Highland Staff

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.

A Job That Can’t Be Lost

May 072020
 

In the May 2020 issue of Wood News, Bob Rummer discusses how the 1930s were a boom for home crafts and leisure activity, and considers how that might compare to current events.

The coronavirus crisis is changing what we do with our spare time. We can’t all go hiking when we want, and playgrounds, rec centers and libraries are closed around the country. In the 1930s, people were looking for ways to fill their time with meaningful activity and many were looking for ways to find supplemental income.

Click here to continue reading Bob’s article.

Woodworking with Kids

May 052020
 

In the May 2020 issue of Wood News, Doug Stowe shares some great tips for involving kids in your woodworking.

Since kids have been spending more time learning from home, it is important to still be able to emphasize a hands-on learning approach. What better way to do that than have your kids join you in your workshop!

Click here to read tips for getting kids into woodworking

Turning a Singing Top

Apr 232020
 

In the April 2020 issue of Wood News, John Wolf shares his process for a unique woodworking project: the spinning top.

Spinning tops are often the first project taught to new turners, particularly if they are 12 or younger. Some of us are still fascinated by tops even though that 12 year old mark was passed many decades ago. John Wolf recently started making singing tops. These are tops that make a resonate note as they spin.

Click here to learn how to make a spinning top

Is SawStop Worth the Price?

Apr 212020
 

Some years back, before he actually purchased a SawStop for his shop, Steve Johnson (the Down to Earth Woodworker) decided to do some deep thinking and some calculations to determine if the SawStop would be worth the price.

I know first hand what an excellent table saw feels like, sounds like, and how it performs. I know their value. So how could SawStop, at slightly less money, but with an expensive safety feature added, possibly perform as well? The price/value equation seemed skewed and it had me stymied.

Click here to read the rest of Steve’s article!

Book Review: The Craft of Veneering

Apr 092020
 

For the April 2020 issue of Wood News Online, Norm Reid reviewed Craig Thibodeau’s excellent guide, The Craft of Veneering:

I’ve recently become interested in delving into the practice of incorporating veneer into some of my projects. To get started in this, I’ve read several books on veneering. While each has its strong points, none, in my opinion, is as complete an introduction to veneering as The Craft of Veneering by Craig Thibodeau.

Read the rest of the review

Purchase your own copy of The Craft of Veneering

Click this link for more great woodworking books to read

Stories from Grandpa’s Workshop: Fretwork for Fretful Times

Apr 072020
 

In his new column in the April 2020 issue of Wood News, Bob Rummer shares how woodworking can affect four key dimensions of our mental health and well-being.

I have written about some of the psychological benefits of woodworking before, how shop time can help us manage anxiety and stress and contribute to a more positive outlook on life. As I think about our current situation let me share how woodworking can affect four key dimensions of our mental health and well-being.

Click here to read more about woodworking can affect your mental health