The Modular Woodshop

Using a milling attachment on my Logan 821 lathe, holding a Foredom power carver, I am able to carve facets on this pipe bowl. 

Tape is attached to the lathe chuck, and increments are marked with black pen. An arrow is taped to the lathe, which will act as a marker for how many degrees I manually turn the chuck. Each increment denotes a stopping point, where I advance the cutting tool into the work to make a single cut. This action is repeated until a full rotation is reached. 

The beauty of this rig is that I can build it with available parts without any modifications, the tape can be marked with any increments I like, and it expands the usefulness of the machines I have in my shop. 

There are many different cutting bits available that can be used for an infinite number of geometric patterns and textures in hardwoods.

Here is an adjustable tool rest for my grinder. I posted this to show the many uses of a rotary table. The relatively small width of the flat rest is very handy for sharpening miniature turning tools. 

Vintage tools have a certain feeling that new tools often lack. Not only were they made from high quality materials, incorporated into simple designs that last generations… but they resonate with a unique history written by the hands of previous craftsmen. These tools have a soul of their own. In use they impart a special quality to the work that can’t be replicated by most tools made today… tools that are made to be cheap, disposable, and without soul.

When I acquired this beautiful wooden spokeshave, the sole was quite worn. So I replaced the sole with a block of hard cocobolo. 

The large backsaw with Warranted Superior medallion (made by Disston) had some restoration work as well, which included a full tooth reshaping (crosscut), light handle restoration and hand sharpening. 

The smaller backsaw with the handle removed is an older E.C. Atkins (probably early 1900’s). The handle will get a light sand and refinish. The teeth will be sharpened in a rip cut profile and put to good use in upcoming projects.

The african blackwood bowl and orange canary wood accent ring are glued into place.

New pipe after the african blackwood and canary wood stem accent is glued into place. The green tape keeps the accent clean of glue and dirt until it’s ready to finish. 

On the workbench, a Millers Falls Co. hand brace for drilling. I really like the beautiful casting of the main red painted gear, a nice detail on a useful hand tool. 

The body of this pipe is made from cocobolo. Here, I am setting some inlays of bumble bee snail (engina mendicaria) shell and beaver tooth. 

Holding the orange coloured beaver tooth with steel pliers allows me to hand file it down to shape. The snail shells are carved with rotary bits. 

New jewelers vice and an antique box to organize all of my rotary bits.

Turning some african blackwood for an upcoming pipe.  

Cutting the rabbets using a brass straight edge as a guide.