Woodworking in the News
F+W Merges Popular Woodworking and Woodworking Magazine
F+W Media has merged Popular Woodworking and Woodworking Magazine. The new, combined title, called Popular Woodworking Magazine, will begin publishing with the April 2010 issue. The new, combined title will be published seven times annually.
Wood carver keeps hands busy with creative endeavors
Journal Register - Macomb County Michigan
"Maranzano's passion for woodcarving grew as he attended many woodcarving shows. At one he saw a Model T, one of Ford's first production models, on display. After studying the details of the vehicle for some time, he determined he could do just as good - and the stage was set for his first car woodcarving experience." MORE
Surf's Up!
San Francisco Chronicle
By synthesizing the woodworking techniques of cabinetmakers and boat builders with the standard foam-and-fiberglass approach, Hess creates surfboards that push the boundaries of environmental sustainability, aesthetic beauty and speed generation. They may cost twice as much as conventionally shaped surfboards, but they have the durability to last a lifetime. MORE
New Yankee Workshop Calls it Quits
WGBH Boston
The New Yankee Workshop is ending production after 22 seasons. Apparently the show's pruducer, WGHB in Boston, figured Norm Abram, the carpenter turned furnituremaker made famous by this show, has already built everything and decided it was time to close-up shop.
Norm will continue to co-host 'This Old House' on PBS, now in its 30th year. "We've had a great run, built challenging projects, met wonderful woodworkers and received loyal support from millions of viewers," Abram said in a statement.
His show will be missed.
Master woodworker perfects the art of canoe building
Macon County News
Today the canoe is a well recognized form of water-faring versatility. The functionality the canoe produces has been emulated by craftsmen for thousands of years. One such craftsman, Vincent Barbro, can be found in the mountains of Franklin, N.C. MORE
James Krenov dies at age 89
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
James Krenov, celebrated woodworker, designer, author, and founder of the College of the Redwoods Fine Furniture Program, passed away last Wednesday at the age of 89. Krenov is often credited as the spark that ignited a renewed interest in handmade furniture in the last quarter of the 20th century.
Sam Maloof dies at age 93
Press-Enterprise · Riverside, California
Master woodworker Sam Maloof, a major figure in the California modern arts movement, died Thursday evening at his Rancho Cucamonga home. He was 93.
Sam was a world-reknown expert on woodworking finishing and leaves a legacy of skill and products. His pieces are in the collections of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Boston Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Art Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. MORE
Teach a kid to build a boat
San Francisco Examiner
The Spaulding Wooden Boat Center in Sausalito, California teaches life skills in a unique way. Students spend time at the boat yard learning shop safety and basic woodworking skills; they are given a toolbox to bring home for further skill development. Then they build a boat together. And when its done they learn to sail! MORE
 
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Woodworking Lingo...
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Amine Blush: Most epoxies used in boatbuilding have "amine"-based hardeners. After the epoxy is cured there will usually be a noticeable oily residue on the surface called amine blush. The amount of amine blush can vary considerably, from almost unnoticeable to very oily. This difference is the result of differences in temperature and humidity. The amine blush can affect the bond of subsequent coats of epoxy or paints and should be removed. Although a variety of solvents have been used to remove amine blush, in the shop we use denatured alcohol (shellac thinner), laquer thinner or acetone. Amine blush can be sanded off, but will require a lot of sandpaper as the paper tends to clog quickly
Collets: The movable metal parts in a chuck which grip the tool or the workpiece.
Core Ply: Plywood made up from thin sheets of veneer glued to a core of narrow boards. Core Ply or lumber-core plywood differs from regular plywood in that regular plywood is made up of successive layers of alternating grain veneer.
Sliding Dovetail Joints: A sliding dovetail joint is similar to a tongue and groove joint except the tongue and grove are matching dovetails.
Bending strap: A steel strap that is placed along the convex side of a piece of wood to be bent. Strap ends are held in place by stops located at both ends of the wood. During bending, the strap takes most of the generated tension, forcing the wood to bend mostly in compression.
Baluster and ring turning: The common name for a fancy turning style commonly found on early American Windsor chairs. This technique typically combines two vase-shaped "balusters" with a ring and tapered cone at the bottom end.
Cannel : (sounding like 'camel', not 'canal') refers to the inside face of any carving tool: deep or flat gouge, V tool etc. Usually 'in cannel' to differentiate from 'out cannel', the opposite, outer face.
Board Foot: A form of wood measurement, where one board foot equals the volume of a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long. A board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches of wood. To calculate board feet, use the following formula:
(Thickness x Width x Length) / 144 = Board Feet
Tearout: When (rough) fibers are pulled away from the surface of a board or when wood splinters at the edge. Tearout is usually associated with dull cutting edges on tools or (as much as we don't like to admit it) poor technique.
Biscuit Joint: A butt joint that is reinforced with a football shaped "biscuit". The biscuits are usually made from compressed pieces of wood. When a biscuit comes into contact with glue in the joint it swells creating a tighter joint. Also called a Plate Joint.
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What's New in Woodworking
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Pock-It Hole Clamp by Rockler Hardware
Clamp and align your pocket hole joints simultaneously. Works with 3/8'' pocket holes on 3/4'' thick face frames and casework. Clearance in clamp body allows for clamping and fastening of double joints in one step. Ratcheting handle enables clamp to function while laying flat on the workbench. Pin is adjustable in length to utilize pocket holes of varying depth. Lightweight aluminum construction. Patent pending.
Learn More
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Woodworking as a Business
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Furniture maker defines elegance in woodworking
"You look at something, and it's not going to necessarily jump right out and grab you right away. It's gonna be something you're going to look at; then, the longer you look at it, the more you will appreciate it. To me, that's elegance."
Understated also describes the building where Strauss crafts his custom and signature line of art deco-inspired furniture. You won't see big, flashy signs or display windows. Instead, you will see a red and tan brick building and a small black and white sign that reads: "John Strauss, furniture maker, LLC."
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