Let’s build on last week’s poll! Salt and pepper. Laurel and Hardy. Macaroni and cheese. Some things are just natural partners. And, when it comes to woodworking, there are few partners as famous as the mortise and tenon.

While cutting mortises presents its own challenges, cutting the tenon can be tricky as well. There are a ton of options from all machine to all hand to a hybrid approach. In this week’s poll, we want to know what your preferred tenon-cutting method is.

How do you cut tenons in your shop?

It’s one of those fundamental joints that nearly every woodworker has to master. The mortise and tenon joint has been around for millennia, and it is one of the hardest working joints out there. It holds stubbornly in chairs, tables, post and beam construction and a million and one other projects.

Of course, the challenge is finding a way to cut the components in a manner that is fast, easy and accurate. So, this week, let’s focus on one half of the equation… the mortise. I’m sure we have all cut them several different ways, and maybe our preferences have changed over the years. But, for today, tell us what your current preferred method is to cut a mortise.

How do you cut mortises in your shop?

Whenever I post a picture of my shop, I get more than a few comments about how clean the space is. Most of them say something like, “Way too clean!” or “You must not do any woodworking!” or “A real wood shop is never that clean!” I also see these comments come in on other people’s Shop Tours just because the shop owner thought it prudent to run the shop vac before snapping a few pictures for the world to see. While I think this sort of commentary is just harmless woodworker banter, I thought it would be a good discussion topic to dig into.

First thing’s first: my shop isn’t as clean as you might think it is! Like anyone else’s shop, every phase of a project brings with it a new mess. I made a few plywood bending forms recently and between cutting at the bandsaw, flush-trimming at the workbench, and drilling at the drill press, there’s plenty of dust and debris on the floor. But whenever taking photos for the website or my social media pages, I try not to focus on the mess. Instead, I keep the camera up high allowing the eye to focus on the object of the photo. I hope I’m not wrong in assuming that folks want to see the actual work being done and not the garbage on the floor. If we start judging the quality of our work by the mess we leave behind, I think I can start calling my 2-yr old son a “master craftsman” whose medium of choice is milk and Goldfish.

Of course I realize that “messy” is a very subjective concept and many of you will look at my pictures above and laugh. Using my best Crocodile Dundee voice: “That’s not a mess….. THAT’S a mess!” But there are a few good reasons why my version of a mess really isn’t all that messy and why my shop is typically cleaner than most.

I’m a Neat-Freak
My desk is usually clutter-free. My comic books are arranged in nice little stacks. I only wear one color and brand of socks. I never have more than a few icons on my computer desktop. I have a very specific burger to fry ratio. Simply put, my shop is an extension of my personality. Your shop is likely an extension of your personality as well, for better or for worse. Some people may feel right at home in a messy or dirty environment and I’d never begrudge that. For me, I find a messy space incredibly stifling to my creativity and motivation. There’s just something about walking into a nice clean and organized shop that gets me amped up to create and build.

Of course my penchant for cleanliness can only go so far with a 2-yr old in the house. It takes about 5 minutes for it to look like a hurricane ripped through our living room. But the shop is “Daddy’s playroom” and I have complete control over its appearance and condition. It’s comforting to know that the shop will always be in the exact state I left it.

I Had A Master Plan
I’m sure most of you remember the video showing how the shop was built. I was incredibly fortunate to build my shop from the ground up for one singular purpose: to support woodworking and videography. As a result, I have sufficient dust collection, power where I need it, ample space for spreading out projects, and proper storage for tools, finishes, and lumber. While things aren’t perfect and I still have a lot of organization and storage options to work on, the space functions very efficiently in its current state. If you ever have the opportunity to design a shop space from scratch, I guarantee you’ll end up with a cleaner and more organized space. If you don’t, you may have done something wrong.

It’s a Studio Too!
Everything I do in the shop is documented, either with still photos or video. That means I have very expensive equipment that isn’t exactly happy in a dusty environment. The less dust in the shop, the longer my gear lasts. Also, I am constantly moving a rolling tripod around from one shot to another. Leaving scraps laying all over the floor is a great way to end up tipping over the camera.

Safety First!
I practically live in my shop. I probably spend as much time there as I do in my home. I hope to do this woodworking thing for a long time so I’d rather not force myself to breathe any more dusty air than I have to, especially since I often have to remove my respirator to talk on-camera right after making cuts. So good dust collection is an absolute must and a clutter-free space is much easier to clean with a vacuum. I’m also much less likely to trip and fall on my face.

