When it comes to essential reads in the world of woodworking, I consider "Choosing and Using Hand Tools" by Andy Rae as one of the most important.  Andy does a great job of presenting an amazing amount of information about a large number of tools both traditional and non-traditional to the woodshop. This book isn't just filled with a few pictures and a couple of little descriptions of each tool, but instead Andy does a great job of making sure the reader has a good understanding of the limitations and capabilities of each tool and to which family they belong. Copies of "Choosing and Using Hand Tools" can be found at both Sterling Publishing and also at Amazon.com. Hendrik has agreed to come back in May to talk about starting a woodworking business.  So remember to get your questions in as soon as possible. Also, Hendrik is starting his annual three part finishing seminars:  Part 1 "Preparing the Surface and Staining" - April 26th or May 3rd.  Part 2 "Hand Finishing and Rubbing Out"    - May 10th or 24th.Part 3"Antique Restoration Techniques"      - May 31st or June 7th.So if you live in the Toronto area or feel like visiting it, and you want more information about Hendrik's finishing seminars, send an email to info@passionforwood.com Of course you can always drop me a line with your questions, comments, suggestions and schwag entries anytime.  Just send them to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com.  Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below powered by Podbean.com       To download this show directly to your computer just Right Click and "Save Target as".

Chris Schwarz, editor of Popular Woodworking and Woodworking Magazines, author of "Workbenches:  From Design & Theory to Construction & Use", and of course star of three Lie-Nielsen DVDs agreed to come on the show for an interview with yours truly. While I meant to ask Chris everything under the sun regarding hand tools and his various articles that I've accumulated over the past few years (I swear I'm not a stalker, just a devoted Schwarzee).  I narrowed it down to just a few key ones ranging from hand sawing to dealing with letters to the editor by happy and unhappy readers alike. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did doing it.  Chris agreed to come back on some other time, so stay subscribed for possible upcoming visits in the future. Hendrik is returning in May to answer your questions about getting a woodworking business up and running.  It's a little teaser before his annual seminar so get those questions in as soon as possible. Also, Hendrik is starting his annual three part finishing seminars:  Part 1 "Preparing the Surface and Staining" - April 26th or May 3rd.  Part 2 "Hand Finishing and Rubbing Out"    - May 10th or 24th.Part 3"Antique Restoration Techniques"      - May 31st or June 7th.So if you live in the Toronto area or feel like visiting it, and you want more information about Hendrik's finishing seminars, send an email to info@passionforwood.com Of course you can always drop me a line with your questions, comments, suggestions and schwag entries anytime.  Just send them to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com.    Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below powered by Podbean.com       To download this show directly to your computer just Right Click and "Save Target as".

This past Saturday I had the chance to head to Chicago and check out a Lie-Nielsen Tool Demo and seminars at J. Miller Handcrafted Furniture.  If you've ever been interested in taking some tools for a test run or just hanging out with very like minded individuals, these type of get togethers are for you.  Thomas Lie-Nielsen himself was there and for those lucky enough to take one of his tools home that day you were able to get him to sign it with his etcher.  That's him and me in the picture posted here. Jeff Miller graciously made his shop available for all the demos and now that it's over it's time to get back to work.  I'm taking a class on May 31st myself and there's many more to sign up for if you're interested.  Just give Jeff a call to schedule yours. Coming up in May, Hendrik is returning to answer your questions about getting a woodworking business up and running.  It's a little teaser before his annual seminar in his own shop, so get those questions in as soon as possible. Also, Hendrik is starting his annual three part finishing seminars:  Part 1 "Preparing the Surface and Staining" - April 26th or May 3rd.  Part 2 "Hand Finishing and Rubbing Out"    - May 10th or 24th.Part 3"Antique Restoration Techniques"      - May 31st or June 7th.If you live in the Toronto area and want more information about Hendrik's finishing seminars, send an email to info@passionforwood.com Of course you can always drop me a line with your questions, comments, suggestions and schwag entries anytime.  Just send them to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com.  Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below powered by Podbean.com

It's April and Hendrik is back to answer more of your questions.  This month we're talking about dealing with troubled stock.  Since nothing is worse than dealing with cupped, bowed, twisted or crooked boards we answer your questions about how to tame these problems or maybe even avoid them. Today is part 2 of our discussion, so hopefully if we haven't answered your question yet we will today. Remember for comments, questions and schwag entries drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com. Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below powered by Podbean.com

It's April and Hendrik is back to answer more of your questions.  This month we're talking about dealing with troubled stock.  Since nothing is worse than dealing with cupped, bowed, twisted or crooked boards we answer your questions about how to tame these problems or maybe even avoid them. Today is part 1 of our discussion, and since it's Friday that means it's Feature Friday so one of you lucky listeners is winning some free schwag!  Are you the lucky listener?? For anyone interested, coming up on April 11 & 12, 2008 there's a great little tool demo and woodworking school openhouse going on at J. Miller Handcrafted Furniture in Chicago. The details can be found at Lie-Nielsen.  There will be some great demos by a number of well known woodworkers and I'm planning on checking it out myself. Remember for comments, questions and schwag entries drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com. Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below powered by Podbean.com

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