Highland Staff

Mar 132018
 

Reviewed by J. Norman Reid

In the March issue of Wood News, Norm Reid takes a closer look at a classic, Roy Underhill’s The Woodwright’s Shop.

This book is more than a guide to working timber into useful things; it’s an essential guide for anyone desiring to live close to nature, as well as a spellbinding adventure into the craft of woodmanship for us all.

Click here to read more or order your own copy.

Mar 082018
 

In the March issue of Wood News, Bob Rummer writes about restoring vintage tools, and some of his conservation practices. The article offers an interesting discussion of collector vs. woodworker approaches to restoration.

The place that we seem to get into arguments is with old tools that have value to both collectors and woodworkers. The woodworker wants a functional tool, the collector wants the tool kept in its “vintage” condition. The tool collector sees value in maintaining patina and the vintage look.

Click to read more about vintage tool restoration.

Feb 152018
 

In the February issue of Festool Heaven, Morton compares the Festool DF500 with the Festool XL DF700, to help you understand which tool is right for which job.

Watch the video below and figure out which Festool Domino is right for your shop. And check out Festool Heaven for more details on these fine tools.

Feb 132018
 

In the February issue of Wood News, Norm Reid walks us through his leg vise installation. It isn’t just a typical installation though – Norm is combining two vise systems into one:

I really liked the idea of using a wood screw, partly because I liked Scott Meek’s and partly because of my love affair with wood. But the Benchcrafted system comes highly recommended. I decided to combine the two systems, using the Crisscross mechanism in conjunction with the Lake Erie screw.

Read the entire installation article here

Feb 012018
 

Today we wanted to share a special #ThrowbackThursday to a Popular Woodworking blog written by Chris Schwarz exactly 5 years ago about Highland Woodworking, calling us the ‘Hand-tool Stalwarts of the South.

We also wanted to give a special thanks to Chris Schwarz, Megan Fitzpatrick and Lost Art Press for being some of our biggest advocates and supporters! If you haven’t read any of the beautiful books published by Lost Art Press, we suggest you get your hands on one (or a few). The quality, craftsmanship, and words that their books express about woodworking is bar none.

Highland Woodworking: Hand-tool Stalwarts of the South

Edit: We’ve heard the video on that page isn’t working for everyone, so we are embedding it below in case you want to watch it!

Jan 302018
 

Have you ever considered bending wood for a woodworking project? The technique can really add interest to a piece, and is easier than you might think with the help of an Earlex Steam Generator! Click below to find an article and a video on building an inexpensive steam box for bending wood as well as some tips for how to use the steam box.

Click here to learn more about how to bend wood

Jan 252018
 

In this month’s issue of The Highland Woodturner, Phil Colson demonstrates how he turns wooden spoons on his lathe, an interesting alternative to carving.

Spoons, spoons, spoons, everybody is getting into carving spoons. Spoon carving is a great hobby. I like to make spoons also, but I do it with the lathe.

Take a look at how he does it in this month’s Phil’s turning tip, and while you are at it you can read through the rest of this fascinating issue of The Highland Woodturner!

Click here to read the article