Weekly Editorial
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Using Green Wood
There is a trend in woodworking toward using green wood. No, I am not talking about lumber that has not yet been cured or dried, but of wood harvested in an environmentally sustainable manner. I have always thought of myself as a “good steward” of the environment: I recycle and dispose of my nasty chemicals in a responsible way (I don’t use fertilizer on my yard … just ask my neighbors), so I have to say I am in favor of this trend.
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Groundhog, Shmoundhog
In recent weeks, there have been various reports of oversized rodents poking their beady-eyed heads out of their respective holes in the ground with the goal of predicting the end of winter. While I am generally in favor of traditions, this one seems a bit silly to me. Especially when there is a much more accurate means of determining the depth of winter and the likely onset of spring. I am, of course, speaking of the woodshop winter metric system (WWMS for short). Note to reader: this should not be confused with “The Metric” system that for some reason strikes irrational fear into every fraction-fond American woodworker.
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New Electronic Adventures
am going to tell you about the newest thing on the web: It’s free, it’s fast, it’s complete, and it’s cool! I’m talking about our latest labor of love here at the Woodworker’s Journal: the Woodworker’s Journal Resource Digest – Online. It contains all the tool information that you need, available at the speed of light.
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The Way of All Flesh
Did it seem to you that there was a worldwide overabundance of really good chocolate this holiday season? I’m not talking about your down-to-earth Hershey’s or Milky Way bars; I mean really fancy (so I am thinking extra fattening) chocolate, with names that you don’t pronounce half of the vowels written on the packaging.
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Home for the Holidays
Well, I have to say that it is good to be home. For those of you who were not aware, I was over in Europe for about 10 days, looking at European woodworking tools. In the part of Europe that I visited, hobby woodworking is not as big a thing as it is here at home. There are some great woodworkers, but most of them are doing it as their vocation, not an avocation.
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The Doctor is Ready
Welcome to another sponsored eZine. This time out, our special partner is Drill Doctor. The Drill Doctor is one of those tools that, if you have never used one, it is easy to be a bit skeptical about. After all, it simply sharpens drill bits … but if you are one of us who have actually used the product, you are likely to be a convert. I remember back when the Drill Doctor was first gaining popularity, I, too, was under-impressed. Then I got my hands on one, and I changed my mind in a big way.
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Thanks All Around
It is the season when many of us look back at the year behind us and find much to be thankful about. It is true for me.
When I consider the grace and the good fortune I have experienced, it is more than a bit humbling. And while the top of my “why I am thankful” list features my family and others that I love, it is not limited in any regard. -
The Stuff of Woodworking
I have a bit of a strange question for you: What process do you go through when deciding what sort of lumber to use for a project? Personally, I find selecting lumber to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of woodworking. Sometimes it’s a process of discovery: “Hey, what the heck is that big chunk of wood in the corner?”
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Back in the Basement
Having just spent two weeks in China hunting up woodworking stories, and another in North Dakota, hunting birds, I am ready for a break from this life of glamour. (I know, you feel sorry for me … how could you not?) Fortunately, my family is always ready to help me when I get in these moments of need. They were quick to point out a project or two that needed to be completed.
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Back in the U.S.A.
I just flew back from China … and boy, are my arms – OK, even I can’t go for that goofy joke. But I am indeed back home and happy to be in the soon-to-be-frozen north. My tool travels to Asia were eye-opening and truly gave me an opportunity to understand the dynamics behind the shift of manufacture – of all sorts, not just woodworking tools – to the East.
