Tools & Toolmaking

In depth two-hour videos about choosing, sharpening and using various chairmaking tools. Each video is available on a donation basis.

Make a donation for the video you would like to watch and you will receive an e-mail with a password allowing you to view and download the recording. If you don’t get the e-mail within a half-hour, please e-mail Seth (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.


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.

 

MAKE A REAMER Pt. 1 with ELIA BIZZARRI

Starting with the blade, we look at various types of steel, making a blade from a scrap handsaw blade, grinding the blade, sharpening, honing and turning a burr. Then we look at wood options (lumber and log), sawing the blade slot by hand and by machine, and turning the taper to match the blade. We focus on making a six degree reamer for chairmaking, but the same techniques would work for a variety of sizes and tapers. Plus a Q&A session.

MAKE A REAMER Pt. 2 with ELIA BIZZARRI

The shaving lands are cut with a chisel and drawknife. We adjust the cutting depth with either a permanent wedge or an adjustment screw, then we work on two different types of handles, a fixed dowel and a removable tapered handle. We taper the top end of the reamer to a point and we spend some time talking about using the reamer in a variety of settings. Plus a Q&A session.

$30 for the pair of videos (3.5 hours total):

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