The other week, I was helping teach an intro to hand tool woodworking class and we showed the students a few ways to set up their bench planes, including sighting down the sole to see the thin dark line of the iron projecting from the mouth to tell if lateral adjustment of the iron was needed.
Interesting comment re green woodworking having lessons for those of us stuck largely with KD stock. I can understand the learnings you’ve described. I will be giving a class a go over the next 12 months, and now can confidently expect more than the class-based experience!! Appreciated!!
Very exciting, I hope the class goes well and you get some good learnings from it. Peter Galbert's book Chairkamker's Notebook has a lot of good information on how to apply the learnings from green woodworking when using kiln dried stock for chair making, so could be a good resource depending on your interests. Thanks for taking the time to read and give some feedback!
Getting into green woodworking is where I think I'm heading. I'm somewhat apprehensive since I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, but your post is definitely convincing me this is the way to go.
It really is a ton of fun, but was definitely a little intimidating at first for me too. I found Curtis Buchanan's chair videos on YouTube extremely helpful in understanding where to start, at least if greenwood chair making is of interest.
Yes, surprisingly for me too, working without music, radio or podcasts favours a better connection with hand work. That means concentration, no screens, no tiktoks, no ads or devices distracting you. You enjoy the work and the moment. And the results are better.
Quietly working in the shop is such an educational experience. I admit, I don't do it for all tasks but crucial ones like carving out a seat or doing some handplaning, listening to the tool work helps me to be more efficient.
Interesting comment re green woodworking having lessons for those of us stuck largely with KD stock. I can understand the learnings you’ve described. I will be giving a class a go over the next 12 months, and now can confidently expect more than the class-based experience!! Appreciated!!
Very exciting, I hope the class goes well and you get some good learnings from it. Peter Galbert's book Chairkamker's Notebook has a lot of good information on how to apply the learnings from green woodworking when using kiln dried stock for chair making, so could be a good resource depending on your interests. Thanks for taking the time to read and give some feedback!
Many thanks Duncan, Peter Galbert’s book has a permanent place on our coffee table!! Go well and keep posting !!!
Oh good, glad you are already familiar! Mine copy is definitely well worn.
Getting into green woodworking is where I think I'm heading. I'm somewhat apprehensive since I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, but your post is definitely convincing me this is the way to go.
It really is a ton of fun, but was definitely a little intimidating at first for me too. I found Curtis Buchanan's chair videos on YouTube extremely helpful in understanding where to start, at least if greenwood chair making is of interest.
Yes, surprisingly for me too, working without music, radio or podcasts favours a better connection with hand work. That means concentration, no screens, no tiktoks, no ads or devices distracting you. You enjoy the work and the moment. And the results are better.
Agreed, I definitely get into the flow of it all when I don't have any distractions.
“It's a nice reminder to use all the senses you can when evaluating your work.”
… Immediately licks seat blank…
*instant regret*
Ha! but don't you feel you have a better understanding of your seat now?
Absolutely! And for insight into the sitter also, do the same after it’s been sat in… 🤢🤮
Great post!
Quietly working in the shop is such an educational experience. I admit, I don't do it for all tasks but crucial ones like carving out a seat or doing some handplaning, listening to the tool work helps me to be more efficient.
Thank you! The sounds of a tool is so helpful, amazing how much about the sharpness from a tool you get from its sound.
You have a real talent for expressing your passion for this craft in your writing. It is enviable.
As someone who is learning from books and online resources I expect to face similar challenges myself.
Thanks Daniel!
Look forward to reading about some of your challenges and breakthroughs in your posts.