Craftsman Studio - Blog

Cutting dovetails by hand involves a saw appropriate for the task - but which one?

In this DVD, Rob answers this question by demonstrating a variety of saws. He offers comments on the pro’s and cons of Gents Saws, Japanese “pull” saws, and those of the “pistol grip” design.  He even demonstrates how to file the teeth of a gents saw to improve the way it cuts.

When you’ve reached this point in the video, you likely have a pretty good idea of which saw you want to purchase for the job.  …but Rob’s just getting started.

Rob carefully shows you how to hold the saw and position your body to achieve precise and consistent results.

Finally, he takes you through exercises to develop the sawing skills needed to confidently master hand cut dovetails.

As a woodworking instructor, Rob has a good understanding of the challenges facing the student.  He specifically addresses these difficulties which adds measurably to the instructional value of the presentation.

Combine Mastering the Dovetail Saw with a good book such as Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking or Rob’s Hand-Cut Dovetails DVD and you’re on your way to success in this rewarding endeavor.

- Bill

We’re frequently asked for advise on bench chisel selection.  Making a sound decision on an investment in chisels can be difficult when trying to compare online offerings.

• Lets start with where to go for advise.  A good place to start is to actually try the chisels before buying in order to get a sense of how they feel in your hand doing some practise cuts. 
• It’s also useful to read reviews in woodworking magazines which feature articles involving hand tools such as Woodwork, Fine Woodworking etc.  Local woodworking instructors and experienced woodworkers are another good choice. 
• Online reviews in News Groups and woodworking web sites can be useful “if” you know the qualifications of the contributor - We often hear comments from customers voicing their confusion and frustration after reading conflicting reviews containing little substantive information about why a tool was good or bad.

OK, now you’ve done your homework and are ready to buy chisels.  It’s just a matter of settling on the set - Right?

• Well, unless you are very confident of your selection, we recommend buying a single chisel in a size you would use often and try it out at your leisure.
• Flatten the back of the chisel, sharpen the bevel and put it to work.  How does it feel in your hand doing paring work?  …now use it with a hammer or mallet.  How well does it hold an edge?  If you’re satisfied, then proceed to get a set, or select a few more chisels in sizes to round out a set for your current needs.
• If it didn’t work out, you’re only out the price of a single chisel and there are always those odd jobs which require a chisel, but not one of the really good ones.

Here’s a table we created to compare characteristics of the
chisels we offer at Craftsman Studio:

Chisel characteristic notes:

1. Steel - There are a variety of high carbon tool steels available which perform similarly.  A2 Tool steel used by Lie-Nielsen Toolworks differs in that during the heat treating process, this steel benefits from thermal cycling (cryogenic treatment) which makes the cutting edge more long lasting.
2. Handle sized to blade - This feature is nice where there are a large range of blade widths.
3. Blade design - Tang blades have a tapered point created during the forging process which extends into the handle. Chisels of the socket design have the handle extend down into the body of the chisel.  This makes it easy to replace a handle and produces a stronger chisel, but is a more costly design to produce due to the machining involved.
4. Sharpening of Japanese chisels requires the use waterstones (non-powered) and a bit more finesse because of their laminated construction.  It’s better to learn on less expensive chisels, then graduate to these fine tools.
5. Suggested Skill Level - This is intended as a rough guide for those selecting chisels as a gift.

- Bill Kohr

Woodwork Magazine Volume 103, which should be on the newsstands as I write, has an interesting review of “Smoothing Planes” by Kerry Pierce.

Planes he reviews from his personal collection are common, uncommon, and even a bit esoteric, but certainly interesting and well described with good photos.

Kerry discusses his views of using these tools and how his techniques have changed over time as his skills developed.

A good read about interesting planes - It also provides sound beginning to intermediate level advise on getting the most from your smoothing planes.

Recommended!

 - Bill

Have you ever wished there was more information on a product to help with the decision before making a purchase? Hand planes can seem a little overly complicated to the beginning user so we created our first “Test Drive” of the Lie-Nielsen 62 Low Angle Jack Plane.

This is not so much a review as an attempt to give a sense of how the tool is set-up and ways it can be used. Since this is a simple and versatile tool, it’s a great choice for a person just getting into using hand planes.

