ShopNotes Magazine Issue 145

As part of my work with the Woodsmith Shop TV show, I was in Bellingham, WA at Grizzly Tools’ headquarters. While getting the tour of the founder’s shop, I noticed a couple setups: Shiraz Balolia uses a vertical mill and a metal lathe frequently in his woodworking projects. Each tool was like its own universe: the necessary bits, accessories, and jigs were organized and at arm’s reach. It was clear a lot of creative work can (and does) happen within the splendid confines of each machine. That workstation idea comes up in two projects in this issue: the drill press center (page 20) and the Anvil stand on page 36. So there must be something in the air. I spend a lot of time in my shop crisscrossing the space…

There’s a strange relationship between our tools and work habits. The methods of work you follow over the course of a project influence the kinds of tools you use. Likewise, a new tool can change your routines leading to different patterns and better results. Allow me to illustrate with a personal example. I had a contractors-style table saw in my shop. As much as I liked its capabilities, the rip fence locking mechanism didn’t keep it parallel with the blade. I had to double-check the setup with a rule measuring from both the front and back of the blade. Back in the shop at Woodsmith, the rip fence scales couldn’t be trusted since either standard or thin-kerf blades might be in the saw at any given time. You never knew…

For the most part, a plain, straight ruler offers more versatility than feature-studded layout systems. There’s a case to be made for an exception: the T-square ruler. A lot of woodworking depends on square joinery and assembly. WOODPECKERS T-SQUARE. The head on the Woodpeckers version features a ledge that rests on the workpiece (inset photo). This keeps the rule from tipping in use. Beveled edges bring the marking close to the surface. A series of indexed holes allow you to mark lines parallel to the reference edge. SHOP-MADE. Another option is designed by our very own Chris Fitch. It uses a 36" wood rule as the base. He designed an adjustable head that can be clamped anywhere along the length. Check out sources on page 46 for details.…

One important woodworking lesson is that sometimes numbers can get in the way of accurate work. The better choice is a direct transfer of dimension, size, or location. The tool for this kind of work is called a story stick. A long rule can stand in for a story stick. Most of the time, I mark right on the rule with my pencil. Just make the pencil mark distinct from the hash marks. If your rule is made from anodized aluminum, marking with a pencil is out of the question. Blue tape to the rescue. A strategically placed strip of masking tape creates a distraction-free marking surface.…

A common expression for woodworking is “working with your hands,” which is a bit of a misnomer as woodworking is actually a full-body exercise. That’s not always a top-of-mind consideration when designing our workbenches and workshops though. If we view woodworking through that lens, then the decisions made on ergonomics in our shop come into sharper focus. WHY IT MATTERS. There are two main reasons to concern yourself with ergonomics in your work: efficiency and longevity. Both are equally important. The more immediately appealing consideration for woodworkers is efficiency. Working at the correct height on a stable surface allows you to put your full body into the work and spend more time in the shop. Then completing detail work up close will yield a nicer final result. Long term there…

A well-built project begins with a wellmade layout. And to create a quality layout, you’ll need quality tools. For many projects, you’ll be able to get by with squares and rules, but as you continue on your woodworking journey you’ll eventually find more organic designs that call for something unique. French curves have been a part of the woodworking arsenal in some form or another for centuries. They began as simple, curved splines used by boatwrights, but they evolved throughout the years into the three shapes above. Curiously, these curves aren’t actually French. Though they were inspired by a larger selection of 28 curves commonly used in France, these three shapes were invented by the German mathematician Ludwig Burmester. These forms saw mass appeal and spread to shops across the…