Kaleo’s Workshop

Well you know what your mom said growing up “if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” With that said I have nothing bad to say in this post.

I once wrote in a post about how I came about finding a school in Australia. I said that one day, that glorious day when for every woodworker the newest Fine Woodworking would show in the mail box. Now believe me when I say that I still love getting the latest copies when they show up in the mail. And I usually read them cover to cover the first day that I get them. Which sucks because then I have to wait about like 7 weeks until the next one comes out.

But lately I haven’t been that enthused about receiving my latest copy of the magazine. So I asked myself WHY? I thought about it for awhile. I mean I love the layout of the mag. In fact of all the woodworking magazines out there, I think that it presents itself the best. Also to come clean it is the only woodworking magazine that I subscribe to. With that said I came up with a few reason why I have “lost that lovin’ feeling”.

1. With so much new and exciting content out on the internet, I find myself reading personal stories and blogs of average guys. I often feel that I learn more reading about how Dave lays out his joinery. Or reading about mishaps in the shops. Or watching guys like Eric building cool things in Malaysia with nothing but hand tools, eager to teach himself the craft. Reading these real life stories that happen on a daily basis gives me that fix that the magazine once did, but it gives it to me on almost a daily basis.

2. I have fallen in love with “The Swartz“, in a very manly and woodworking way. The guy is a terrific writer, along with all the people over at Popular Woodworking. They seem to have embraced this new medium of woodworking better than any other publication out there has.

3. I get tired of all the same “contributing editors” at FWW. It seems that in every issue they have the same guys writing stuff. All the tool test are done by the same guys. I know that FWW is a reader written magazine, “if you don’t like it then why don’t you write an article yourself and submit it”? Well maybe I will here in a few months, that should teach me to say things like that.

With those things said, Fine Woodworking is still my go to printed magazine. But I foresee a day in the not to distant future, where I won’t subscribe to any magazines, only to other peoples RSS feeds.

What are your thought?

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This week I talk about some of the sweet tools that I had the chance to work with this week.  They are the following:

Lie-Nielsen small brass spokeshave
Fein Multimaster ToolRigid Oscillating Spindle Sander
Zem Hearing Protection

So the folks over at Popular Woodworking have just opened up registration for Woodworking in America.  So head over there and take a look at all the presenters and exhibitors.  Register today to get your spot and be there at the show.   Also send in your votes on who I should interview.

Woodworking in America

So as I hope all of you know that this weekend is fathers day. Well I hope that those of you that are married and have children, that they remember that it’s father’s day. I had a funny experience today when I went to Lowe’s to get a few things. I walked in and I saw a group of women walking out with there hands full. They all had some sort of power tool, mostly Hitachi drills. But that got me thinking what it is that I want for Father’s day. So here’s a little list of things that I thought would be sweet for the blessed day.

1. Festool Tape Measure: This is a sweet little tape measure that allows you to read through the top. Now this might not have many uses in Furniture making. But in the world of remodeling it is a brilliant idea. This tape measure allows you to put it flat against a wall and read the exact measurement on the top, without having to bend the tape and make a guess.

2. Chris Vespar Tools: This guy is an Australian Tool maker. He makes some of the most beautiful bevel gauges and marking gauges out there. I own one of his smallest adjustable squares. I love it and would love to have anything that he makes.

3. Lie Nielsen Tools: Once again I would take anything given me from Lie Nielsen. But I especially would like there long handle chisels and any plane that they make.

Last but not least, the hottest thing out there at the moment: The Wood Whisperer T-Shirt. At least there the hottest thing right now until the Kaleo’s Workshop shirts hit the market. LOL

So I hope that everyone of you Fathers out there has a great day. For all you last minute shoppers you can check out all the other cool fathers day stuff at Amazon by going through the link here. Thanks again

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I recently had an exciting opportunity to do my first review. I was sent a copy of Hendrik Varju’s Jointer and Planer Secrets. He states that this is “Private Woodworking Instruction in a Box”, to which I have to completely agree with. It’s like having a private woodworking teacher.

This video is very thorough in every aspect, especially if you are new or just in the beginning stages of your woodworking hobby. Hendrik covers in fine detail how you dimension your lumber. Also things like the theory behind how the jointer and planer work, understanding wood movement and which way the grain should be facing as you plane and joint.

As an added bonus to this set, there is an entire section on edge gluing. With excellent explanations and demonstrations on proper edge gluing techniques, there will be no excuses why your next glue up should be difficult. He also has extra footage covering topics like, “How long will it take” and “Getting advice when buying tools”.

If you are looking for some 1 on 1 training with a master craftsman, but don’t have the time or the money to go to a school or to a private shop, then this video is for you. It gives you the best of both worlds, private instruction for a minimal price. Now be forewarned that this DVD is a 2-disc set, with a total of 4 hours and 38 minutes of video. But believe me that you will learn a ton and be a better woodworker for it.

This DVD can be found and bought at Passion for Wood website. I will be giving away the copy that I have to one of you, but I haven’t quite figured out how I plan to do that yet. But look forward to it by the end of the week.