Monday, March 24, 2025

Casework Design Tool, ‘Artisan Geometry,’ One Good Chair & More

͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌

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Casework Design Tool, 'Artisan Geometry,' One Good Chair & More

A quick look at all the stuff Lost Art Press published during the last seven days.

We're busy getting ready for Chris Williams' arrival later this week; the Welshman will be teaching a class on making a Welsh stick chair next week, but this week, we'll be recording a video so that everyone can benefit from his chairmaking knowledge and techniques. (And there will likely be a glass of wine or three of an evening.)

And if you're passing through the area and wish to stop in. the storefront will be open today (Monday), as well as Wednesday and Friday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop and and say hello! We're at 407 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 41011.

— Fitz

Lost Art Press Blog

'Layout Computer' – Now with Casework

When our friend Nick first developed Layout Computer, it was for chair design. But he's now expanded it into casework as well, plus a tab that allows you to play around with dovetail layout, angles and spacing. And drawers are coming soon!

Just What is 'Artisan Geometry?'

Jim Tolpin and George Walker have written five books that explain and employ artisan geometry. So we asked them to define the term (and describe each book) in a nutshell.

New Edition of 'Roubo on Furniture' (With a Special Price)

Our gorgeous new edition of "With All the Precision Possible: Roubo on Furniture" is now available; the introductory price is good through April 20.

Grandpa Sam's Woodshop of the Air

Read an excerpt from Roy Underhill's delightful novel "Calvin Cobb – Radio Woodworker."

The American Peasant Substack

<VERB> the Damn <NOUN> After <VERBING>

Chris writes that without a set of workshop rules, a shared shop can quickly turn into a "Lord of the Flies" situation. (I'm not sure who is who in that comparison, and I'm not asking.)

(Free for everyone)

Earlywood: Don't Be Ridiculous

Yes, we use machines and the Internet, and we take credit cards.

(Free for everyone)

One Good Chair

Would you rather: Perfect dovetails or a single good chair?

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack

Is it Working?

It's tricky to decide if an apprenticeship is working (beyond what's stated in the agreement). And it's tricky to know how hard to pull the reins – and in what direction.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

Never Sponsored Substack

2 Fireballs, Please (Maybe More…)

When we need to adjust a machine, it can be a slog to find the right hex key (like probably everyone, we've a coffee mug with a bunch of unmarked keys inside).

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

On Instagram This Week

Chris is hard at work on the tool chest for the revised edition of "The Anarchist's Tool Chest." (I'm glad someone is cutting dovetails in our shop, since I can't right now!)

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Wednesday, March 19, 2025

New Edition of 'Roubo on Furniture' (at a Special Price)

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New Edition of 'Roubo on Furniture' (With a Special Price)

We've just received 3,000 copies of our newest edition of "With All the Precision Possible: Roubo on Furniture" and are offering it for a special introductory price: $100 with free domestic shipping until April 20, 2025.

This new edition is a significant upgrade "trade" edition, which was in black-and-white and on uncoated paper. The new edition is printed in color, so you can fully appreciate the tone of the cotton paper from the 18th-century engravings. We upgraded the paper to a #100 coated matte paper, enlarged the page size, added printed end sheets and include a tear-resistant dust jacket.

Why do this? Well, I never thought our "trade" edition quite matched the gravity of the project. Don Williams, Michele Pietryka-Pagán and Philippe Lafargue spent years translating the writings of André Roubo's "l'art du Menuisier." It is the world's first masterpiece of woodworking writing, and only bits and pieces were ever translated into English.

So last year we began working on a replacement for our "trade" edition. It's arrived in our warehouse, and it is impressive.

Like all things with the Roubo project, the printing bill was massive. And so to recoup some of that money, we are offering it at a 20 percent discount with free domestic shipping until April 20, 2025. After that, it will be $125.

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Monday, March 17, 2025

Bob Flexner, Patterns from Arcs, Meet the Author & More

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Bob Flexner, Patterns from Arcs, Meet the Author & More

A quick look at all the stuff Lost Art Press published during the last seven days.

