F+W Publications, Media, A Content & E-commerce Company, Community filed for bankruptcy protection on March 10, 2019. I would rather not be writing this post, but one of my pet peeves as an author is that when I research enterprises from … Continue reading →
I’m working on a new book project, but because I’ve been at this one for several years now it doesn’t feel so new. In any case I’m approaching the finish line (excerpt for figuring out how to publish it). I … Continue reading →
A few times a year I teach woodworking classes. It’s good to spend time out in the real world with new people and with those who have been in earlier classes with me. I’m told I do a good job, … Continue reading →
Software updates and changes to business models by software companies are something we should all be used to, but for a lot of us (including me) news of something different fills us with dread. I depend on software to create … Continue reading →
Gustav Stickley No. 369 Morris Chair Plans Available for instant download in PDF format Complete detailed plans to build a reproduction of this Gustav Stickley Morris Chair 12 letter size pages of detailed drawingsStandard views, Details and Exploded ViewsDetails for … Continue reading →
I’ve had several emails lately asking about upcoming SketchUp classes. I will be teaching a weekend advanced class at Marc Adams School of Woodworking August 10 & 11, 2019. Click here to visit MASW website for details. For the past … Continue reading →
This spring I will be returning to the Marc Adams School of Woodworking for a week-long class on building a reproduction of the Gustav Stickley No. 369 bent arm Morris Chair. Of all the chairs of this type this is … Continue reading →
And should editors of woodworking magazines practice psychology? Way back in 2006 I built a reproduction of the Byrdcliffe Sassafras Linen Press. The original lives in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and there are a few … Continue reading →
A recent discussion on WoodCentral led me to dig through some old photos to find an example of a great jig for cutting tenon cheeks on the table saw. If you’ve ever fiddled forever with a jig that rides in the … Continue reading →
I haven’t posted much in the last few months. Excuse number 1 is we bought a new house and that house needed a new kitchen (note to self: don’t ever say “it’s a nice place, except the kitchen needs to … Continue reading →
On October 13-14, 2018 I will be conducting a two-day SketchUp class, in Pittsburgh, PA thanks to the Western Pennsylvania Woodworkers club. I will also be giving a presentation of my work to the club (guests are welcome) on Friday … Continue reading →
Way back when I was in design school (board drafting with T-square and pencil) one of my teachers mentioned that people who work with sheet metal duct work know more about practical geometry than anyone in the world. I was … Continue reading →
Note: This is another older post (from about 5 years ago) that sank to the bottom of this site’s feed. I’ve brought it back to the top because it’s a good (and easy and fool-resistant) way to make these joints. … Continue reading →
Note: This post originally appeared a few years ago. One of the problems with online content is that good stuff drifts to the bottom. This is a good tip, so I’ve pushed it back to the top of the feed. … Continue reading →
Note: This post originally appeared about 5 years ago. I think it’s pretty good so I moved it back up in the feed. Tearing an ugly hunk out of a nice piece of solid wood can be a heartbreaker. You … Continue reading →
When I first started using (and teaching and writing about) 3D modeling with SketchUp, the differences between the free and paid versions of the software were simple to understand (this 2015 post goes into detail about the differences between “SketchUp … Continue reading →
It’s been a busy spring. I just completed a two-day SketchUp class. Earlier in April I taught a week-long woodworking class at MASW, and attended half of my local Society of American Period Furniture Makers chapter meeting. As often happens, … Continue reading →
If learning how to make 3D models in SketchUp is on your “to-do” list, and you want to shorten the learning curve, there are still a few slots available in my upcoming class, April 26-27 in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. … Continue reading →
There is a lot to like about classes at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking. The first time you visit you’re impressed by the size and scope of the facility. As a class goes on you realize how good the … Continue reading →
I will be hosting a two-day SketchUp class on Thursday and Friday, April 26-26, 2018, 9am to 5pm in the Cincinnati area. This is your opportunity to learn 3D modeling from an expert SketchUp trainer in a small class, held … Continue reading →
