Author Archives: John

Yet more offcuts!

Posted on 02/06/2014 by John

It’s probably fitting that my first proper post this year is about buying more wood, rather than actually doing anything with it! Wood Recycling Project I have a couple of days off work to coincide with a school holiday, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Purchases, Wood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I’m still here …

Posted on 02/06/2014 by John

Last year a combination of health problems, a bereavement and then the weather conspired against me getting any more time in the workshop. This year my excuses are work, family life and severe procrastination! As you may have noticed there’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Holiday woodbutchery

Posted on 26/08/2013 by John

The other week we went on holiday to The Manor House Hotel in Devon. It’s in a beautiful setting (although effectively being a large collection of barn like structures, it does little to enhance this!) As well as the myriad … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal, Training | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Thoughts on order

Posted on 28/07/2013 by John

[A combination of health problems and bereavement have conspired against me getting any time in the workshop (or even at car boot sales! 😦 ) but here’s a post I’ve been writing for a while] I suspect I’m not alone … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand tools, Jigs Fixtures & Appliances, Machinery, Power tools, Projects, Purchases, Setting up shop, Tools, Workbenches, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Burly barking girls weekend

Posted on 24/06/2013 by John

I was on my own with both girls for most of the weekend, while my wife studied. Saturday wasn’t a great day as they were both pretty tired and stroppy, but yesterday was much better (despite the weather) and we … Continue reading →

Posted in Off-topic, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mounting metalwork vices – Part 2

Posted on 16/06/2013 by John

Today being Fathers day I was able to get some time in the workshop to progress the vice bases. Last time I found that using glue as well as pocket hole screws made accurate placement quite difficult, as the glue … Continue reading →

Posted in Setting up shop, Tools, Vices, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Weekend update

Posted on 16/06/2013 by John

I didn’t get any time in the workshop during the week. Yesterday was spent at a family birthday in a rural village hall, where I noticed this rather nice little toggle/latch, holding a long trestle table against the wall: Something … Continue reading →

Posted in Car booty, Off-topic, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mounting metalwork vices – Part 1

Posted on 09/06/2013 by John

Today I made a start on building some bases for my two metalworking vices. The intention is that each base will have a cross member underneath which can be clamped in the woodworking vice on my larger bench. They’ll also … Continue reading →

Posted in Setting up shop, Tools, Vices, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Glueing broken plane tote

Posted on 08/06/2013 by John

One of the wooden planes in my recent eBay purchase was broken in transit, with a clean break in the tote: As with last time I glued a tote I’ve used weatherproof glue so I don’t need to worry about … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand tools, Restoration, Tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments