some good feedback on the last plans, so we've changed a few things for this set. 

I'm really pleased and I hope you enjoy them. 

In other news, I have a chest infection (which might be pneumonia; we'll know after the chest x-ray comes back), sooooooo p...

Early Access Video: Nailed Mission Bench

Friends: 

This video has been in the works for a while. I found this lovely Mission bench in a photo months ago and set out to recreate it. As you'll see in the video, it was a long journey. 

The finished product is delightful. It's sturdy, simple, and elegant. It already has a proud place in my home. 

The best part is the simple, nailed construction. This piece has minimal joinery and no glue. Just a few notches and 16 nails. This project is ideal for a begin...

Special Announcement: Autographed Patron Books!

Friends:

Just ahead of the publication of my new book, I’m very pleased to offer my Patrons autographed copies, as well as a special Limited Patron Edition. You can get an autographed copy at this private store, visible only to Patrons until June 15th:

https://rexkrueger.com/everyday-woodworkingautographed-editions

Please do watch the video before you or...

Free Plans: The Lightweight Traveler Bench

Friends:

I'm very pleased to post the plans for my new bench. These are the first plans from my new designer and I think you'll see some big changes in the presentation. 

I teased a Mission-style seating bench last week.  That video is being edited right now and will be up next week. 

Until then, have fun with this cheap and easy bench that's perfect for beginners, small spaces, and outdoor work.

--Rex

Early Access Video: The Lightweight Traveler Bench

Friends: 

It's a big day!  I'm releasing my newest workbench design. It's a slimmed-down version of the Low Roman Bench and you can build it from just 2 pieces of 2x6 lumber and the most basic tools. You can build this bench in your back yard. 

I did. 

When you're done, you'll have a bench that's almost as stout and useful as the original Roman bench, but for WAY less money. The Lightweight Traveler is also easy to move and store, so it's perfect for begi...

Sneak Peek: New Styles for Graphics and Plans

Friends: 

As I wrote a few weeks ago, I'm taking the last week of each month off so I can do things like payroll and taxes; the things the keep any business going. 

So this week, I'm not doing a regular video, but I do have a sneak peek at the new graphics style you'll be seeing in plans and videos. I recently hired a CAD designer (who is also finishing a Master's in Architecture). We'll be doing all future 3D modeling in Fusion 360 and updating the graphic design to be ...

Early Access Video: Knockdown Workbench Joinery

Friends: 

I know many of you are contemplating that all-important first bench build and many folks don't even have a proper shop. For those intrepid souls, a knock-down bench is the most attractive solution. 

At the heart of all good knock-down designs is some kind of keyed joint that holds strong but also comes apart. These joints aren't easy to cut or even that easy to understand, so I've prepared an introduction to the most common knock-down joints. I cover the theory...

Exclusive Video: True Beginner Out-takes

Friends: 

Nate and I have a lot of fun when we film these videos and a lot of good stuff never makes it to the final edit. So, as a tiny mid-week treat, we humbly present this short video of us messing up and looking dumb. 

It's hump day!

--Rex

Early Access Video: Learning to Crosscut

Friends: 

True Beginner Returns!!!!!

The lockdown is over and Nate and I are back in the shop for our much-requested series. If you're new to these videos, I teach Nate to do basic shop stuff with hand tools. He has a lot of enthusiasm, but not a lot of experience, so he's the perfect student. 

Watch as Nate learns all about the core skill of crosscutting wood to length. Everyone needs to know it, but it's not as easy as it looks. 

Happy...

Early Access Video: What Can You do with a Chisel?

Friends:

This week’s video is all about chisels! When do you use them? How do you use them? Bevel up? Bevel down? This video is mostly aimed at beginners, but even experienced woodworkers might find a couple of useful tips. I did my best to take a dry topic and make it entertaining.

You might have noticed that I haven’t built any pieces of furniture recently. I’m in the middle of hiring a new CAD designer to improve and update my plans. I no longer have time to draw the plan...

Early Access Video: Three Planes Tested for a Year

Friends:

This video is a full year in the making! 12 months ago, I bought three semi-premium hand planes and started using them in my day-to-day work. I know that many of my viewers are ready to step up to higher quality tools, but they’re still reluctant to spend big money. So, I purchased three planes that looked like a solid value and tested them for a full year so I could be sure of their strengths and weaknesses.

And the results are in! Each of these tools has some advantag...

Begin with a Goal

(This article is part of my monthly newsletter Fabrication First. There's no reason for Patrons to subscribe to Fab First. You already get all the same content, but you get it early.)

How many videos or articles have you seen on woodworking techniques like crosscutting or planing? Dozens? Hundreds? Another question: how much time have you spent researching furniture styles or influential designers and builders? For many of us the answer is, very littl...

Early Access Video: Rex Reacts to Patron Projects!

Friends:

Today’s video is extra-special. We’ve gathered a bunch of fantastic projects from our Discourse Discussion Board and I’m looking at them for the first time ever, live on camera!

This video was only possible because of our amazing community, as well as our extraordinary moderators, Ethan Chitty, A1BASE, and Nic Beurskens, who picked the projects and put them together into a beautifully organi...

The Inevitable Sick Day

Friends:

I caught a bit of a cold this week. I had big plans for interesting things, but I ended up welded to the couch instead. It happens to all of us.

I know no one minds when I take a week off, especially for my health. Many of you have urged me to take it a bit easier and take better care of myself. So that’s what I’m doing. In the early days of my channel, I worked even when I was sick (thank you, caffeine). I can’t do that anymore. I simply don’t have the energy tha...

Early Access Video: Stop Buying Clamps!

Friends: 

They say a woodworker can't own enough clamps, but is that really true? Could we maybe do great work without constantly hoarding expensive and bulky clamps? (Spoiler: the answer is yes.)

Let's look at some ways to approach the craft that take fewer clamps or possibly none at all. 

Enjoy your weekend!

--Rex

Free Plans: Fish-Head Marking Gauge

Friends: 

Everyone seems to be enjoying the recent video on the Fish-Head Marking Gauge and I'm pleased to present you with the plans. It's a simple project, but just complicated enough that the measurements will be helpful. I had an example to build from, but these plans with their printable shaping template should be just as good. 

Hope you find them useful!

--Rex

Early Access Video: The Nearly Forgotten Fish-Head Marking Gauge

Friends:

In my never-ending quest to unearth every obscure woodworking tool ever, I proudly present this week’s video on building and using the Fish-Head Marking Gauge. This useful little tool appears to be nearly forgotten and is rarely mentioned in the woodworking literature. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic little device and will get you out of some tight spots. This is a tool that you can build from random junk and you’ll use for years.

As usual, the plans are being...