Green Woodworking Videos

In depth two-hour videos about Green Woodworking tools and techniques, available on a donation basis. After making a donation, you will receive an e-mailed password to view and download the video.  If you don’t get the e-mail within a half-hour, please e-mail me (but first check your e-mail spam folder).

DRAWKNIFE CLASS

In this information packed two-hour video Elia covers modern and antique drawknifes, the advantages of bevel-up vs. bevel-down drawknives, how to choose a drawknife and tighten any loose handles. Hollow-grinding and sharpening is also covered, along with proper use (scooping cuts, slicing cuts, endgrain, and much more). Up you drawknife game today! $20 suggested donation.

 

GREEN WOOD CLASS

Learn the advantages of splitting wood, what to look for in a log and how to store green wood. Splitting tools are covered including froe, wedges, sledge and riving breaks (including a proven technique for attaching froe handles). Watch Elia lay out a large log and split it it into blanks with a wedges and learn how to control the direction of a split with a froe. Everything you need to know about using green wood in one two-hour video. $20 suggested donation.

DRILL BITS:  POSITIVE TOOLS FOR MAKING NEGATIVE SPACES

Covering bits both traditional and modern, Elia discusses how to choose the right bit for the job, how to sharpen it and use it effectively. Learn how to make your own bradpoints from old twist drills, evaluate used auger bits and sharpen spoon bits. Many other bits are covered too, including Gimlet, Cook, Center, Spade, Twist, Powerbore, Gedge, Kreg, Forstner and Wood Owl bits. Home-made bit extensions are also discussed, along with various types of depth gauges and bit braces. 1 hour long. $15 suggested donation.

 

SPOON CARVING with CURTIS BUCHANAN & ELIA BIZZARRI

Through the magic of the internet, Curtis joined me to teach his unique spoon carving technique. I started a 5-year apprenticeship with Curtis 18 years ago, but we had never taught together. He’s one of my favorite humans.

First we whittled a blank, then boiled it in a pot, bent it, then carved a serving spoon. We’ll be using a fairly flat gouge (maybe #3-3/4″ or so), a #8 x 7/8″ to 1″ gooseneck gouge (a straight gouge may work too), drawknife, axe, club, spokeshave, sloyd knife, pencil and straightedge. We’ll talk about materials and tools as we go and we’ll laugh a lot.

An excellent introduction to Windsor chairmaking techniques, these tables can be be built with store-bought wood and few specialized tools.  Learn how to choose and use a shaving horse,  bend wood by submerging in boiling water, bore and ream holes for bent parts, etc. Filmed in 2015 by Popular Woodworking.

Download the video from Popular Woodworking

RECORDED VIDEOS

Full 2-hour recordings of the live-streamed online classes:

LIVE CLASSES

Live classes are on hold for the foreseeable future. I'll post any updates through my blog.  You may subscribe to all blog posts, or just posts about my classes.

 


"That spoon carving video blew me away. You all need a TV show. I love the format, it worked really, really well I believe. There were good closeups and I liked how Curtis was watching the work and visible right there. It was quite meta."
– Adam Tracy

A lot of tech: Four video cameras, a micro video camera, ATEM mini pro video switch, OBS broadcasting software, production lighting. Ian Strickland & John Parkinson, videographers; Roy Underhill, part-time videographer; Seth Elliott, moderator

GREENWOOD VIDEO EXCERPTS

Controlling a Split with a Froe

Choosing Splitting Wedges

Attaching a Froe Handle

SPOON CARVING with CURTIS BUCHANAN EXCERPTS

Steam Bending a Spoon Blank

Using a Drawknife to Carve a Spoon

A Hollow-Grinding Jig for Sloyd Knives