Rex Krueger

Is this the Crest of the Hill?

A successful musician to I know went through a long, dry period. His band would tour America, year after year, and routinely play to crowds of 20 people. Sometimes less. His records didn’t sell. Looking back, he calls this time “the Locust Years.” 

We all go through these dry times. My entire career in woodworking has been a financial heart attack; an utter, sk...

YOU made these possible!

Friends: 

Last month, after literally years of filming with the most basic lights imaginable, I was able to buy these LED light panels. 

Wow. What a difference. These things are light and easy to adjust and they just pump out more light. Filming is easier. Editing is easier. Less color correction. 

They didn't cost SO much, but it still would have been too much...if I didn't have such great Patrons.

Thanks so much!

--Rex

Early Access Video: The Convertible Plane

Friends: 

Woodwork for Humans is a hit!  All the recent videos in this series have gotten more than 10k views in their first week. My video on the $30 bench got 12 thousand views in less than 24 hours. I'm stoked!

Also, if you didn't see it, I did a premier for the $30 Workbench. I didn't know what to expect, but over 250 people showed up and they were from EVERYWHERE. Finland, Holland, Portugal, Brazil and Serbia were all represented. I mean, Serbia!?!  This channe...

Early Access Video: The $30 workbench!

Okay, I'm excited about this one. 

For a few weeks, I've been promising a real workbench that could be built for a mere $30. Well, it's here and it works. 

Brilliantly. 

You really can make this bench for about $30 worth of construction lumber and some glue. I use the tools we've been using for the Woodwork for Humans series, plus a disposable saw and a protractor. 

This isn't an afternoon project, but even a beginner could build this bench in a wee...

Early Access Video: Fine Woodworking with a Disposable Saw

Friends: 

You might have noticed that I didn't get a video out. I'll spare you the details. Life got crazy, blah, blah, blah. 

The point is that I'm back in the saddle with not one but TWO videos this week. The $30 bench build is DONE and just needs some editing. That will be up by Monday. 

But I also needed to add one more tool to the the minimal kit. We need a decent handsaw for rough work. So, I went to the Big Box store and just grabbed whatever they had. ...

Early Access Video: What makes a plane good or bad?

Friends: 

Hot of the heels of last week's video where I tuned up a cheap hardware store plane, I bring you this comparison of a bad plane and a good one. A lot of beginning woodworkers probably have no idea what makes one plane good while another is only mediocre. So, taking the Stanley 12-404 and a Stanley Sweetheart number 4, I set out to explain the construction and manufacturing that make a plane perform well and consistently. 

I know I promised you all a very cheap ...

Early Access Video: Super-Tune a Stanley 12-404

Friends: 

Sometimes you've got to get back to your roots. My roots are cheap tools and it doesn't get any cheaper than the Stanley 12-404. This bargain-basement plane has no frog, no cap-iron and the most ridiculous adjustment mechanism that I have ever seen. 

But it only costs $20, so tally-ho, y'all!

I got one of these and set out to tune it up as good as it could possibly be. I flattened it, ground it, honed it, and modified it. How'd it turn out? 

Ki...

Process Notes: Building an Enormous Lathe

We've had a good run, but my lathe and I are coming to the end. 

If you've watched any of my turning videos, you've seen my Harbor Freight 32706. Brand new, this lathe costs less than $300 and that's a stunning value. The 32706 has a 3/4 horse motor, 12 inches of swing, and a cast iron bed. It's pretty insane that they can offer this machine at such a rock-bottom price.

But all good ...

Early Access Video: 3 tool mallet.

Friends: 

I had such a good time making the 3 tool bench that I decided to follow it up with another 3 tool build. This time, I'm making a mallet with the same hatchet, saw, and drill. When my mallet is done, I have something to hit my hatchet with, which makes it a lot more useful. 

This looks like the start of a new series for me. I'm going to call it "Woodwork for Humans" and it's going to be about the most bare-bones woodworking possible. Soon, we'll add a basic plan...

Early Access Video: What is a Spindle Gouge?

Friends: 

This week, I'm bringing out the next installment in my series on basic woodturning tools. A lot of turners struggle with understanding gouges. What is a gouge? What kind do I need? There's the spindle gouge, the bowl gouge, and the roughing gouge? Do I need all three? Can I use a roughing gouge on a bowl? 

