joe4liberty

Cookies go well with ... Scotch anyone?

to Perdudan... just changed my pic, and a not so rare one of me drinking... er, sampling a fine Scotch. I think it's important to do something with all of that stuff so that I can get my hands on the white oak barrels for projects ;-)

BTW, the instructions neglect to mention that you must first click "log on"... then follow the above directions...

Shortly after I graduated from High School ('82) I began watching Norm and the NYW. If asked who my favorite teacher was, each of you here know the answer. Here in Colorado we have two different PBS stations, and the NYW is on Sat AND Sun on the two different channels - yeah! At exactly 4:00 pm, on Sat (11:00 am on Sunday) the saw stops running, and sawdust covered or not, I am seated in the living room for this week's lesson (the wife has given up scolding me for tracking the sawdust in each week - thanks mainly due to the furniture that she has gotten over the years because of Norm's lessons).
For a couple of decades now, I have watched the show, and thought "okay, I don't own that tool, how can I make another tool do the same job", so to RUSHISALIAR, all that I can say is this; the knowledge that Norm gave me, along with a cheap radial arm saw, and some old family hand tools, I managed to build a half dozen of Norm's projects and a couple dozen other projects. Remember, it is the poor craftsman who blames his tools (or lack thereof) for his inability. I am a woodworker today because of Norm's inspiration. For that, I thank you Norm!

Okay folks, I didn't think that someone could build a table in 60 seconds, but I was curious. Now forget your grammatically correct "comma", the title doesn't matter when the lead-in was:
"Creative slump got you down? We've got a woodworking Rx that's sure to inspire you. Watch a gifted furniture maker crank out a beautiful table in only 60 seconds."
That not only implies it, it outright says that he can "...crank out a beautiful table in only 60 seconds." which by any description is misleading.
That said, I have no idea if the video is any good or not since I can't get it to open.

Danniel, you wrote: "It's simply a piece of furniture that stores tools. I really don't think that qualifies as a tool chest.", actually, webster's defines it this way: "A chest (also called coffer or kist) is one of the oldest forms of furniture. It is typically a rectangular structure with four walls and a liftable lid, for storage. The interior space may be subdivided. ..." Thus a tool chest would be a piece of furniture that holds tools. You make yours to look the way you like, and I will make mine to look the way I like, and obviously, Gregg will make his… his way.
One thing that we cannot argue is his ability, and if he chooses to use that ability to make a chest to house his tools in grand style, who are any of us to criticize?
And finally, I am glad that you think that it's okay for me to make a fine box to hold paints for my sister, but offended that you somehow think it's not okay for Gregg to make a fine chest to hold tools for himself. I suppose fine woodworking is only meant to be gifts (I guess I shouldn't show you photos of the "boxes" that I made to hold the Christmas decorations... the "boxes" that my wife thinks are a shame to hide away in the attic for 11 months out of the year, but the truth is, I love the weekend after Thanksgiving because of the memories that I get when I lower those "boxes" with their depictions of Victorian era santas, decorations and toys inlaid on the covers, and handles that look strikingly like horse drawn sleighs). People, get over it already, we work with wood for our own enjoyment, or we soon leave the hobby. If you want an ulgy tool chest, you should make one. If Gregg wants a beautiful one... well he did, and he did.

WOW you people are rough! MY gosh, the man does a great job, and the criticism that "it's too nice." I sure am glad that I work wood by myself, and for myself. Reading these posts and I just had to tell my story; about a decade ago, I made a "box" as a present for my sister who was graduating from Art school. It was made from quarter sawn oak, tiger maple, walnut burl, wenge, about a dozen different woods in all. Inlaid brass hardware, her initials and a rough up of a work that she had done while in school done in marquetry on the lid. It was done in the style of an attaché case, with compartments for paints, brushes, et. al. inside. I finished it with 6 coats of Tung Oil finish rubbed and buffed between each coat, instead of a more durable poly varnish.
When she opened it, her eyes lit up, and then she frowned and said "I wanted a box that I could use to hold my paints and ‘stuff’, but this is too nice." I explained that this is what I envisioned her stuffing her supplies into, and spilling paint on. I wanted it to be beautiful so that she would know that I loved her, but also to inspire her to make beautiful things herself. After much debate, she caved in, and began using it as her paint "box." After a decade of paint projects, it’s dinged up, and has drippings of a rainbow of colors all over, as well as in it, but thanks to the craftsmanship, it's still hanging tough, and we both agree that it is far more beautiful now than when it was new. Sure, I could have just made a box and covered it in poly, but a plain box could not have shown her what I thought of her. I made a testament to the career she had chosen; Art for art’s sake, because that is what my heart wanted her to have. The paint spills are her badges of honor that she adds daily. The dings are the gift that she gives me by letting me knot that it is being used and loved. Any old box would not be good enough, and not beating this one up would have been no way to honor the idea of the gift. This was the “box” that was needed, and it was being used as it was intended. Using it was not ruining it, it was adding the value of artistry that I could not impart into it – only she could.
Our niece is entering collage this fall to study art as well. My sister made her a deal; if she graduates with an A average, she will get the box... the box that has been by my sister’s side through so many ‘all-nighters’… the box that my niece has been admiring since she was old enough to sneak a peak over my sister’s art table… the box that you guys would have “boo-hooed” had I entered it in a contest here because you would have thought it too nice to use...
Great furniture gets used lest it is just a piece of junk. The winner of this contest is a Great tool chest. It deserved to win. Greg, well done! - Use it - bang it up - and make great works from its contents, for one day, it too may become the beautiful thing that it has the potential of being.

Combo Machines - I for one like tool reviews they help me plan out purchases. I have purchased the "Tool Review" issue for the last 5 years, and must say I am disappointed (FAR too many repeats from year to year). That said, I saw this list and like the others thought, "my gosh you've reviewed these tools these to death!", then I thought; "What I really want, they'll never do - Combo-machines", but then I read the posts, and saw Judgewood, SeaJay, Craftique, Nickedfinger, all asking for the same thing. Maybe I'm not the only one who wants to "do it all" yet figure out how to do it out of a 2-car garage. I don't know if I would want a Shop Smith (think I'd prefer a more heavy-duty machine), but I sure would like to see it up against Mini-Max, Felder, Hammer, Robland, etc. side-by-side, so that I can make that decision based on the features, pros and cons. So there it is, PLEASE review combo-machines.

Fantastic project! I would love to see this as a project with plans inside the pages of Fine Woodworking. Have you thought of submitting it?

Let's put it this way. I made the mistake of showing this to my wife... there is now a color print of it on the fridg with the words "HINT" all over it... so needless to say, she passes her complements as well... Mokusakusensei was right, wish I had thought to keep my big mouth shut ;-) So yes Kev, if you'd be willing to share any info, I'd be greatful.

fantastic design. My wife would LOVE it! Did you by chance draw up plans? If so, willing to share?