Author Archives: yaakov

About yaakov

Husband, Abba, Furniture Maker, Turner, Bookseller, and all around working stiff.

Totally Shameless Plug

Posted on March 14, 2013 by yaakov

My usual readers know that I have been doing my best to lose weight and get stronger since last summer. All my hard work has really paid off. I went from 198 lbs (90kg) to 137lbs (62kg) using two fitness systems. … Continue reading →

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Inlay complete!

Posted on March 11, 2013 by yaakov

Every feel like Heaven is conspiring against you? I feel that way about this project. Between the freezing temperatures, house guests, holidays, kids events, and other work related stuff, I feel like I can’t get anything done in a satisfactory … Continue reading →

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One power tool I am very happy to have

Posted on March 7, 2013 by yaakov

  Now that the veneering work is done, it is time to prepare the material that will become the inlay. For this project, I am going to inlay the Hebrew word tzedakah on the front panel of the tzedakah box. Technically, what … Continue reading →

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You know what sucks?

Posted on March 3, 2013 by yaakov

I frequently find myself telling people that I pretty much have every piece of equipment that a woodworker could want. Of course, you can never REALLY have enough tools. And if you believe you do have everything you need, or … Continue reading →

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Another step forward

Posted on February 21, 2013 by yaakov

Another step forward today. The panels for the front, back, and sides were sized and fit into place. So now you have a basic idea of what this thing is supposed to look like. I used 1/8″ birch plywood for … Continue reading →

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Feelin’ Groovey

Posted on February 19, 2013 by yaakov

Once again, I was confronted with multiple options to complete a task. And once again, I took the old-fashioned route mainly for the sake of accuracy versus speed. Here’s the case: The top and bottom need to grooves to receive the … Continue reading →

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A mix of old and new

Posted on February 12, 2013 by yaakov

As I have stated many times before, I like to call myself a Modern Traditionalist. Today, I want to show you how I use a mix of the old and the new. When cutting small to medium sized pieces to … Continue reading →

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So we start again

Posted on February 11, 2013 by yaakov

Today I started construction on a new commission. It is a tzedakah box done in a style I have never made before. Generally, I make these with solid wood sides, but since this particular box has marquetry on the front, … Continue reading →

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Grandpa’s Workshop – Book Review

Posted on November 9, 2012 by yaakov

I admit it, I am a fan of Chris Schwarz’s Lost Art Press publishing company, and I have enjoyed every book I have ordered from them. Months ago, they made an announcement about a children’s book to be published called “Grandpa’s Workshop” … Continue reading →

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Keepin’ up the skills

Posted on November 7, 2012 by yaakov

Well, I am still commission-less, and I am still broke, so I can only work with the scraps I  left on the lumber rack. As you well know, you must practice to keep your skills sharp, so a bit of practice … Continue reading →

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