Monthly Archives: May 2010

Welcome to masters class

Posted on May 28, 2010 by walkerg

I hear the following comments on a regular basis. They usually come out on the second day of a workshop or seminar where I’m teaching a group of woodworkers. It goes like this,  “Last night after dinner I pulled my … Continue reading →

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Design and ornament

Posted on May 24, 2010 by walkerg

There’s been a ton of debate about ornament and whether or not it belongs on a good design. Granted there have been periods when builders almost took leave of their senses and indulged in colossal expressions of bling. In the … Continue reading →

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Design Critique 05/21/2010

Posted on May 21, 2010 by walkerg

How about a little twist on a design critique? It’s been a pleasure for me and I hope for you the last few weeks sharing thoughts and comments on previous design critiques. I thought it might be fun to occasionally … Continue reading →

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Norman Rockwell Lives!

Posted on May 19, 2010 by walkerg

You might want to take a look at Matt’s Basement Workshop Podcast by Matt Vanderlist. Ocasionally he features posts from my “Design Matters” blog. Today there is an entry on proportions originally posted on March 29th. Until I break down … Continue reading →

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Drafting Board

Posted on May 17, 2010 by walkerg

I’ve had several people inquire about the drafting board I have in my workshop. Like my workbench it’s evolved through several incarnations and the current version serves my needs quite well. Most notably, it folds flat and can be carted … Continue reading →

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Cincy Hand Tool Event June 4th, 5th

Posted on May 14, 2010 by walkerg

If you’re in the Cincinnati area the first weekend in June you might want to stop by the offices of Popular Woodworking Magazine to check out the hand tool event. I’ll be there with a contigent of folks from SAPFM … Continue reading →

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Design Critique 05/12/2010

Posted on May 12, 2010 by walkerg

Steve Millican has submitted plans for a hutch to be used in the kitchen. In this case he has marvelous wood and some functional requirements driving the design. In our house, I tread lightly in the kitchen. Barb is master and commander … Continue reading →

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Tight joinery made simpler

Posted on May 10, 2010 by walkerg

A few years ago I was teaching a class at Marc Adams and a student who shall remain nameless chided me for choosing hand tools over powered versions. He argued that power tools were more accurate. I had to scrape … Continue reading →

Posted in tools | 2 Comments

Design Critique 05/07/2010

Posted on May 7, 2010 by walkerg

Furniture designer and builder Bob Passaro submitted this bench for a design critique. Bob poses that age old question that every artisan wrestles with. Like many of us he wonders what he might do differently if he built another. I … Continue reading →

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Does it hold up?

Posted on May 5, 2010 by walkerg

 If you’re a writer you should read a lot. Not just read anything but feed on a steady diet of good writing. A painter or sculptor benefits from studying masterworks, the architect from closely examining fine buildings. It goes without … Continue reading →

Posted in Design Basics | 1 Comment