The American Peasant

1 week ago | christopherschwarz.substack.com | Megan Fitzpatrick

Chris and I will be eagerly awaiting your woodworking questions this Saturday (April 19) from about 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the Lost Art Press blog. On Saturday morning, an "Open Wire" post will go live. If you have a question, all you have to do is type it into the comments and we'll – eventually – answer (we fit in weekend computer time around bench time). The American Peasant is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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.

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.

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.

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.