Utilikilts

So, you are looking for some tough, practical and stylish work wear to put on before you head out to the shop. Are you going to look in one of those big-box retailers for something to fill the bill?  Nah.  How about some clothing discount store?  No way.

Why not a utility kilt?

Utilikilts is an American company proudly making utility kilts for everyday wear. It may sound strange, but their version of this traditional Scottish garment comes equipped with all of the features you would expect to find on a premium pair of work pants or shorts.  Their workman model is made of heavy cotton duck with a key clasp, large cargo pockets and a hammer loop.

Since the only thing traditionally worn under a kilt are comfortable socks and sturdy boots, there is a modesty snap you could close before – say – climbing a ladder.  Ya know – just so you don’t give the ENTIRE neighborhood a peek.

Oh, and if you go out to celebrate finishing an important project, they even have a tuxedo version for those dressier places.

The Tattooed Woodworker

There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ woodworking blogger. Some are older, others younger.  Some love hand tools, others can’t get enough power.

One of the newest bloggers in the woodworking community is Robert Giovannetti a.k.a. The Tattooed Woodworker.  Rob may appear radical, but his love for traditional hand tools comes to the fore in his entries and videos.

Unfortunately, because of his skin art, he has gotten a lot of anonymous flack from some readers who think he has no business writing a blog.  It was so bad a week ago, he nearly pulled his blog off the web and sold his tools.

That would have certainly been a loss for all of us in the woodworking community.

Bloggers such as Rob, Marc Spagnuolo, Matt Vanderlist and scores of others put themselves out there for others to learn from. Folks who take of their time to help others learn the craft have earned my support and a great deal of respect.

If you would like to read the works of other talented and entertaining woodworking bloggers, you can also check out the members of the Wood Whisperer Network.

Extreme How To’s Mortise and Tenon Page

So, you’ve never cut a mortise and tenon joint?  Or, maybe you have only done it with power tools, and you want to try it with hand tools only?  Maybe it’s the other way around, and you are looking to find a faster, machine based method?

Well, if any of these fit your situation, or you just want to learn a little bit more about this venerable and strong joint, Extreme How-To’s page on mortise and tenon joints is worth a visit.

The page starts off with descriptions of common mortise and tenon arrangements (blind mortise, haunched mortise, through tusk tenons…  the works) complete with illustrations.

The site then goes on to describe how to cut these joints with hand tools (chisels and hand saws) and power tools.

The Apollo Lunar Surface Drill

Nearly every time I go into the shop, I reach for my DeWalt 12v cordless drill.  Driving screws into pocket holes, drilling pilot holes and many other grunt work projects are handled by this convenient tool.

Sure, I have electricity in my shop, and I could always plug a corded drill in, but the cordless is always handy and ready to go.

Now, imagine being 385,000 kilometers away from the nearest electrical outlet.  A cordless drill would quickly become an essential tool in your toolbox.

With the events surrounding the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, it’s only fitting we look at the Apollo Lunar Surface Drill, one of the granddaddies of all cordless drills.

Sure, the ALSD wasn’t developed until 1971 for the later Apollo missions.  However, this 430 watt baby really helped astronauts do the geological experiments they weren’t able to tackle on earlier fights.

One of the Apollo Lunar Surface Drills is on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s Air and Space Museum.

Tool Crib’s 31 Most Influential Woodworkers

This was one of those ideas I wish I would have thought of.  The folks at Tool Crib went to three different woodworking forums and posted a simple question – who are five most influential woodworkers who started you on your path to woodworking?

The readers posted more than 100 different names, and 31 of them received two or more votes.  Using that information, Tool Crib ranked the woodworkers and listed them for all to see.

The top three influences – according to the woodworkers who participated in the polling – are:

• Norm Abram
• ‘Dad’
• David Marks

Follow the link above to read more about this very interesting poll…

VetMade Industries

Click to see the video story produced by the St. Petersburg Times…

With the Independence Day just around the corner, I want to wish my fellow countrymen and women a happy, safe and healthy July 4th.

Just outside of Tampa, Florida, Retired Army Lt. Colonel John S. Campbell runs a very interesting woodworking operation.

After spending over 27 years in the Army,  John decided to pursue his life-long passion for woodworking in retirement.

During an annual woodworking show in Tampa, John saw a demonstration of garden furniture production put on by Eureka Woodworks of Dallas Texas.  John signed up to be a producer of this high-end garden furniture in order to augment his normal woodworking business, Black Bear Woodworking.

One day, while working alone in his shop, John was struggling with how to hire motivated and trainable workers to help produce quality woodworking items when the “light” went on – why not open the workforce to disabled veterans?  VetMade Industries seeks to prepare disabled veterans for reentry into the workforce; and then place them in meaningful long-term careers.  

After a few phone calls to the U.S.Veterans Administration (VA) and a conversation with the VA Compensated Work Therapy Program, Black Bear Woodworking hired its first disabled veteran. With some basic training in woodworking machines, safety and production processes, the first Adirondack chair rolled off the assembly line

In July 2008 VetMade Industries, Inc. was formed as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with the charter to return disabled veterans back to work; not only to make furniture, but to also make a difference in the lives of men and women who selflessly protected our country; asking nothing in return except for a chance to regain their productivity.

The veterans who work at VetMade Industries turn out some beautiful Adorondack-style furniture as well as flag cases, hand-made baseball bats, custom bird houses and hardwood cutting boards.  The site is definitely worth a visit.

Minwax Wood Finishes

When it comes to wood finishes, it’s hard to find a company larger than the Minwax-Thompson company.  Their products can be found nearly everywhere you can purchase wood finishing products.

The Minwax line is very extensive, including oil and water based stains and finishes, brushable lacquers, wood fillers and many other specialty products.

The site is easy to navigate, and has links to step-by-step instructions, free plans for wood projects and a gallery of ideas which may spark your own designs.  The site also features an interactive wood finishing forum, a newsletter and a user submitted project showcase.