My long anticipated and planned for shop remodel is underway.  In this short video I frame out the wall on top of cinder block, do some painting, and demolish some cabinetry.  Plus I turn an in the way gas line into an opportunity for a clamp rack. Next time I'll hang plywood sheathing.

This is the first of my more casual, quick tip show.  Filmed entirely on my iphone and in real time I hope to capture more of the little tips and tricks that happen every day in the work shop that don't get much attention.  Today I'm showing a quick way to expand a mortise wall with great accuracy.

The process for working in thin stock is not much different but you need to be more delicate and most of the time use fewer tools and take smaller bites.  Here I chop out a 3/16" deep mortise that is kinda half dado too.  Using a chisel bevel down is a great technique to master and this video shows some pointers.

This video is part a how to use several rasps to sculpt and refine curves to a finish ready surface and part a review of Liogier rasps who were kind enough to send me a few rasps to test out. 

I'm adding permanent handles to all my files and rasps and thought I would do them on the pole lathe.  This is a great way to use up some scrap and the positive registration of a fixe handle actually makes a rasp easier to use.  I used brass ferrules I bought at Lee Valley for a few pennies and a piece of Teak that was 1.5" round and 7" long.  If using a pole lathe the piece needs to be a bit longer so you have a place to run the drive cord. 

The music in todays episode is thanks to Underhill Rose and is called "Helpless Wanderer".  If you like it please go support these talented ladies in their new Kickstarter campaign for their new album.  It should be another hit. 

http://kck.st/1gdwwrD

or

http://underhillrose.com

I'm teaching a hand tool boot camp at the Wortheffort Woodworking school in San Marcos, TX (http://wortheffort.com/school/ShannonRogers) this June 13-15, 2014 and as of this recording spots are still available.  This video covers what we will discuss and why these fundamental skills are so important.  Even if you can't make the class I hope you will consider how these skills can make you a better woodworker.

Woodworking with hand tools requires all your senses.  When you can embrace the sights and sounds of your saws, planes, and chisels you will work more accurately and efficiently.  This video shows just a few examples where tuning in to your hand tool sense is useful.

I mentioned making a chip clip on Wood Talk a few weeks ago and I was stunned by how many emails I got asking for details and pictures.  So I sacrificed another plastic chip clip and made another one but filmed it this time.  This is one of those stupid woodworking projects that doesn't test a lot of skills but is dang fun to produce.  Who else can claim to have such a sexy chip clip eh?

Sharpening free hand is a skill that I hear characterized as an advanced skill all the time when in reality it is no harder to master than cutting a joint by hand.  It just take a little practice to build up some muscle memory and I hope to show you some techniques and tips to give you a headstart in your own practice.  With these tips I think anyone can get consistent results in minutes or hours, not years like the common misconception.

This episode goes into depth about center bits and why I think these should be the number 1 drill bit in your arsenal