Kelley Bagby

I grew up around woodworking tools (see picture, age 4-5ish) but only recently started doing some of my own woodworking.

Visiting Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Day 1

Jul 142010
 

Today was the first day of our 4-day visit to the Lie-Nielsen Toolworks factory in Warren, Maine. We started with a hands-on sharpening demonstration and tutorial. Our instructor Deneb presented a simple method for basic blade sharpening and then patiently helped us through the steps. The method is shown in this video (hopefully embedded below!), featured on Lie-Nielsen’s Youtube channel (along with many other helpful woodworking videos!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzeAsX-09o4

Next Conor gave us a tour of the factory, and we got a close-up look at the individuals who are producing the quality tools at Lie-Nielsen. It was amazing to meet Lynn, the woman who polishes the handle of every 102 block plane that leaves the factory – so many of the steps are done by hand, and it is obvious that a lot of care and attention is put into the production of each tool.

After lunch, we sat down with Tom Lie-Nielsen to talk about the history of the company and his general philosophies when it comes to making and selling tools. And after that we got to spend some time doing what we came here for: playing with tools!

It’s been a fun day – can’t wait for tomorrow!

Controlling Rust in your Woodworking Shop

Jul 092010
 

Rust is always an issue this time of year, with summer heat and humidity. Of course, the absolute best way to eliminate rust from the surfaces of machines and other tools in your shop is to stop it from ever really getting started in the first place. And in an ideal world, that’s how it would work!

But just in case you are already noticing rust developing on some of your tools, we’ve got some solutions to help you remove it. Check out this great article on preventing rust before it starts and getting rid of it once it latches on, and good luck!

July Wood News just released!

Jul 072010
 


The July issue of Wood News is out, and packed full of great articles and deals.

The Down to Earth Woodworker, Steven D. Johnson, has written two entertaining articles this month: his usual column on Down to Earth Woodworking and a bonus article about building an even more useful shooting board. Check them out!

Alan Noel provides some excellent advice on color matching in wood finishing, and Sean Headrick offers a primer on woodworking and joinery modeling basics in Sketchup. This free program is so cool, and can really add a boost to your woodworking projects!

We have new entries in our Show Us Your Shop and Show Us Your Stuff columns: this month we highlight Michael Youngblood’s well equipped backyard shop as well as Ron Norris’ impressive carvings and woodworking.

And as usual, we have tons of great deals for you, and a full schedule of seminars to sign up for – check out Peter Galbert’s week-long windsor chair workshop if you want a real treat!

Enjoy the Wood News this month, and keep having a great summer!

Better search = better woodworking (and maybe more tools!)

Jul 022010
 

The Highland Woodworking website has a new exciting addition – now you can search all of our newsletters, blogs, articles and woodworking tips for any woodworking topic you need help with! Our informative website just became your best resource for tips, tools and all things woodworking.

To access article search from our home page, look on the left side of the page and find the ‘search for articles and information…’ link (right above the Products Search field).



Once you click it, it will bring you to the article search page. Type in any topic you need information on, press enter, and there you go – massive amounts of woodworking knowledge at your fingertips.

Here’s to more informed woodworking. Have fun with it!

Two Minute Safety Tips – we want more!

Jun 282010
 

We had a great response last month to Howard Van Valzah’s safety tip about wearing brightly colored gloves to help him stay aware of his non-dominant hand while woodworking and avoid scrapes and bruises (and worse!) In addition to being fun and challenging, woodworking can be a hazardous hobby, and any precautions we can take to have a more safe experience will definitely improve our overall enjoyment. It’s amazing how stopping to take an extra second makes a huge difference.

Now we want to hear from you on some of the safety precautions you take, and any little tricks you use to stay safe. Leave your ideas in the comments, and if you want to improve your safety, take a quick look at some of the safety items for sale at Highland Woodworking.

Safe Woodworking, everyone!

Wood News April edition hits the stands!

Apr 082010
 

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Just in time for the first week of the Major League baseball season, Jack Masten provides a step-by-step tutorial on turning your own classic baseball bat from Northern White Ash.

And that’s just one of many fascinating articles in this month’s Wood News. We’ve got a new shop featured – Jim Chandler built his workshop in a fully restored 111-year-old barn.

There’s also a nice introduction to the Power8 cordless workshop, a versatile piece of new innovation merged with good solid craftsmanship that will almost certainly make your work as an experienced woodworker or a do-it-yourselfer easier, incorporating a table saw, a circular saw, a drill press, and many other useful functions into one compact portable workshop.

Catch up with the latest news on our favorite Brazilian Woodworker – Dilo Fernandino, take a look at Mike Henderson’s quick course in shop made cauls, review the new additions to our 2010 woodworking class schedule or take advantage of some of the great deals at Highland Woodworking for Festool, Steel City, Earlex, Kreg, and many more!

Check it out!