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1 week ago | 
neversponsored.substack.com | Megan Fitzpatrick |Christopher Schwarz
A fair number of people have asked why we bought another bench instead of simply making one – we do, after all, know how to make one. Or 10. The short answer is: We did the math. Factoring in our time and all materials (including the vises, for which we almost always use Benchcrafted products), we could not build one for less than the price of the Benchcrafted Split-top Roubo.
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1 week ago | 
christopherschwarz.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
Ever since “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” was first published in 2011, readers have asked: “If you could, what would you change about the chest and the book?”Until now, the answer was: “Er, I don’t know.” And that’s because I hadn’t re-read the book or thought deeply about it since 2011. The book was done. And while I’m not afraid of assessing my work after it’s printed, I didn’t think it was necessary with this book. Plus, I have about 30 more new books in the works in my head.
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1 week ago | 
christopherschwarz.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
Publisher’s note: Good morning and welcome to Earlywood, a free weekly excerpt from one of the thousands of pieces I’ve written since 1996. Sometimes, it’s from a magazine article. Or a book. Or (in this case) a blog post published in 2018. Each entry has been updated or annotated with some modern context or point of view. Enjoy!In many ways, the Europeans are ahead of us in the U.S. (like it or not). Their recycling programs far outpace the ones in the Midwest. Public transport is worlds better.
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2 weeks ago | 
neversponsored.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
Years ago I had to have surgery on my left hand to remove a walnut splinter that had lodged under a nerve. It was painful and expensive. Because of that, I have become a serious tweezer. I’ve tried everything that was legal, looked promising or was recommended to me. Today, the only thing I use (or recommend) are the pair of Tweezerman tools, which are widely available in drugstores.
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2 weeks ago | 
christopherschwarz.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
Though I prefer animal-based glues for building furniture, the polyvinyl acetate glues – aka PVA or yellow/white glues – have their place in our shop. Unfortunately, there is almost as much misinformation about glue in the world as there is about finishing materials. As a result, many students (and even professionals) make their glue-ups way more complicated or time-consuming.
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2 weeks ago | 
theanarchistsapprentice.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
When you work with other woodworkers – even when picking out wood at the lumberyard – it helps to know some of the marks and special words that will help get the job done right. These symbols are helpful to even the lone woodworker. When you return to the bench after a hiatus, the symbols will help you pick up where you left off. (Note: I made these marks in ink to make them easier to see. Typically, I use pencil.)True Edge: This edge has been jointed by hand or machine.
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2 weeks ago | 
christopherschwarz.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
“You wretches detestable on land and sea: you who seek equality with lords are unworthy to live. Give this message to your colleagues: Rustics you were, and rustics you are still; you will remain in bondage, not as before, but incomparably harsher. For as long as we live we will strive to suppress you, and your misery will be an example in the eyes of posterity. However, we will spare your lives if you remain faithful and loyal.
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2 weeks ago | 
neversponsored.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
After griping about the switch on our Saw Stop, several readers insisted there was a fix to the too-sensitive switch. We simply needed to call Saw Stop, report the problem and they would offer a solution. This switch problem is something I reported years ago, but perhaps things had changed since then. So Megan called them last week. Eventually they asked to talk to me about the switch and describe what the underside of the switch looks like.
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2 weeks ago | 
christopherschwarz.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
Publisher’s note: And with that, welcome to Earlywood, a free weekly excerpt from one of the thousands of pieces I’ve written since 1996. Sometimes, it’s from a magazine article. Or a book. Or (in this case) a blog post published in 2011. Each entry has been updated or annotated with some modern context or point of view. Enjoy!“Now,” said John, “we will put the work away for today.”“Why, I am not tired,” said Benny.
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3 weeks ago | 
christopherschwarz.substack.com | Christopher Schwarz
In October I’m making a long trek to Australia to teach two stick chair classes. One in Melbourne, and a second in Newrybar (New South Wales). It’s all part of a fancy woodworker event called Wood Dust that features a bunch of instructors (Michael Fortune and Matthew Kenney) plus gatherings, dinners and social events. It’s the stuff an awkward woodworker like me lives for. Check this link here for all the details. During the chair classes, we’ll each build a seven-stick comb-back chair.
