STL184: Is it time to stockpile ash?
Mike, Barry, and Ben lament the impending demise of their favorite tree, what specifics they look for in sketchbooks, using a hollow-chisel mortiser as a drillpress, and their favorite woodworking books
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Question 1:
From William:
I live in Ohio where the Emerald Ash Borer is ravaging every ash tree around. With all these ash trees coming down and the infestation of the Ash Borer, are we looking at a future shortage of ash trees? Should we, as woodworkers, stock up on quality ash boards while we can get them and while they’re fairly inexpensive?
Question 2:
From Paul:
I’ve started looking for a better sketchbook and am overwhelmed by the choices. I’ve heard Mike talk about the books he uses, but I’ve never heard him mention the brand or “model” he favors. On STL 155 he mentioned 60-80 lb paper, spiral bound, unruled, 6×9 size. Frankly, that limits it to about half a zillion options and it’s very hard to judge quality even touching the book at the local art supply place. So please spill, Mike!
Segment: All-Time Favorite Tool
- Mike: Japanese saw with the handle trimmed off
- Barry: His new benchtop mortiser
- Ben: Dovetail marker made by Christian Becksvoort
Question 3:
From Caleb:
I’m wondering if any of you have used a hollow chisel mortiser as a drill press? Is this a viable way to get around buying a drill press?
Question 4:
From Chris:
What books inspire you to get out to your shop and build something? Any favorite books on the history of woodworking and maybe different trends through the ages? Or books specific to a style of working, like Shaker or arts & crafts, etc.?
And from Larry:
I would love to see a Live Talk episode on “go to books” reference books for novice woodworkers.
Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking‘s biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to [email protected] for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page.
Comments
I use spiral sketch books but they are hard to store on a shelf.
Ben: Chris Becksvoort's dovetail guide is 10 degrees. For fun, check out my favorite: Paul Sellers has a simple little wooden beauty he shows you how to make.
A friend and I went to a local mill in southeastern Ohio in Feb. of 2018 to pick up some Ash. The owner told us that 2018 would probably be the last year he would have any Ash. I haven't ask him if he is still finding Ash at a price he can resell it.
My favorite reference book is called "Illustrated Cabinetmaking" by Bill Hilton. With chapters broken into types of furniture, it has exploded views and gives design variations that covers the spectrum from queen Ann, to federal toWilliam and Mary. Highly recommended.
print a bibliography of books discussed.
Tell me again about the benefits of free trade.... Economic growth models do not take into account the destruction of the environment whether by pollution, invasive species, loss of natural habitats, aquifer contamination or by any other means.
Great podcast guys, I especially enjoyed your thoughts on must have furniture making books. Just a quick note on how to properly pronounce Tage Frid's name.
David Rago of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW appraises a set of 1979 Tage Frid Stools for Tage's daughter, for an episode that last aired: 05/28/18. During that airing she helps David with the pronunciation. Spoiler alert, Ben was correct - kinda.
The pronunciation of Tage's name is the source of a lot of internal debate, as you can tell. I too saw that episode, knew I had the indisputable truth, and someone we all know can't accept reality. If I pronounced it kind of incorrectly, it's only because I know there is a retort coming from the other side of the table and I am bracing myself!
I’ll second richeytgr’s comment. There were a LOT of books mentioned, not in any particular order, often by description and not by exact title, and some of the authors’ names are unintelligible (I’m still trying to decipher the “arts and crafts book by benson and ‘oh, yeah!’”). And I haven’t yet guessed how to spell Casset or Casay or whatever their name is.
And the best sketchbook is whatever book you draw in with your Blackwing 602.
I found one of the books!
https://www.amazon.com/Arts-Crafts-Furniture-Classic-Contemporary/dp/1561583596
https://www.pbs.org/video/appraisal-1979-tage-frid-stools-mvnfh6/
Thanks for the heads-up that his daughter was on Antiques Roadshow. Link to clip is above. Tay-uh Frid. Ha. Who knew? Well, Ben did. Not Mike. Ben. Ben Strano.
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