“Your latest newsletter asked for the benefits of a local woodworking guild. I became a member of the Central Virginia Woodworking Guild a little over a year ago. Some of my thoughts about guild membership are tangible; however, many benefits are difficult to discern and place into words. Since I am of German heritage, I love making lists, so here goes: 1) Knowledge. Seeking and finding that elusive bit of information that solves a sticky problem. A solution that even YouTube videos have not provided. 2) An extensive email list of the members. There’s gotta be a couple of hundred fellow woodworkers on the list. I blasted out two emails to the group this past year. First one was to locate a woodturner who could turn an 8-ft-long wood column for a historic house. Found him. Second was to source a planer to replace mine that crapped out mid-project. Found an older 15″ Grizzly planer and had it chipping away within two days. Third time was a group email from a member who was shutting down his shop and offered tools to members. Nothing like getting first dibs on tools. 3) Inspiration. At each meeting, a few members will bring recently completed projects. We get inspired by others’ creativity. How they solved a problem. What worked for them and how their solutions could work for my projects. 4) Fellowship. I am not a particularly outgoing person. Turns out, many of the other members are not either. Many of us are wood geeks. We are entirely comfortable in our shop. Not as much around others. But a connection is there. And when we talk with one another we understand each other. Ever try to communicate your enthusiasm about a new tool to a non-woodworker? Notice how quickly their eyes glaze over? 5) Networking. All of us have goals. To achieve them, enlisting the group is powerful. Our challenges can be solved by group power. I am certain more benefits are there – just not uncovered from my mind.” – Kim Fischer

“I’d like to tell you about my experience with the Florida Westcoast Woodworkers Club, of which I used to be a member. The club had around 100 members with several being snowbirds. On average, meeting attendance was usually between 20 and 30. We usually got better attendance at the winter Christmas party and the spring picnic. The club met in one of the club member’s shops, which was a large warehouse-sized shop. Our members ranged in age from their twenties to their eighties, and the wealth of knowledge and experience was extraordinary. The members’ experience consisted of flat work, turners, carvers, chip carvers, intarsia and more. One of the members created a jig that he patented and sells that will make a perfect sphere on a lathe. We met once a month as a group with additional skill-specific monthly meetings, such as for turners. The general meeting consisted of a short ‘business’ meeting followed by a presentation (more on that later). Then a break followed by ‘Show and Tell,’ where members brought in one or more pieces of their work and briefly discussed it. As the meeting drew to a close, we’d have a raffle and other giveaways for members. The heart of every meeting was the presentation. Many of the presentations were by club members, but we had outside presenters too. One annual presenter worked for Titebond (and he gave away samples). By the questions asked of the various presenters, it was clear that we learned something from most presentations. One of the other things the group did was to support the Manatee County Food Bank with their fundraiser each year. The food bank has local chefs who prepare their signature soups. The club’s turners created bowls that were given away with the soup. Those of us who were not turners donated other items for their auction. I donated a half dozen sets of coasters I make. The best part for me and, I think for most of us, was the camaraderie. The experiences, stories and help that we all shared with one another made the time I spent with the group invaluable. Unfortunately, due to family medical issues, we moved back to Pennsylvania from Florida last spring. I really do miss the group. My suggestion, if you’re considering joining a woodworking group, is to attend a meeting or two to see what the club has to offer you and what you can offer the club. Hope this helps.” – Barry Meyers

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“This new regulation is being pushed by SawStop as their patent on their technology expires in nine years, and they want to cash in on it prior to their patent expiring. They quashed Bosch when they came out with a similar type of technology, and they will go after anyone else who may develop a similar technology. They are just looking to cash in on this government overreach, which they are pushing. This will put the price of table saws and contractor saws out of reach for the average hobby woodworker and construction workers. A SawStop 10” contractors table saw is $2,257, the Jobsite table saw is $1,600. You can get a Bosch Jobsite saw for around $600 or a SKIL worm drive for about the same price, the DeWALT saws run a little less. You can bet SawStop will not give this technology out to help woodworkers, they will instead charge a pretty penny for it. So they are NOT pushing these CPSC rules out of the goodness of their hearts, they want to cash in before their patent runs out. I agree with you that anything that can improve safety for a tool that can be dangerous, but when only one company has the technology and they are pushing for regulations that would only benefit them monetarily, it’s not right. I can only hope that the other tool manufacturers get off their combined backsides and start working together to develop an alternative safety device to prevent this money grab by SawStop.”  – James Wirtz

“It wasn’t too many years ago, SawStop and another company were in a heated courtroom battle about patent rights for the SawStop abilities. I don’t have a clue on the particulars other than SawStop won and the other company had to discontinue making their model. That being said, a couple of months ago it was time to retire my Craftsman saw — it was making too many noises. The arbor was shot and I had it rebuilt and couldn’t get it to stop making noise when on. I decided to pull the trigger on a SawStop. It truly is an investment for the future. Twenty-five plus years ago I did put my thumb into a blade. Thank God it wasn’t bad. I figured the difference in price would be made up with one trip to the ER for stitches. It truly is a nice saw besides that, and I look forward to many years of safe sawing.” – Lorne Sievers

“Does this mean we might see the excellent Bosch Reaxx safety accessory come back for sale?” – John Matthews

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“Thanks for making sure Norm got mentioned. You’re right — we all owe him (and Russ Morash) a debt of gratitude for making woodworking accessible. I never missed an episode. Somewhere I have a box of all the “New Yankee” episodes saved on VHS tape. Newer episodes were saved to DVDs. It looks like most of the episodes are now available on YouTube, so maybe I can say goodbye to the tapes and the carefully preserved player. As you said, Norm built normal projects using normal materials and normal tools that were accessible to all of us. I will say his Timesaver was an exception. I lost my dream of duplicating his shop when I saw the price for one of those monsters. But otherwise, everything he did was something I could aspire to duplicate or translate to a project of my own choosing. I would also mention David Marks. His shows were also very informative and entertaining. Keep up the good work.” – Steve Dragg

“You are right on the money about Norm; too bad there aren’t shows like his today.” – Kenny Stevenson

“For me it is more like Tim Taylor. I spent two years constructing and perfecting a 28”-wide thickness sander. It was a beast. My two cents.” – RileyG

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“I’m not sure if this qualifies exactly, but it might. Who knows? I’m almost 78 years old now, but when I was a little boy of maybe 8 or 9, my father had an old table saw. I recall watching him building a set of picture frames on that thing, with a compound miter in the corners. A couple of decades later, I bought another old table saw and tried my hand at building a few things. That’s when the complexity of what he did really hit home. I have a hard enough time cutting a straight 45 on a board for a flat frame — and that’s with a modern saw (now) and the benefit of experience. How in the heck he cut a compound miter for a set of three picture frames, I have no idea! But somehow he did, and my memories of him trying again and again to cut those angles until he got them right are still with me, long after he no longer is.” – H. Vinson Sumerlin

“My grandfather worked for 45 years as a tire builder in Akron, Ohio. But his passion was woodworking. Apart from a few treasured pieces of walnut from his family farm, all his wood was salvaged from orange crates that he carefully disassembled. His shop was stacked from floor to ceiling with that lumber. All his power tools were homemade, wired to knife switches mounted on the ceiling. I still have his scroll saw, powered with a washing machine motor and handmade wooden pulleys (see above). His shop had the most intriguing jigs and fixtures. He once built a roller coaster model. The power source was the wind-up motor from an old Victrola record player. The chain to carry the car to the top had links fabricated with the metal from Prince Albert tobacco tins (Yes, he rolled his own cigarettes too). When I was a child, I asked him to make a simple box for me. I watched as he assembled the sides, nailed the bottom on, then nailed the top on. I was too timid to say anything, but I thought, that’s not right, how can I put anything in the box? Then he stepped to the table saw and cut the top off to make a perfectly matched lid. I was amazed. I thought, what a genius! I guess I inherited some of his ingenuity. I seem to enjoy making jigs and fixtures just like my grandfather. My stepson once said to me, ‘You need to stop making fixtures and start making stuff!'” – Kevin Jones

“My father was a man who could make and fix everything. As a child I wanted to ‘help’ him when he was working on a project, but it was usually my brother who was his assistant. A few of his hobbies were taxidermy, building model airplanes (which had motors and actually flew), photo dark room, remodeling our home, animated Christmas decorations, wine maker and a midget race car for my brother, just to name a few. He repaired all our appliances. After retiring from the USPS, he started making and repairing clocks. My most prized possession is the grandfather clock he made for my mom. I guess I inherited his creative genes. I’m the only one of my siblings who became a woodworker. He will always be my hero!” – Ca.Johnston

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“I learned how to hand-cut dovetails when I was 16 and worked with my dad in the mid 1970s. I was taught that instead of buying an expensive jig that only did one job in the shop, take an extra 30 minutes or so and hand-cut them instead. To this day, I make all my drawers with hand-cut dovetails, and after 50 years and hundreds and hundreds of drawers and boxes I have never thought about using a jig. The extra time it takes to lay out and cut is shop time in my happy place.” – Rick Smith

“Dovetails are part of nearly everything I make anymore. I use hand tools for this task to save dust and noise while acquiring more skill with the tools.” – Denny Lawson

“I have used my first-generation Rockler jig to make dovetails when I want them. Mostly half-blinds for drawers, but like you, I will occasionally use them to create interest on a piece that needs something extra. I have always wanted to try hand-cut dovetails, but I have not taken that step. A friend who has taught classes in hand-cut dovetails assures me that it’s pretty easy, but he’s shifty.” – Rob Hahn

“I have attempted to cut dovetails with somewhat satisfactory results. I purchased a dovetail jig from Peachtree Woodworking several year ago, and it cuts flawless dovetails. This jig makes dovetail cutting simple and precise.” – Dennis Sheehan

“Years ago, I built a toy box for my granddaughters and decided to use dovetail joints. I hand-cut all of them over a period of a week. In my opinion, they turned out pretty good for my first time cutting them. I only had to adjust the fit on three or four. The toy box is still in use after 10 years and still in good shape.” – Samuel Lytle

“I use dovetails a lot on my projects. I do a lot of design and build in the field of medium to large size furniture projects. I’ve been into woodworking since retiring from the electrical industry in 2009. I do all my dovetails by hand. I’ve tried to do dovetails on the table saw but screw up more than I do by hand. I’ve slowed way down on my projects the last few months due to cancer of the esophagus. My surgeon has given me two years to live. I intend to make a liar of him. It’s been my goal for years to live to the age of 106.” – Bill Self

“I made the ‘Gluing Supplies Caddy’ that appeared in the February issue of Woodworkers Journal(see above). I wanted to try to increase my novice skills of hand-cut dovetails. I watched YouTube videos from Rob Cosman on through dovetails, half-blind dovetails and his three video series on drawers. I made some mistakes along the way, which I learned from. Although I made some mistakes, mostly in not cutting the tails square enough to the board, the caddy turned out good. I am happy with the finished project. I used white oak that my father-in-law milled from trees he and my mother-in-law felled when they cleared their lot to build their home. I used purpleheart I had on hand for the pin boards. I built the drawer 4-5/8″ high because I wanted 4-1/8″ of height from the top of the drawer bottom to the top of the drawer. It was a little tricky getting the drawer to slide freely so it could open in both directions. Planing a little off the interior sides of the carcass with my 5-1/2″ bench plane and a skew block plane solved that problem. I finished it with satin polyurethane. I then hand-rubbed it with 0000 steel wool, Rockler pumice stone, Rockler rotten stone and paste wax.” – George Maehrer

“Dovetails are beautiful and always fascinated me, yet for many years they remained intimidating. Finally one winter, I decided to give them a try and cut my first attempt in a couple pieces of scrap 1″ x 2″. The resulting dovetails were crude yet surprisingly strong and effective. That gave me the bug and encouragement to try again. I needed a basic workbench in my garage and asked a local contractor to let me know the next time he did a kitchen cabinet upgrade for someone. He called while I was out shopping and said he had left a couple cabinets in my driveway and to let him know if I wanted them or not. There were several cabinets with plenty of countertop, one being 16 ft. long. I thanked him and paid what he asked, which was a pittance compared to new prices. A couple drawers were missing, which became the perfect time to make some new ones using dovetails. Not having a workbench with the big open vise, I built a Moxon vise and clamped it to the wing of my table saw. Then I read and watched YouTube videos on dovetails until I was comfortable with the marking, hand sawing and chiseling process. Taking my time to get them right, the dovetails came out very good. They still have a little gap here and there, but glued up tight and are perfect for a garage cabinet. It has been a couple years since then, but I am no longer scared of the process and will definitely cut more when the need arises for drawers, boxes or wherever they may make a good impression in a project.” – John Eickstadt

“I have cut dovetails for years. Like many, I cut my first dovetails as a test of my skill level. The joint was the appropriate one for the project — a toolbox. My first dovetails were cut by hand, and I still prefer that method. I have cut them with a jig—half-blind (Porter-Cable 12″ jig). Once I figured out how to lay them out quickly, I could cut through dovetails faster than I could with a jig. They look better and are quicker. (The fussiness of getting a jig set up, doing test cuts and so forth takes a lot of time and material that I prefer to use in a different way). My focus for the last several years has been making boxes on commission and for friends and family. Dovetails are strong and beautiful. If another joint is more appropriate, I use that joint (like the mortise-and-tenon frames around the Kumiko panels). If you were really interested in generating a buzz, you would have asked whether we cut pins or tails first. (And there are brilliant and opinionated practitioners of each approach.)” – Rusty Farrington

“I have made box joints with help of commercial jigs on the table saw and with a router, as well as dovetails with a router table jig. To me, getting them set up to fit and look great gives similar satisfaction to what I might have gotten by hand-cutting dovetails. I have thought about trying to hand-cut the dovetails several times, but I always found a new technique to learn that was more interesting to me.” – Jim Thorp

“On small projects with few joints, I use dovetails cut by hand because it is faster than setting up machines and making/measuring samples. They usually enhance the strength and appearance as well. I suspect in the days before corded tools, they were the easiest way to make consistently strong joints and appearance enhancement came along later. On projects with a lot of drawers, I may set up a router jig (Rockler) and cut them that way. I only use finger joints where the product’s appearance is enhanced by them. While long-grain glue surfaces make them strong, setup accuracy is critical because errors compound over long joint spans. (And once the setup is perfect, they are extremely boring to make in quantity.) Miter joints are reserved for joints where material height or product appearance (grain continuity, etc.) necessitates them. Their lack of strength makes them inappropriate in many applications unless reinforced internally with splines or biscuits, or externally with inside braces, gussets, etc. (more work and time).” – Ernie

“What an interesting question. I am, I suppose, what you could call a hybrid woodworker. When I first began woodworking, I was taught how to cut dovetails (tails first) in a class where I was being instructed on the construction of a nightstand (I was actually building a sewing cabinet for my wife that incorporated a hinged flush top with swing out leg supports.). I eventually bought a 12″ half-blind dovetail jig and, with practice, was able to turn out good-looking half-blind dovetails. I eventually took a class to construct a chest of drawers. Having long been a fan of campaign-style furniture, I decided to design and build a campaign secretary (with the help of Christopher Schwarz’s book). I was (and am) in possession of quite a stack of camphor lumber that I got from felling a tree in my front yard. The milling of which resulted in a number of 8/4 slabs in widths of 26 inches and less. I was able to mill the slabs into the 18″ boards I needed for my carcasses. I decided to use through dovetails at the corners of each carcass. I first attempted to use a Porter-Cable jig owned by the school, but it proved more than a little recalcitrant to keep the spacing repeatable. Fortuitously, I found and purchased a Leigh DR-4, 24″ jig; and, with the purchase of few replacement parts was able to complete the eight sets of dovetails required for the project. I plan on using box joints for the parts of the secretary that will reside within the top half. I have hand-cut through dovetails on some small projects, mostly boxes to hold tools, as the camphor is also somewhat rust preventative. I have never hand-cut half-blinds. To sum up, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Leigh jig for its spectacular versatility and an instruction manual that is the best I’ve ever seen. As old as my jig is, there are still parts available and a kit so that it can be upgraded to a DR4-PRO.” – Ralph Loimbardo

“When I was taking woodworking classes at Ivy Tech University in Kokomo, Indiana, a fellow student wanted to make a cabinet with hand-cut dovetails. He spent the entire semester working on those dovetails, while I was working on a project with drawers. At the end of the semester he still hadn’t completed his project. I used the P-C dovetail jig for my dovetails and finished in one class. Unless you’re very skilled at making dovetails by hand, I personally think it’s a waste of time. With excellent dovetail jigs, why spend hours or days doing it by hand?” – Carol Johnston

“I’ve been woodworking for over 40 years. My philosophy on dovetails is to use them as much as possible, as they are one of the strongest joints. For kitchen cabinets or utilitarian uses, I use machine-made dovetails with a Porter-Cable template and router. For fine woodworking, usually one-offs, I make hand-cut dovetails. They both have their challenges for getting it right.” – Tracy Novak

“I build furniture in my shop primarily. Most pieces have one or two small drawers. I will hand-cut those, since I can get them done before my jig can even be set up. When I built an apothecary chest for my wife’s friend, I broke out the Rockler dovetail jig and knocked out the 30 odd drawers in a couple hour’s work. Hand-cutting dovetails is easier than many think; it does take some practice to get good, but it helps me feel connected to my craft when I do it. Sort of a rite of passage.” – Ralph Bagnall

“I thought I’d share my experience with dovetails and my journey that started back in the 70’s with woodwork. I taught woodshop at the middle-school level and have always been inspired by what people can do with their own hands, tools and dedication to the craft. Right or wrong, dovetails have always been the supposed ‘hallmark of craftsmanship.’ To me, they’ve always been the epitome of quality work and I know that’s subjective.  That being said, cutting and fitting them by hand is the only way to go. In my early commission work, I’d bang them out with a Craftsman jig and router but was never really satisfied with the results. Magnetic guides to hold the saw are more of a crutch; I feel you should work on your muscle memory to achieve the joint. I’m into my seventh decade now and my vision isn’t what it was, but I find with enough light I can still cut to the line. I’ve never followed the adage that time equals money; instead I like the adage that time equals care! As I recall, one of the great woodworkers of the 70’s and 80’s said that, maybe Krenov or Carpenter. So, there’s my old-school response! Here’s a photo of my latest project — a pair of nightstands built from vertical-grain Douglas fir. There is a total of 104 dovetail joints in them. I remember the Doug fir being pretty stringy and not reacting well to chisel and dovetail saw, but that’s all part of the challenge! CNC may be perfect but lacks soul; I like the saying about the beauty of an object created by hand is its imperfections!” – John G. Eugster

“Dovetails are wonderful, not only because they are beautiful but also because of the mechanical strength they bring to the joint and therefore the piece. I use them every time it makes sense. I do all mine by hand (just like I do everything else).” – Edward P. Leonard

“I am a self-taught woodworker and I have yet to teach myself how to make dovetail joints. It is on my bucket list! I hope this is the year for that to happen. When I was a teen in high school, girls were forbidden to take any type of ‘shop’ class. My love for woodworking was inherited from my dad who had NO electric carpentry tools. He did everything with hand tools. I only wish he lived long enough to teach me. If I ever win the lottery, I will buy the best woodworking tools and will build a workshop dedicated to ‘all things related to woodworking’…every gal’s dream!” – Janice L. Olson

“The only time I have cut dovetails is when repairing a piece of furniture. Since I was trying to match an existing piece, it was easiest to hand-cut the replacement. Back in the days when hide and fish glue were about the only choices, the dovetail made a lot of sense. With modern adhesives, there are stronger ways to join wood that are, in my opinion, also more functional and — dare I say it? — attractive.” – Eric Patchke

“I use a Leigh D4. It’s an older one and I hate it. I’m 81 years old, and the directions aren’t easy. Also they come with the machine, but they’re on VHS.” – Jim Thomas

“Machine-cut with a Leigh D4R jig. Love the look on drawer boxes and other exposed joinery like the case of a chest of drawers or a dresser base. Don’t feel I can cut them as precisely by hand, and my aim is for good looks over proving I can hand-cut a dovetail! And it’s so much faster with a router and the jig.” – Frank Baltich

“I do not use dovetails. More show than go.” – Tom Triola

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“I have used both Titebond Liquid Hide Glue and Old Brown Glue. Like you, I find myself using them more and more because of the long open time and easy cleanup. I build acoustic guitars and furniture, and for most any purpose, it’s as strong as any other glue that you can use. After all, it’s the oldest glue known to mankind.” – Charles Brown

“I found out about hide glue around 2015 when I was asked to restore some antique tables and a desk. I went full tilt with a melting pot and hide glue in the raw. I found it was without a doubt fantastic stuff and has a great open time, so assembly time is not an issue. I do for convenience’s sake use Titebond in the brown bottle for many projects, especially when I’m doing some small restoration on site or because I just don’t have time waiting for the ‘pot.’ But in the shop, I still prefer heating up the glue in the raw and IMHO I think the “real” stuff is better than the pre-mixed. I do enjoy the fact that clean-up and squeeze out is just warm water and you’re done. I still like my PVA (glue), but for many projects hide glue is the go-to glue, especially on older furniture — whether a restoration or a repurpose — not because it is better than PVA, but if I need to remove a veneer or inlay (or change of mind on design) for whatever reason, heat and water releases hide glue, and your set to go.” – Rick Smith

“In the past, I refurbished old chairs that were falling apart. Luckily, most of these were put together with hide glue, so with warm water, I was eventually able to get the joints apart. I used liquid hide glue (from the bottle) to reassemble them. Like you said, it has a long open time that allowed me to put the chairs back together fairly easily. Most of these chairs were caned, and I taught myself how to re-cane them. By the way, like you, I started my woodworking journey in the mid 90’s. I gave up my career in nursing to follow my passion. Though I don’t make much money, I love it and spend most of my time in my shop. My husband is retired, and we find we get along great not spending every minute with each other!” – Carol Johnston

“I use it to glue insects (from 0.3 mm to 10 mm) onto small triangular pieces of white cardstock 6 mm long. The slow drying allows time for me to get the glue on the end of the point and over to the insect under the microscope before the skin starts to form. I’ve tried many glues from nail polish to white glue and wood glue, but I like the viscosity of hide glue the best and I don’t have to bother with diluting it. It also allows me to remove the insect from the point later if I need to. The only big downside is if the insect collection gets subjected to high humidity for a period of time. Oh, and I also use hide glue for woodworking, especially for jobs that take time to arrange the pieces for gluing and clamping.” – Glen Forister

“I use (hide glue) all the time. Started using the new bottled version, and I haven’t looked back. The (glue) beads are collecting dust. In damp situations, I still use PVAs or polyurethane. Cyanoacrylates have a place as well. I make and repair string instruments for fun, so the hide glue is a good fit. Over the years, I started using it more and more for other projects after it became available in the bottle form. Bottled stuff doesn’t smell that bad compared to a hot glue pot.” – Chris Jenkins

“Even though I have used Titebond Original and III, I am mainly working with Liquid Hide Glue. I use both Old Brown Glue and Titebond Liquid Hide Glue. My goal is to be able to prepare my own. I am still working on learning on how to prepare it, use it and store it. To me, the benefits of hide glue are super clear, and in my humble opinion it makes all the sense in the world to use it in a hobbyist shop over PVA and other types of glues. That doesn’t mean that for certain applications PVA, CA or epoxies should not be used. When it comes to the smell, I understand that many people really dislike it. I wouldn’t replace my trusty cologne for it, but I don’t hate it either. To me, it’s just another woodshop smell. It is true though (not experienced yet), that bad-quality hide glue or hide glue left over ‘expired’ will rot and smell really bad, but that is not the case of the product sold in the bottles of either current liquid hide glue manufacturers.” – Edward P. Leonard

“I have been using Titebond Liquid Hide Glue (in bottles) for 10 or more years for new builds and repairs. It is considered a ‘reversible’ glue in that joints can be undone by getting the glue wet or soaking in water until it softens. Obviously not the right glue to use for any project subject to getting wet. Hide glue is what I use to repair older antiques (1940’s and before) because it is period-correct and can be cleaned up easily with water. It also dries fairly dark and therefore does not show much on darker joints. Additionally, it can be thinned with water and injected into joints or under lose veneer. It is not the only glue I use for woodworking but one I could not live without. If I only had one glue that I could use for the rest of my life, it would be hide glue without a doubt.” – Dave Smith

“I use hide glue along with Old Brown Glue, Titebond Original, and Ultimate glues. It all depends on what I am intending. Hide glue is great if you want the joint to be reversible, have long open time or ease cleanup. PVA glues for quick set up and short clamp time. It’s all in the goal for me.” – Jerry Dye

“In antique restoration, hide glue is essential. I prefer the Old Brown Glue brand because I think that it works better. You need to heat it before using. This makes it thinner, which I think helps it get into the structure of the wood. If I must use the Titebond hide glue, I always heat it up the same way. I’ve read that when applied hot, hide glue actually pulls the work more tightly together as it cools. Restorers like me also value the ability to release a glued joint with heat and moisture when appropriate. Not to mention that heated ‘new’ hide glue will adhere to any traces of antique hide glue, which we find was used in the truly antique furniture we work on. As you have discovered, these characteristics make hide glue as valuable for modern projects as for the old treasures.” – Lance Fromme

“I made both of the segmented bowls you recently published in the December 2023 issue of Woodworker’s Journal, and I had great success. They looked just like the ones in the magazine, and I’ve made a few of both. The hide glue worked great to glue up what I call the wheels. But when I used it to glue all the wheels together, they slid all over the place and I couldn’t get them nice and centered. Probably my mistake as I really didn’t need extra time for that phase of the gluing. Hide glue is a great option in the right places, and I’m glad I know about it now.” – Terrence Greenwood

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“My neighbor, Dave, has a 90-year-old friend who wanted some cornhole boards to entertain his grandchildren over Christmas. I offered to help make them as long as Dave put the finish on them. These bright yellow boards turned out great!” – Paul Bailey

“Every year I turn items for Christmas gifts for my family — things like chip and dip trays or handles for kitchen tools. This year, I made candleholders using laminated and turned stock along with flat work for the holders. I also made some small Christmas trees lit with small LED tea lights.” – Paul Waters

“My grandsons lived with us while we were doing major remodeling and started in the shop quite young. I have included a photo of them setting the stair gage for the next step. From the time they were in first grade they each made Christmas presents for their teachers. The first were turned pens. As they grew up and needed less help, they took on more complicated projects. Their grandmother took lots of photos and made Christmas cards for the teachers, which included photos and sometimes stories of each present. I have included a photo that grandmother titled, ‘Making Spaghetti.’ I am a little bashful about that shot because I notice he isn’t wearing his safety glasses. Kid-sized glasses are cheap and readily available.” – Paul Williams

“My 24-year-old son was home for the holidays. We spent three hours one day doing a thorough cleaning of the shop. We went back a few days later to move some new tools into the shop and reorganize it. It’s not the same as being there and making something with him, but it is still good time together. And it was his idea to do these things, not mine, which makes it even better.” – Ed

