Monday, April 14, 2025

Improve Our Projects, Changes to the Anarchist’s Tool Chest, PVA & More

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Improve Our Projects, Changes to the Anarchist's Tool Chest, PVA & More

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

Kale and I just returned from North Carolina, where we had a grand time shooting a video with Elia Bizzarri and his mentor, Curtis Buchanan. In a reversal of roles, Elia was teaching Curtis how to make a Windsor chair a la Samuel Wing (about whom Elia is also writing a book – and it's almost ready to hand off to me and Chris for editing and design). I don't know when the video will be out…but I suspect it might be released on conjunction with the book, later this year.

In other news, I drove the entire way there and back. It hurt and maybe I should have taken Kale up on their offer to drive…but I was so happy to be back behind the wheel! (And we both recommend the somewhat grisly podcast "Noble," to which we listened on the way down.)

Below is a look at what happened online when we were away.

– Fitz

Lost Art Press Blog

Mind Upon Mind: Improve Us

Kara Gebhart Uhl introduced a new online blog feature, "Mind Upon Mind," for which we're asking LAP readers who have built projects from our books to share their ideas for improving the design, construction or finishing of a project. We'll feature some of our favorites (and those we use will get an LAP gift certificate).

'Good Eye:' Six-board Chest End Panels

Both Chris and I were kinda gobsmacked by this layout approach for the end panels on a six-board chest (we both love making them!) from Jim Tolpin and George Walker's new book, "Good Eye."

The American Peasant Substack

Earlywood: Death to Disposable Furniture

Flatpack furniture isn't quite as ubiquitous here as it is in Europe, but it's gaining ground. And ending up on the ground at the curb after a couple years of use.

(Free for everyone)

Changes to 'The Anarchist's Tool Chest'

I think the question Chris gets the most about the book he wrote in 2011, "The Anarachist's Tool Chest," is "what would you change?" Well, for the 15th anniversary, he'd providing answers in a revised edition. The chest itself is done (our friend Narayan is here now taking new pictures), Chris is pretty much done writing and he is now deep in book design.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

The Peasant's Guide to PVA

Glue is perhaps second only to finishing products when it comes to misinformation. Here, Chris tries to set the record straight on PVAs (and yes, we do use PVA in our shop for some situations).

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack

Shop Symbols & Jargon

If everyone uses the same marking systems, it sure cuts down on confusion and mistakes! Here's the system in our shop.

(Free for everyone)

Never Sponsored Substack

The Best (Two) Tweezers for Woodworkers

Chris won't remember this…but one of the funniest things I've seen is him after a particularly gnarly splinter removal operation. Versed was involved… which is why he doesn't remember. But this post is not about that – it's about how to avoid a splinter operation.

(Free for everyone)

On Instagram This Week

One of Chris's favorite things: a papercut by Elin Price (@elinprice_paperartist). It was a gift from Kara Gebhart (@pleiadesbee).

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Monday, April 7, 2025

A ‘Waving Engine,’ Figured Elm Stick Chair, Blue Spruce Saddle Square & More

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A 'Waving Engine,' Figured Elm Stick Chair, Blue Spruce Saddle Square & More

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

Kale and I are in North Carolina this week to film a video with Elia Bizzarri and Curtis Buchanan, while Chris is getting his new "Anarchist's Tool Chest" ready for its closeups. I saw it Sunday morning, and can report that it is gorgeous…and I'm a little envious of his mahogany and white oak tills (who knew Chris had a little touch of the Fancy Lad about him!).

— Fitz

Lost Art Press Blog

The Tool for Waves

In this excerpt from "With All the Precision Possible: Roubo on Furniture," learn about the development and use of "the largest and the most complicated of all the cabinetry tools," as Roubo says. It's for making wave mouldings.

For Sale: Comb-back Stick Chair in Figured Red Elm

It is true that I like almost everything Chris makes, but this chair? It's pretty spectacular (see the picture below). And it could be yours; he's selling it via silent auction.

The American Peasant Substack

Build a Stick Chair with Chris in Australia

Chris will be in Australia in October for Wood Dust, and will be teaching two classes while he's there on making a seven-stick chair (not unlike the one above…but in an Australian wood, I'm guessing). There is still room in his classes.

(Free for everyone)

Earlywood: Time to Grow Up

Lessons learned from cypress and "John Gay; Or, Work for Boys." (And a look at one of my favorite tables from my PopWood days.)

