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One of my resolutions for the new year is to post more updates about our progress with book projects and share tips or ideas I learn from them … and so, a quick update from your friendly neighborhood book editor: We have a couple of great titles coming down the pike. I’m currently editing “The Practical Workshop” which covers workshop setup, organization and optimizing your workspace. The book is compiled from our magazine archives and features writing from some great woodworking minds including Christopher Schwarz, Frank Klausz, Scott Gibson, Graham Blackburn and others. From building a personalized workbench (even on a budget) to building shop furniture and setting up an efficient workspace, the book is great way to get your shop in order – or set up a new shop – and get on with your woodworking. This one’s scheduled to arrive mid-May 2017.
Speaking of Christopher Schwarz, a new edition of “Handplane Essentials” is at the printer and should be available next month (currently available for preorder). You might already be familiar with this book, but Chris has added a ton for this revision. The new edition features 14 new articles as well as new and updated tool reviews. A hardcover at 352 pages, this one’s gonna have some heft to it – everything you need to know to choose the right plane for your project, sharpen it and put it to use successfully.
These are just a couple of the great books we have lined up for 2017, so stay tuned and I’ll keep you posted with news about our editorial calendar.
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
I’m about two months away from having a new, heated shop in my basement. It will start with my knockdown Nicholson bench and nothing else. Power tools stay in the garage. I’ll build furniture and fixtures as I need them and move hand tools In as I create a home for them. What comes first … tool chest? Book shelf? Sharpening station? Well, a hanging tool rack will be first, then I’ll read your book.
Scott- sounds like a great book! One suggestion from a former professional furniture-maker turned weekend warrior: workshop flow might be useful to cover. At least for me, having the workshop set up as a linear progression, placing workstations in adjacent order of processing, has helped me a great deal. Starting with solid and sheet stock storage immediately by the main entry door, with projects proceeding to adjacent roughing station, sizing, joinery, and finishing, has helped declutter somewhat, but has also made it easier as someone not always in the shop every day to pick up where I left off.
Good luck with the exciting project!
Shozan Woodcrafters