About The JerseyWoodworker
I became a woodworker like many people, out of necessity. After we bought our home, we decided we wanted to make some improvements, and after looking at what was commercially available, and the cost and quality, I figured I could do better making it myself. So the long journey began.
Today I am a 59-year-old Semi Serious Woodworker. I have moved out of the garage and into a separate woodworking shop that we built several years ago. My investment in woodworking tools has grown over the years, as broken or worn out tools were replaced, until today I have a fairly good complement of woodworking tools. Do I have every tool I want? NO way, there is always something new out there, that looks good. Now a days, I look at them with a more skeptical eye.
My training as a woodworker has been the trial and error method, with a lot of error. Like a lot of you, when I look back at some of my earliest projects, I cringe. But they are also a measure of how far I have come as a woodworker, and how far I have yet to go.
My projects run the whole gamut, from the simple receipe box to the latest project, a complete set of kitchen cabinets. I prefer to work with Hardwoods that I get from a local supplier. I watch most of the DIY programs on TV to get ideas. I do not always like the projects, but I admire the workmanship.
What have I learned so far; not everything works right the first time and to have a more critical eye on the details. And admit when I need to add the piece to my ever-growing scrap collection, and start again.
So as I begin my blogging journey, I hope you’ll stick with me and offer your input. Together, maybe we can improve each other’s skills and have some fun doing it with a few new projects. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments sections or email me at jerseywoodworker@gmail.com
I stumbled on this website while looking for some clock patterns. Are you located in Minnesota?
Thanks,
Daryl
Daryl, We hope now that you’ve discovered us you will be a frequent vistor and give us some feedback on our articles and what you’d like to see in future posts. We are located in New Jersey now but used to be in Minnesota a while back.
Tahnks for your interest,
Jerseywoodworker
Like Daryl, I too was surfing but only for info on a plane my son aquired for my. A Stanley Bedrock 603. I was given to his wife by her uncle who was a woodworker from Sicily. He is 97 and has decided he no longer needs his “pile of tools” as he called them. She told him they wouldn’t be able to use it but knew that her father in law (me) would and he still gave it to her without hesitation. It is a beautiful piece that either had a new iron put on it or it was never used. The japanning is 100% and after honing the iron it produces perfect curls.
The news of Norm shocked me as I too grew up in the wood shop with him and built many of his projects. Although I have a well appointed shop like him, I find myself moving toward hand tools in my finish work and get much pleasure from it. The addition of the Bedrock smoother is a wonderful addition to my hand plane collection.
Unlike most collectors, I take pride in using my treasures. I know that sounds weird, but thats just me. Like a bottle of vintage fine wine, it isn’t any good if you don’t pop the cork.
So I say to my fellowship of woodworkers, “Pop the cork and sample what you have, you may find it is better then what is made today”.
Making saw dust every chance I can,
Ken
Hi Ken:
I agree that the News that Norm was closing his shop was hard to take. I have been a loyal fan of his from his first appearance on TOH with Bob Villa.
Like you I inherited a lot of my woodworking tools from my father In law when he passed away. He was a cabinet maker and had many wonderfull hand plaines. I recently have started to use them more frequently, and understand the joy of those perfect curls you described. As a collector can you recommend a good resource for information on using and tuning of hand planes.
And as soon as I finish here on the computer I’am headed to the shop to make more saw DDust.
I’m impressed! It’s good to see someone very well informed about what they do. Looking forward to future posts.Cheers!
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Great blog, love the tool box ideas. Perhaps one of my plywood pouches would be a good addition for a woodworker’s toolbox… protect plywood and other sheet goods in your pickup truck.
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