As most of you know, there is a wave of winter invading the northeast producing snow and extreme cold weather. Since the weather prohibits most outdoor activities (except those related to the snow) it is a good time to make some sawdust in your shop. Is it too cold for you to enjoy some woodworking?) I recently realized not all woodworking is done in the shop! I know some craftsmen that make rustic “stick” furniture and they prefer working outside. The use of a grinder to sculpt wood is so aggressive and produces a quick pile of shavings so most don’t do this indoors. A lot of purists that use a shaving horse don’t work indoors. Still others enjoy the task of harvesting their own logs and milling their own boards. Of course, this is done outside and many prefer the wintertime to drag logs in to their mill. I occasionally obtain logs but prefer the comfort of good weather to do so. However, this cold blast from Mother Nature is affecting the operation of my kiln!  When it is in the single digits I have a hard time maintaining an elevated temperature. I can still dry wood just not at my preferred rate. Although I enjoy looking out my shop window at the blanket of snow covering the ground I realize this cold weather is not convenient for every woodworker. I hope this weather does not bother your opportunity to work with some wood – whatever form of woodworking you prefer! How has this cold blast caused you to alter your woodworking habit?
Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill