What do the books Measure Twice, Cut Once, Building Traditional Kitchen Cabinets, Table Saw Magic, The New Cottage Home and The Toolbox Book have in common? If you knew Jim Tolpin wrote these books, you score big.
Take a look at your bookcase. Chances are, if you’re a woodwork enthusiast, there will be at least one book in your bookcase.
In town for the day, Tolpin recently stopped by to visit with . Tolpin gave us an update about the Port Townsend School of Woodworking. If you are looking for a class to build Gypsy Wagons, then look no further. He also shared his current woodworking activities. Christopher Schwarz, editor of Wood Talk Online, was not one to miss a chance to discuss woodworking.
The interview is scheduled for this evenings edition (Wednesday, April 1). This is not a joke, even though it’s April Fools Day. Wood Talk Online is a great place to learn about what makes a man give up his tools.
Another Chris Schwarz shop tip is also included in the WTO Program. These tips are worth your time. We have already learned tips about how to make a pull stroke sharper in episode 50, on rust removers in episode 51, and on jojoba oils in episode 52. This is not just a hair product. All episodes are available here. This weeks tip could save you money , something we all like.
If youre trying to catch up, here are the previous tips.
Sharpen on the Pull Stroke OnlyFile this one under unsolved mysteries. I have sharpened many tools. The hardest part is getting rid of the grits that left marks. It seems that I can polish the tool and remove scratches faster if I only move it in one direction while I sharpen it.
I find that I have more control over a tool if I use the pull stroke to sharpen it. Here’s how I do it: Place the tool on the stone, pull it towards me, then lift it up and return it to the place where it was. Pull again.
Try it if you don’t believe me. Ive shared this little mystery with other sharpening geeks and they report the same thing. All we need now is a pointy head to explain why this happens.
Why Rust Erasers Are My Favorite
If you are a tool-lover, I’m sure you don’t mind rust. And thats one of the reasons to buy a couple inexpensive SandFlex Hand Blocks made by Klingspor abrasives. These rubberized abrasives can remove the rust bloom from all your tools. You can choose from coarse, medium or fine grits. I have all three grits, but I think you can get away with the coarse and medium.
In addition to removing rust, these things are great at removing pitch from tools, too. A few swipes with the hand block can remove any pitch buildup on my chipbreaker handplanes or my jointer knives. That means shavings eject cleanly and my edges last longer.
The Hand Blocks are durable for many years.
Keep Rust at Bay With Jojoba Oil
I don’t have the time to use all the harmful solvents in my shop so I prefer to use a non-toxic oil. This will protect my tools from rust. Camelia oil from Japan is a popular choice. There is a better one here in the Southwest United States.
Jojoba oil, a non-drying oil that is made from the jojoba plant in California and Arizona, is not drying. You can use it as a body moisturizer, hair tonic, make-up remover or as a rust protectant. Just wipe on a thin coat with a rag when you put your tools away. It won’t affect glueing or finishing. You can also find it at local health food stores, even Trader Joes.
The stuff has worked well for me, and because I have small children, Im glad its non-toxic. Heck you can even drink the stuff. Though I dont recommend that , apparently it does the same thing to your insides that Olestra does.
These and other woodworking topics will be discussed by Matt Vanderlist and Marc Spagnuolo on Wood Talk Online.
