While combination woodworking machines have long been the norm in European shops, the one combination machine that has been sold for decades in the United States has been the Shopsmith.  It’s touted as the Swiss Army Knife of woodworking machines, with the current model - the Mark V -  able to serve as a table saw, drill press, disc sander and lathe right out of the box.

While, at first glance, it  might seem like the perfect tool for a cramped woodworking shop, opinions about the tool run the gamit from deep, abiding love to an intense loathing.

So,  this week’s poll is trying to determine whether or not you own a Shopsmith, and what your thoughts are about this interesting woodworking machine.

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Wood Porn at Talarico Hardwoods

OK, so the name is kinda suggestive, but I promise you this is a link worth following. At Talarico Hardwoods in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, the sawyers get very excited about what they find when they cut open exotic and highly figured logs.

Just like kids who can’t wait to unwrap their presents at their birthday parties, the crew salivates at the chance to cut these green logs and unveil some interesting and incredible figure. You’ll be stunned to see the variety and quality of the lumber these guys get their hands on.

Sure, this is a commercial wood supplier’s site, but it appears that the owners on this particular page are really just interested in showing off their spectacular finds.

Some guys have all the luck…

There are just some times when the best tool for the job is a well-sharpened wood chisel. Whether cutting a joint, trimming a plug or doing any number of other tasks, these descendants of some of the most ancient woodworking tools can be some of the most versatile multitaskers in the shop.

Here’s my collection, spread out for your viewing pleasure. From the waaay back row:

A 2 1/2″ slick. This was an eBay score. The iron was found in a barn in upstate New York, so I had to fit a handle to it. I made this one out of maple in the shop. Once I figured out how to sharpen it the right way (It’s enormous), it can pare very fine shavings off of even the trickiest boards.

The middle pack, from left to right, includes:

A set of Pinnacle chisels from 1/4″ to 1 1/2″. I traded a drill press mortising attachment for these beauties. The handles are very comfortable, and I’m in the process of getting them honed for regular use. The only knock is that they are a little narrower than advertised… not critical unless I’m cutting joints.

A set of Marples Blue Chip chisels from 1/4″ to 1″. These are my work horses in the shop - the ones I reach for first. Got the 1″, 3/4″ and 1/2″ ones as a set, then added on the 3/8″ and 1/4″ later to round out the set.

The two on the extreme left of that middle row are a pair of ‘pound puppies’ I found at eBay. Dirt cheap, they are two old Buck Brothers chisels - 1 1/2″ and 1 1/4″ size. I sharpened them, and they work very well.

In the front row from left to right, I’ll start with the three Lee Valley Crank Neck chisels. Sometimes, you need that little offset bend to get a little bit of glue out of a corner. These chisels fill the bill. They are kinda small, but they work well. I have a left and right skew, as well as a square nosed one.

The middle chisels are my pride and joy. These are a set of Japanese chisels I got from a friend. They belonged to his dad, a respected architect in Osaka, Japan, and my buddy was keeping them in an old coffee can in his garage. I have them honed razor sharp, and use them for light chopping and some paring work.

The last two chisels were given to me as a birthday gift. They are a pair of right and left skew chisels from Lee Valley. For those really odd jobs, they work out well. I’m sure I’ll end up using them more and more as I continue to build.

If you have ever plunked down good hard-earned money to buy a new tool, I’m sure you wanted to make the right purchase. Does the tool work as advertised? Can it be set accurately? Is it a good value? Sure, you can read the product literature, but, if you want some advice, where do you turn before you cough up some serious cash?

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Popular Woodworking’s I Can Do That

Do you, or does someone you know, want to get started in woodworking, but you aren’t sure you can do it?

Never fear! The editors at Popular Woodworking magazine have put together this interesting site for those just getting into the craft with a limited set of skills and tools.

First of all, I highly recommend downloading the .PDF of their user’s manual that gives woodworking novices the basics on which tools to buy, instructions on basic joints and how to get accuracy in their projects.

Once familiar with the basics, the magazine’s editors have put together an interesting collection of projects for the beginner to tackle. From simple knick-knack shelves to more ambitious projects, there are plans that can help set the aspiring woodworker on his or her way in short order.

Even if you are not a novice, it doesn’t hurt to pay the site a visit, since Popular Woodworking’s staff has given quite a collection of advice that even some old hands at woodworking could find useful.

Wood Magazine’s editor Jeff Mertz is back with an interesting step-by-step procedure to put a razor sharp edge on his chisels. Sit back, relax and see how you can turn your chisels from paint scrapers to precision tools that are a pleasure to use.

With tropical storm Fay threatening my house, now’s the time I start thinking about the worst case scenario - what happens if I have damage at my home and I lost my tools?  Would I have enough information to give my insurance company to get things back to the way they were?  One of the most important things to have on hand if you were to experience a hurricane, tornado, fire, flood or other catastrophe is to have an inventory of your possessions to give your insurance company.  While it seems elementary, many people haven’t taken this important step.

So, how well do you have your tools documented should the unthinkable happen?

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