browser icon
You are using an insecure version of your web browser. Please update your browser!
Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. For a safer, faster, more enjoyable user experience, please update your browser today or try a newer browser.

Workshop Addition

The building of my new workshop

Some Long Overdue Shop Upgrades

Although I’m rather anxious to make progress on the acoustic guitar project, the recent departure of a close family friend caused me to shift gears briefly to build them a going away present. During the glue-up process, I was frustrated by the lack of suitable bench space. My old glue up table was a $50 … Continue reading »

Categories: Jigs & Tools, Remodeling, Woodworking, Workshop Addition | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DuPage Woodworkers Pay a Call

I had the distinct honor of hosting the DuPage Woodworkers as they toured my shop this past weekend. I had a great time talking about the shop and sharing ideas with the club members. I had a blast meeting you all! Thanks!

Categories: Woodworking, Workshop Addition | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

The New Woodcraft Magazine is Here!

On Friday afternoon I arrived home to find a package containing 10 freshly-printed copies of the Oct/Nov Woodcraft Magazine which includes the feature story on my shop! It went something like this: Navin R. Johnson: The new phone book’s here! The new phone book’s here! Harry Hartounian: Boy, I wish I could get that excited … Continue reading »

Categories: Workshop Addition | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Photosynth of the Workshop

I’ve finally had a chance to clean the shop…so I took some time this evening to “photosynth” it. Click the image below for the result and let me know what you think!

Categories: Workshop Addition | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Woodcraft Magazine Photo Shoot

What a blast! Last Friday, Woodcraft Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jim Harrold spent the day visiting my workshop to supervise a photo shoot of the shop for an upcoming issue. With him was Chicago-area photographer Mike Crews, his assistant John, and numerous road boxes filled with some pretty slick photography gear. A Dust-free Dust Collection System The … Continue reading »

Categories: Workshop Addition | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Couple Minor Shop Enhancements

Over the last couple months things in the shop have been fairly quiet…mainly due to things in the house being more noisy! Of course, our now 5-month-old son Nathan’s an absolute joy and easily the least-demanding baby of the three. This weekend I snuck away for a bit to put the finishing touches on my … Continue reading »

Categories: Jigs & Tools, Workshop Addition | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Very Cool News

I’ve been informed today that my entry into the WoodCentral.com/Woodcraft “America’s Top Shops Contest” won third place! Be sure to check out the other entries — especially the first and second place winners. Truly impressive! Thanks!

Categories: Workshop Addition | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments

My New Big Honkin’ Machine

I love craigslist. Around the same time I begain the planning for my new shop, I started using “igoogle” for my browser homepage. I also discovered a couple cool “craigslist” widgets for igoogle that display search results for preconfigured searches on your homepage. So, for example, if I’m considering the purchase of, say, a new … Continue reading »

Categories: Woodworking, Workshop Addition | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shop Air, and Sheet Goods Get A Home

My original design for the shop included multiple compressed air outlets scattered about the shop. At the heart of this system would be a 60gal Ingersol-Rand 2-stage compressor providing at least 15 SCFM@tenonandspline.com90psi. Now months later, I’ve significantly revised and downgraded my plans. Part of it was financial, but most of it was a realization … Continue reading »

Categories: Workshop Addition | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

An Hour Here, a Half-Hour There and a Few Saturday Mornings

Over the past month I found very little contiguous time to make progress on the shop setup. Consequently I never felt like I had made significant enough progress in any given week to warrant a new post. While I’m still quite some distance from the finish line, I finally feel like I can actually say, … Continue reading »

Categories: Workshop Addition | Tags: , , | Leave a comment