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My task is to scour the internet for the best woodworking sites to review them for their secrets, as well as current woodworking articles to post in my biweekly newsletter

 My Woodworking Journal

Join me to perfect your craftsmanship!

I have been a craftsman in this satisfying, hands-on field for over 40 years and have done so both as a pro as well as a hobbyist.  I've done virtually every aspect of working with  wood (even some boat building)  and it is my testimony that the thrill of acheivement is incomparable.  So, whether you are seasoned or just beginning, I encourage you to follow your instinct and just jump right in to your favorite topics.  

Wood Spiral staris - an early woodworking project   To the left, and below, are  detailed photos from a sets of  spiral stairs.  They are made from  virgin, long leaf southern pine,  recycled  from joists and columns  of a  building built c.1840 in  Manhattan.
  The building was a 4  story  furniture store with its warehouse above and in 1986 it was converted for co-op
Wood Stairs - full view - one of six flights of wooden spiral stairs apartments into a 6 story building.  My task was to reuse the timber and fashion it into spiral stairs.  I was given free reins to design and execute this project. Two of the aparments were to be duplexes and two were to be triplexes. 6 flights of stairs in all.
  Designing the risers and treads were mathematical plus some inspiration, but designing the handrail took me 6 weeks to engineer.  The grain of the wood was so beautiful I didn't want to lose its characteristic so I decided not to laminate the curve but to segment the wood and carve it and the result was exciting.


Throughout this site you will find extensive information on woodworking articles, tips and
techniques to help you on your way to success at working on your project.   I strive to provide  quality information, so if there is a specific topic you are interested in that you would like me to cover,  email  me any time.


Take a read though the 
articles,  sign up for my newsletter and broaden your perspective while I'm broadening mine.

jlchrlsrecommends.com
is about:

  • carpentry
  • cabinetry
  • joinery
  • machinery
  • routers
  • hand tools
  • clamps 
  • saws
  • power tools
  • marquetry
  • veneering
  • dust collection
  • planes
  • router bits 
  • saw blades
  • jigs
  • plans 
  • projects
  • benches
  • shop design
  • fine woodworking
  • classes
  • homebuilding
  • hardware
  • shows
  • software
  • schools
  • tips
  • joints
  • forums
  • crafts
  • scroll saw 
  • finishing
  • millwork
  • Woodwork as a Hobby
  • you name it . . .

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Using Videos as Your Woodworking Classes

 

When it comes to learning from a woodworking class, you can learn much from reading woodworking articles. but I’m a hands-on kind-of-a-guy. I have learned to look for details from the beginning, even looking at my own techniques for perfections or more accurately for my  imperfections.  When I can see the imperfection, I then know what to work toward.  It is much the same as rereading a good book or watching your favorite movie and getting more out of it each time.  I’ve lost count of the times I’ve watched Casablanca or The General or The Seven Samurai but I know that I haven’t finished watching them.  

As I said, I like hands-on not translations and I like to watch others do their thing with deliberation and forethought.  So, in looking for some good video woodworkingarticles, I came across several that I want to comment on.  The first is from Woodcraft at http://www.woodcraft.com/videos.aspx.  They have a list of videos to watch, all to do with products they sell.  To me, these videos are no better than a movie trailer touting the next blockbuster.  But for the most part, they don’t titillate me enough.  For example, the first on their list, #1 Odd Job Tool Video is about a lovely, multi-purpose tool, but they cram all of its functions into a 2 min 34 sec video.  I’m sorry but I’m not sold yet, I want to see more.  Why should I buy it simply because it’s a 4-in-1?

Another video is Building The Ultimate Birdhouse DVD Preview. This is a 4 min 13 sec video of poor audio quality that spends almost half of its time showing a craftsman ripping some pine boards.  I know how to do that.  Please, show me something I need to learn.  Would I really buy that video on the hope that I might get something out of it?  It may be that Woodcraft has good products and great instructional videos, but I can't tell from this video.

On the other hand, I visited DIY to watch their videos.  What a difference!  They weren’t perfect, but I was at least inspired and instructed.  Their imperfections are only that they are incomplete.  I was left with quite a few questions. But that’s a good thing.  It prompted me to look further.  I’ll leave it up to you. Visit DIY videos.

In the meantime, I’m headed back to see what Neil Lamens has added to http://www.furnitology.blogspot.com/.  He is a master at detail!

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I found an 85 page eBook with a clear approach to beginning a career or simply gaining the skills to tackle a project. 

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Woodworking

Products Currently on eBay

woodworking tools
woodworking tools

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Rockler Woodworking

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Woodworking Jigs That Guide With Precision
By Johnathan Bakers
The average do-it-yourself homeowner has only had to experience once cutting or drilling without a jig to know the value of a good woodworking jig. It makes for a frustrating experience when holes Read more...



How To Find Good Woodworking Instructions
By Greg K. Hansward
So you’ve got grandeur plans for a woodworking project. Maybe you’re thinking of adding a cabinet in your bathroom, or a new bed-frame that will score you points with the wife, maybe even give you a Read more...



Table Saws, Miter Saws And Woodworking Jigs
By Linden J. Walhard
You will, at some point in time, need more than one saw in your woodworking shop. Table saws and miter saws are typically the first saws purchased by those new to woodworking. Knowing what to look Read more...

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