Site Upgrade

A few changes are coming to TheWoodWhisperer.com. We are almost constantly working on ways to improve the usability and appearance of the website. Much like our shops, there is always something that could be improved. So the new site will look very similar but we think you’ll find it much more pleasing to navigate. The home page will be cleaner and more succinct. The live page and all the streaming web cams will be significantly improved with iOS compatibility and a new simpler chat room. Goodbye crappy chat room! We will also be implementing a new feature that allows you to easily search our archives by specific attributes. Want to see all the Shop Tours submitted by Pros with standalone shops that are 1000+ sq. ft. with a strong focus on power tools? You’ll be able to do that. Pretty cool stuff. Look for it to arrive in your browser early 2012.

The Split-Top Roubo

The Split-Top Roubo Guild Build is about to begin and should last for at least a few months. Having this sweet bench in my shop will be a great way to start the new year as I dive into some new projects. If you are looking to get in on the build, check this out!

The Client Project (Bedroom Set)

Some of you may recall the “Summer of Wenge”. A few years ago, my favorite client commissioned a few very unique cabinets made primarily from Wenge. So I endured countless splinters as I brought the pieces to life. Well the same client is looking for some bedroom pieces, including a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand. These pieces will NOT be made from Wenge, but Bubinga and African Blackwood instead. The picture here is only a starting point as the final design will have some sweet raised panels along with the angled headboard. Not sure how many of these pieces I’ll be able to do but I am thinking we might start with the bed and go from there.

The Maloof-Inspired Rocker

I have been wanting to build a Maloof-style rocker for years. Whether in a class or on my own with a set of plans, some day it will happen! And this year just may be the year. During a recent Wood Talk Online Radio, my co-host Shannon and I realized that we both own the Charles Brock plans and thought it would be cool if we both documented a build at the same time. He would cover primarily hand tool methods and I would focus a little more on power tools. Now the question is, can we both carve out the time?

The Krenov Cabinet

I have long been an admirer of Krenov’s work. And with the last few Guild projects being fairly large, I think it’s time to do something on a smaller scale. So I am thinking the next Guild project will be a small floor-standing Krenov-inspired Jewelry Armoire. I guess you could also just call it a cabinet and put whatever you want in it. Either way, it should be a fun and useful project.

The Tilt-Top Table

My buddy Bill Akins alerted me to a table he thought I could have some fun with. It’s a classic tilt-top table from Fine Woodworking. You’ll probably notice that this doesn’t look like a “marc” project. No doubt I tend to focus more on modern designs and I don’t have much personal interest in what I affectionately refer to as, “Burgundy Grandma furniture”. If you like this stuff, don’t be offended. This is no different than me saying I’m not a big fan of dark-colored walls, young kids with handlebar mustaches, and street racers that sound like souped-up lawn mowers. Its just a personal distaste for the look. But, that doesn’t mean that I don’t have respect for the craftsmanship, elegance, and history that comes with some of these pieces. So with that in mind, I think its time for me to try something different, like this table. I will most likely make a few changes so that it becomes something I don’t mind looking at in my own home, but the fundamentals of the build will be inspired by the original. And yes, we’ll even do some turning.

Adirondack Chair Class

You probably remember the Adirondack Chair from this summer, right? Well this Summer, I’ll be teaching folks how to build it at the William Ng School. You can sign up for the 5-day class right now by clicking here. The class will run from June 4th – June 8th and should be a great time. June in Southern California?!?! Yes please!

Miscellaneous Videos

Of course we’ll have numerous other technique and small project videos as well as minis. Just a few things I have planned already are: The Shop-Made Drawing Bow, The Rockler Circle Cutting Jig, and Must-Have Router Bits.

All in all, it should be a great year at The Wood Whisperer. Thanks for making 2011 another record-breaking year in terms of traffic and video downloads. You guys are the best community a woodworking nerd could ask for!

I built this cabinet on a stand a few months ago. I love the works of James Krenov and decided to pay homage to him by building a cabinet in his style. The cabinet itself is made of Beech. The doors of the cabinet were coopered and shaped with hand planes, with sides being in at a slight angle are also shaped with a hand plane. Inside there are 2 small drawers with hand-cut dovetails with curved fronts. The stand is made of Red Oak, with the rails having odd angles cut on the ends to match the angles of the cabinet, also have curves and bevels. The cabinet was finished with a light coat of shellac while the stand was finished with a few coats of oil.

