Category Archives: Tom

1,500 posts?

What were you doing May 19, 2010? You remember, don’t you? BP had a major oil spill on its hands, Floyd Landis had just accused Lance Armstrong of blood doping on the Tours de France he won, and I was recovering from a stupid hedge trimmer accident.

And, on September 17, 2012?  I bet you were souping up your iOS6 equipped iPhone 5, you were begging for the Presidential race to come to a quick end so we wouldn’t have to see any more campaign ads, and I was counting down to a big monumental post on this site.

Well, today, I break another important milestone in my blogging career – post number 1,500. Wow, I still can’t believe I have put so much energy and effort into doing this blog, and you haven’t called my internet provider and asked them – politely – to pull me off line!

a solid 1500 posts!

I am so fortunate to know that you have allowed me to become part of your woodworking experience. And, I have to thank each of you that I have had an opportunity to meet – each of you really has demonstrated that the woodworking community is full of caring, heartfelt people who all share this passion we have with cutting big boards into littler ones, than putting them back together in different forms.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my supporters – MicroJig, Affinity Tools, Tormek, Infinity Tools and Bell Forest Products, as well as my ever loving and ever patient family. Rhonda, Dominic and Steven, you guys are the best!

This week, I am here at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference, so I am getting ready for the big safety message this year. And, I want each of you to mark your calendars for this coming Friday – which will be Woodworking Safety Day. It’s being hosted over that the Modern Woodworkers Association, so let us know about your safety tips!

There, a few more posts to write!

The thanks, they are ‘a flowing…

Tomorrow here in the United States is Thanksgiving, and as in past years, I want to take a few minutes to give you a list of things I am thankful for. After all, I lead a pretty charmed life, and now is as good a time as any to spread some thanks around!

I am thankful for my wife Rhonda and the 21 years of marriage we celebrated this year. It’s been a crazy year of navigating life’s lunacy, but together, I think we hit some new heights.

I am thankful for my two wacky sons. They got their mom’s looks, but they got their dad’s zany sense of humor. Fortunately, they are both doing well in school, and every day with those two mooks is an adventure.Plus, we had a few new adventures in the shop this year with Steven.

I am thankful that my trained shop monkey Iggy hasn’t thrown me out into the street and changed the locks to the shop, although, I think he’s getting close to doing that, but he has to find the keys first… clever monkey…

I am thankful for my health. This year threw me a for a few loops, but I’m back on my feet, ready to get back to work in the shop!

I am thankful that I was able to attend the Woodworking Show in Tampa back in March and the Woodworking in America show in Winston – Salem, North Carolina this past September. The folks I meet at these events are just so darned talented and welcoming. It’s great to be a woodworker, even if some folks forget to measure twice and cut once. I had no idea they take that stuff so seriously there…

I am thankful for my friends and family. It still gives me the biggest thrill to hear from someone I know and care about, “I read that on your blog.”  Thanks for being my support throughout the years and for tolerating the crazy banter about what’s on the bench. And, a special shout out to my Mom and Mother-in-law. Yes, I know you both read, but you don’t comment… that’s OK, those clicks count!

I am thankful that I was able to build a special project for my coworker and mentor Len Ciecieznski this past April on the occasion of his retirement. We dedicated the studio to him, and he saw the plaque I had built him before he passed. Of all of the projects I have built, that is the one that will live with me forever.

I am thankful that we had an amazingly successful Get Woodworking Week this past February. If we can inspire new woodworkers to get into the shop, then our job is done!  Oh, mark your calendars for the week of February 1 – 7  for the 2015 edition of Get Woodworking Week.

I am also thankful that there has been tremendous support for the Last Minute Elf project, which saw its first year last December!  This year, it’s going to be the domain of the Modern Woodworkers Association, so get thyself there to sign up and win some great prizes!

I am thankful that my second year as Vice President of the St. Petersburg Woodrafters Guild went well, and I look forward to turning those duties to someone new this coming week.

Hey, I’m happy I got to see The Boss this year. The last time I saw Bruce Springsteen, I was a little kid in 1985 on the floor of Giant’s Stadium. He hasn’t lost a step in those intervening 29 years. I hope to be cranking out some good work 29 years from now!