“Here are two items I made as gifts. The ‘Pitch Box’ (top photo) is like a cribbage board but the card game is called Pitch. The lid opens for storage of the cards and pegs inside. It is made of figured maple with rosewood trim and has laser etching on the lid. I made four of these for my son to give to his friends, who often get together and play pitch marathons late into the night. I also made one for myself. The desk has a story behind it that is more important than the desk itself. My brother started making it over 40 years ago. He put it aside when he started having children and raising a family, and he never got back to it. Almost 30 years later, cancer took him from us, and I inherited the ‘shell/frame’ that he started, thinking that someday I would finish it and have something from him. Years later, his daughter (my goddaughter) got engaged and I immediately knew what she was getting for her wedding gift. So I went to work completing it by making the drawers, slide-outs, trim and top and finished it in the color of her choice. She is now the very proud owner of the desk that her late father (and I) made for her. It’s not about the wood!” – Don Lamothe

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“I have almost every edition of Woodworkers’ Journal except for one, since they were in newspaper form. Once I picked up one that caught my eye on a magazine rack, I was hooked. So, I just had to have them all from the start of their publication. The one I don’t have was out of print, but I’m sure it may be in digital. My grandfather was a cabinetmaker for the Pullman Company. He got me very interested in woodworking at a very early age. I knew I had sawdust in my veins. I tried to be as close to the craftsman he was. I’m still trying. Your magazine helped me along the way with connections to those who seek the same goal of keeping this craft alive. There’s nothing better than putting your heart and soul into what you can make and put a smile on someone’s face. Thank you again. Happy Retirement!” – Jim Lippert

“Thanks for the 26 years Rob Johnstone! Best to you and your woodworking endeavors! I have enjoyed your various Woodworkers Journal articles over the years. You will be missed!” – Lanny Frick

“Congratulations! You didn’t say you were retiring, but at our age, it’s time to consider enjoying that life you’ve built. I haven’t always maintained my subscription, but I’ve stayed connected through your stories by email. For all its downsides, living is the only way to experience the joys life can bring. Good luck on your new endeavors and keep things sharp.” – Tony Burdick

“Best wishes as you move on from Woodworker’s Journal. I hope that this new phase of your life is equally productive and satisfying. I enjoyed working with you and your staff over the years and have many fond memories of collaborating with such competent people. May all your hopes and expectations for the future come true!” – Carole Rothman

“Your leaving Woodworkers’ Journal is met with conflicting feelings. On the positive side, if you’re moving on either to another position or retirement, I wish you all the best. I’ve been retired for over 20 years now and, take it from me, your stress level goes W-A-Y down. I went from weekly migraines to migraine-free. My shop helped me get through the pandemic, keeping me busy and my mind sharp. On the other hand, I will miss the weekly emails with your beginning messages, which were read eagerly because of your sage advice and wit. I will also miss the sound of your voice, always calming, friendly and encouraging. So good luck with whatever endeavor lies ahead. I encourage you to save some time to spend in your shop and to ‘keep on making sawdust.’ All my best and thanks for everything.” – Geoff Strauss

“Dear friend — at least that is how I have felt for years now (strange somehow, as we have never been introduced). I understand the need to move on, to let the torch pass and to kick your feet up in front of the fireplace and relax. Good for you. Of course, you and I both know that is not what is going to happen. You have a business still, a following, and a million friends you haven’t yet met and turned into smiling woodworkers. Thanks for all you have done for all of us — from professionals to wanna-be woodworkers (like me).” – RileyG

“You will be missed. Thanks for all the insights, tips and best of all your humor. I haven’t committed all the goof-ups you have written about…yet, but I will know how deal with them all when I do.” – David Higginbotham

“You’re the best. Appreciate your insights to woodworking. Wish your family better luck.” – Tom Reeves

“Best of everything in your next chapter, Rob. I’ve enjoyed your writing, videos, etc., immensely.” – Dan Jacobson

“You surely will be missed. I have enjoyed reading your articles over the years and wish you the best in your years to come.” – Doug Wolcott 

“I’m just a novice, but I have enjoyed reading your stories and watching your weekly videos for as long as I can remember. Good luck on your next adventure!” – Neal Reynolds

“Thank you for your work. I always looked forward to your articles, not just informative but written with humor and humanity. I always loved the April Fools articles and ‘specials.’ Prayers for your future road and the exciting discoveries you will make on the way. God bless!” – Derrel Cone

“Sorry to hear you are leaving the Journal. I’ve been reading your articles and watching your videos for many years. At the age of 79, I am still learning from excellent writers like you. I wish you well in all your future endeavors, my friend.” – Larry Bruner

“I have really enjoyed all your publications throughout the years and will surely miss them. I wish you the best of luck in your next chapter of life. I hope to see your publications in the future.” – Rob Coles

“You will truly be missed. I always looked forward to this weekly email from you. Enjoy the bird hunting…Fair winds and following seas, Rob.” – Rick Smith

“Thanks and best wishes. Retirement gives you a chance to move in your own direction at your own speed. You have helped bring enjoyment to many. Not everyone gets that opportunity.” – Andy Mahler

“Thank you for your time with Woodworkers Journal. I have enjoyed reading your letters. Retirement is free time to do what you want. Enjoy!” – Richard Doherty

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your column for as long as I can remember. Thank you for years of sharing your woodworking as well as personal life with all of us, both in print and online. To quote a rather famous media personality, Good-bye and good luck.'” – Frank B.

“Rob, a job very well done. Thank you!” – Bill Jesdale

“Rob, farewell, enjoy retirement, travel safely, stay safe! Thank you for compiling the Weekly mail, always enjoyable.” – Phil du Preez

“I have been a subscriber to, and avid reader of Woodworker’s Journal for many decades. During that time, I have enjoyed many articles, videos, tips and plans that you have put together for us. Many, many thanks for all you have contributed to the world of woodworkers. I wish you the best of luck and good health in your future years.” – Michael Lew

“Congratulations on your retirement. I have enjoyed your articles and projects for many years. I retired 15 years ago and lost my wife of 55 years to the Lord and have the regular woodworking and CNC woodworking to keep me occupied so I think you will find pleasure doing the same. Thanks for all you have presented to us woodworkers. Chris is good and an extension of your legacy.” – Bob Detwiler

“Just wanted to wish you best of luck on your next chapter. I looked forward to your weekly emails, and I will miss your stories, anecdotes and insights. Best wishes and happy trails!” – Jeremy Talarico

“Wishing you nothing but the best, my friend! Godspeed and make some good sawdust!” – Dennis Young

“My best wishes in your new adventure. With your writing and woodworking skills, I cannot believe you will be anything but busy.” – Bob Bell

“The best to you in retirement. Thank you for great articles and tips.” – David Dory

“You’ve done an amazing job for all those years. I’ve enjoyed reading your articles since I subscribed and will miss your insight. I hope you find something really interesting for your retirement journey. Stay in touch!” – Joe Oates

“Thanks for all the knowledge you have imparted over the last 26 years. I wish you the very best in your future endeavors.” – Charley Robinson

“Have enjoyed your videos and lead-ins to the Weekly Journal. Wishing you many more years of making sawdust! Fair winds and following seas from a fellow Midwest returnee.” – Ron Trafelet

“Good luck in whatever your next adventure is. I have enjoyed reading and watching your work over the last several years…too many years to count.” – Duane Mundt

“I’ve always looked forward to reading your stories on Tuesday when this hit my email. Thanks for what you’ve done. It has made my woodworking better.” – Jim Huerkamp

“You have been a delight to follow. You just fit. Blessings on all you do. Chris, I know, is going to do great but it will be a while before something just doesn’t quite seem right. Thanks for all you’ve done.” – Gregls

“Sorry to see you go! When Joanna Werch Takes left, she described it as moving on to greener pastures. I hope it feels like that for you. Good luck with your next adventure!” – Willie Sandry

“Thanks for your tremendous articles and leadership over the past 25+ years at Woodworker’s Journal!  God bless you in your new endeavors!” – Mike Gottschall

“Thank you for the many years of your pragmatic and articulate videos and articles. I, for one, will miss your regular presence in my inbox.” – Jayme Johnson

“Goodbye, Rob. Sorry to see you go. Enjoy your retirement.” – Eric Grummisch

“I’ve never written to you before, but I just want to wish you all good things in your new life. Best to you!” – Kent Fletcher

“I have enjoyed and learned from you posts/videos. Enjoy the rest of your life as I am.” – David F. Rogers

“I will certainly miss your amazing humor and ‘modesty.’ I want to wish you a long life covered with shavings and countless hours enjoying your grandkids in the shop and at your favorite fishing spot. Live long and prosper.” – Don

“Best wishes to you. May your future be full of fun and adventures that exceed your expectations. I have enjoyed all that you have done. May you continue to make sawdust.” – James N. Point

“Best wishes, Rob!” – James Oestrike

“Hate to see you go. I have enjoyed the Journal for many years and owe a lot of my advancement in woodworking to the inspiration it has given. I wish you well, and thank you for your years of guidance and entertainment.” – Scott Manchester

“Best wishes! You lead a great publication, even with all the curves thrown your way. Sign of a strong and dedicated person.” – Ron Nicol

“I thank you very much for you time, efforts and creativity in the shop. I am relatively new to woodworking, but I have found it to be the best possible hobby in my retirement years. I wish you the best in your new endeavors. Maybe even pop in once in while on the Journal. Kind regards and thank YOU!” – Roger McComas

“I, for one, will miss your humor. You are a kindred spirit.” – Tom Smith

“Rob, I was fortunate enough to meet you in person at the Rockler Brandon, Florida grand opening awhile back. You were so friendly and made sure you spent some quality time with those of us waiting in line. I have enjoyed your writing in the magazine and wish you all the best in the future.” – Chris Hathaway

“Congratulations on your retirement – at least I assume your stepping away from Woodworker’s Journal is retirement. You will be missed. I have watched and have profited from your videos always, and I built one ofyour projects – the outfeed table. My friend Ardel Caneday noted your retirement on Facebook. All the best, and thanks much for your help and good work.” – Fred G. Zaspel

“Wishing you a happy retirement. It’s better than you think, and more. Good luck and watch out for those kickbacks from the saw. Never had one until I retired, and I’ve had two in the last 19 years.” – Russell Lange

“Rob will be missed after all he done and written. God be with you, Rob, in whatever you do next.” – Charles Wolfe

“Sorry to see you leave the Journal. Your interest in woodworking, your humor, your way of explaining things and your writings have caused me to get into woodworking. The techniques from you and your staff have gotten me into a hobby I enjoy and look forward to doing every day. I am a beginner by most standards, but I have accomplished six workbenches for my wife and myself. She is into stained glass so needs a lot of workspace. I have made cabinets and jigs, based on your Journal’s guidance. Learning everyday but wish I had started years ago. Just turned 75 and I get so many ideas from the Journal. Best of luck in the future in whatever you do. And thanks for the reads. Good stuff.” – Phil Chase

“You’ve been a pleasure to watch and read.” – James Whitson

“As a subscriber off and on for probably over 26 years, I’ve happily read Rob’s musings over the years. Most have been either interesting, insightful or amusing. Although, I live in Australia and will never understand the harshness of the winters. Like everyone else, I’m not getting any younger and I understand the need to occasionally draw the curtain on the past and move on. All the best for the next 26+ years, Rob. I will miss your musings.” – Steve Jewell

“I’ve read so much of your stuff that I feel like I know you. Your woodworking knowledge and writing style have been a joy for more than 20 years. Good luck and enjoy retirement. Check back in ‘periodically’ (see what I did there) if you have a chance.” – Frank Orfanello

“Retirement is a great way to start enjoying your life. I spent 40 years working for the same company and have enjoyed 14 years doing my own things. Hope you enjoy it.” – John Owen

“As a fellow Minnesotan, a lot of your comments and observations really resonated with me. You’ve been a constant for so long in my inbox. Thanks for being who you are and for what you have done in Woodworker’s Journal and so many other venues. I have enjoyed Chris’ videos, so I will look forward to him in these ‘pages.’ Even if he isn’t as humble, etc., etc.!” – Tim Iverson

“I have enjoyed your videos over the years. You are very easy to listen to and watch. The topics are common sense, and you make anyone feel like they can do it. Congratulations on your retirement, and I hope you have all the success you desire in the future. Good luck — you will be missed.” – Robert Booth

“You have been a constant in my inbox over the years with so much good advice. It’s only when I look back that I realize how much your contribution has meant to my growth as a woodworker. So long and thanks for everything. Wish you long safe hours of making sawdust.” – Gourishankar Hiremath

“Congratulations!” – Gregg Waylander

“So that I don’t bore you with a bunch of words, let me just say this: Thank you very much! Many teachers/masters know a lot, but what it is special about you is that you taught woodworking in a very human, humble and approachable way for anyone starting in woodworking. I’ll certainly miss you and I wish and hope all the best to you and your loved ones. Thank you for everything!” – Edward P. Leonard

“I met you in Salem, NH, for an open house at their (then) new location. Your visit helped me see the personal side of the Rockler Company. There are real people behind the brand. I am sorry that you have had to endure so much. I pray that you continue well on your journey.” – Cliff Conti

“I don’t read much on the Internet or most of my emails, but I looked forward to what was on your mind. My grandkids have hand-made objects in part due to Woodworker’s Journal. Weeks have become months, and months have become years. I will miss your inspiration, and I’m a better woodworker because of you.” – Stephen England

“Rob, best of luck in the future. I have really enjoyed your articles and profited from the hints along the way. I’m a woodworker turned novice woodturner due to a paralyzing accident. Now I make things, but they’re smaller than I used to make.” – David Sellman

“I wish you well and best of luck. I can understand your writing and I have gleaned a lot of great info from your articles. Hoping that that type of information continues. Again, best of luck in your retirement.” – Mark Mulanax

“I wish you the best on your retirement. Woodworker’s Journal is one of the first newsletters I subscribed to when I first got on the internet 20+ years ago. I don’t remember if you came here after I started or not, but I really enjoy your editorials. Stay busy. I retired in 2017 and have wished I hadn’t ever since. I should have just changed careers.” – Ken Cole

“Rob, thanks for all the useful stuff, interesting byways and your dedication.” – Tony Collinson

“I’ve been a woodworker for most of my life. I started in the fourth grade, and it’s always been my true passion in life. My father gifted me a subscription to Woodworkers Journal for Christmas in 1981, and I’ve NEVER let it lapse. I’ve read your articles throughout your entire tenure, and I will miss your huge knowledge base as well as your sense of humor. I wish you good luck and much happiness in your future of sawdust manufacturing! – Ed DeMott

“Happy retirement! I have looked forward to your Weekly newsletter — sometimes I learned something that you wrote about and sometimes you would bring me a smile. I just enjoyed your column! While you will not be pulling down a paycheck, retirement is not all bad because you have even more time to be in the shop!  That is what I found upon retirement. I really did not get into woodworking until I retired at 66, and I now can make wood chips and sawdust every day! So, enjoy and know that you will be missed but not forgotten!” – Karl E. Reichardt

“You will surely be missed. Not only by me but by all who have watched you and read your words on Woodworker’s Journal. Be safe and well in all you do from here on in.” – Bernard Campolo

“Rob, thank you for your contribution to woodworking. I have enjoyed your videos and written word in many aspects in the world of wood. Best of luck in whatever your future holds for you and your family.” – Peter Maher

“Rob, thanks for your words of wisdom over the years. You are truly a very wise man, and I will miss reading your column. You have certainly endured more than any one man should in life. I hope you enjoy your retirement and best of luck in whatever the future holds for you. Best wishes!” – Mike Scherrer

“Thank you, Rob, for your excellence as an editor and woodworker. I appreciate your faithfulness! I trust the next chapter in your life will be fulfilling.” – Bill Skidmore

“I have enjoyed your comments, not only because of the woodworking content and your enthusiasm for and knowledge about the subject, but also for your willingness to share your personal experiences along the way. Here’s wishing you the best of luck and lots of happy shop time in whatever life you have planned for the next phase.” – Chris Herald

“I hate to see you go, but as I am getting close to retirement age, I totally understand. I have enjoyed reading your articles and weekly missives and will miss your wit and wisdom. Thank you so much for all you have done for the Journal and for woodworking in general. By the way, I had no idea that Chris was taller. :-)” –John Burbank

“After following your weekly musings for the past 13(?) years, here’s wishing you a long and happy retirement! You will be missed!” – Robert Waldbauer

“I learned a lot from you and your team. Thank you for the many years of experience and knowledge you shared with your extended family I wish you the very best of regards and happiness.” – Michael Gornick

“Wishing you well in your next adventure.” – David Rowlands

“I am sorry that your inspirational articles and videos will no longer be available, but I wish you all the best in your retirement. I have truly enjoyed following you throughout the years.” – Marty Krogh

“Wow, life’s thrown a lot at you, but you have a great attitude and outlook! All the best with the next chapter in your life. Thanks for the years of teaching.” – Rich Hertel

“Many thanks and best wishes, Rob. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot from you. I hope you enjoy retirement and especially switching modes from the reactive to the intentional. Savor every moment.” – Tim McCutcheon

“I have always enjoyed your wisdom and great sense of humor over the years. I think I have been reading the magazine since you started your stint as editor. Best of luck and good wishes for your next chapter.” – Michael Gardner

“I wish you well, sir. Go make sawdust. : )” – David Jones

“Sorry to see you go! I’ve enjoyed your articles for several years now. Sorry to hear about your wife’s passing; it must be tough! I can’t imagine losing my wife and lifetime partner (55 years now). I’m sure you will find something to occupy your time. I’ve only taken up woodworking as a full-time hobby in the last 5 to 6 years, after retiring as a diesel mechanic. I did build my own house back in ‘74 and am still in it. It’s 1,899 square feet; it is an L-shaped house with a two-car garage (now a woodshop). I’ve learned a lot from your articles and woodworking newsletters. Enjoy your new endeavor and stay safe and healthy.” – Robert Bragg

“I have enjoyed reading the many project articles you’ve written about and completed through the years. Thank you for the many years of articles and projects.” – Willie Hickman

“I have always looked forward to your journals written in great style, from what I think is Canada’s most southerly province.” – Warren Elliott

“I wish you all the best. I’ve always enjoyed reviewing the articles you published.” – Ken Schroeder

“Thanks for all your help over the years. Now you will have some time to do things for yourself. Best of luck.” – Charlie Klein

“I only met you once during your entire time at WWJ, at a Rockler store in Brookfield, WI. However, during that brief meeting, during a demo on stains and dyes you were doing, I found you to be a very interesting person. You were interested in all that anyone attending had to say, including me. You appear to be just the kind of person that is portrayed by your posts: kind, receptive to ideas and someone that anyone would be happy to know well. I assume you are retiring from regular employment? Take it from someone who has been a woodworker since 1975 and is retired. It’s a great life and, although you probably had more time for woodworking than I did during my work years (since that was your work), you will find that what you make now might possibly mean more to you than the various items you made before.” – Randy Heinemann

