Friends:
I'm still a bit sick and was only able to work a few half-days this week. Apparently, some people are taking a month to recover fully.
Nevertheless, I did finally get into the shop again....after two full weeks of not setting foot in there. I admit, I was worried. Did the roof leak? Did anyone break in? Are my tools okay?
Seemed like the best thing to do was grab a camera and take you all with me as I walked in for the first time. What did I find? ...
2022-07-23 11:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
I’m finally coming to the end of COVID. After two weeks, I feel mostly healthy, although my energy is still low. If you have already been through this illness, my heart goes out to you.
Luckily, we began a video before I got sick and I’ve been feeling well enough to finish it up. This week, I’m happy to present a deep dive into a mysterious wooden plane. This is rare and historical tool that can teach us a lot about the origins of American plane making. Even better,...
2022-07-16 11:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
I spent the last 2 years being pretty cautious about COVID 19. Turns out that was the right move for me. This virus packs a punch.
I regret that I'm still pretty sick and spending my days on the couch. I know everyone just wants me to get better and I promise that I won't push it. I'll be back to work when I feel better and not a moment before.
If any of you are feeling sick, I hope you'll take as much time as you can to rest and get better. Rushin...
2022-07-09 11:01:03 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
Today's video was supposed to be a simple review of an impossibly cheap tool, but one thing leads to another and I ended up doing a whole exploration of drawknife techniques and workholding.
If you let the spirit take you, you might be surprised where you end up.
In other news, my whole family has COVID. (We're all fine; it's like a bad cold.) So please forgive me if I'm a little slow with my communications for the new few days.
The caf...
2022-07-02 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
I had planned a productive week in the shop. I was going to finish setup and maybe start a new project. But men plan and God laughs.
Join me as I set out to paint a single wall and things spiral completely out of control.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
2022-06-25 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
The work goes on, but trouble finds us even when our heads are down. My indispensable editor Nate H. is down with COVID for the second time! I'm sure he'll recover quickly, but he's not feeling good at all.
As for me, I've realized that the new shop needs a coat of paint. That yellow hue behind the work bench was doing me no favors and the color-correction was a pain for Nate. Of course, this is a major disruption in a shop that was largely set up. I've ...
2022-06-18 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
In our final installment of the New Shop Series, we're getting into the deep water; the money. In this video, I break down every cost and expense associated with this big move. I also cover the hidden costs of having an independent shop and give detailed tips for finding affordable real estate for YOUR shop. This is a big, expensive change, but it might be more attainable than you think.
This video is a rough-cut, so some of the color is a bit off. We'll have that t...
2022-06-11 11:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
Moving isn't much fun, but it makes for a good story! This week, we're moving into the new shop and that's....an adventure. Fixing up the space, packing, and getting moved in took a LOT of work and I captured it all on tape.
You don't need to move shops; you can just watch me do it!
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
2022-06-04 11:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
It's been a year of big announcements and today is no different. After 5 years in my basement, I have leased a commercial building and I'm moving!
This is a HUGE change for me. I've only ever had this business from home and having my own building is new territory in every way. I admit, I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing, but the new shop will bring more space, better filming conditions, and opportunities for new projects that you just can't do in a basem...
2022-05-21 11:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
This week, I have a mind-bending puzzle in the form of a Craftsman end table. Gustav Stickley's signature furniture designs were all the rage when my neighborhood was built and this little table is squarely in that style...but that's all we can say for sure. Everything else about this table is a mystery. The construction, the materials, the joinery; none of it makes sense.
Join me as I unravel the enigma of this classic form.
Happy Saturday!
...
2022-05-14 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
Here are your free plans for the Cricket Stool build. These are free to everyone, but my Patrons get them early!
If you'd like to get more free plans, don't forget to check out the Plans Archive, where everything is stored.
If you're brand new to the community, you'll need to wait 24 h...
2022-05-11 13:30:16 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
It's been an eventful few weeks around here, but I found time to make this great little stool. This is a perfect project for the advanced beginner. It uses a small amount of wood, a single angle, and just one joint. You can do the whole thing on a low bench with about 10 tools. It's a skill-builder for newer woodworkers and a quick project for the more experienced among us.
Just like usual, we have detailed plans. They'll be posted on Wednesday morning. I'm al...
2022-05-07 11:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
I'm sorry to report that Marc has COVID and is in no shape for an interview. Tomorrow's workbench session will (hopefully) be moved to another day in the near future.
I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for understanding!
--Rex
2022-04-27 17:01:23 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
My latest video goes live this afternoon, and sometimes the products I recommend sell out. So I wanted to give you all a head-start before everyone starts ordering. Here are the tools from the latest video:
Chinese Jack Plane: https://amzn.to/3vtWCUh
This one is my favorite. It's made of a very hard wood and the handle is high and easy to grip. The one in this video is...
