From a chapbook of moral tales for children, circa 1820s. –
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Riving Dry Stock for Chairs, Stools and Implements –
Some short sticks that I rived from kiln-dry white oak for an Irish vernacular chair. For the last seven years or so I’ve been working with kiln-dried wood that I have rived to help straighten out the grain in my components. But I haven’t really written about it because – I’ll be honest – I …
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First Look: ‘By Hound & Eye’ –
Our shipment of “By Hound & Eye” arrived from the printer while I was teaching overseas (yes, it was raining there. It was England). So it was only today that I got my first look at “By Hound & Eye,” the new workbook from George Walker and Jim Tolpin. This book started out as a …
Reason Enough to Ream –
The historical record is pretty clear. When it comes to chair joinery in vernacular furniture, most of the tenons and mortises are cylindrical. The most likely reason for this is you need only simple tools: a brace and bit to make the mortise, and a handplane to make the tenon. (You could also use a …
ophanic –
Peter Galbert (far left) along with (from left to right) Kelly Harris, Aspen Golann, Audi Culver, Lacy Carnahan and Sarah Watlington. Peter Galbert is proof that risk-taking pays off. Author of “Chairmaker’s Notebook,” Peter is a teacher, chairmaker and experimentalist. He was also one of the first Meet the Author profiles for Lost Art Press. …
Last Call: ‘Roman Workbenches’ Letterpress Edition –
We’ve just put up for sale the final 150 copies of “Roman Workbenches” in letterpress. This is the last time you’ll see them on our site. We’re not reprinting the letterpress book. The book is available to both domestic and international customers. What about the two missing lines? All the copies have been personally repaired …
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Chore Coats Back in Stock –
We have just receive a 500-pound package of Lost Art Press Chore Coats in all sizes. These coats are made in Cincinnati by a small firm called Sew Valley. With this year’s batch we are using a slightly new cotton fabric from Britain. It’s a little smoother that last year’s twill. Black chore coats are …
An Excellent Countersink –
My favorite countersink for wood has always been the square-drive ones used with a bit brace. They are easy to control and, when sharp, are quite fast. I forgot to bring a countersink for a project I was working on today, and the only thing I had on hand were two that were made to …
Designing with Ornament –
This is an excerpt from “By Hand and Eye” by Geo. R. Walker and Jim Tolpin. “[Architectural ornamentation] liberates us from the tyranny of the useful and satisfies our need for harmony.” — Roger Scruton The subtlecarving on this tableleg accomplishesseveral things at once.It highlights the form,provides interest for aclose view and emphasizesthis object’splace of importance inthe life of a home. …
Chairfaker –
Sometimes I get asked if I use dowels for the spindles in my chairs. And sometimes I answer: “Sometimes.” Dowels can be a crappy way to make a chair, just like lumberyard wood can be a crappy way to make a seat. Or cow tongue can be a crappy way to make a nice goulash. …