These are good questions and knowing the answers won't just make you a better turner, it will also keep you safe. Using the wrong gouge can cause a hazard in...

Early Acess Video: 4 Reasons to Own a Bit-Brace

Friends: 

Do you own a bit-brace?  

No?

I don't blame you. They seem a bit, well...ridiculous. I know that many of us love our hand-tools, but we're not stupid. I buy my lumber planed; I own a nice table saw. I'm not out to make more work for myself. When I need to drill a hole, I reach for my powerful, lightweight cordless drill. It powers through any material with minimum fuss. 

So why own a silly old bit brace? 

I'll give you four reasons:&...

Process Notes: The Joiner's Bench Knife

So, I've been using some less common tools recently. I just did the bench with a hatchet as the main tool and I loved it. Splitting wood is really efficient, and chopping is a great way to remove wood fast. 

I've also been using framing chisels. Big ones; like over an inch wide and 10 or 11 inches long. Not for anything in particular; just to have on the bench for the odd paring job where the long blade and big bearing surface would allow good registration on the wood. 

...

Early Access Video: What is a Parting Tool

Friends: 

My latest video is a thorough discussion of the Parting Tool and it is part of a longer series where I'll explore the most common lathe tools in detail. 

Now I know what you're thinking: "Wait a minute, Rex. Isn't this just more shameless book promotion? Haven't we, your loyal Patrons, suffered through enough of this already?"

And the answer is: yes on both counts. This is ABSOLUTELY shameless promotion of the book, but that's because the book represents ...

Early Access Video: Make a Rustic Bench with Three Tools

Friends: 

I feel like I'm always telling you that I've had a crazy week, but it's really true this time. We got the heat back on, but then we got heavy snow followed by a heat-wave and such unusual rain that the storm-drains backed up and my shop flooded.

So, I went to Harbor Freight, bought a pump and spent most of Wednesday pumping several hundred gallons of water out of the shop.&...

Early Access Video: Fine Furniture Joinery on the Lathe

Friends: 

I recently had to make a workout bench for my wife and she wanted it FAST. So, rather than use traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, I turned round tenons on the lathe. Then I made mortises by just drilling holes and I wedged my tenons for an ultra-tight fit. The whole thing came out fast, easy, and rock-solid. I'm quite proud of the finished product.

And yes, this is another video where I promote my new book, but I promise that next week's video won't even mention...

Tip Sheet: Turning Green Wood

Friends:

Here's the Tip Sheet for my latest video on turning green wood. The idea with these is to combine text and images in a compelling way so that readers can get the information of an article, but at a glance instead of having to read a long post. 

If anyone has thoughts or feedback on these, I'd be delighted to hear it. My Patrons are often my best critics. 

Still no heat, but maybe today. (sigh)

--Rex

Should you turn green (wet) wood?

Friends: 

The fun never stops around here. Yesterday, my furnace went out. Apparently, running a furnace in the middle of a wood shop is a sub-optimal situation. It's just a tiny sensor that blew, but the HVAC dude didn't have it and can't get it until Monday (of course). So, we've got a roaring fire, a couple of space heaters and a lot of family togetherness. Seriously, stuff like this really does bring you together. It hasn't been so bad. 

This week, I'm doing a video ...

Early Access Video: Make a toy sword

Friends: 

I made a toy sword for my nephew over the holidays. I would have loved to get the video out before Christmas, but that just didn't happen. I'm lucky I got the actual thing made in time, let alone the video. I swear the wrapping paper almost stuck to it, the finish was so new. 

Saturday!  Saturday!

--Rex

New Channel Art and Tip Sheets

Friends: 

It's a new year and it's time to make some changes for the better. I've been unhappy with my thumbnails for a long time. I like the blueprint background and the aesthetic of the technical drawing. 

But the background I was using was too bright and often clashed with the photos I wanted to use. Some of my thumbnails were downright ugly.

This one's pretty bad. The ...

Hear me on the Creators Collective Podcast TOMORROW!

Friends: 

Tomorrow, the special guest for the Creators Collective Podcast will be none other than me! I'm very excited to be joining three very talented makers to discuss my new book _One Week to Woodturning_  

Have I mentioned the book? 