Last week, we found out that finishing guru Bob Flexner died at the end of 2024. Chris wrote about Bob on American Peasant and I posted a remembrance on the LAP blog.

Below is a look at what else we've posted online during the last week.

Lost Art Press Blog

Using Arcs to Create Patterns

In "By Hound and Eye," authors George Walker and Jim Tolpin lead you through a series of exercises in applied artisan geometry. In this excerpt, they show you how to use simple arcs to create patterns.

Meet the Author: Michele Pietryka-Pagán

We'll soon have in house our new deluxe version of "With All Precision Possible: Roubo on Furniture" (it should be some time this week) – so Kara Gebhart Uhl is working on profiles of the team behind the project. This week, she wrote about translator Michele Pietryka-Pagán.

The American Peasant Substack

Earlywood: How to Impress the General Public with Your Woodworking

Ooooo! So shiny, so big – and look at that stunning figure! But Chris? That don't impress him much. (Yes, I know that is incorrect grammar; yes, I'm trying to embed a Shania Twain song in your head.)

(Free for everyone)

A Failure of Confidence

When you perform any unguided woodworking operation, confidence plays an important part. And that realization helped changed Chris's approach to teaching.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack

Hump Day

Kale built their first chair crate last week – and while that's an exciting milestone, more exciting (at least to me, because I taught them to drive a stick shift) is that they drove Catbus up a big hill all by themselves for the first time to pick up the crate material.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

Never Sponsored Substack

Irwin 9-1/2" Double-blade Plastic Handle Pull Saw

A tool that's cheap, useful and durable? Yes, please!

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

'Bone Folder' Burnishes Hard Woods

This tool meant to create crisp paper folds (and it does) is also useful in the woodshop.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

On Instagram This Week

Chairs, a cake, and a pile of "bullsh%$t."

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Monday, March 10, 2025

Indispensable Gauges, Storefront Hours, a Cheap (but Good) Knife Sharpener & More

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Indispensable Gauges, Storefront Hours, a Cheap (but Good) Knife Sharpener & More

A quick look at all the stuff Lost Art Press published during the last seven days.

We had a rollicking good time this weekend with the Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event on Friday and Saturday, and our open house at the new building on Sunday. Thank you to everyone who came out – it was delightful to see folks and talk woodworking (even if my leg is now yelling at me – worth it)!

Here's a look at what's been going on online over the last seven days.

Lost Art Press Blog

Miter Block, Bevel Gauge & Transfer Gauge

These are just a few of the useful tools (and ways to use them) from Jim Tolpin and George Walker's book "From Truth to Tools."

Woodworking (Or Not) When Broken

I had BIG PLANS to get some woodworking done at home while I'm stuck working here, unable to drive…but it hasn't happened. Yes, I've been busy with computer stuff, but really, I'm just a wuss.

Storefront Hours

Chris is teaching this week, Kale is working in the warehouse and I'm working at home, recovering from the weekend. But starting next week, we'll have regular hours for the new storefront: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The American Peasant Substack

Earlywood: The Song of 'Rooney O'Chisel'

Guy Clark, the Avett Brothers…and Rooney O'Chisel. Work songs come in all tunes, traditions and flavors (and from some unexpected places).

(Free for everyone)

Where to Next? Lincolnshire

It is no surprise that Chris is working on another chair – what is a surprise (somewhat) is its design. (He's also working on the revision of "The Anarchist's Tool Chest," of course…but he just can't stay away from chairs.)

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack

Making It

Chris recently hosted a Woodworkers Book Club discussion on David Savage's book "The Intelligent Hand" – and it brought up some memories Chris wasn't quite ready to face. David, a father figure and mentor to Chris, died in 2019, less that a year after Chris's father succumbed to prostate cancer.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

Never Sponsored Substack

Chefs, Just Look Away

My usual knife-sharpening method is likely sacrilege to some…but it works for me. And it's cheap, fast and safe.

(Free for everyone)

On Instagram This Week

Most of our Insta posts from the last week were about our new storefront and the Anthe building – we were a bit single-minded about getting ready for yesterday's public open house!

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ikea furniture and home accessories

Monday, March 24, 2025