Category Archives: books

Ready for Maine

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I’m returning to Peter Galbert Workshops in Berwick, Maine to teach another bird bowl class this week. As part of my preparations, I carved another hen bowl to make sure I remembered how. We’ll carve a long and sleek goose-inspired … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, books, classes, teaching, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Drew Langsner’s “The Chairmaker’s Workshop”

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I’ve written before about how influential Drew Langsner and his books have been in my woodworking life. But I haven’t mentioned much about his book The Chairmaker’s Workshop specifically. That’s my copy from the ’90s. I love it and I … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chairs, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Moby Dick Book Box

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Dave Fisher

There’s a long tradition of making boxes and other items in the form of books. I’ve made a few now, each in a different way. In an old post I showed one joined from several pieces and another example made … Continue reading →

Posted in books, historical reference, Lettering, paint, patterns, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Birch Ummik and Woodworking in Estonia

Posted on August 21, 2025 by Dave Fisher

Making and using shrink pots for grain and food storage is an ancient practice. In one of the greatest woodworking books, Woodworking in Estonia, Ants Viires, dedicates several pages (89-95) to it. In various regions of Estonia, these containers were … Continue reading →

Posted in books, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Before I Forget… A Few Things

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Dave Fisher

This post was going to be about using my favorite T-handle auger, the one I use to bore the hole to begin making a shrink pot. With a couple green lengths of tree available, I took a few photos as … Continue reading →

Posted in books, events, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Streamside Treasure in the Allegheny National Forest

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Dave Fisher

Over the weekend, a friend and I headed to the Allegheny National Forest, less than a two-hour drive from my home in western Pennsylvania. We hiked up along a small stream, fishing a little along the way. A steady light … Continue reading →

Posted in books, nature, quotes and excerpts, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Two Duck Signs

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I had an unusual request recently to make a pair of signs, one for each side of a doorway between rooms in an old house. Apparently, the low height of the doorway has claimed the forehead of many a guest. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, holding, Lettering, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Cherry Chicken

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave Fisher

It reminds me of that old joke- you know, a guy walks into a psychiatrist’s office and says, hey doc, my brother’s crazy! He thinks he’s a chicken. Then the doc says, why don’t you turn him in? Then the … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, books, cherry, holding, layout, quotes and excerpts, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Among the Boxes of Books

Posted on June 27, 2023 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been making headway on setting up the new workshop, except when it comes to the books — so many books. The plan is to build some wall shelves to hold them (but some may have to go), so I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in books, publications, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Martin Wenham’s Letter Carving Book

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Dave Fisher

When I first encountered Martin Wenham’s work several years ago, it expanded my awareness of the wonderful possibilities that letter carving offers. Martin’s pieces are testaments to his attentive sensitivity to wood and language. Many of his works can be … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Lettering, Persons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 19 Comments