I Have an Arlie!
The final reason why my shop is so clean is something of a a luxury. My step-dad Arlie really enjoys cleaning and I pay him a few bucks to vacuum once a week. I don’t always have the time to clean the shop to my liking and having Arlie come through with the shop vac is really what makes the shop the clean, neat, and organized space I need it to be. If you don’t have an Arlie, I highly recommend getting one. They’re so choice!

A Few Tips

The thing to keep in mind here is that there are two things that comprise a messy shop: dust/shavings and clutter. Those are the two things you need to evaluate when trying to figure out how to keep a cleaner shop. For dust, the solutions are easier said than done since they usually involve extra labor and equipment. I can’t just say, “Get a ClearVue” since that may not be in your budget or you may not have the space. But you should at least try to work up to a dust collection system of some sort. Put a cyclone separator in front of it and collect the dust at the source. Connect your small portable power tools to a shop vac and be sure to use a filter bag. Otherwise, that dust will just clog up the pleated filter and shorten the life of your vac. Also, don’t be shy about running the shop vac daily. Try to get into the habit of running it for a few minutes at the end of every day. Yes, I know you’re tired, but investing a few minutes cleaning while you’re already dirty and sweaty is much better than walking into a dirty environment the next morning when you’re freshly-showered and ready to start your day.

As far as clutter is concerned, you just need to get a little more organized. Consider building a tool cabinet to store all of your tools in a small compact space. Build some decent lumber storage so your materials stay off the floor. And don’t forget the old “ten-things” trick. At the end of every shop day (before you vacuum), simply put ten things away. It doesn’t matter what they are, a screwdriver, a drill, a jig, a can of finish, anything goes. Just put ten things away at the end of the day and you’ll find your space will be much less cluttered.

I would never imply that my method of work and personal preferences are right for everyone. I’m only offering this article as a bit of an explanation for why my space looks the way it does and it gives me something to link to when the inevitable shop-cleanliness comments come in. The advice here is intended to help folks who feel they might benefit from a cleaner and more organized space, not to convince people they need to be clean. So if you’re happily disorganized and dirty, all the power to you! There’s nothing that says you can’t be incredibly creative and productive in a messy environment. I just can’t.

Whenever I post a picture of my shop, I get more than a few comments about how clean the space is. Most of them say something like, “Way too clean!” or “You must not do any woodworking!” or “A real wood shop is never that clean!” I also see these comments come in on other people’s Shop Tours just because the shop owner thought it prudent to run the shop vac before snapping a few pictures for the world to see. While I think this sort of commentary is just harmless woodworker banter, I thought it would be a good discussion topic to dig into.

First thing’s first: my shop isn’t as clean as you might think it is! Like anyone else’s shop, every phase of a project brings with it a new mess. I made a few plywood bending forms recently and between cutting at the bandsaw, flush-trimming at the workbench, and drilling at the drill press, there’s plenty of dust and debris on the floor. But whenever taking photos for the website or my social media pages, I try not to focus on the mess. Instead, I keep the camera up high allowing the eye to focus on the object of the photo. I hope I’m not wrong in assuming that folks want to see the actual work being done and not the garbage on the floor. If we start judging the quality of our work by the mess we leave behind, I think I can start calling my 2-yr old son a “master craftsman” whose medium of choice is milk and Goldfish.

Of course I realize that “messy” is a very subjective concept and many of you will look at my pictures above and laugh. Using my best Crocodile Dundee voice: “That’s not a mess….. THAT’S a mess!” But there are a few good reasons why my version of a mess really isn’t all that messy and why my shop is typically cleaner than most.

I’m a Neat-Freak
My desk is usually clutter-free. My comic books are arranged in nice little stacks. I only wear one color and brand of socks. I never have more than a few icons on my computer desktop. I have a very specific burger to fry ratio. Simply put, my shop is an extension of my personality. Your shop is likely an extension of your personality as well, for better or for worse. Some people may feel right at home in a messy or dirty environment and I’d never begrudge that. For me, I find a messy space incredibly stifling to my creativity and motivation. There’s just something about walking into a nice clean and organized shop that gets me amped up to create and build.

Of course my penchant for cleanliness can only go so far with a 2-yr old in the house. It takes about 5 minutes for it to look like a hurricane ripped through our living room. But the shop is “Daddy’s playroom” and I have complete control over its appearance and condition. It’s comforting to know that the shop will always be in the exact state I left it.

