Monday, August 4, 2025

Cutter Plugs, Soft Wax 2.0, Microplastics, 1889 Apprenticeships & More

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Cutter Plugs, Soft Wax 2.0, Microplastics, 1889 Apprenticeships & More

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

We have a class with a visiting instructor – Derek Jones – this week, which means I've gotten a lot of screen time. Nick Kroll's book on milk paint is well underway, and we're about to send to the printer an expanded edition of Drew Langsner's seminal "The Chairmaker's Workshop." It has a new chapter, and (like all Lost Art Press books) will be made to last with sewn signatures, nice paper and a sturdy cover. And as soon as the class is over, I'm starting back in on Ed Zappen's book on Thomas Jefferson's writing desk (I need my bench for that one, to mock up some pictures), then Elia Bizzarri's book "Built for Speed" (about Samuel Wing).


Chris is hard at work on the third edition of The Stick Chair Journal, his third revision of "The Stick Chair Book" … and praying fervently to the gods of printing that "The Anarchist's Tool Chest" ships soon.


Katherine is building a Dutch tool chest and working on the new video from Jerome Bias on how to build a Southern "slab" (you might call it a huntboard or sideboard). Kale is designing their fourth apprenticeship chair and working on a Elia Bizzarri and Curtis Buchanan video.


And all of us are working on a "smalls" book that we hope to have out in time for the holidays. And I'm sure I'm forgetting a project or 10.

Fitz


Lost Art Press Blog


Mind Upon Mind: Plugs for the Veritas Power Tenon Cutter

Brad Reiser shares his solution for cutter plugs that stay in place but are easily removable – a quick way to cut round tenons of the correct length with little fussing.


Lessons From 3 Chairs

A London antique shop serves up some oddball but charming chairs for consideration.


Soft Wax 2.0 in Full Production

We are now selling jars of Soft Wax 2.0 – our favorite finish for bare wood – which we make at our Covington headquarters.

The American Peasant Substack


Plastic Paint & Glue – Are They a Problem?

Kara and Chris take a deep dive into an almost wholly post WWII development: petroleum-based plastics in paint and glue.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


Earlywood: Test of the Trade

Chris could have gone two ways in his teens (OK – probably more, but we're talking respectable career choices here).

(Free for everyone)


The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack


Make Things go Together

Kale works out two new stool prototypes with some 2x6 pine. The experience dredges up their long-forgotten love of puzzles.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


This is Only a Test

With Kale progressing by leaps and bounds at the bench, Chris has Kale build a new clamp rack. Kale gets a construction drawing, a cutting list and a couple scrap boards. See the results on the substack.

(Free for everyone)


Never Sponsored Substack


An 1899 Apprenticeship Agreement (Do Not Recommend)

Peter, an Irish potter and woodworker, shared with Chris the apprenticeship papers of one of his forebears, and Chris is sharing them with you. (Our agreement is more humane.)

(Free for everyone)

On Instagram This Week

It's been a delight to have Derek Jones in the shop this week – he's visiting from England, teaching seven students to make cricket tables.

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Woodworking Tourism, Aging a Chair, How to Buy a Jack Plane & More

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