(Free for everyone)

Furniture for Rustics

An origin story that helps elucidate Chris's love of the vernacular.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack

Other Ways to Take an Apprentice

You don't need to take on a full-time apprentice to pass along your knowledge; here's how Chris has taught a few others in his shop over the years…and you can, too.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

Never Sponsored Substack

Saw Stop Switch – an Update

We've long had trouble with our table saw switch; thanks to suggestions from readers and Saw Stop (and perhaps my pushiness), we finally got it working as it should.

(Free for everyone)

Blue Spruce Folding Saddle Square

Do you need a saddle square? Probably not – but I'd sure hate to be without one, and this new version from Blue Spruce is worth consideration.

(Free for everyone)

Civivi Utility Knife

This folding utility knife is a winner. (And make sure to click through on the link to blades engraved to look like Damascus steel – hilarious.)

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

On Instagram This Week

Beckets, Chris Williams chairs, piggies and more.

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Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Exeter-Pattern Hammers Now in Stock

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Exeter-Pattern Hammers Now in Stock

If you've been waiting on an Exeter-pattern furniture-maker's hammer, you're in luck; we've a batch for sale in our store now. These hammers, which are based on an old British form, are perfectly sized for people who build casework and chairs. They are the ideal weight for driving in 4d and 6d nails, smacking wedges in place and adjusting bench planes.

The cross-peen is used to start brads and headed nails – the peen slips through your fingers to set the tip of the nail. Then you flip the head around to finish the job.

The octagonal handle feels great in the hand and offers two gripping positions: one for power and one for finesse.

At 9.8 ounces, the Exeter hammer is less fatiguing to use than a 16-ounce carpenter's hammer, but is heavy enough to sink furniture nails for assembling carcases or planting mouldings.

Like all our tools, the Crucible Exeter hammer is made entirely in the United States. The hickory handle is made in the Carolinas, the head is milled in Nicholasville, Ky., and the tool is hand-assembled in our factory in Covington, Ky.

You can read more about (and order) the Exeter-pattern hammer in our online store.

Monday, March 31, 2025

A Treasure from Grandfather’s Chest, the Future of the OG ATC, Strength in Imperfection & More

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A Treasure from Grandfather's Chest, the Future of the OG ATC, Strength in Imperfection & More

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

We spent last Thursday and Friday scrambling to finish filming a video with Welsh chairmaker Chris Williams (he was supposed to be here sooner, but the fire at Heathrow threw a spanner in those plans). And we got it done with time to spare and ample hours for our annual pilgrimage to Carhartt's. Now, he's in our shop teaching a group of students from around the country to build a Welsh stick chair.

Chris Schwarz is busy with the finishing touches on his new "Anarchist's Tool Chest," as he revises the book for its 15th anniversary. Today, he had to go to the lumberyard for one 8' piece of white oak for the till bottoms. (No matter how much we think we have in the basement, it's never enough!) And thank goodness…because I tagged along to pick up cherry for my upcoming Shaker step stool class (which I couldn't have done without Chris's help. I can drive now – but pull lumber from the racks while on crutches? Nope.) And speaking of classes, we still have spaces available in a few for the second half of the year – you can see those here…the three that say "buy tickets."

– Fitz

Lost Art Press Blog

Doormaking and Window-Making

U.K.-based traditional joiner Richard Arnold discovered two little booklets ("Doormaking" and "Window-Making") in the bottom of his grandfather's tool chest – a chest that changed his life. Read more about it in this excerpt, the introduction to our volume that combines the two booklets into one book.

The American Peasant Substack

Earlywood: The Strength of a Chair Comes from Imperfection

Without a little tension, a stick chair won't be as strong as it needs to be. So while you don't want to aim for imperfection, the fact that it's darn-near unachievable is a good thing.

(Free for everyone)

Let the Beauty Be

I think most of what Chris writes is excellent (good thing, since I read a lot of it!) – but this piece resonates for me even more than usual. And it answers the question: "Why am I cutting all these damn dovetails?"

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

The Future of the Old Tool Chest

With the 15-year anniversary "Anarchist's Tool Chest" underway (both the revised book and the chest that will be shown therein), what's going to happen to the one Chris built in 2010 – the one that's been his constant companion ever since?

(Free for everyone)

The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack

So, Where to Next?

Looking beyond the Lost Art Press walls of Covington will help shape what's ahead for Kale – as long as they don't look _too_ far ahead.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)

Never Sponsored Substack

The Chappell Universal Square

We've tried more than a few framing squares in the LAP shop; this is the only one we can recommend unreservedly.

(Free for everyone)

When You Need to Attack the Crack

A bonsai brush is just the thing for getting into a tight corner to remove glue.

(Free for everyone)