Anyway, you can catch the live-stream on youtube tomorrow at 10AM here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0AZEDUA-UWfoSxLil7gBg...

I'm Sticking with Patreon for now

Friends: 

Many of you have been in touch since I posted about the whole Patreon debacle. Rather than write a bunch of little individual replies, I'll just thank you all for your totally overwhelming support and trust. 

I've lost a few Patrons (and no hard feelings) but most of you are committed to sticking around and supporting what I do. This means the world to me.

Because of what I do, I'm pretty safe from Patreon ever deciding to cancel my accou...

What to do about Patreon?

Friends: 

Like me, I'm sure many of you are aware that Patreon recently banned the political commentator Sargon of Akkad for what they termed violations of their terms of service. Many of you have expressed concerns about this situation. 

I share your concerns. 

I'm very appreciative of Patreon, which has allowed me to build a viable content business while staying independent of sponsors. But I also care a great deal about free speech and an open exchange of i...

Early Access Video: Do you need a woodturning chuck?

Friends: 

I'm always thinking about tools. Which ones do you need? Which ones can you do without? Which tools are just scams? 

With this in mind, I decided to do an overview of the woodturning chuck. What's it good for? Do you need it? 

This is part of my overall effort to promote the book, and I'll probably do some similar videos in the near future, but don't worry, I'll also do plenty of other content. 

By the way, if you downloaded a free copy of...

Last Call on Free Books!

Friends: 

This is the last day for free copies of my book _One Week to Woodturning_. Getting free downloads helps me climb the rankings and it's valuable to the book's success. Feel free to pass the word to friends and family.

If you do get the book, a quick review on Amazon is EXTREMELY helpful. Just a handful of reviews helps others buy with confidence. 

Okay, this is the last thing about the book for now. 

See it here: 2018-12-16 12:49:59 +0000 UTC View Post

Grab my new book for FREE all weekend.

Friends: 

So it turns out that you can't make your book free on the day it launches, so I'm going to make it free Saturday AND Sunday. 

I'd also like to invite you to tell ANYONE you like about the promotion. I'm still only telling my Patrons about this deal, but giving away free books during a promotion is actually really good for helping me climb the Amazon ladder. So tell anyone you know and encourage them to help themselves to a FREE book. 

Okay. Time for coffee....

Early Access Video: Practice Smithing. No Forge. No Fire.

Friends: 

I've been coming along with my blacksmithing, but I only get to forge once a week at the club I belong to. I want to get in more practice, but I can't safely forge in a woodshop. 

So, I came up with a practice system that allows me to work on the basics of smithing without having a forge or anvil in my shop. 

If you have any interest in smithing,you can check out my techniques for hammer control and forging techniques that you can practice safely in ANY sho...

My New Book is Out and it's FREE (for Patrons)

Friends:

It's a big week for me. My new book, One Week to Woodturning is now finished and available for pre-order on Amazon.

The book is a complete guide to the equipment of woodturning and how to get started in the craft with a minimum investment in time and money. It's over 150 pages long and has 65 full-color illustrations. It took a TON of work and I'm very proud of the results.

Early Access Video: Real Lathe Pt. 6, Workholding

Friends:

The Real Lathe is done and it works. The details are all in the video. It's been a wild ride building my own full-size machine tool, but it's also been a lot fun and a HUGE learning experience.

Thanks so much for sticking with me and supporting me as I chased this one down. 

Stay warm!

--Rex

Handplane Restoration Handout

Friends: 

Last week, I had the privilege of hosting two fine fellows in my shop for a private class in hand plane restoration. We took a vintage Stanley and a vintage Record and took them from flea market find to working tool. It was a lot of fun. 

In preparation for this class, I wrote up a detailed handout on how to look for, evaluate, and restore vintage planes. I thought some of yo...

Exclusive Video: Ask Me Anything #1

Friends: 

I've had a little illness in my house this week and I haven't been able to get a video out. But my Patrons should always get something good, so I've done the first in a series (hopefully) of AMA videos. I just tackled a few questions here, so if I didn't get to yours, that will happen. 

These videos are time-consuming to make, so if you like it, please let me know. I need people to actually watch and enjoy these if I'm going to keep making them. 

Happy Dece...