2022-04-27 12:15:08 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
Funny story. Three days ago, I started a project; a nice little stool in an English style. I thought it would be fun to go full-on Woodwork for Humans and use the low bench and a bunch of very simple techniques. So I got going with that....and quickly realized that the simple techniques were taking over the video.
So I decided to focus on the simple, low-tech approach and show all the cool new tricks I've learned. I made a whole video about that and I'll finis...
2022-04-23 11:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
We're so excited to welcome the Wood Whisperer himself, Mr. Marc Spagnuolo as our next guest on the Workbench Sessions! Marc truly needs no introduction, but I've made a short video and a discussion thread where we can all share our favorite Wood Whisperer Content.
It all happens Thursday, April 28th @ 4PM EST.
Can't wait to see you...
2022-04-22 13:25:31 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
I know a lot of people have a lathe....and a lot of those people still haven't turned anything. Let's fix that.
This week's video is an absolute beginner, quick-start guide to your first turning project. We've started from ground zero and made a video that anyone can use to get going now.
Oh, and the carbide tools in this video are garbage. I hate them and I'm not giving out the link. I'll buy some better ones for a future video.&n...
2022-04-16 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
We've had a lot of interest in the Handtool Hero. Lots of people want to know how we developed it. It's actually a pretty interesting story and I thought it would make a good video just for Patrons.
Also, international shipping is up!
Get your Handtool Hero here.
Get your Compass Rose Chipbreaker Screw 2022-04-14 20:31:13 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
It's a big day! Today, we're announcing our first physical product, the Handtool Hero. It's the first multi-function every day carry for handtool woodworkers.
More than that, we're also announcing our new company, Compass Rose Toolworks.
These projects have been YEARS i...
2022-04-09 11:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
We're getting ready to drop a BIG announcement and we're hoping to have it ready later this week. In the mean time, we've got an exclusive video just for Patrons. I've recently gotten a number of unusual tools in the shop and I just had to show them off.
Sit back and enjoy the tour! We hope to get back to you in just a few days.
--Rex
2022-04-02 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
Yesterday's visit with Garrett Hack was even better than expected! Not only did he reveal the mysteries of the scratch stock, he also took us on a tour of his Vermont shop and gave us an EXCLUSIVE look at a new commission he's building.
It was a fantastic experience. Thanks to everyone who joined us in the livestream.
Hope everyone enjoys the video. It's worth watching, even if you were there live.
This is my "week off", so no vid...
2022-03-25 12:01:30 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
Here's the link to Thursday's livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0bBHi2GvmQ
We're SUPER excited to welcome all of our $5 members who will now be live during the broadcast. I'll be able to see the chat while I'm talking to Garrett, so you can ask questions and I'll pass them along.
See you all at 4:00 PM EST.
--Rex
2022-03-22 19:56:48 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
In my last video, I mentioned our new plan bundle. My Patrons get this bundle FREE. It's attached to this post.
Of course, these are all plans that we previously released. We're just bundling them. You can also find this bundle (and all the individual plans) on the plans archive.
And if anything in this post is confusing, don't forget to watch our video a...
2022-03-22 11:57:00 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
Many of us over-plan our projects, even refusing to start work until we have a detailed plan. I do this myself and I'm reluctant to touch my tools until I have every component measured out.
But one of the advantages of hand tool woodwork is that we can make piece as we need them, fitting each one to the project until it's done. There's no need to batch components out because it doesn't save so much time.
Instead of planning every detail, it's good ...
2022-03-19 11:01:00 +0000 UTC
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A man who needs to introduction.
2022-03-18 17:07:55 +0000 UTC
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The editors of my favorite woodworking magazine!
2022-03-18 17:07:39 +0000 UTC
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The great Ron Hock!
2022-03-18 17:07:27 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
I'm updating the WBS archives today. There will be three other announcements as I put up other other early episodes. Apologies for the clutter; I have to make a post for each.
--Rex
2022-03-18 17:07:06 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
First, we're delighted to welcome Garret Hack as our next presenter for the Workbench Sessions. Garrett will be giving a demonstration on scratch stocks, a low cost and very versatile way to add moldings to your work. That talk will be Thursday, March 24th at 4:00 PM EST.
As usual, I've made a forum thread about Garrett where you...
2022-03-17 17:05:04 +0000 UTC
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Friends:
The New Woodwork Economy is here and we better adapt. I promised you solutions that are small, local, and high-tech.
This week we get high-tech as I review a set of 4 diamond stoned that costs $20 for ALL FOUR. For that price can they possible measure up?
Hint: they're better than sandpaper. That nonsense is over.
If you're waiting for more videos in the lather series, don't worry. We'll get back to that soon.
...
2022-03-12 12:01:01 +0000 UTC
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