You can click on the link above to view the Test Drive. The format is pretty much locked-in but comments on how we might improve the content as most welcome. Should you choose to post, you will need to register - your email will not be posted or shared.

Each year on the first Sunday in November starting at 6:00 AM San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association and the Rockler Woodworkers Store (8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., between I 805 and State Route 163) bring together dozens of sellers and hundreds of buyers to sell, trade, bargain and barter.

It’s the right place to buy or sell or trade hand and power tools, woodworking machinery, wood, finishing equipment and supplies, publications, hardware and other good stuff, and it’s all free for both buyers and sellers. It’s pretty much finished by eleven, so you should get there early to make the best deals and see your woodworking and tool collecting friends. Bill Collins the event coordinator can be reached at (619) 232-4626.

Craftsman Studio will be there with a good selection of Lie-Nielsen Tools, the latest in woodworking DVD’s as well as the usual assortment of new tools and bargains. 

• Did I mention that we are also paying the California Sales Tax on all sales as well?
• If you have tool you particularly want to purchase at the event, send me a note at the Customer Service email address on our website and we’ll try bring it along.

- Bill Kohr

Jim Kingshott made furniture for British royalty, and was master of apprentice cabinetmakers for the Royal Air Force. 

His four videos in VHS format offered by Fox Chapel Publishing (Bench Planes, Dovetails Made Simple, Special Planes and Mortise & Tenon Made Simple) are being phased out as stocks are depleted.

 We expect to see distribution of these excellent videos beginning in 2007 reformatted as DVD’s.  At present there is not a projected release date.

Question:  I recently completed a class with Michael Cullen on making treasure chests, boxes, etc.  Some of the carving work he showed us was absolutely fantastic. 

I notice that you have a wide assortment of Two Cherries carving sets.  Do you have any thoughts or suggestions as to where I would start with such a new area. 

I’ve watched, the Beginning Woodcarving Video by Everett Ellenwood, so I have some basic ideas as to what a V-tool, a sweep, etc. are but I’m not sure how much I really need. Can you give me any feedback on these tools, what “kind-of-basic” tools do I need to get the job done?

Thank you in advance for any advise you can offer. - details4man

Answer:  Lets start with the Two Cherries Carving Tool offering. 

• Besides the Chip-Carving and Micro-Carving tools which are specialized in nature, there are Pro series, Euro series and Pear handle tools.
• Pro series full size tools are selected by professional carvers to serious beginners because they are available in a full range of sizes defined by width in millimeters, and numbered sweeps for gouges. Vee tools are forged to specified angles.  Handles are sized to the tool with larger tools double-hooped to withstand heavy mallet blows. Blades are longer than the other series.
• Euro series tools have octagonal handles of the same size. They are offered in a modest range of sweeps and are not built to numbered sweep standards, thus one might be described as shallow, or very shallow gouge etc.  Intended for smaller work, they have shorter blades than the Pro series and are offered in widths of 10mm or less.  Pear Handle tools use the same blades, sweeps etc. as the Euro series.  The only difference is the handle.

You also mentioned Carving Tool Sets. 

• Smaller sets are popular for gifts to the person who has an interest in carving and would like to start out with quality tools which will hold an edge and are properly designed.
• Those with a strong interest in carving often gravitate to the 12 and 18 piece sets because they are more economical than buying the individual tools, and there is a wide enough selection to experiment with different styles and scales of carving.  These sets serve students taking classes or learning from books and videos well, because they can easily match the sweeps with those used by the instructor - something which is not possible with the Euro series tools.
• We don’t offer set recommendations for students because there are just too many options, but we do offer a discount similar to the one we offer on our 18 piece set for those who wish to compose their own set of 18 or more Pro series carving tools.

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association is celebrating their 25th Anniversary at the September 27th meeting featuring guest speaker Roy Underhill from the PBS Series “The Woodwright’s Shop”

 September Meeting and Ticket Information

The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is an active association of 1500 members which has meetings and events throughout the year of interest to woodworkers and aspiring fine woodworkers. Additional information is available on their website.

Welcome to the Craftsman Studio Blog.  We hope you find the content to be a helpful adjunct to our website.  Here you will find a venue for information on products, events, and a dialog on matters related to woodworking hand tools.

Bill Kohr, Proprietor