“My woodworking brother, you will definitely be missed. Did not know about that year you went thru such an ordeal. Wow! I certainly hope your retirement goes well. I tried it for a while, takes too much money to not have significant income and make sawdust, so I went back to work. Helps that the firm that called me treats me like a king, pays me a handsome income and has some really interesting projects for me to work on (I am a mechanical engineer). Stay busy, daytime TV is for the birds! Regards and keep smiling!” – Alan McConnell

“You will be missed. There comes a time everyone must retire. I did. Now I’m loving my woodworking every day. I’ve alway liked your videos. You did awesome work. Wish you the best, and happy woodworking.” – Allen Riff

“I wish you well, and prosperity in your future endeavors. It was enjoyable to greet your newsletters and they inspired thought and/or laughter on many occasions.” – Henry Veltman

“Rob, sorry to see you go. At 78, I’m also seeing the writing on the wall. I’ve enjoyed your articles for many years. Good luck and keep the chips flying.” – Bill Gould

“Indeed…life isn’t for the wimpy; it’ll whittle down the best of hardwoods. God bless you in your ‘retirement,’ though I hope to hear from or see you in some woodworking cameos, etc. I’ve been told that height isn’t everything…dynamite comes in small sticks. Thank you for your service to woodworkers (well, those of us who matter).” – Russ G.

“It was a pleasure working with you over the years. I’m sure you will be missed at ‘The Rock.'” – Paul Haag

“I join with the myriads of faithful fans/woodworkers to thank you for your years of service and countless articles. You have become an old friend through your weekly words of wisdom, news and interesting comments. May our Heavenly Father go with you as you become a member of the ‘retirement club’ – doesn’t mean you are old but just the right age to enjoy another phase of your life.” – Denny Borchers

“Thank you for the years you gave to your passion. It truly showed in your presentations. I will miss you and your knowledge but at the same time look forward to Chris. Bittersweet. I also want to thank you for lots of inspiration you gave me in some of my woodworking projects. Best of luck to you and your family in the future.” – Tom Turner

“Thanks for all the service, and good luck.” – James P. Cottingham

“I’ve learned quite a bit under your tutelage, and I wanted to give a big THANK YOU! Good luck to you and yours.” – Phillip Imperato

“Good luck in your next adventure, and thank you for your wonderful column throughout the years!” – George Clegg 

“I’ve been retired for nearly 20 years now, and you will love it. Congrats, have a good one.” – Fred Anderson

“Rob is a shining light. His wit, insight, humor, practical and pragmatic manner around all edges of my woodworking will be sorely missed. He’s brought nothing but pure joy to me these past 25 years and I will miss reading him terribly. Take care and all the best, Rob!” – Steve Brown

“Best of luck and happiness to you in your retirement!” – David Lomas

“I wish you all the best in whatever new course you take. Being a woodworker for many, many years, I understand your feeling of leaving. In my working career, I worked for 33 years for the same company and then left and worked for another company for 10 years before retiring. Over the years, I did some work with wood and then, after retiring I got interested in pen-making as a hobby. Have been doing that for 25 years now. If you are wondering, I’m 87 years old, and luckily still in good health. Knowing the above, I fully understand your feelings about leaving and wish you well. I have enjoyed your weekly emails for many of your 26 years. Congratulations and best wishes for your next endeavor. All the best.” – Len Goddard

“I don’t have much time for woodworking these days, but I have enjoyed your emails and projects over the years. Sorry you’ve had a rough year, but I will be praying for a better 2024.” – Frank Weisser

“Thanks for all advice and demos. Mostly enjoyed your story telling. Happy trails.” – Adrian Gillissen

“It has been a pleasure reading your columns and watching your videos, and we will certainly miss you. May you be blessed with good days and lots of sawdust!” – Blimp Davis

“Wow, Rob! Wishing you the best, you deserve it!” – John Genduso

“An era ends. I wish you all the best in your new endeavors. You have given me many years of enjoyment and many projects. Thank you for everything.” – Barry Clarkson

“Thanks for sharing all your great woodworking knowledge, tips, humor and your dedication to your readers. It will be missed. I wish you all the best in the future. I look forward to Chris receiving the torch you passed to him and all his woodworking information that he will share with us. Enjoy your new life and ‘keep making sawdust.'” – John Supko

“Heartful goodbye and many, many thanks for your contributions over the years. I have learned a lot about our shared passion, woodworking, and have been inspired to take on some difficult projects because of your input. All your bad jokes and weak (weak) puns aside, I will miss your columns. You are correct in saying you are better looking than Chris, BTW.” – John S. Brunel

“All the best in your new endeavors, Rob. I have learned so much from your channel — too much to begin listing and even the post that did not contain any earth-shattering insight was still extremely enjoyable.” -Michael Dunn<

“It all comes to an end for each of us. It has been great reading your articles over the years. If you continue to live your current activity level, you will suddenly wonder with all the things you are doing how you ever had a time to work. Enjoy the life of six Saturdays and a Sunday each week. If you get a chance to come to SWAT in Waco, please make a visit. It is a great bunch of woodturners each August.” – Rick Gauthier

“Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors. I have enjoyed your humor, learned a lot of useful skills and knowledge and will forever be grateful for all you have done!” – Jim Kowalski

“It’s not going to be the same not seeing Rob’s face every week. Thank you for all the time you’ve spent with us. And best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable retirement.” – David Tobin

“Thank you, Rob! We never met or even spoke, but I consider you a friend!” – Tom Lafleur

“I don’t know what it will be like without reading your column and comments. I/we will miss you and can only hope that you are continuing to do what you love most.” – Jim Thomas

“You are leaving a carefully crafted legacy. Blessings in the next chapter of your life story.” – Jay Critzer

“Rob, I am happy for you. I have enjoyed reading and watching your woodworking endeavors and feel that you have become a good friend-by-proxy, if you will. I wish you all the best with this next part of life’s ongoing tapestry. I’ve found retirement very appealing in that everything has slowed way down in terms of stress and looking at the clock. Enjoy your well-deserved free time. I’m sure you’ll fill that time with hobbies and fun activities. Afternoon naps are awesome, by the way. Good luck and stay well, my friend.” – Fred Watson

“Your excellent work has been appreciated by me. Your sense of humor and clear writing have inspired me.” – Marc Lindberg

“Coincidence? A night or two ago, I was going through a box of old magazines. I pulled out a Woodworker’s Journal that was years old. As I looked at it and saw your picture, I thought about how long you have been there. Good luck into the future and enjoy your new life! You will be missed.” – WolfTrash<

“It has been an enjoyable monthly occurrence to read you articles. You will be sorely missed by many. Enjoy your time away from the daily grind.” – Donn Jones

“First, I want to thank you for manning the helm of this magazine. It is one of the best around and has been for quite some time, before I became a subscriber. It will not be the same without you, but you are leaving us in good hands with Chris. I never had the inclination to write to the magazine, but make no mistake, I have loved it all! Due in no small part in your leadership. Thanks again and good luck to you and yours!” – Martin Frasher

“You will be missed, but I have enjoyed being one of your virtual shop mates over the years. You’ve done a great job!” – Patrick Brubeck<

“Sorry for your troubles. Yet, you’ve always provided good and up-beat content. I’ve enjoyed your work.Good luck on your next adventure.” – Ted Faust

“A while ago I called Woodworkers Journal for some advice, and to my surprise you answered the phone. You took the time to thoroughly answer my question, and I felt more educated from our conversation. Talking with you was like getting advice from my best friend. Enjoy your retirement, keep on making sawdust and safe travels.” – James Fockler

“Best wishes and God bless you on your retirement. And be prepared to be twice as busy in your retirement as you were when you worked. The difference is you get to do what you want to do, not what you have to do.” – Ken Kuszynski

“I’ve enjoyed your columns for several years. Your dry humor fit into mine. I too understand how difficult it is to move onto a new phase in life. Being a woodworker, you have a trait that will fulfill you. More time with family and no more deadlines except the ones you impose. Good luck and God bless.” – Chester Frederick

“Thank you, Rob, for your years of service to the woodworking community. Your articles have always been enjoyable! Here’s wishing you the best in what comes along. You will be missed.” – N.C.

