Making a walnut and maple table SD 480p

This video shows the making of a walnut and maple hall table using mortise and tenon joints, sliding dovetails an inlaid stones. The first of my tables with rocks and a meandering cut in the top was shown in Fine Woodworking in April 1996. In December 2006 Fine Woodworking featured my inlying of stones in an article called "A Fresh Take on Table Tops."

Making a wooden hinge SD 480p

This video is about making wooden hinges for box making from 1/4 in. stock.

Tape Measure Magic SD 480p

After about 50 years of woodworking, and thirty of teaching other woodworkers, it's occurred to me that there are some subtle things that can make things easier and more accurate with a bit of deeper understanding.

Making a Viking Style Chest SD 480p

I just finished a 5 day class at ESSA with 10 students making Viking style chests. In the class, I guided the making of the chests and master blacksmith Dale Custer guided making the hardware. The nails were made by Tremont Nail Company. More information can be found at ESSA-art.org

The class was designed to allow woodworking students to gain knowledge and experience in blacksmithing. I offer many thanks to Dale for partnering with me on this class.

The class will likely be offered again in late October or early November 2025.

Viking style chests

I'm having a great time at ESSA guiding the making of Viking chests. Five students have finished the wooden part of the project while the other five have been making hardware in the blacksmithing shop with master blacksmith Dale Custer. Today the five from the metals shop will join me in the wood studio to do the woodworking portion of the project. On Friday we'll put all together as a group of 10.

In the meantime, I received a complimentary copy of the latest Fine Woodworking magazine that includes my tip on using a hand screw as a vise for beginners or for woodworking with kids.

Making an inlaid walnut box

I've been going through some old photos and beginning to compile some articles for YouTube. This one is about making an inlaid walnut box and was featured in Woodcraft Magazine in May 2005.

 

Coming in two days

My new book, Designing Boxes comes out in two days and can be purchased through this link at Amazon.com  

Hurricane Helene and the crafts.

The effects of Hurricane Helene on the arts and crafts communities in western North Carolina have been severe. This notice from Mia Hall, director of Penland tells describes what their campus and local community have faced. https://penland.org/blog/hurricane-helene-update-from-mia-hall-penlands-director/#sthash.iNsff1BJ.fUz51Lce.dpbs In this link you'll find an additional link to CERF+, and organization that provides emergency relief to artisans. 

This photo from Spruce Pine, a community near Penland, shows the severity of what they've faced.

Over the past 30 years, one particular political party has made a particular point of denying human responsibility for climate change while also fighting against disaster relief funding. Some in that particular party still claim climate change to be a hoax.

The magnitude and disastrous effects of modern hurricanes had been anticipated by science and political obstruction has allowed things to get much worse. In the meantime we seem to be having an early fall in the Ozarks. The leaves are turning brown, perhaps as much from drought as from seasonal effects.

There is an open house today at the Clear Spring School, celebrating its fiftieth year. It is a great time to learn more about hands on learning.

Make, fix and create...

Robyn's Bench

I'm taking some of my old out of print magazine articles and converting them to youtube videos for the enjoyment and inspiration of a new generation of woodworkers, and in the hopes that some of my own works are not forgotten.
 

Making legs for a wooden box SD 480p