I Had A Master Plan
I’m sure most of you remember the video showing how the shop was built. I was incredibly fortunate to build my shop from the ground up for one singular purpose: to support woodworking and videography. As a result, I have sufficient dust collection, power where I need it, ample space for spreading out projects, and proper storage for tools, finishes, and lumber. While things aren’t perfect and I still have a lot of organization and storage options to work on, the space functions very efficiently in its current state. If you ever have the opportunity to design a shop space from scratch, I guarantee you’ll end up with a cleaner and more organized space. If you don’t, you may have done something wrong.

It’s a Studio Too!
Everything I do in the shop is documented, either with still photos or video. That means I have very expensive equipment that isn’t exactly happy in a dusty environment. The less dust in the shop, the longer my gear lasts. Also, I am constantly moving a rolling tripod around from one shot to another. Leaving scraps laying all over the floor is a great way to end up tipping over the camera.

Safety First!
I practically live in my shop. I probably spend as much time there as I do in my home. I hope to do this woodworking thing for a long time so I’d rather not force myself to breathe any more dusty air than I have to, especially since I often have to remove my respirator to talk on-camera right after making cuts. So good dust collection is an absolute must and a clutter-free space is much easier to clean with a vacuum. I’m also much less likely to trip and fall on my face.

I Have an Arlie!
The final reason why my shop is so clean is something of a a luxury. My step-dad Arlie really enjoys cleaning and I pay him a few bucks to vacuum once a week. I don’t always have the time to clean the shop to my liking and having Arlie come through with the shop vac is really what makes the shop the clean, neat, and organized space I need it to be. If you don’t have an Arlie, I highly recommend getting one. They’re so choice!

A Few Tips

The thing to keep in mind here is that there are two things that comprise a messy shop: dust/shavings and clutter. Those are the two things you need to evaluate when trying to figure out how to keep a cleaner shop. For dust, the solutions are easier said than done since they usually involve extra labor and equipment. I can’t just say, “Get a ClearVue” since that may not be in your budget or you may not have the space. But you should at least try to work up to a dust collection system of some sort. Put a cyclone separator in front of it and collect the dust at the source. Connect your small portable power tools to a shop vac and be sure to use a filter bag. Otherwise, that dust will just clog up the pleated filter and shorten the life of your vac. Also, don’t be shy about running the shop vac daily. Try to get into the habit of running it for a few minutes at the end of every day. Yes, I know you’re tired, but investing a few minutes cleaning while you’re already dirty and sweaty is much better than walking into a dirty environment the next morning when you’re freshly-showered and ready to start your day.

As far as clutter is concerned, you just need to get a little more organized. Consider building a tool cabinet to store all of your tools in a small compact space. Build some decent lumber storage so your materials stay off the floor. And don’t forget the old “ten-things” trick. At the end of every shop day (before you vacuum), simply put ten things away. It doesn’t matter what they are, a screwdriver, a drill, a jig, a can of finish, anything goes. Just put ten things away at the end of the day and you’ll find your space will be much less cluttered.

I would never imply that my method of work and personal preferences are right for everyone. I’m only offering this article as a bit of an explanation for why my space looks the way it does and it gives me something to link to when the inevitable shop-cleanliness comments come in. The advice here is intended to help folks who feel they might benefit from a cleaner and more organized space, not to convince people they need to be clean. So if you’re happily disorganized and dirty, all the power to you! There’s nothing that says you can’t be incredibly creative and productive in a messy environment. I just can’t.

The post Why is Your Shop So Clean? appeared first on The Wood Whisperer.

Since its invention by Raymond DeWalt back in 1923, the radial arm saw has had quite an interesting history. Once held as the ultimate home woodworking machine, the saw could crosscut, rip, dado, cut joints and do other tasks with specialized attachments.

While the saw was enjoying its reputation, questions about its accuracy, space utilization and – most importantly – safety were being raised.

With the invention of the power miter saw in the 1970′s, radial arm saw use declined precipitously. While radial arm saws are still produced today, table saws far outsell these machines. So where do you stand when it comes to these tools?

What do you think about radial arm saws?

Let’s face it – our woodworking projects are something we can be very proud of. Whether a perfectly executed set of kitchen cabinets or an expertly turned piece, we want that work to be identified with us.

For some people, they will name the project they are working on, much as an artist will name a painting or a sculpture. For instance, David Picciuto (The Drunken Woodworker) routinely names his projects, such as the pattern for this bandsawn box called Chicago, based on its resemblance to the letter C. This week, tell us if you name your pieces.

Have you ever named one of your projects?

