B.L. Zeebub

No matter where or when you entered woodworking you have to give a nod to this guy for opening up this world to so many of us. Yes, he's not necessarily a "fine" woodworker BUT his talent as a purveyor of Yankee ingenuity and gitterdun attitude is what we ALL need to see us through. And even though I might forgo the Leigh jig and router for a backsaw and a carefully scribed line, the end is still the same; a piece of work that I can be proud of AND that Norm convinced me I can do.

Thanks big guy. I for one look forward to the next chapter in your shared journey.

Till then...

I have the first four seasons on VHS! I will miss his show terribly even if I've outgrown it as the somewhat more adept woodbutcher I've become. Thank you Norm, for all you've done and shown us, you're down-homey-ness and yankee know-how will be sorely missed. Godspeed in all you do, Norm.

Great piece. It's always nice to have a voice to go along with the face. I give credit for Mr. Krenov's books as early inspiration for my own entree into woodworking. He and Norm Abrams. HA! I know some would see that as mixing the sublime with the profane but you gotta give props where they're due.

Thank you, Mr. Binzen.

always,
Zee

Whoa! I'm just jealous that he owns the OED! Bravo. You get my vote.

While I applaud SawStop for their invention and I would definitely retool if I were a pro and NOT the only one in my shop using the tool. However, I think of this the same way I do bumpers on cars as idiot proofing devices. Mark Twain said it best, "There is no such thing as an accident but rather the unhappy confluence of poor decisions made by one or more parties."

Still, I dig the hot dog test.

I might have to try a set of these. I've been using the stuff made for non slip rug backing that you can pick up at the fabric store for cheap. They sell the same stuff under the guise of "router mats" and "drawer liners" at $19.95 for a 2'x2' chunk as retailers know what P.T. Barnum knew about suckers and birthrates.

Still, these are a pretty cool way to skin that cat again.

Yowza! That's one gorgeous toolbox. Bravisimo!

always,
Lurking

Gotta love that G&G style, Bravo!

always,
Watching

I normally loathe blue stain BUT this is one pretty puppy. Nice job.

always,
the Dark One

Way cool solution. Have you ever needed anything from the wing storage while you had lumber on top? HA!

always,
Zee

I've read several accounts of meeting "the Man" and they all reflect Mr. Maloof's generosity. I am sure his spirit remains in all he touched. As a country we have indeed lost a great American. As a community of craftsmen we are privileged and privy to that spirit and the work of his hands.

My only regret that is that I did not make that short trek out to his compound during one of my many trips out to SoCal. This fall, I will remedy that and kick myself all the way for my procrastination. The business can wait even if Sam could not.

Godspeed Sam.

Always,
J.C.

I built the top to my bench first as well. I used it for four years atop an old heavy duty table base and height adjustments via chunks of 2x4. I toyed with several designs before settling on the one I've just completed. I also used seasoned for a year SYP. After I glued it up [no screws] I euphemistically called it the "big potato chip." I let it settle for a month before dressing it down to where it stands now. It ended up just under 3" thick. I have bread board ends and skirts front and rear. Now I just have to finish the full width drawers...

Great blog.

always,
Zee

Way cool toolbox! Lovely use of figured wood. Should make a great coffee table/conversation piece with a hunk of glass on top.