I am thankful that I took the challenge to build a trestle table for my office from a common 2 x 12 southern yellow pine board. The wood for that was just so awesome to work with, and I needed the space to spread out and get work done!

I am thankful for my sponsors – MicroJig ProductsBell Forest Products, Infinity Cutting Tools, Bora Tools, Tormek and Laguna. Some days, I really do have to pinch myself – I can’t believe that you guys are still supporting me so readily!

I am thankful that our hurricane season this year was quiet, with minimal impact for my friends and relatives here in the United States. Believe me, it’s such a load off my mind knowing that my friends and family aren’t in harm’s way from hurricanes for a while…

I am thankful that the brain trust at the Modern Woodworkers Association hasn’t wised up yet and given me the boot!  OK, just kidding.. but, I really do want to thank Dyami Plotke and Chris Adkins for tolerating my hijinx…You guys rock. Oh, and thank you, Gorilla Glue Company for coming on board as a sponsor.

I am thankful that there are so many talented woodworkers out there taking the leap and contributing to the online woodworking experience. Each blog post, each video, each podcast is an opportunity for someone to showcase their skill and enthusiasm for the craft we love so dearly. I cannot tell you how great it is to be in the company of people I admire and want to emulate. Thank you for what you do for the community.

And, most importantly, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for reading Tom’s Workbench. Who would have known seven years ago that this little shop distraction would have become what it is today – a blog where people actually read the content?  Thanks for all of your support.

Tomorrow, as I lift my glass to make the toast, I want you to know I’ll be making a special one for each of you…

Oh, and if you find yourself in turkey crisis tomorrow, take a page out of Gene Kranz’s Thanksgiving playbook…

Remember, take out is not an option…

Happy Independence Day

Hey, folks, I’m taking the day off to do a little grilling and take in some fireworks. For my countrymen and women, happy Independence Day!  For everyone else, I’ll see you on Sunday with the new weekly plan.

Fireworks in D.C.

Party on!

Happy Memorial Day

The one thing about writing a blog for so long is that year after year, you start to repeat things on an annual basis. And, when it comes to Memorial Day here in the states, it’s a holiday that you can quickly run out of ideas for – from a woodworking angle.

Burial urns built by the St. Petersburg Woodcrafters Guild

I mean, last year, I wrote about the effort that our local woodworking guild was doing to build burial urns for indigent veterans. That article meant a lot to me to write, and I thought it truly captured the spirit of giving for Memorial Day.

Then there was the post I had done about the effort of some scroll saw woodworkers who were taking time to scroll portraits of all the service members who were killed during the global war on terror. This touching tribute is helping families remember the sacrifice made by their loved ones.

I do have to confess, however, that I failed to research something for the article in honor of Memorial Day 2014.  I’m not happy with myself – I should have thought ahead a little more. But, I am glad that I was able to tackle a project that allowed me to properly hang my American flag outside today to commemorate the holiday.

My flag

And, this evening, the city where I live is having a ceremony at their Military Court of Honor. It’s something I want my family to see.

Largo Military Court of Honor

Before I sign off, I want to thank our veterans and the families of those brave men and women who gave their lives in defense of our country.

Little Norm makes a resolution

Happy New Year, everyone!  I’m sure that some of us are sleeping off what happened last night, while others are already up at at ’em, seizing the first day of 2014.

Someone who was up early this morning is my friend, Little Norm. Every since his days hosting the Teeny Weenie New Yankee Workshop, Little Norm has taken a lot of abuse from folks who had him pegged as a power tool only woodworker. Well, Little Norm is ready to show he’s turned over a new leaf, and he has taken some time this New Years Day to build himself a cabin in the woods.

Break out the axe

First, Little Norm broke out his shiny new axe to start notching timbers to make sure they fit. “Measure twice and cut once,” says Little Norm.

Coming together

As the work progressed, Little Norm was ensuring that all of his timbers were notched properly. Remember, Little Norm, wear those safety glasses!

We're gaining on it

After a few hours of hard work, Little Norm stopped to get a cup of coffee, eat some black eyed peas and collard greens (he is in Florida) and show his progress. “We’re gaining on it!” Little Norm exclaimed.

