I am thrilled to announce the addition of several new tools (from other tool makers), books, and DVDs to my store.
Saw files: First up are 5″ blunt saw files from Glen-Drake Toolworks. Made in Japan, I count these among the very best saw files that I have ever used. Blunt, in this case, does not refer to the teeth, but rather the shape of the file; unlike tapered saw files, blunt files are prismatic, having a uniform cross-section over their entire length. The corners are precise and the teeth are remarkably uniform and durable. Very close in size to a 5″ XX-slim taper file, but capable of filing finer teeth because of the sharper corners. Excellent for cutting in new teeth or touching up existing ones. The tang has a grippy rubber coating.
Chair scrapers: Next up is a new product from Brian Noel of BearKat Wood. As a woodworker specializing in chairs and other pieces with sculpted surfaces, Brian frequently needed a scraper suited for a variety of surfaces. His solution was a scraper that works as well on curved surfaces as it does on flat expanses.
Made of hardened and tempered spring steel, this scraper is equivalent to the premium or super hard ones sold by other manufacturers. It comes unsharpened and unburnished, but takes and holds a keen edge. Because of its hardness, use only a burnisher made from hardened steel or carbide to turn the burr (although unconventional, my carbide spade drill bits and Scrawls both make excellent burnishers).
Order BearKat Wood chair scrapers here
Roubo curves: From Sterling Tool Works comes this luxurious, yet eminently practical, set of three french curves for full-scale work. Laser cut from stainless steel, these hefty curves (the largest weighs in at nearly 12 ounces!) stay put on your work. Made to last for generations, this set is a great way to break out of the rectilinear habit. Matte finish for lessened glare. The two smaller curves are 8-9 inches long; the largest is 18 inches long.
Order Sterling Tool Works Roubo curves here
Making Things Work: Tales From a Cabinetmaker’s Life, by Nancy R. Hiller: Although the title of Nancy Hiller’s book is straighforward and descriptive of the contents, it scarcely belies the humorous and entertaining presentation of those stories. A wonderful read for anyone, woodworker or not.
With Saw, Plane & Chisel: Building Historic American Furniture With Hand Tools, by Zachary Dillinger: In this book, Zachary Dillinger documents the hand-tool-only construction of six pieces of classic American period furniture, spanning the major styles from the 1690s through to the mid-19th century.
Order With Saw, Plane & Chisel here
Building the Historic Howarth Bow Saw, with Bill Anderson: No handtool workshop is complete without a bowsaw for curved work. This 2 disc (217 minutes) lesson shows how to make your own copy of an elegant English saw.