The 2 handplanes inside? Well before Krenov stopped making planes/passed away i asked him for one. After receiving it, a bad crack had developed in the cross pin. I told him about it and he sent me another one, insisting I keep the first one.

To learn more and James Krenov, check out the Wikipedia page and the Krenov Website.

What’s on the Bench?
Marc has been repairing chairs and just finished up a couple Guild projects (magazine rack and the knife block).
Matt tells us about his trip to Woodworking in America and he finally finished his wife’s bookcase.

Around the Web:
Clark sent us some great Puzzle Box Links.
Bruce Viney
YouTube Puzzle Video 1
YouTube Puzzle Video 2

Twitter Facebook Tips:
@treefrogfurnitu – Dull tools are dangerous tools
@SplinteredBoard – Don’t route end grain and slice open your hand
@RenaissanceWW – leave your checkbook at home when going to the marketplace at WIA
@chwmag – The ratio of measuring to cutting should be 2:1 (This tip is a paraphrase. Some else said it better.)
@WoodShepherd – Keep your fingers away from things that spin, have teeth, and make lots of noise.
@practiklyboring – Used foam brushes: let them dry, tear the foam off. You get a flat piece of plastic on a stick. Makes a good glue spreader.
@joshuasargent – Since I began woodworking, my dad relentlessly tells me that the #1 tip is to end up with as many fingers as I start with.
@John Bratton – Blue masking tape is your friend and start your Christmas gift building now…or pretty soon anyway

News:
We heard a strong rumor that woodworking great, James Krenov, has passed away.
From JamesKrenov.com:
“The author of four crucial books for any serious woodworker, Krenov teaches a philosophy that has become a prerequisite for advanced cabinetry throughout the world. A recognized furniture maker in Sweden, he moved to Northern California in 1981, where he created and led the College of the Redwoods’ Fine Woodworking School. In his twenty years with the school he taught hundreds of eager students from around the world while continuing to build his own fine furniture. He retired from the college in 2002, but is still actively creating cabinets in his home woodshop. James Krenov is represented with works at museums in Sweden, Norway, Japan and the U.S.”

Feb 2007 Robert Lang Toured the College of the Redwoods

Are you attending Woodworking in America?

Sweet Deals:
The Wood Whisperer Giveaway
Chris Schwarz’s new book on sale at Lee Valley – $26 vs $34.50
Free shipping at Woodcraft.com on orders $50 or more until 9/30/09.
For those attending WIA PA workbench bundles of PA Ash are available…try getting that in your overhead if you’re flying!

Email:
From John:

I wanted to let you know that I will be attending Palomar College Woodworking School this fall enrolled in the CFT 100 fundamentals of Woodworking and the follow-up 105 course in the spring of 2010. You have been a big proponent of education and always learning new and better ways to do things. You even went to school yourself to learn from a master. So thanks for all your efforts and congratulations on all the things you have accomplished since I first started visiting your web site.

I will be doing a Blog of my 100 course at Palomar and it is listed below. I am very fortunate to be able to attend such a good school and learn things the correct way. I want to do this because other who want to attend may not be able to because of time, money and location. Please pass this link on to anyone who would be interested in following my course and learning with me. I will be posting my class notes and pictures and video’s each week. By the way Palomar College will enroll 180 students in the CFT 100 class. I guess that says Woodworking is making a big comeback. It is also the fastest growing division of the College.

Going to Woodworking School

Thanks again for all your help and advice. By the way pass this information on to your sponsors, I have bought several items based on your recommendations and ads.

John Fleming

Voicemail:
Jeff has some advice about folding your bandsaw blade.

Darrell Peart is a furniture-maker, author, and instructor living in the Pacific Northwest. His work is heavily influenced by the work of the Greene brothers and as you can see on his website, Darrell likes to put his own spin on it. This interview took place in March of 2009 at the William Ng School. I took Darrell’s Aurora End Table class and he was kind enough to sit and chat with me about all kinds of things: influences, design theories, copying other works, and Greene & Greene. Darrell also gives a few tips to help bring out that inner designer inside of all of us (if it isn’t coming out naturally).

If you are interested in learning more about Greene & Greene history and techniques, you have to check out Darrell’s book. You can pick it up directly on his website and he’ll even autograph it for you!