Muscling in the gables

Once the walls were up, Little Norm used the back of his axe as a persuader to help knock the gable ends into place. “Yeah, the building inspectors here in Florida don’t like gable ends, but since this is a weekend fishing cabin, I don’t see it being an issue.”

Putting up the roof slats

With the gable ends up, Little Norm turned his attention to the roof planking.  Yes, the wood is a little green when riven from the cypress logs, but since the humidity in these parts never drops too low, Little Norm doesn’t seem to upset.

Flashing the chimney

Yes, it’s Florida, but Little Norm insisted on a fireplace in his cabin. This way, he had someplace to kick up his feet on a chilly night, make some S’Mores, and maybe smoke a little venison sausage…

Uh oh

Uh oh. It’s Little Norm’s agents, and they don’t look to happy to see that Little Norm has gotten away form his power-tool reputation from the Teeny Weenie New Yankee Workshop.  Looks like Little Norm may want to start renegotiate his deal with the show after this!

Everyone, have a very Happy New Year, and let’s make 2014 a great one for woodworking!

 

What I’m thankful for….

It’s an annual tradition here on Tom’s Workbench. Since I normally post on Wednesdays and Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, it’s easy and very timely for me to post a list of all of the things I am thankful for.  I’m not making an exception for this year!

So, without any further ado, here’s the 2013 edition of what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my wife Rhonda and the 20 years of marriage we celebrated this year. Standing at the altar back in 1993, I could have never thought my life would be the way it is today, and I owe much of that to you, Rhonda.

I am thankful for my two wacky sons. They got their mom’s looks, but they got their dad’s zany sense of humor. Fortunately, they are both doing well in school, and every day with those two mooks is an adventure.

I am thankful that my trained shop monkey Iggy hasn’t thrown me out into the street and changed the locks to the shop.

I am thankful that I was able to attend the Woodworking Show in Tampa back in March and the Woodworking in America show in Covington, Kentucky this past October. The folks I meet at these events are just so darned talented and welcoming. It’s great to be a woodworker.

I am thankful for my friends and family. It still gives me the biggest thrill to hear from someone I know and care about, “I read that on your blog.”  Thanks for being my support throughout the years and for tolerating the 800th trip through the shop to see what’s on the bench.

I am thankful that I (finally) built the banquette project this year, after a few years of – ahem – dragging my feet. Tomorrow at dinner, we will have that bench filled to capacity with hungry relatives ready to dig in to the feast.

I am thankful that we had an amazingly successful Get Woodworking Week this past February. If we can inspire new woodworkers to get into the shop, then our job is done!  Oh, mark your calendars for the week of February 2 – 8 for the 2014 edition of Get Woodworking Week.

I am also thankful that there has been tremendous support for the Last Minute Elf project, which is coming up next week!  Remember to get those project ideas in to me soon, so you can be entered for some fabulous prizes.

I am thankful that my first year as Vice President of the St. Petersburg Woodrafters Guild went well, and I look forward to another successful year.

I am thankful that Chris Schwarz inspired me to build the Dutch Tool Chest to provide a safe and convenient place to store my hand tools and keep them organized. In 2014, I hope to become a whole lot more acquainted with them.

I am thankful that I was able to see the smiles of my two nieces – Lauren and Katie – after they got their presents this year, and I’m glad that my friend’s daughter Sydney was happy with her medal rack. There is indeed nothing like the sight of a happy customer.

I am thankful for my sponsors – Bell Forest Products, Infinity Cutting Tools, Bora Tools, Tormek and Laguna. Some days, I really do have to pinch myself – I can’t believe that you guys are still supporting me so readily!

I am thankful that our hurricane season this year was quiet, with minimal impact for my friends and relatives here in the United States. After Irene in 2011 and Sandy in 2012, it’s good to get a year off from worry…

I am thankful that I was able to sleep on my response to a post made by Paul Sellers back in March. I could have just thrown out an angry response to his post about the lack of younger and female woodworkers at the Tampa Woodworking Show last March, but I hope my more measured response helped folks become more interested in working together to grow the craft

The MWA Podcast - LIVEI am thankful that the brain trust at the Modern Woodworkers Association hasn’t wised up yet and given me the boot!  OK, just kidding.. but, I really do want to thank Dyami Plotke and Chris Adkins for tolerating my hijinx…You guys rock.