Several people have contacted me lately, wondering when I will host a SketchUp class here in the Cincinnati area. I’m thinking this March or April will work, if I can round up enough students. If you’re thinking that now is … Continue reading →
I don’t mind answering questions from readers, because good questions often become useful blog posts. In this instance, the question wasn’t quite clear so I’m showing two solutions. One way to solve problems in SketchUp is to consider how it … Continue reading →
Sometimes the best things appear in the most unexpected places. You wouldn’t expect to find a woodworking school smack dab in the middle of central Indiana, but that’s the location of the Marc Adams School of Woodworking. MASW has been … Continue reading →
I am pleased to announce that I have agreed to edit the 2018 edition of “American Period Furniture” the annual journal of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers. This will be a refreshing change for me as the focus … Continue reading →
I don’t teach woodworking classes very often, although I usually say yes when someone asks me to. The picture at left is from a series of blog posts written by one of the guys in my most recent class at … Continue reading →
There are still seats available in my upcoming SketchUp class at the Philadelphia Furniture Workshop, November 11 & 12, 2017. This is the last live class I have scheduled for this year, and a rare appearance for me in the … Continue reading →
The most important skill in woodworking isn’t what you might think it is. It isn’t the ability to master a specific tool or technique. The things that look impossible become approachable, and picking up new tools and methods isn’t a … Continue reading →
Last week I was at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking teaching a dozen woodworkers how to make a chair. Usually when I teach I write about the class ahead of time, but this was different from the norm. I … Continue reading →
One of the ways to improve your woodworking skills has more to do with your mindset than your skill set. If you aren’t willing to do things you’ve never done before you won’t improve. That’s a simple concept, but it … Continue reading →
I’ve been making stuff from wood for more than 40 years and I do better work now than I used to. (If you’re curious about my woodworking, you can find photos going way back at this link.) I’m not one … Continue reading →
I was one of those kids who continually asked “why?” and I’ve never outgrown that. My mother taught me how to look things up and my dad, a card-carrying chemical engineer, taught me to weigh the results of anything I … Continue reading →
Before Gustav Stickley became “The Craftsman” he manufactured furniture in upstate New York. After twenty-some years in the business, he took a trip to Europe, where the Arts & Crafts movement was popular in England and L’art Nouveau was a … Continue reading →
The dado joint, a channel cut in one piece of wood that holds another piece of wood, is one of the bread and butter joints in woodworking. It isn’t as charming as a dovetail joint, or as manly as a … Continue reading →
Early in my career I was told by the man who hired me “we’ll teach you to think like a cabinetmaker”. Apparently that worked, and since I’ve transitioned from full time woodworking to writing about woodworking, I feel compelled to … Continue reading →
I’m delighted to announce a SketchUp Class to be held the weekend of November 11-12, 2017 at the Philadelphia Furniture Workshop in Philadelphia, PA. You can get detailed information and register for this class at the PFW website. While this … Continue reading →
I will be teaching a class in building this cabinet on August 26 & 27, 2017 at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking. Click Here for details. Along with an appreciation for good design, I’m also fond of the stories … Continue reading →
Last night I spent a pleasant hour chatting with Lance Granum and Dave Damsen of the “This Old Workshop” Podcast. We talked about how SketchUp makes woodworking better (and why I’m convinced every woodworker should learn it), the 21st Century … Continue reading →
It is like hoisting a danger signal to speak out loud to Mr. Stickley of ornament, yet all people do not know this. “It is very grand,” said one visitor, “but have you no ornament, carving or draperies in … Continue reading →
When “Woodworker’s Guide to SketchUp” was first published in 2010, it was the first book of any kind about using SketchUp specifically for woodworking. It was also my first publication in PDF format with embedded videos. It was sometimes a … Continue reading →
About two months ago I floated the idea of offering online SketchUp classes and about one month ago I held some live practice sessions. It’s a simple idea; I can connect with students online, they can see my screen, I … Continue reading →