At what point do we cross the threshold into selling our work, and how can you be successful? I would be willing to wager that the idea of starting a business, or at bare minimum selling items on the side has crossed the mind of every hobbyist woodworker. I’m definitely guilty, and I’m currently in the process of trying to figure out how to make a profit from my craft too.

I think the most reasonable way to create a woodworking business is by starting it up on the side while maintaining a steady source of income. Sure, we all dream of quitting the day job to pursue our passion, but there are many drawbacks to this course of action – lack of income being the main problem. Starting a side business not only eliminates any drop in income, in most cases it should actually increase your income so long as you keep expenses at a minimum.

A Great Side Business Success Story

A fellow LumberJock that I follow, Brian Timmons, recently started up a side business selling handmade wooden combs, which are flat out awesome! I saw that he had opened up an Etsy shop, and he actually sold out the first day. His story is a great example of what’s possible when you take the plunge and sell your work. So, I decided to interview Brian to dig even deeper into his story and his side business, Big T Woodworks. In the interview, Brian shares his back story, the motivation to open shop, and some really great tips for new sellers.

Enjoy the interview, I hope it provides some motivation to open up shop and some tips to get going. Also, check out the video at the end of the interview where Brian talks a bit about his business and shows some of the processes he uses to build his awesome combs.

How long have you been woodworking?
“I’ve dabbled here and there all my life, but I got serious about it two and a half years ago. A lot of separate influences led me here. My uncle is a professional woodworker, so whenever I was a kid and we’d visit him in New Mexico he loved to show off his tools to my older brother and I. I remember having my little mind blown by a hollow chisel mortiser. A machine that drills square holes! Clearly anything was possible.

Growing up around music and playing cello led me to a couple of jobs, first in a general music store. They had pianos, drums, guitars, and whatnot, but my favorite thing about the whole job was getting to watch the string instrument repairman work. He’s a violin and bow maker, and if I didn’t have to deal with customers I could’ve watched him work all day.

Later I got a sales job in a specialty shop selling violin family instruments, and I also got to help in the shop too. I never went after bona fide luthier training, but I was taught how to varnish and setup instruments, which was really cool.

Later in life I kept having the urge to do more with wood, and to break new ground beyond what I had already done. Once I got married and bought a house I finally had a garage to work in. My first real project was the jewelry box I made for my wife. It was all downhill from there.”

What made you decide to make combs?
“I wanted to get serious about making some money with my woodworking. Or at the very least, not actually losing money on it. Working from my home on a shoestring budget, I started to think about what criteria I should use for projects to get my business off the ground. Here’s what I decided on.

Something small and easy to ship. I didn’t want to mess around with packing huge items and all the extra costs associated with that. Also, big items seem more likely to get damaged in shipping.

Items that can made in batches. This way I can repeat my processes once I have a machine set up the way I need it, and I’m not constantly switching between tools and moving my dust collection hose around the garage. Tool switching is time consuming, especially for those of us in small spaces that don’t have enough outlets to leave everything plugged in, or might have to move one tool out of the way in order to use another.

Low cost per item. It seems like a safer bet to make lots of small things that aren’t prohibitively expensive. I’d love to try a Nakashima style table or a Krenov style cabinet made from top shelf woods, but if I can’t find a buyer willing to spend thousands it doesn’t do me much good.

So with all that in mind, wooden combs fit the bill. They’re practical, tough, and stylish. And unlike cutting boards, the market isn’t completely and utterly saturated. Sure there are others making them, but mine still manage to stand out.”

How did you decide to shift from strictly hobbyist to seller?
“Honestly, a lot behind that decision was borne out of frustration and resentment. I was sick of being broke all the time. I’ve always wanted to make a living with my hands in some way, and I hated that the skills I’m learning weren’t helping me provide for my family. I’m very happy now that I took the plunge, since people are buying my stuff. It’s a very rewarding feeling.”

Do you think you would ever go full time with your woodworking business?
“I do have a day job, but I’m nowhere near the point where I’m ready to fully strike out on my own full time. I’ll just have to see what the future brings.”

Has the decision to sell your work changed anything about your woodworking?
“The nature of making things in quantity has made me more efficient in the shop. But that hasn’t made me a mindless automaton, either. I still enjoy the Zen flow I had with earlier projects. And because I’m more practiced that means less wasted motion, which makes for more enjoyable work.

I’ve heard some folks on forums say that once they turned their woodworking hobby into a business, they immediately lost all enjoyment because suddenly it felt like just another job.

