Sandwichbike

OK, so you are a woodworker, and you want to be totally surrounded by wood. Your furniture is wood. Your walls are paneled in wood. Your car has real wood trim.

But, what about your bike?

Well, there’s a European company called Sandwichbike, and they are making some sweet bikes out of birch plywood. The name comes from the fact that you build the bike out of assembled wooden plates that overlay each other like sandwich components. The bike arrives in a box, and it can be assembled in 45 minutes using an included wrench and fasteners.

Right now, they are pretty expensive at €799 (about $1,100), but as production takes off, the cost should come down. Until then, it’s a pretty interesting design…

Chinese Woodworker

When most people think about Asian woodworking, their thoughts turn toward traditional Japanese woodworking tools and techniques. But, on mainland Asia, the Chinese have a long and interesting history when it comes to woodworking as well. The only problem is that there is very little information out there about it.

Today’s link of the week can serve as an excellent primer into the world of traditional Chinese woodworking. From the tools and techniques to links to books and collections of these pieces, the site offers a broad introduction to how Chinese woodworkers plied their trade. It’s definitely worth a read.

The Crazy Canadian Woodworker

It is with much sadness that I discovered that Paul Moore, known as the Crazy Canadian Woodworker, passed away on December 28.

Paul was definitely a showman, playing up his North of the Border schtick while imparting some awesome woodworking know how on the Woodworking Show tour and on his YouTube videos. Not only a knowledgeable woodworker, he helped develop a number of innovative tools for work on the band saw.

Last spring, I watched him cut one of his famous Ditchwood Bowls using his round ripper jig. It was so elegantly simple, and produced such great results.

While Paul’s passing is a major loss to woodworking, his skill – and humor – will prove invaluable for woodworkers for years to come.

Wooden Classic Wheels

So, imagine you like heavy construction equipment. Or old cars. Or classic pickup trucks.  And, you like woodworking.

If this is the case, today’s link of the week is the site for you.

Wooden Classic Wheels is a company owned by William Jackson of Del Motte, Indiana. He hand crafts each of these exquisitely detailed vehicles from hardwoods, and the collection includes far more than just your basic trucks. How about a well drilling rig? Maybe a concrete pumper? Steam locomotives?

He’s got ’em. Spend a few minutes checking out his site, and you will be amazed…

Longleaf Lumber

Many years ago, when factories around the United States were springing up during the Industrial Revolution, many of those structures were built with massive beams made of woods such as chestnut, Douglas fir and southern yellow pine.

As the years passed, and companies either went out of business or moved to more modern facilities, those buildings deteriorated, crumbling with the onslaught of time.

Fortunately, there are companies such as Longleaf Lumber, which have the foresight to see these abandoned buildings for what they are – a vast storehouse of prime, old-growth lumber.

On their site, you can see some of the old buildings they have salvaged lumber from, check out their stock and see portfolios of projects built with the wood they have salvaged.

This site is a must-visit for wood lovers and historians.

The National Association of Woodworkers in New Zealand

So, you think there’s no woodworking south of the Equator?  How silly of you…

On the island nation of New Zealand, there is a national association of woodworkers, comprised of clubs and guilds from all around the country. From this landing page, you can find information on upcoming events, a guide to the local hardwood scene and the schedule of guild meetings.

It’s a handy resource in case you are going on vacation, want to establish a sister-guild partnership or just want to marvel at the woodworking going on in the land of the Kiwis.

Old Fashioned Milk Paint

This past week was the first time I have used it, and now I am hooked.

It’s milk paint. And, this Earth friendly, old time finish is made of milk protein, limestone and a few other ingredients. It’s really easy to apply with a brush, rag or by spraying and gives a great look to your projects.

While it gives a great look to projects such as Windsor chairs, it can really be used for any kind of project to give an interesting and non-toxic finish.

If you have never tried it, you have to give it a shot.