Highland Staff

The Drawknife by Andy Glenn

Mar 132020
 

In the March 2020 issue of Wood News, we featured an article by first time Wood News writer Andy Glenn, all about the Drawknife. How to sharpen it, how to use it, and more:

Of all the hand tools, I think the drawknife can be the most intimidating – especially if you’ve never picked one up before. There’s something about the simplicity of the tool that makes it appear so challenging. It’s just a blade with two handles. There are no added controls, adjustments, knobs, buttons, batteries or lasers – it’s just the blade and your skill that make it work.

Click here to read more

Video: Building a SawStop Outfeed Table

Mar 052020
 

After finally deciding to get a SawStop Table Saw, Steve tackles the next set of challenges opportunities that come with having the new saw in his shop. First up: building ‘the ultimate’ outfeed table that will double as an assembly and glue-up table.

Watch the whole series below:

A Guide to Sharpening Chisels & Plane Irons

Feb 272020
 

After posting our new video on How to Sharpen Chisels, we took a look back at some of our older articles and videos on the topic of sharpening, and found this great guide, written awhile back by Zach Etheridge, a man who excelled at keeping his hand tools sharp. Just goes to show that even with all of the new technology available, good, basic sharpening techniques are timeless.

Take a look at Zach’s Guide to Sharpening Chisels and Plane Irons

Learn more about and purchase sharpening supplies from Highland Woodworking

Video: How to Keep Your Chisels Sharp

Feb 252020
 

Everyone knows that sharp tools will work better for you in the shop. But when you start noticing that your chisels are not working as effectively, do you immediately go to sharpen them, or do you put off the task?

Sometimes you just need someone to break down the steps and show you how easy it can be. In this short video, Jim Dillon walks us through his sharpening process, using waterstones and a honing guide.

Click above to watch the video

Click here to learn more about and purchase sharpening supplies available at Highland Woodworking

Stories from Grandpa’s Workshop: To Paint or Not to Paint – That is the Question

Feb 202020
 

In his new column in the February 2020 issue of Wood News, Bob Rummer explores the dilemma of deciding whether or not to paint our woodworking projects.

I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about paint on wood. When I see a DIY show taking a piece of solid wood furniture and painting it sky blue, something inside me reacts — “Why would you cover up a nice piece of wood with paint?”

Click here to read more

Tool Review: Z-Saw Dozuki Saw

Feb 182020
 

For the February issue of Wood News Online, Jeff Fleisher reviewed the new Dozuki Saw offered by Z-Saw, available at Highland Woodworking:

The Z-Saw Dozuki has a 0.3mm thick high-carbon steel blade. Like all Japanese saws, the blade can be extremely thin because it cuts on the pull stroke which creates a very fine kerf. I like the idea of a very thin blade with hardwoods because you will generate very little friction and very little resistance making the cut and the blade remain straight during the pull part of the cutting stroke.

Read the rest of the review

Purchase a Z-Saw Dozuki Saw for your shop

Click this link for more great woodworking tool reviews

Book Review: Setting Up Shop

Feb 132020
 

For the February issue of Wood News Online, Norm Reid reviewed Sandor Nagyszalanczy’s new offering, Setting Up Shop:

An authoritative guide to all things woodshop, this is just the ticket to guide you through the many things you’ll need to consider. This guide thoroughly examines the full range of issues entailed in setting up and equipping a woodshop.

Read the rest of the review

Purchase your own copy of Setting Up Shop

Click this link for more great woodworking books to read