I can see how that would be the case if you’re doing plain and boxy plywood cabinets all the time, but I certainly don’t feel that way. The validation that comes with people buying my work is awesome. Getting compliments is great, but money does indeed talk. Complete strangers from all over the US, the UK, France, and Germany have bought something I made, and I can’t help but feel good about that.

Selling what I make hasn’t just changed my woodworking, it’s also been a great benefit to my marriage! Before I was selling, my wife usually regarded my woodworking as messy and expensive. She liked what I made just fine and would try to nurture my creative side, but I knew it bothered her that I was dumping money into a hobby and getting nothing out of it. She had her doubts, and I don’t blame her.

Now she’s bought me a ton of beautiful woods to work with, a new band saw, and a lathe! All my hard work is starting to pay off now that I’m putting myself out there. Making sales is great, but it pales in comparison to knowing that my wife really believes in me now. It’s been a huge boost to my confidence and it makes me love her even more.”

Do you have any advice for people who are thinking about starting to sell their work?
“Do your homework, but try not to second guess yourself either. I had a bunch of combs made and I sat on them for months, unsure if anyone would buy a single one. One night I figured, ah what the hell, I’ll just go ahead and sign up on Etsy, see if I get any views. Well, I got more than just a few views. Once I opened, I nearly sold out in less than 24 hours. I was over the moon that day. I couldn’t believe I had waited so long.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that selling your work makes you less of an artist. Somehow we’ve romanticized the archetype of the starving artist, this notion that “selling out” makes your work somehow impure. I can think of numerous cases where that rings true. But also consider Da Vinci, Shakespeare, and Beethoven. They all got paid for their work, and I don’t think anyone would seriously try to argue that they were somehow less of an artist for doing so.

Not to compare myself to the greats or anything, but my point is that it just seems like a silly idea for people get wrapped up in. Don’t be afraid of success.”

Check out Brian’s video that covers more about his business as well as some of the processes he uses to craft his beautiful combs. He’s got a couple really neat processes that he has devised to batch out the processes.

I just want to give a big Thank You to Brian for taking the time to share his thoughts, story and his insight into starting up his side business. Congratulations on your Grand Opening, and to your continued success with Big T Woodworks!

I hope that the interview with Brian provides a little bit of hope and motivation for the up-and-coming side business entrepreneur out there. There is nothing better than getting your work into the hands of people who not only truly enjoy it, but pay you for your work too! It’s amazing how much feedback you get on your work, how much you learn once you enter the selling world, and how much more gratifying your work in the shop can be when you realize there is demand for what you make.

So, what advice do you have for starting up a side business to sell your work? Any other success stories out there that you would like to share? I’d love to hear about it, leave a comment below.

It’s summertime, and the living’s easy. Without the threat of blizzards, freezing temperatures or ice storms, everyone is looking to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Even in sweltering Florida, Arizona and other hot climes, at least the kids are out of school, and getting them outside keeps them – and you – from going stir crazy.

With all of this outdoor activity, I’m sure that we woodworkers have thought at least once, “Gosh, it sure would be great if I could build a garden shed/planter box/picnic table/play structure/some other outdoor project that could be perfect for outdoor enjoyment.”

So, this week, tell us if you have ever built and outdoor project, and what the experience was like for you.

Have you ever built an outdoor project?

The craftsmen and women who have built furniture in the past have done some incredible work. From entire banks of hand-dovetailed drawers to intricate carvings executed over weeks of strenuous work – we can learn a lot from the methods they used.

Unfortunately, there are times when modern life visits hazards upon these beautiful pieces of work and they sometimes need repairs. Kind of like the time when my neighbor’s brother broke apart an antique Munkstol (a traditional Swedish seat that had been in their family for generations) in an effort to help pack it for shipping. I had to surgically piece the seat back together to bring it back to life.

So today, I want to know if you have ever had to repair a piece of antique furniture and what you thought the process was like.

Have you ever repaired a piece of antique furniture?

Getting involved in electronics can be tricky business. Every time a new technology is invented, processor speed increased or new storage medium is heralded as the next great thing, your computer, stereo or television is one step closer to needing to be upgraded.

Fortunately, this isn’t the case when it comes to woodworking tools. Power tools built in the 1950′s still slice through lumber and planes and chisels more than a century old still slice and dice joinery as well as the day they were made. And they can still do their work despite the fact that many of these babies sat languishing in some cellar or out-building for decades before being brought back to life.

This week, let us know how old the oldest tool is in your collection. Power or hand tool – it doesn’t matter. The one caveat is that the tool still has to do work for you in a your shop. No living room display case models are allowed.

How old is the oldest tool – that you use – in your collection?