Book Recommendation: Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings – Michael Updegraff
For the book recommendation in Issue Eight of M&T, reviewer Michael Updegraff takes a look at a valuable reference for any hand-tool user. He notes that he recently discovered this book on the shelves of two different woodworkers he greatly admires. If you’re familiar with Aldren Watson, you know that the books he’s written or illustrated are full of detailed, precise, and beautiful drawings. Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings continues in that vein, offering an encyclopedic look at a whole chest-full of tools, how they work, and how to use them efficiently.
Subversive Woodwright: An Interview with Roy Underhill For 40 years, audiences from around the world have received their first taste of hand-tool woodworking from one source – Roy Underhill, star of “The Woodwright’s Shop,” author of many books, first master housewright at Colonial Williamsburg, and instructor at The Woodwright’s School. For those who have seen him on TV or heard him in person, Underhill is a living legend. Joshua and Mike had the opportunity to spend a few days visiting Roy at his home in North Carolina (a renovated cotton mill), sitting in on a class at his school, and talking about a wide range of topics. For Issue Eight, we’ll share the conversation, covering Roy’s background, the...
The Legend of the Jimmy Possum Chair – Mike Epworth
Over a century ago in rural Tasmania, there appeared a new design of vernacular chair. Seeming at first glance to draw from Irish or Windsor traditions, the chair utilized a novel construction in which the legs and outer back spindles ran continuously through the seat and arms, a configuration that tightened and strengthened every joint when sat upon.
But who made these chairs? Tales told of a man who lived outside town in a hollow tree, building chairs with simple tools and selling or trading them to area farmers and inns, but today there survive no concrete records of this man’s existence. He was known as Jimmy Possum.
This is part of a blog series revealing the table of contents of upcoming Issue Eight. As is our custom, we’ll be discussing one article per weekday in order to give you a taste of what is come. Please note that the subscription window which includes Issue Eight is open now through March 25th. ___________________________________ Crafting an Education: Recreating Henry David Thoreau’s Desk with Eleventh Graders – Cameron Turner High-school English class is a time often spent lost in the pages of Homer or Emerson, learning the use of metaphors and semicolons – about as cerebral and bookish as an educational pursuit can be. It’s miles away from the grit of the woodshop. But…what if it wasn’t? Author and educator Cameron...
Examination: Grain-Painted Chest Over Drawers
Sometimes, you just get lucky. In Issue Eight, we will be examining an early-19th-century grain-painted chest over drawers that was found in a thrift shop at a bargain-basement price. As always, we will turn the examination piece inside-out and pore over it from every angle, gleaning as much as we can about how this chest was made. Its unique features (such grain painting all the way around, including the rough back boards), fine but irregular dovetails, and classic proportions make this a beautiful and informative exploration.
“Intermediate Technology in the Shop” – Harry Bryan
The classic Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher has been an inspiring read for generations who have sought a human-scale approach to economics. The concepts of wise, sustainable consumption of resources and an appropriate use of technology for the benefit of everyone hold broad appeal – but how might we apply these ideals in the workshop?
In an age when the old connection to local craft tradition, long passed down through families and generations, has been set aside in favor of mobility and the modern value of specialization, is it possible to find our way back?
In Issue Eight, author, maker, and artisan Amy Umbel shares her journey to find her craft heritage. From seeking to answer difficult questions of culture and identity, to exploring craft traditions in Sweden, Australia, and the Pacific Northwest, Umbel returns to her own roots in the enigmatic quilt patterns and brook-trout-laden streams of western Pennsylvania.
Today is the last day to order the Another Work is Possible book-and-film bundle for the discounted rate of $63. Starting tomorrow, Saturday, Feb 1st, the only option to purchase these products will be as individual items at full price. You can order them individually now at these links below: The book alone is $50. The film alone is $25 Mike and I wrapped up copy reading the book this afternoon, and it’s going out to the printer on Monday morning. We are so proud of everyone that helped put this book together, and know that if you are into what we publish in the magazine, this book will be right up your alley. We thank you...
Earlier this year, graphic designer Adam Spitalny reached out offering to take me under his wing to teach me more about design. It was an easy sell because I had been waiting for just the right person connect with for this very thing. I knew I wanted to grow in these skills, but didn’t know where to begin. Adam and I began working together right away, with our sights set on to refining my workflow and layout strategy. He sensed that I had a clear vision for what I wanted, but saw where I could grow in ways that would enable me to better achieve my aim. With these lessons from Adam I’ve been learning more efficient ways to use...
In this installment of the podcast, Joshua and I discuss the newly released video documentary and book that share the same name – Another Work Is Possible. Both of these resources detail the timber-frame project that took place here at our headquarters in Sedgwick, Maine last August. Thirty five international carpenters brought their axes to hew and raise a frame for a blacksmith shop over 8 days. But this project was about so much more than simply putting up a building. We cover many of the concepts that Joshua writes about in his book – the idea that manual work can be enjoyed and celebrated, rather than seen as drudgery, and that building with your own two hands (whether it...
