Author Archives: woodshopcowboy

Community Watch: Lie Nielson Toolworks Show, Oct. 21st-22nd

I took my students to the Lie-Nielson Toolworks show being held at the Kellogg Furniture Studio on Fri, Oct. 21st.  My students were able to use some pretty expensive and sweet-working tools from Lie-Nielson and Glen-Drake tools were there.  I especially got a thrill watching a student get pointers from the man that created theContinue reading “Community Watch: Lie Nielson Toolworks Show, Oct. 21st-22nd”

Funny Moments in the Classroom…

Half of the students in my 3rd period crew found themselves taking the PSATs today.  Which meant I had eleven students in my classroom rockin’ and rollin’ in the CAD courses.  It doesn’t seem like much, I know, but when you have a 45 min “plan” and you end up with twice the time andContinue reading “Funny Moments in the Classroom…”

This Week in the Shop: Painting a Table Top

Here’s a quick shot of my “draft” top for the dining room table.  I’m playing with the paints a bit, yah?  Wondering what you think – I’m on the fence about the whole idea but the more I play, the more this stormy landscape comes into being.  Just like when I write poetry, I can’tContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Painting a Table Top”

The Art Crate Lockers

Over the past month my mind (and workshop) has fissured into a melting pot of tools, projects, class planning and plan ol’ creative fury.  I have nothing to show for my troubles right now.  I have recently completed a “house” style table – craftsman lines with painted accents – and I failed to take picturesContinue reading “The Art Crate Lockers”

This Week in the Shop: Guy Clark and Boxes

From Guy Clark’s song, “The Carpenter”: He was tough as a crowbar, quick as a chisel Fair as a plane and true as a level. He was straight as a chalkline and right as a rule. He was square with the world.  He took good care of his tools The early results of my boxContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Guy Clark and Boxes”

Physics Carriages

In my MWF fourth period class, my students have been discovering and elaborating on the scientific method. I chose cars & ramps (aka pinewood derby car) as an opening project.  We spent two weeks learning the different parts of the scientific method and how to measure our results.  We create reports (I’m on my fourthContinue reading “Physics Carriages”

This Week in the Shop: ReUsed Furniture

My co-worker (also a commenter on this blog, see if you can spot him) made these crate/shelving and desk pieces.  I’m thinking of grabbing a few crates myself now… I should have another work sample/update from both work and home shops soon.  In the upcoming week, my first set of progress reports are due, theContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: ReUsed Furniture”

This Week in the Shop: J&D’s Chair

In early August I completed a chair & ottoman set.  I built the set as a gift to two of my best friends, as they decided to marry to each other.  I actually got to see them meet, watch them fall in love and be an unintentional third wheel in their relationship.  Somehow, they draftedContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: J&D’s Chair”