jeff joseph -- woodworker
handcrafted furniture from sustainably managed woodlands
Tag: woodworking
THE FINE ART OF PLANEMAKING
Over the years I have collected a large array of handplanes, in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of work. In addition to their obvious visual differences, they all have differing ‘personalities’ in terms of how they feel in my… Continue Reading “THE FINE ART OF PLANEMAKING”
the adze
I have long been in the habit of buying tools before I really ‘need’ them. Sometimes it has been because I found a really good deal on a unique or high quality tool; more often though it has been because I have felt the… Continue Reading “the adze”
the right tool
Often times, the only way to know where the middle lies is to get some experience at either end first. Generally, exploring the extreme poles is a youthful endeavor, as with age (so we hope) comes the humility to realize that the black… Continue Reading “the right tool”
mistakes
It’s a little hard to see what’s going on in this picture. Well, what you’re seeing is a mistake. A repaired mistake. My repaired mistake. Sigh. The piece is a 2″ thick cherry top brace for a trestle table I have been building for… Continue Reading “mistakes”
pine box
When asked to sum up the nature of existence in a few words, a Buddhist master once replied “Everything changes.” Of the few things that we can be absolutely certain of in this life, one is that—at least based upon all empirical evidence I’ve… Continue Reading “pine box”
plugs
As much as I like building pieces of furniture that rely solely on tight-fitting joints (and small amounts of wood glue) for their strength and durability, there are situations where using some form of mechanical fastener just makes sense. This small bookcase that I… Continue Reading “plugs”
beginner’s mind
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.” –Shunryu Suzuki The best lessons in life are often the most humbling ones. Here’s one of the best I ever got. I first ran into Buddhism in… Continue Reading “beginner’s mind”
tree to tabletop
For a woodworker, one of the great advantages of milling your own lumber is that it allows for the design and construction of pieces of furniture with boards all sawn from the same log (or at least same tree), ensuring matching colors, grain patterns,… Continue Reading “tree to tabletop”
Tsuga canadensis part 1: the wood
Hemlock isn’t a glamorous wood. It is coarse, brittle, and full of splinters. It has no value as a furniture wood, it checks and warps significantly as it dries, often randomly splits apart where its growth rings meet, and its rock hard knots can… Continue Reading “Tsuga canadensis part 1: the wood”
pole barn
I haven’t posted in a while, largely because I have been working away at building a pole barn in my backyard, which was desperately needed as an outdoor work and storage space. It’s done now, so I figured I would break back into the… Continue Reading “pole barn”
jeff joseph -- woodworker 