Cabinetmaker at Colonial Williamsburg

Visiting this site is like taking a trip in a time machine. Learn how Colonial Virgina masters of the craft built furniture – from the rough lumber do the expertly crafted pieces that grace the homes in this painstakingly restored living history museum campus.

In a recreation of Anthony Hay’s cabinet shop (he was one of the original craftsmen at Williamsburg), watch today’s craftsmen explain the cabinetmaking trade to visitors as they produce furniture with the tools and designs of the era. Today the shop also practices the trade of harpsichord making, documented as part of the shops offerings in 1767. This was a unique service from a colonial Virginia shop; harpsichords were typically English imports in the South.

Beyond the wood shop, Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to discover how the colonists in tidewater Virginia lived day-to-day.  Definitely worth the trip.

Lee Valley’s Steam Bending Guide

Graceful, flowing curves in a project always fill me with awe. They also leave me with lots of questions – Just how the heck did they get the wood to bend like that?

Lee Valley Tools offers this excellent primer on how to steam bend wood.

Selecting the right species, building the steam box, even when to use a steam-bent piece are all covered in highly-detailed, easy-to-read descriptions.

Plenty of how-to know how is offered as well. What’s the best way to build a bending table? How long should each piece sit in the jig? How do you bend more intricate shapes, such as compound curves and recurves? It’s all in there, and the information is provided free of charge.

If you ever thought of steam bending for a future project, this should be one of your first stops.

The American Hardwood Information Center

North American Hardwoods are some of the most beautiful in the world. Maple, cherry, walnut and many other species are sought after by woodworkers across the globe. The Hardwood Manufacturer’s Association runs this site full of information on particular wood species, current design trends and care of hardwood floors and furniture.

There is a fascinating article on sustainability practices and how North America’s hardwood forests have been recovering since the extensive deforestation that took place by the end of the 19th century.

One of the best resources on the site is the outstanding species guide, which highlights both the common – and not-so-common – varieties of hardwoods. Alder, willow and gum are given the same thorough review as oaks, maples and cherry.

This is one of those sites you can go to for information – as well as inspiration.

Trappist Caskets

They say in life that only two things are certain – death and taxes.

And, when the time comes to shuffle off this mortal coil, what would be a more fitting tribute to a woodworker than to be laid to rest in a hand-built wooden casket?

The monks at the New Melleray Abbey in Poesta, Iowa have set their hands – and prayerful attention – to the crafting of these final resting places. Built from wood harvested from their carefully-managed forest, each casket is built with strict attention to detail in a spiritual atmosphere.

From the most basic, unadorned pine casket (the one that the monks lay their brethren to rest in) to more ornate offerings in oak and walnut with raised panels, there is a wide selection of items to choose from. Cremation urns and children’s caskets are also offered with prayerful respect.

As Cistercians, the order follows the ancient monastic Rule of St. Benedict. Consistent with that rule, their vocation is expressed in a life of contemplative prayer, community liturgy, and manual labor.

Even though death is not a pleasant topic, a visit to the site provides a peaceful view of the work these spiritually dedicated men perform.

Saw Blade 101

Alternate top bevel. Negative blade hook. Gullet spacing.

Why does buying a new blade for a table saw, radial arm saw or chop saw sound like you are speaking a foreign language?

Buying a new blade can be a confusing experience. That’s why this guide from Rockler Tools is so valuable.

From clearly explaining the different teeth sets found on carbide blades to describing how the blade’s plate thickness can affect cut quality, this guide can answer the basic questions and make your decision a little easier.

While the guide is written to give advice to Rockler customers, it is definitely a must read before you upgrade your saw’s blade or if you have questions about your existing one.

Wikipedia’s Woodworking Workbench Entry

Sure, some people laugh when you quote from Wikipedia – the Internet’s user-defined online encyclopedia.

However, you have got to check out this entry on woodworking workbenches.

This is one of the best written basic primers on workbench form, function and features.

Workbench materials are discussed at length, as are top and base construction. There’s even a section on proper bench placement which has me rethinking where my bench should be located. Sections on planing stops, vises, holdfasts round out this interesting entry.

As a major bonus, there are some pictures of workbenches that will inspire you to build your own – or leave you drooling uncontrollably.