Highland Staff

Wood Sources: Reclaimed and Repurposed Wood

Jun 042020
 

In the June 2020 issue of Wood News, David Jones identifies several resources he uses for obtaining wood for his woodworking projects.

Where do woodworkers get their wood? The simple answer is anywhere they can. Keep in mind woodworking is a hobby for me, not a profession, so my needs are far less. Still, there are many opportunities to get wood. For example, a farmer friend of mine knows I am into woodworking and he will occasionally call to tell me they cleared a tree row and cut down a large Osage orange (or a walnut, or a locust, or…) and ask me if I would want any of the wood. Yes, I would.

Click here to read the rest of David’s article on finding and using reclaimed and repurposed wood.

Down to Earth Woodworker: Quick Kitchen Cabinet Project

May 282020
 

Are you looking for a way to construct a quick kitchen base cabinet? In this 2-part video by The Down to Earth Woodworker, you can follow along with Steve’s design, cuts, and assembly.

Take a look at both videos below and then get started on your own kitchen cabinets!

Toolbox: Bora NGX Clamp Edge Saw Guide

May 262020
 

In the May 2020 episode of The Highland Woodworker, Chuck looks at the Bora NGX Clamp Edge Saw Guide. He does a couple of demo cuts with the guide and explains how it can turn your circular saw into a track saw.

Take a look at the video below and see if this tool is right for your shop!

Tool Review: MicroJig MatchFit Dovetail Clamp Pro and ZeroPlay 360 Sled Kit

May 212020
 

For the May 2020 issue of Wood News Online, Jeff Fleisher reviewed the MicroJig MatchFit Dovetail Clamp Pro and ZeroPlay 360 Sled Kit, both available at Highland Woodworking:

These two products, used together, create an accurate sled with no movement within the miter slot and a surface with dovetail slots that use MicroJig’s clamps and track hardware for fences and other custom hold-downs.

Read the rest of the review

Purchase a MicroJig MatchFit Dovetail Clamp Pro and ZeroPlay 360 Sled Kit for your shop

Click this link for more helpful woodworking tool reviews

The Highland Woodworker, featuring Charles Brock

May 192020
 

On Saturday we released the May 2020 episode of The Highland Woodworker, this time featuring woodworker Charles Brock! Yes that’s right, we finally convinced Chuck to interview himself and what an interview it was. We loved hearing Chuck’s story of how he got into woodworking, as well as getting a full tour of his Spring Hill, TN workshop.

Andrew Zoellner from Popular Woodworking offers some great tips for getting the most out of your miter saw.

And Chuck took a closer look at the Bora NGX Clamp Edge Saw Guide, a great tool that will turn any circular saw into a track saw.

So if you have been looking for something new to watch, sit back and enjoy another great episode!

Book Review: Mortise & Tenon Magazine: Issue 8

May 142020
 

For the May 2020 issue of Wood News Online, Norm Reid reviewed Issue #8 of Mortise & Tenon Magazine:

As always, emphasis is on hand tool woodworking, with a strong sub-emphasis on living close to nature. The result is a refreshing diversion from the overwhelmingly high technology world so far divergent from the earth from which life springs. Especially now, when we are largely cut off from one another by either forced or self-imposed isolation, this issue offers welcome relief.

Read the rest of the review

Purchase your own copy of Mortise & Tenon Magazine

Click this link for more great woodworking books to read

Using Backsaws for Accurate Sawing

May 122020
 

In the May 2020 issue of Wood News, Samuel Colchamiro discusses backsaws, and offers several tips for becoming better at using them.

In the modern world of precise woodworking machines, handsaws are often discarded as obsolete and inaccurate. Many woodworkers are drawn to the precision of the table saw and consider the classic handsaw far less essential. Woodworkers buy dado blades, crosscut blades, rip blades, and all kinds of jigs and fixtures for their table saw. They switch blades consistently for the most effective cut without realizing that if you learn to track a line with a standard backsaw, the world of woodworking is no longer limited to the accessories of your power tools.

Click here to read the rest of Samuel’s article on backsaws.