I have clients and woodworkers come to my shop for various reasons.  Most woodworkers are interested in seeing how my shop is laid out to accommodate my work flow.  I recently had a woodworking friend drop by.  After he checked out my machinery, he mentioned there were several tools I did not appear to use often.  I was intrigued so I inquired which ones and how he came to    that conclusion.  He mentioned that due to the presence of spider webs I did not use my drill press or 14” bandsaw often.  I laughed.  I explained that in my shop I share space with “critters” that serve a purpose. 

In the spring and fall I have the shop doors open to get a breeze of fresh air through my shop.  Because the front door and back door are open, I inadvertently get flying insects in the shop also.  By leaving the spiders alone they will spin their webs in an out of the way place – such as the motor bracket on the drill press or the back of the bandsaw frame.  Their webs will catch the unwanted flying pests!  So, I do not bother the spiders in my shop.  Although I have a great dust collection system there is always very fine dust that accumulates on the sticky web.  I leave it alone and the spiders just spin more web as needed. 

I found a snake skin by my front door one day so I hung it by the light switch at the entrance to my shop.  I do not bother snakes either because they take care of any unwanted rodents.  Any farmer will tell you snakes are a good think to have around the farm and barn.  With the exception of the copperhead or rattlesnake, because they are poisonous, I leave snakes alone.

So, like any “country boy” I don’t mind a few spiders or snakes.  And the fine dust just outlines the spider webs.  So, if you are squeamish about spiders or snakes you will not be comfortable in my shop – but you are still welcome to drop by for a visit! 

Stay safe and be proud of your Appalachian Heritage! 

The foundation of woodworking is sharpening.  If you want to be a good craftsman then you must learn to sharpen.  I tell all my students that only they can decide what method is best suited for them, however, I do expect them to learn and try several methods.  First, they must understand the 3 steps to sharpening – shaping, honing and polishing.  While learning this, students are exposed to primary and secondary bevels, as well as, flat and hollow grinds.  In class they get to utilize a horizontal sharpening wheel, vertical sharpening wheel, at least 4 types of stones (oil, water, diamond and ceramic) and, of course, sandpaper on a flat surface.  The final question I give on the sharpening test is for the student to explain the method they prefer and why.  Although I get mixed opinions on this subject the students always manage to justify their opinions with legitimate reasons.  To me this is the true learning process.

Enjoy your shop time!

Jerill

A good friend once told me that restaurants have menus because not everyone likes green beans. In other words, everyone is different. I have found this is true in learning woodworking also. I have eight students all day so to make things easier on me I have been giving all the students the same assignments. To my amusement one is more concerned about being first and finishing first than the craftsmanship (the Hare). Another one is more reluctant to go early in the rotation so he can learn from the mistakes of others.  Although his craftsmanship is the best in the class he always finishes last (the Tortoise). He is more concerned about getting it done right than the learning process.  This week I began with different assignments for each student.  Although it creates more work on my part it forces the students to focus on their project and learn on their own at their pace.  So don’t let your personality effect your craftsmanship.  Learn to focus on the woodworking task before you and you will be rewarded with a quality piece when done.

Enjoy your shop time!

Jerill

Students continually ask me how to tell if a chisel or plane iron is sharp.  I ask them is it for show or for dough?  Everyone I know has a different method of determining if an instrument is sharp.  A very common one is shave the hairs off of your forearm.  If you see a woodworker with bald patches on his arm you know why!  I like to peel off some of the thumb nail with a freshly sharpened iron.  A friend of mine slices paper with his chisel to show how sharp it is.  I have watched several woodworkers pare a soft wood to determine if the chisel is sharp.  Perhaps the best method for show is to hold the edge toward the light and see if there is a reflection.  If it is sharp then there is no edge to reflect light – hence a “black” line.  All of these are for show and I’m sure there are more.  But the true test – the one for dough – is if the instrument will perform the required task in a safe and efficient manner!  If it does then quality work will prevail and your craftsmanship will increase.  Isn’t that the best test?

