Building On History
I have had many requests to re-post some of the articles that used to be at the former WK Fine Tools website. As time permits, I will continue to add those articles here. This one, on the ratcheting parallel guide has been the most requested. I apparently did not back up the photos for this... Continue Reading →
I have recently been working on a candle stand design that involves making a hexagonal post that I wrote about here a couple of days ago. Hexagons show up in furniture occasionally, honeybees are completely enamored with them, pencils, and chair parts sometimes. They can be made with just hand planes alone, no jigs required. Here... Continue Reading →
I definitely have a soft spot for candle stands. They are usually quick to make and don't require a lot of material. Maybe building these smallish tables appeals to my short attention span too. This example I ran across in the MESDA database but was owned by a private collector. With the help of... Continue Reading →
Four years ago I made a copy of a vintage frame saw that resides at The Woodwright's School in Pittsboro, NC. The reproduction saw I made is also at the school, if you are visiting be sure and check out the pair. This is by far the fastest rip saw I have ever used. The... Continue Reading →
On my trip to Hancock Shaker Village in 2017, I was looking for a side table to measure. They have many and as always it is hard to narrow down a favorite. The one I chose was in storage, hidden away in the loft of the brick dwelling. The table originated from the Shaker settlement... Continue Reading →
I hate glue ups, particularly when using PVA type glues. The nagging sense of urgency thru the whole process and trying not to make too big of a mess of the project or yourself just ain't much fun. Anything that makes the process go a little faster or easier is always a good thing Today... Continue Reading →
I ran across a few photos of a simple, light duty saw horse that I had taken in a Virginia antique store a couple years back. A staked horse like this is not a new idea of course; it caught my because of the narrow beam and aligned leg mortises. Why the round side is... Continue Reading →
This past spring I found an original Shaker #7 rocker dating from the late 1800's. These chairs are really not what you would call rare, they seem to turn up pretty often. This one is what is usually referred to as a production chair, made at the Mt. Lebanon, NY. Shaker chair factory. I was... Continue Reading →
Below are the plans and the PDF version of the original Moravian bench article that was on WK Fine Tools. In the past there have been websites selling this same plan (annoys me to no end) that they hiked from WK. The folks at Old Salem were kind enough to let me examine and measure... Continue Reading →
Welcome to my new blog! Where this will lead I have no idea but I am going to give it a try. I have posted articles and other goings on at WK Fine Tools and Lost Art Press Blog for the past several years. The WK site has just shut down and I would... Continue Reading →
Eclectic Mechanicals 