Comments on: Episode 21: The Lazy Woodworker’s Guide to Building Jigs

By: Flattening Wide Boards With A Planer Sled « Modern Woodshop

Flattening Wide Boards With A Planer Sled « Modern Woodshop — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:20:46 +0000

[...] you listened to episode 21, you know about my preference for jigs that are built with scrap laying around the shop in 15 [...]

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:09:59 +0000

I think there’s an inverse relationship between woodworking magazine subscriptions and woodworking experience/knowledge. If your goal is to learn about woodworking, magazines are a costly and inefficient method but if you want to be entertained by woodworking content and pick up useful tips, then magazines are the way to go. There is certainly a value to each, and I love my Woodworking Magazine! I think Chris Schwartz and co. have addressed the difficulty of balancing content that appeals to new and more experienced woodworkers.

When I first started learning about woodworking I read every magazine I could get my hands on. It doesn’t take long to plumb the depths of these types of articles before you need more focus and move on to books. One goal is to hang on to their current subscribers by giving you just enough (1 or 2 articles) per issue to keep your attention. They are trying to hang on to the old guys (who renew their subscription out of rote/loyalty) and to get the young guys to subscribe. This is their other goal: to get new subscribers by offering advice on what new woodworkers want to do most: set up shop (male nesting behavior) by buying tools (even small clamps) and building jigs.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:40:14 +0000

Let me chime in on the FWW issue. I actually caught the issue preview video that came out right before the mag showed up on my doorstep. Asa Christiana talked through the points covered and I remembered thinking, “I hope they cover more than that?!!” Like you, I flipped through it and was thoroughly underwhelmed. Maybe everyone was on vacation for this issue.

Also, hear, hear to the jig point! I recently needed a jig to cut identical length and square brass tubes for a bulk order of pens. I ended up double stick taping (not even screwing) some scraps together that were approx the right size so I didnt even have to cut anything. I clamped it to the miter gauge and ran it through the bandsaw. It took 30 seconds to make, used existing scraps, could be reused easily for different sizes and lengths, and is very, very ugly!

Take a look: http://rogersfinewoodworking.com/blog/2008/05/31/turning-in-acrylic/

I was so proud of the ease and ugliness of the jig that I put a post on my ugly blog!

By: woodzealot

woodzealot — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:01:04 +0000

With respect to the GrassBuster search terms, guilty as charged! I got a little carried away with piecing together interesting searches using words only from your main page (yes, I loved mad libs as a child… and ummm, as an “adult”).

I had forgotten that I had done that and definitely got a good chuckle when I listened to this latest podcast and got called out. My routine is to play your podcasts as loud as my speakers can play so that I can listen throughout my home as I do odds and ends (yes, your voice kind of resonants throughout my home in god-like fashion). Was very cool to hear that my juvenile humor is appreciated! I guess we can go ahead and consider me the inaugural winner of the Modern Woodshop Google Challenge… I’ll be watching my doorstep for the Festool Trim Router to show up!!!

Agree with you on FWW sentiment. Flipping though my issue, I also detected more than a hint of ShopNotes flavor (a little on the salty side). I have subscriptions to both, I must admit, as well as several others. Definitely wish FWW would stay to moderate/advanced skills… course the mighty (or not so mighty these days) dollar probably has much to do with that as they probably are attempting to appeal to EVERYONE.

I did find the spalting your own wood article interesting… wonder where I find some dead man’s finger fungus to give it a try?!?!?! (Dave, please get those terms on your main page for no particular reason)

Ok, time to go… got some googlin’ to do… ;-]

By: Vic

Vic — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:04:09 +0000

I actually like seeing the artsy fartsy side incorporated to some extent. They do get a little carried away.
I CANNOT WAIT for the new retro comin’ my way. I have a few spring clamps (I think that’s what they are), but I really have no idea what they’re for.
Way to anticipate your audience!!!

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:10:55 +0000

Hi Vic,

I think you are going to enjoy my upcoming episodes. Starting next week, I plan to launch a five part retrospective series entitled “The Spring Clamp: My Main Squeeze.”

I agree with you on Woodwork. I really like the format of the mag, but sometimes the content is a little bit artsy for my taste. I usually buy Woodwork off the newstand when an article catches my eye.

Dave

By: Vic

Vic — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 00:40:42 +0000

Dave,
You mentioned using something called a “spring clamp” to hold a “block of wood” to the “fence” of your “cross-cut sled”.
I am intrigued! Could you please discuss these things in exhaustive detail?
I agree Dave about FWW. It’s the last of two woodwork mags I still get. Way too much repetition. I’m still a big fan of Woodwork Mag. They always feature a different woodworker and have articles about design, and other not often discussed (in regular mags) subjects.