Enjoy your shop time!

Jerill

I have often heard “just a hair more” as a measurement term.  I continually respond by asking what color hair?  Everyone knows that a blonde hair is not the same thickness as a red, black or brown hair.  In reality measurements are a source of failure.  Trying to measure a specific size with a tape or ruler, mark it on a board and then “cut to the line” never works.  This scenario gives you three opportunities to make a mistake.  I tell all my students that it is better to mark directly on the board instead of measuring.  But the best way of duplicating a size is to use a stop block instead of measuring.  The next time you reach for a tape or rule think about how you are introducing the opportunity for a mistake.  Minimize the mistakes and your frustration will diminish and your confidence will grow.  So instead of taking off “just a hair” learn how to duplicate parts and cuts.  Then perhaps you can keep all your hairs – no matter what color they are!

Enjoy your shop time!

Jerill

A bride-to-be will spend countless hours searching for the perfect gown to wear on her wedding day.  This is to ensure all will be stunned by the first glimpse of her as she walks down the aisle.  Matching grain and patterns in a panel glue up is very similar.  We need to spend time searching for the right boards that will produce enough wood for the special project.  Start with boards that are the same cut from the saw mill – don’t mix quartered sawn with plain sawn or rift sawn.  Checking grain patterns to make sure they all flow in the right direction is a must.

The same color and shade are also necessary to make any glue line disappear.  Don’t be afraid to make an angled cut on a board to get the grain pattern you need.  Using a template opening to view the finished size will help train your eye to see the grain and color match for the final dimension.  If we all take the time searching for the perfect boards for a glue up then we too can stun the viewers when the project is complete.

Enjoy your shop time!

Jerill

My college woodworking instructor, John Wesley Williams, used to tell me to make my furniture idiot proof because I am building a reputation as well as a piece of furniture.  As a furniture builder I don’t know how my customer will use my product.  A good example is a hutch with a door hung at chest height.  I don’t know if the future owner will open these doors with a downward force causing a racking strain on the door.  A good fitting, full-sized tenon joint is necessary and not just a stub tenon.  A person leaning back in a chair while the chair rests on the back two legs is another good example.  Although the chair is designed to sit on all four legs you don’t know how the new owner will utilize the chair your spent hours building.  So think of how to idiot proof your creations and build a positive reputation – one that will last as long as your furniture!  Thanks, John, for the lesson learned.  Now, if only I can get my students to understand!

Enjoy your shop time!

Jerill

I was feeling guilty for buying a new dovetail saw at the recent Woodworking in America event (in Cincinnati, Ohio) until I discussed the use of a tool with one of my students.  I explained the proper use for a screwdriver was for driving screws – not prying or scraping.  While prying with a screwdriver the tip will usually get broken or bent.  This is because the manufacturer designed this tool for a specific purpose – driving screws.  This is called “manner of function”.  It is not designed to pry or scrap.  It is common for individuals to use tools for tasks other than their intended design.  This behavior shows a lack of respect for the tool.  To me there is nothing greater than having the right tool to do the right job and nothing worse than having the wrong tool to do the wrong job.  After this discussion, I suddenly felt good about buying a new dovetail saw!  After all – there is nothing better than having the right tool to do the right job – no matter how much a new dovetail saw costs!

Enjoy your shop time!

Jerill

Many of my students get in a hurry and rush their projects.  Some even cut steps to keep working instead of waiting for a particular machine to be available.  This is counter-productive because skipping a critical step, such as face jointing, will cause more work later in the project.  Although my students have multiple items to work on, they will not wait until the right machine is available to use at that time.  So, as I say, be patient, and use the right machine for the task at hand.  Don’t skip steps or use the wrong machine.  Take the time to ensure that the board is square and flat.  Some think that only a doctor has patients, but I believe a good woodworker has patience also.  Being patient will improve craftsmanship!

Enjoy your shop time!

Jerill