I am thankful that there are so many talented woodworkers out there taking the leap and contributing to the online woodworking experience. Each blog post, each video, each podcast is an opportunity for someone to showcase their skill and enthusiasm for the craft we love so dearly. I cannot tell you how great it is to be in the company of people I admire and want to emulate. Thank you for what you do for the community.

And, most importantly, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for reading Tom’s Workbench. Who would have known six years ago that this little shop distraction would have become what it is today – a blog where people actually read the content?  Thanks for all of your support.

Tomorrow, as I lift my glass to make the toast, I want you to know I’ll be making a special one for each of you…

Growing Pains

It always happens late on a Sunday night. This past weekend, we discovered that the latch on our front door didn’t work anymore, and that I needed to rush to the nearest home improvement center to buy a new lockset and deadbolt. Rhonda stopped me before I walked out and said, “You know, Tom, you have spent the entire weekend doing laundry, cooking, woodworking, doing yardwork – and now this. You must be exhausted…”

You know, I don’t really mind being that kind of exhausted. I’m one of those types of people who throws myself into the things that I do. If I cook, I have to make the meal a feast. If I woodwork, I like to take on big projects. If I blog, I look for the next big thing to come along. When I do my duties as the St. Petersburg Woodcrafters Guild’s Vice President, I get behind that.

A screen from Iggy's debut on the MWA podcastAnother important thing I am a part of is the Modern Woodworkers Association. Since Chris Adkins, Dyami Plotke and I started podcasting last year, things have really taken off. We have had some awesome guests on the show. Ron Hock. Chuck Bender. Andy Chidwick. Wilbur Pan. We have had the brain trust of the biggest woodworking magazines on. Famous podcasters like Steve Ramsey. Tool manufacturers. We comb the great world of woodworking to bring you the best we can find.

And, my favorite part is when we discover a gem of a post from someone’s personal woodworking blog and feature what’s going on. I am always excited to see what people are doing in their own shops.

Yukking it up with Mike Candella, a member of the MWA

Our growth has also exposed some of our technical shortcomings. We have been doing some work arounds in order to bring you the audio and visual for the podcasts. Some things have worked great, while others – well – let’s just say if it wasn’t for duct tape, bubble gum and bailing wire, we would be lost in the weeds.

Last week, just before we recorded our 37th podcast, the three of us came to a decision. We would like to ask for your help in getting beyond our growing pains and building toward the future.

What we are looking to do is to buy some more advanced recording equipment for the show. No, we’re not talking about installing a broadcast-quality studio somewhere at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars. In fact, advances in technology have made previously out-of-reach equipment a low-cost, easy to use solution to our problems. We have looked at some equipment, and it looks as if we’re going to be in the several-hundred dollar range to vastly improve our sound quality.

AAAAAH!  Modern Woodworkers!I realize you may be wondering why we just don’t reach into our own pockets to cover the cost. That’s exactly what we have been doing all along. For example, when we received complaints about audio quality, each of us shelled out for high-quality microphones. We have done this willingly because we believe so strongly in the mission of the Modern Woodworkers Association – to further the knowledge of woodworking and to build a stronger online and local woodworking communities.

That's our name... wear it out!

We have never charged for any of our content, and we anticipate keeping things that way as we move into the future.  We are just asking if you have the ability, and you have liked what you have heard on the podcast, if you could please visit the Modern Woodworkers Association page and click on the Donate button on the upper right side of the screen. All of those funds are going to go toward the purchase of improved recording equipment and other associated expenses to help us to continue to bring the best-quality content possible.

The MWA ROCKS!

We plan on thanking everyone on our podcast if you make a contribution, and we’ll be sure to mention your name in an extra-special way if you help spread the request to other friends.

It isn’t said enough – but thank you for the support you have given us through the past two years. There is absolutely no way we could be the Modern Woodworkers Association without each and every one of you!