“Sending you my best wishes for your retirement, Rob! Thanks for all the interesting tips and videos you’ve shared over the years. They have been so helpful and you will be greatly missed. I also retired after 26 years, and although I enjoyed my job, it is great to try new things. It gave me more time to devote to the things I love, like woodworking, although I still never seem to have enough hours in each day It’s so nice to be in total control of my schedule now though. You’ll love it too! Enjoy this new journey, and keep making sawdust!” – Lori Scott

“You will be greatly missed. Your informative articles, your witty stories and your encouragement over the years have been greatly appreciated. I hope that you will enjoy retirement as much as I have the past five years. Take care and get out there and make more sawdust.” – Tom Atha

“I wish you the very best. I have benefited from your many time-honored methods imparted through both the magazine and your videos. Thank you sir! Remember, retirement is not for the faint of heart!” – zmeister

“Just wanted to say, best wishes for a fabulous future. I have enjoyed you articles over the years. Blessings!” – Lorna Proper

“I met you at the Rockler store in Orland Park, IL a couple of years ago, and it was a very pleasant experience for me. I’ve been retired for 14 years now, and meeting you made me excited to try and advance my woodworking abilities from beginner novice. Thank you for the wonderful articles. I read every one. Have a happy and enjoyable retirement.” – CC

“Thank you so much for being yourself — thoroughly Midwestern — while informing your readers of interesting things woodworking related and otherwise. Enjoy your next journey.” – Sabrina Summers

“Thanks for your service to woodworkers. You’ve been a constant signpost in the competitive and changing environment of woodworking media. I had the opportunity to meet you in person years ago at an IWF and found you to be as pleasant in person as your publishing persona projects. Good luck in your next adventure!” – Allan Tuchman

“Congratulations on your ‘retirement,’ as I know you will never get the sawdust out of your veins. It has been a pleasure following you as you’ve brought all sorts of interesting articles and projects to the masses. Enjoy the next chapter in your life, Rob. You feel like an old friend who has shared his passion with all of us. Farewell!” – Anton Drew<

“I’ve been reading your articles for at least 13 years now. I have enjoyed your projects and you’ve inspired me many times. You will be missed, but I really hope you enjoy your free time.” – Cynthia Forner

“Bye, Rob. I will miss you and your comments. Hope your new fate will be better. All the best for you from Venezuela.” – Alexis Esteban Herrera Mora

“I’ve been an avid reader of the magazine for about nine years, and I enjoy the Weekly very much. I admire your craftmanship and your sense of humor. Always made for enjoyable reading and watching. Also like the many great Rockler products. Sorry to see you go, but I wish you all the best in the future. Thanks for the memories. As a retired Navy Man, I’ll wish you ‘Fair Winds and Following Seas.'” – Mike Kennedy

“So, So sorry to hear of all your loses and medical mishaps. It has been a pleaser reading all your emails. Enjoy your next phase of life.” – Allen & Maggie

“I wish you the very best in the next chapter. I have enjoyed your many articles and projects over the years.” – Bill Piekney

“Best of luck to you Rob, I have enjoyed all of the ideas, tips, and designs from your head full of sawdust and good works” – Mike Johnson

“Happy retirement, I will miss your input.” – Arlin Akines

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“I started turning kit pens about 5 years ago, and it has been a fun hobby that I’d like to get going as a profitable business after I fully retire, which I know isn’t an easy feat. Last year, I started making kit-less pens, which involves some machining and more finesse; it has become a welcomed challenge to get it right. But to answer your question about what makes it fun, it’s the people. I’ve met some talented people online and in person at pen gatherings, and I enjoy learning new things and sharing them when I can. I am retired from the Air Force and a member of a non-profit maker space in Kokomo, Indiana, called SHAK (Spirit of Haynes & Apperson in Kokomo). Fellow veteran Randy Martin and I started a ‘Pens for Vets’ outreach program at SHAK to simply give veterans an opportunity to learn something new, meet new people and hopefully share a few stories and some laughs. The program operates with support from the pen-making community and local donations alike. Some people come simply to learn something new and make their own pen; others to temporarily distract themselves from the stresses of PTSD. Whatever the reason, it’s nice to see the smiles with their completed pen in hand and hear a simple thank you. That’s what keeps it fun.” – Brian Lyles

“I especially like to turn pens for individuals who have a special connection to something in their life. It may be a firefighter pen for a retired firefighter, a football pen for a friend graduating from high school who excelled in football, a pen turned in the shape of a baseball bat for a girl graduating from high school who played softball, or a breast cancer pen for a survivor. A pen can be a small reminder of something special in their life that they can easily keep with them nearly wherever they go. I turned a pen for a friend going off to college, using a piece of a small tree growing in front of their family home, so he always had a piece of home with him. In 2020 and 2021, I turned acrylic pens that could be easily sanitized for people to use when out in public. Above is a photo of a pen and pencil set I turned that means the most to me. After my father died, I received his military bars representing the medals he earned during WW II. In memory of him, I turned a pen and pencil mimicking his bars. I cut thin discs of acrylic from a mix of hand-cast and commercial acrylic pen blanks and glued them into segmented blanks. I found information on the Internet defining the thickness for each color and adjusted them slightly to give the final length needed for the pens. In the photo, above, here are the pen and pencil and what the bars represent.” – Paul Tauscher

“Pens and pencils are just great gifts for birthdays and Christmas that are always welcomed and asked for. Every year I buy 15 of the same pen guts and, by selecting wood, acrylic, and even deer antler create 15 very uniquely different pens. I do make custom pen boxes for each one, usually from walnut or white oak scraps. Even though I prefer bowls, platters and art pieces, pens turn quickly, and you can pop a handful out in an afternoon. This past year, I was asked by a priest if I would do a set of pens in liturgical colors for the church year. Well, that turned out to be a hit, and I have just finished my thirty-sixth set of five pens in the colors of the church year. The bishop buys the sets and gives them out as ordination gifts.” – Rick Smith

“I don’t turn pens, but I LOVE turning candlesticks! They are quick to make, offer myriad opportunities for variation and sell at a premium.” – Bob Weaver

“Why do I turn pens? It is fun and easy! Although I turn a number of other things like bowls, boxes and such, turning pens is kind of relaxing, too. I get to use it also as a way to experience new types of wood species for turning without using, or possibly destroying, larger pieces of stock. Plus, a lot of the pieces of wood I use are from something meaningful. It makes them little snippets of memories. What keeps it fun? I started out using kits of all kinds. However, lately I am using just the slimline kits and changing the size, shape and diameter of the pens around the otherwise slim base. No two pens end up the same width or look, and it helps me be a bit more creative than just following the instructions. Don’t get me wrong, there are times like with the rosewood pen that working with one of the larger kits can be fun, too. Here are three examples for your review (above). The lightest wood is mango (picked up at a wood store in Hawaii on our anniversary trip in 2016) with an acrylic ring. The reddish one is cedar (from a hope chest that was beyond repair but had been in the family for generations) with an acrylic ring. The dark pen is rosewood (recovered from an old piece of furniture that was beyond repair) with one of the larger pen kits.” – John Burbank

“I was overwhelmed with several friends who wanted this ‘Faith, Hope and Love’ pen in olivewood for gifts! I need a rest, but I was glad to make their wishes a reality.” – Bill Hyde

The post Pen Show-and-Tell! appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

“Sounds intriguing! I have all of the equipment I need but have a two-car garage with no room for a car; it would be nice to get some space back. One consideration would certainly be the inconvenience of having to drive to the shop space, possibly lugging materials and project parts back and forth. I would also be concerned about: 1) Safety of anything that I might need to leave in the remote shop; 2) The ‘open’ hours of shop space and equipment availability — when in the middle of a project, I often work late at night to arrive at a comfortable stopping point; and 3) How would overall management of the shared facility/equipment be handled and costs allocated? Repairs and/or replacement of equipment, insurance, upgrades, supplies, safety considerations, on-site supervision, compliance with zoning requirements/restrictions, personal liability, etc. All of these issues have probably been considered and resolved by many others, so there are good ideas that have been successfully implemented. The point here is that although it may be a shared-use facility, someone or some group needs to run it like a (non-profit?) business, and there need to be written agreements that protect the property, the equipment, the participants, etc. And someone needs to be in charge. If it were easy, I might have already done it, but I would rather just enjoy my retirement as a beneficiary. In my earlier days, I was an officer and director of a flying club. I found that the more successful our club became, the less time I had available to do what I was there for: to fly! I’ll be interested in seeing a compilation of the responses you receive.” – Dick van Nierop

“The upside to maker spaces is, more room and better tools. Some downsides are: 1) Not close by; 2) Could be more expensive; 3) Still have to pay when not using; 4) Machine may be in use when you want to use it; 5) Machines may not be well maintained; and 6) Dealing with other people you might not like. Our shop is a morph of this concept: A partner/friend and I share a shop. It is on my land, and he lives next door. We both have contributed large machines to the shop (close to 50/50). At 54′ x 42′, it has plenty of room. Since we have duplicates of our most heavily used machines (routers, CNC, table saws), we are rarely waiting on the other guy. This arrangement has worked really well, but we are really good friends and discussed the arrangement upfront. We do a LOT of joint projects and work well together. That tends to make shop time both more efficient and enjoyable. Having said that, I could only imagine how uncomfortable a situation could be with a group of people you did not get along with. I would be extremely cautious about entering into any long-term commitment with people I did not know well. I will also add that many of us enjoy ownership of nice machines. We do virtually everything with machines (I haven’t used a hand saw in decades). I take great pride in the shop. It took me many decades to get to the point I could afford it!” – James Wilson

“I do most of my work in my own shop. But I do work in two other places. One is a fairly well-equipped shop that makes furniture for charities. Most of the regulars are seasoned woodworkers, and things go pretty well. The others are parents of children in a theater group. Some are good, some are pretty inexperienced. I spend a few minutes of each session putting tools away that were just set down where last used. And of course during the session, I can’t find one that should be in the tool box or wall rack. Several friends have retired and moved to retirement communities (with maker spaces). They report mixed opinions. One is the lack of space, as they are tool-heavy. The other is, people are not always careful to use things correctly and cause damage. This is the same reason I don’t lend tools: it’s too easy for someone to use them incorrectly and damage them, usually without realizing it. There is a maker space near me, but I have not really investigated it. I have most all the tools I need and I know where they are.” – Keith Mealy

