Monday, October 13, 2025

Vintage Tool Shop, Kelly Mehler, Australian ’Possums & More

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Vintage Tool Shop, Kelly Mehler, Australian 'Possums & More

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

Chris is still in Australia, and Lucy was out of town this weekend, so I  took over the shop in between cat-sitting duties to work on my pantry cabinets. I applied primer to the pieces yesterday after drilling the shelf pin holes and cutting the joinery, then came in at zero dark thirty this morning to apply a coat of paint. I'm hoping I don't have to apply a second coat, because I have to get these things assembled later today and get them home … or take them home unassembled and do it there (which given the relative lack of space will be a pain in the tuchus).


Why the sudden hurry? I  just realized my Dutch Tool Chests class for The Chairmaker's Workshop starts this Friday, and have get ready for it. So please join me in thinking good thoughts!


Also, we ran out of signed bookplates when we released the deluxe edition of Drew Langsner's "The Chairmaker's Workshop" a few weeks ago. So we asked him to sign a few more, and have put them in the remaining books which are now are available (in extremely limited numbers – so don't wait if you want a copy).

Fitz


Lost Art Press Blog



A Visit to the Vintage Tool Shop in Australia

Chris geeked out at the Vintage Tool Shop in Northcote, Victoria. I wonder how may hammers he'll bring back (in case you didn't know, he has a hammer problem).



Kelly Mehler, 1947-2025

I am gutted to report that Kelly Mehler died last week. He was one of the greats in woodworking, and terribly important to so many of us. You can click through above to my short post, but I encourage you to read Andy Glenn's encomium.


Mind the Gap

In this post, I share my preferred fixes for gappy dovetails (and filler is not among them – because I'm talking tails under a clear coat).

The American Peasant Substack



Earlywood: The 6 Personalities of Workbench Builders

Here's the second half of last week's Earlywood post, in which we meet he who must have the Best of Everything, Frank Sinatra and the Undecider.

(Free for everyone)


Must be a French Thing

Felibien and Roubo helped Chris realize it is all l'Art.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack



Congrats, Momma, it's an Irish!

Meet Katherine's first chair; she named him Gustav. Plus, the "Make Pretty" chapter from the soon-to-be-released new edition of "The Stick Chair Book."

(Free for everyone)


Video: Sanding Sticks for the Win

These little easy-to-make sticks are integral to Chris's "Make Pretty" process.

(Free for everyone)


Never Sponsored Substack


Long-lasting Protection

I like to protect my delicate hands (they're already beat-up enough, thank you very much). Here are the gloves that have served me well in our shop.

(Free for everyone)

On Instagram This Week

Dispatches from the other side of the world. (Including, for Chris, a surprising amount of wildlife – long with chairs, of course.)

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