Category Archives: tools

“Fish Say…” Shrink Pot

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Dave Fisher

As I was shaving down the walls of this cherry shrink pot, I couldn’t help but notice a few small tight pin knots, mostly because the swirling grain direction around them was causing me fits.  Then I thought they might … Continue reading →

Posted in cherry, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, sharpening, shrink box, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

The Ongoing Journey of Drew and Louise Langsner

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Dave Fisher

There was a time when I didn’t know an adze from a hoe in the ground, then I found Drew Langsner.  Here was a guy who could make anything from a tree, and explain the process in writing so that even … Continue reading →

Posted in books, green woodworking, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Spokeshaves and Stumps

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Dave Fisher

Since I listed a spokeshave on my tools-to-bring list for the Greenwood Fest class, I’ve received a couple questions about choosing and using one. A spokeshave is a handy tool for bowlcarving. It excels at fairing a curved surface, and it’s easy … Continue reading →

Posted in holding, sketch, teaching, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Der Mollenhauer

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I should have paid more attention in my high school German classes.  I do remember singing a song in German about a three-cornered hat or something — and I can still count.  It would be nice to sit and watch … Continue reading →

Posted in axe, bowls, finding wood, historical reference, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

Lowrider

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I get a fair amount of questions about my bowl horse, but this low bench has been at the center of my workshop even longer.  I built it thirteen years ago, thinking something like this could serve as a multi-purpose … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, holding, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Launch of the Dragon Ale-Bowl

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Dave Fisher

…but Sigurd himself steered the dragon-keel which was the greatest and noblest; richly wrought were the sails, and glorious to look on. — The Story of Sigurd from The Völsunga saga, 13th century Ok, so that’s obviously not a photo of Sigurd’s ship … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, cherry, green woodworking, patterns, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

The T-Handle Auger

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Dave Fisher

To bore the initial hole in a shrink pot, I use an auger, typically this two-inch diameter T-handle auger.  I found mine at flea market years ago.  Large augers like this aren’t rare, but there are a few things to … Continue reading →

Posted in sharpening, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Different Animals

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I was working  a couple different cherry ale bowls over the weekend and was struck again by how different they are to carve compared to “regular” bowls.  First of all, especially in this roughing-out stage, I find myself staring a … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, holding, layout, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged | 9 Comments

Axe Work

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been roughing out a couple walnut bowls, which means plenty of fun axe work.  One of the more challenging aspects is shaping the end grain area S curve; the bowl will be convex as it leaves the bottom, then return in … Continue reading →

Posted in axe, classes, green woodworking, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Iron Horse?

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Dave Fisher

It’s been a long time since I followed new products and gadgets in the non-traditional tool world, which is fine with me.   Today there was an email from Woodcraft in my inbox announcing a special on a new product, something … Continue reading →

Posted in holding, tools, Uncategorized | 10 Comments