“My experience with a shared woodworking space was through the now defunct TechShop. On the one hand, it was nice to have access to a full workshop that included a full-size wood lathe, floor jointer and floor planer, 4 x 8 CNC router, etc. I didn’t have to shell out the upfront cash nor use up the space in my garage. And several machines were 240-volt, so I didn’t have to worry about having the service necessary to support them. But the minuses heavily out-weighed the pros. Many of the people who used the shop did not respect the tools nor other users. I once had to clean out a dust-collection system from the fan/bag all the way to tearing apart the jointer because the entire system was plugged. Someone just kept running boards through the jointer in spite of the fact that it was obviously shooting sawdust all over the floor. Sometimes I felt like I was the only one cleaning up after myself or properly using the tools. The waste board on the CNC router looked like a war zone because people were not zeroing off the table. After TechShop went bankrupt, I ended up renting space with a fellow TechShop ‘refugee.’ It’s just him and me now, and we have the same attitude towards respecting the tools and our fellow shop mate. I will never go back to an open-access workshop.” – Christian M. Restifo

“When I think about shared woodworking spaces, I’m reminded of my early days learning woodworking (circa 1950s-60s) at a Junior Achievement. I TOTALLY remember working intently on a number of beginner projects that each required several sessions to complete. Saw, sand. Plane or file, sand. Drill, sand. Glue, sand. Finish! That was the plan anyway. (Did I mention that I had to sand occasionally?) Turns out that my project(s) were always stored in a locked cage with my name on a paper tucked neatly in it until the next week, along with everyone else. In several cases, when I went to retrieve my ‘beautiful’ project-in-process, I pulled out a bizarrely shaped chunk of wood with my name on the paper that remotely resembled my intended project. I’m sure I saved a few fellow ‘wood butchers’ a lot of work. But this has now reminded me that most EVERY tool in the shop was either dull, chipped or broken. I now enjoy my own well-maintained tools in my own secure workshop! Expensive, but worth every penny.” – Paul

“What a coincidence! I have a very nice shop, 20′ x 30′ with 12′ ceilings, radiant floor heat and a SawStop with a 7’6″ x 8′ outfeed table, so there’s lots of assembly space. I’m barely proficient as a woodworker (my father would call me a tool collector), but I’ve always wanted a decent workshop. So when I retired, I rewarded myself. Lately I’ve been toying with the idea of looking for some folks who are actual woodworkers that would like to rent some space with the ulterior motive of learning from them. I’ll be very interested in hearing what your readers have to say. I can imagine all kinds of nightmare scenarios!” – Tim Leach

“We here in Ohio, outside of Cleveland, built a woodworking club with a fully equipped shop. It is a nonprofit with over 70 members and growing. We’re just past our 10-year anniversary and look forward to 10 more. Keep making sawdust.” – Bill McCracken

“I belonged to (a maker space) several years ago. They had the full complement of wood shop and metal shop equipment, and they offered lessons on equipment usage. However, it got so popular that you had to schedule time on the machines, so if you needed several machines for your project, you were probably out of luck — especially if you couldn’t ‘batch’ your steps to one machine before moving to the next. And lots of times you didn’t know how much time you needed on a machine. One additional downside: it was 10 miles from my house, and having to load all the wood, etc., in my truck to take it there, then unload it to work on, then load it all back up to bring it home when your time was up…that was a big hassle.” – Paul Bailey

“I am currently a member of MakeICT in Wichita, Kansas, and I love it. While MakeICT is not a fancy place, it is certainly more affordable than buying a bunch of machines for my already overcrowded garage. Our dues are only $25 per month. The wood shop is set up with a SawStop table saw, 8″ jointer, multiple band saws, miter saws, lathes, 4′ x 8′ ShopBot CNC, plus many more hand and power tools. In addition to the wood shop, there is a metal shop, ceramics, print shop, 3D printers, 4′ x 4′ 80-watt lasers (two of them), a sewing area, IT area and several classrooms. The building is a very old elementary school, which is in nowhere-near-perfect condition, but it is functional. So my bottom line: I love it!” – Tony King

“I like to think of my shop as quasi-communal. There are three main tenants and then four sub-tenants. One of the main tenants does furniture restoration, refinishing and finishing, and they have two sub-tenants who also very rarely use the machinery. Another main tenant is a cabinet shop (at least five or six employees in the shop), but only two usually use the machinery. The last main tenant who I rent from has three to four employees usually, and the other sub-tenant along with me who also uses the machinery. Thankfully, communication is really good amongst everyone and the current group of employees for the main tenants are considerate of others. It’s also a lot better than a full communal shop, which can see upwards of 15 to 25 individual entities using the machinery. Having people around to bounce ideas off of or for an extra set of hands is quite nice. There have been times when an employee in the past was a bit selfish about the machinery usage, but they didn’t last any longer than a year. Of course, it’s very likely when they quit or were fired some personal tools might have been liberated.” – Jonathan Eigen

“I’ve shared woodworking spaces before I got my own shop built at my house. It has pros and cons, in my opinion. Pros: I really enjoyed the comradery of working with others around. We would visit, help one another and share ideas. I felt safer, too, because if an accident were to happen, I knew there would be others around to help. It was great having access to big industrial-sized machinery I could never have in my home shop. I also learned from others who were doing things I’d never tried before. Cons: There were some woodworkers who did not always follow good safety rules, so there was the danger of getting hit by another woodworker’s kickback or a big block of wood flying off a lathe, etc. It was not as convenient, since I had to load up my vehicle with everything I wanted to work on and drive to the shop, carry everything in and then load it back up afterward to drive home. That took a big chunk out of my day. At home, I can just walk out to the shop and work a short time if desired. I usually had to take several projects in case the machines I needed were being used or happened to be broken, which occurred on several occasions. I think shared space is a very nice option for anyone who doesn’t have the space or finances for a home shop, though. It’s also great for retirees. I live in Arizona, and we get many retirees who spend the winters here. Some of the retirement communities have woodworking shops you can pay a fee to use. This gives woodworkers a nice opportunity to continue doing something they enjoy without having to transport tools/machinery back and forth each year.” – Lori

“I recently moved. Had my woodworking equipment and supplies in storage for two years waiting for a garage to be built for my new workshop. Did use a shared space to build cabinets for our new house. Generally had plenty of space to work (even when others were there). Biggest problem was having to drive and transport material, as opposed to walking into my garage shop at home. Seemed to be a great deal for others I saw using the space. Price was fair, equipment was great (e.g., two SawStop cabinet saws, lots of clamps, etc.), and the owner did a great job of keeping place clean, equipment in good condition and helping novice woodworkers. Would highly recommend. Would use again if circumstances change to where I no longer have my own new, spacious workshop in the form of a three-car garage that is fully equipped for my woodworking with no room for any automobile. Next owner of this property will have either a fabulous three-car garage, workshop for whatever hobby is chosen or a combination thereof.” – J. W. Thorp

“The Minnesota Tool Library is my go-to woodworking maker space for the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. My home shop is small with limited space for larger woodworking equipment. The Tool Library has two locations with full-size surface planers/sanders, lathes, jointers, stationary sanders, SawStop table saws with large surface areas and workbenches to assemble large projects. The shops have dust-collection systems and all the power tools and hand tools you need to complete your project. They even have a milling machine to use. It’s a fun place to work and a great opportunity to meet other makers.” – Bruce Mielke

“Check out my buddy Rodney Fickas and his very unique take on a shared maker space (click here). From the location he chose to move to and live (in Ferguson, Missouri) to set up this space, to his passion for reaching people through woodworking, Rodney’s story is worth investigation.” – Mark Schweigert

“I am a member of SHAK Makerspace in Kokomo, Indiana. Anytime you get more than one person using a wood shop, you have issues. However, our maker space allows me to continue to do woodworking and a lot of other making as well. I was able to bring most of my woodworking tools here to share with others and have a place to work at a very reasonable $35 per month. Since we are a non-profit, there is a good deal of work required to keep it going, but it is worth every bit of effort. We have a very diverse membership, which allows us to experience a broad range of projects. I am particularly happy with our ‘Pens for Vets’ outreach, where vets are able to turn their own pen blanks and assemble them, all at no cost due to the generosity of so many people from across many states!” – Randy Martin

“My partner, Kathy, convinced me to spend the winter with her in Tucson rather than our home in Homer, Alaska. I like the winters because I like to cross country ski and when not skiing, I have lots of time to spend in my shop. However, she won the discussion and I am in a RV park in Tucson until January 15 (I’m counting the days).

The park has a nice shared woodshop and I joined to be able to make a little sawdust. The nice thing about the shop is that it provides access to some tools that I don’t have room for in my shop as well as the opportunity to consult with some very experienced woodworkers.

What I don’t like about the shop are the rules and the lack of storage space for projects. The problem with the rules is that any significant change to tool set up, such as changing the blade on the bandsaw or table saw must be done by one of the ‘supervisors,’ even though you know how to take care of the action yourself. I guess they have had problems in the past. Also since the space is shared and storage space is somewhat limited everyone must take projects home when they leave for the day. This requirement certainly limits the size and complexity of projects that can be undertaken.” -Charlie Franz

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