Thursday 10 August 2017

Woodworking Book Review - Joinery by the Editors of Fine Woodworking


The editors at Fine Woodworking have a reputation for delivering great information - well-presented and backed up by real expertise. so if you pick up one of their volumes, you expect it to be right on the money and this one is no exception. compiled form a series of articles previously published on the magazine, this is a collection of joinery techniques from the most basic to some seriously advanced stuff.

Some people may worry that a publication that placed emphasis on hand tool work might be setting them up to fail (I have heard on more than once occasion it can be like watching a historical re-enactment rather than modern woodworking techniques!), but this book presents joinery techniques for both hand and power tools in equal measure. 


As for the layout of the book, it starts with straightforward rabbet, dowel and pocket hole joints, and gradually turn the screw to introduce increasingly more complex techniques that may take a while to master. I like the fact that attention to details on simple joints is taken seriously, so even if this is your first attempt, critical, straightforward instructions have not been glossed over. There is also no attempt to knock the use of machined joints such as biscuits joints, which for some purists have no place. 


One section I think makes brilliant reading is the 'shoot out' test, where the editors have worked with a testing lab to evaluate the structural strength of a range of joints under a standard load test. The results may surprise you! I'm not going to offer a spoiler a this point, suffice to say that some of the most popular fast jointing systems didn't stand up to the test nearly as well as many of the more traditional shop-made joints. Sure, they are quick to carry out, and may well be sufficient for the needs of the piece envisaged, but you can't always know how something might be treated long term. It makes a good read anyhow.

Several people we interviewed for the blog and Triton YouTube channel in the past told us that no matter how good you get, covering up your mistakes has a vital part to play in getting better results. This book has a great section on correcting common mistakes as well as lots of advice on how to avoid them in the first place. So if you are jsut starting out or want to improve your craft with  anew challenge, this book is a great investment. Sure, you can watch a video on YouTube, but there is something very satisfying about quality book (with no annoying adverts) that you can read at your own place.


Joinery by Editos of Fine Woodworking is published by Taunton Press ASBN 978-1-63186-448-3









Tuesday 20 June 2017

Best of the Woodworking web - How to build a strip canoe

‘Wood stuff, boat stuff, other stuff’ is where creator of A Guy Doing Stuff stands for.
In 2015 Adam built his first canoe, as a perfectionist he was really unhappy with his first attempt that had flaws and was undocumented.

With the idea of making fast paced, instructional video series he successfully started a YouTube channel which now includes the 18-video series about the 8 month canoe project. Although, keep an eye on Adams channel for more projects to follow as he loves presenting big woodworking projects in a way that shows they are accessible to the average person that wants to make something amazing. 



To see more of Adams work check out his instagram https://www.instagram.com/aguydoingstuff/

Wednesday 3 May 2017

How to make a classic bookcase - A Woodworkers Journal project

Last year Triton challenged the team at Woodworkers Journal to come up with a project to show off the versatility and accuracy of the TWX7 Workcentre. They didn’t disappoint with a great project build and plans set for a classic Tool Chest if you missed that post catch it here. Tool Chest Project

This time round the challenge is a little different; we wanted the team to show how you could make a quality piece of furniture with a greatly reduced set of power tools. If your relatively new to woodworking and haven’t yet committed to a table saw or simply don’t have room for one in your workspace, can you still make a great project that will be something to shout about?

Well Chris Marshall picked up the challenge and using a Track saw, a Router and Triton's Dowel Jointer and came up a classic bookcase made from regular dimensional timber that would look great in any home. 



You can down load the full plans for this project at this link Book Case plans



Monday 20 March 2017

How to make eye catching wooden sunglasses

In previous posts we have met the team at InBo in France and seen their process to make both bamboo bikes and high performance long boards. If you missed any of those check out the links below (or search #Mastersofwood for all our related content).
 In this post we see the other quality product line they have developed custom wooden eyewear. From selecting and preparing the stock to the finished article they are concentrating on comfort and style.  There are some specialist tools in the process but the principles behind it are making each step accurate and repeatable with the use of bespoke jigs, which is not uncommon for many woodworkers. 



Original InBo Interview

InBo Bamboo Bikes

InBo Long boards



Monday 20 February 2017

Meet the Period Craftsman, Freddy Roman

 This week’s blog post is a little different to our usual fare. I had the great pleasure to meet up with Freddy Roman a woodworker whose reputation as a skilled craftsman and communicator is attracting a lot of attention on Instagram under the pseudonym of the Period Craftsman.  I met Freddy in his shop, housed in a terrific old timber built mill in Littleton just outside Boston.  It was the day after a blizzard, a foot of snow on the ground and six foot icicles hanging from the roof edge.  New England in its finest winter clothes for sure and a wind to cut you in half. But inside the shop it was warm and dry with the smell of timber, tools, finishing oils and varnish.
In this illustrated audio interview I was particularly interested to hear what attracts a young man to work with old furniture within his restoration business, whilst still being attracted to modern design albeit with his signature touches. I could summarize it by saying an appreciation for quality and craftsmanship but you judge for yourself by listening to Freddy in his own words.




Be sure to check out some of Freddy’s work at his websitewww.periodcraftsmen.com or follow him on Instagram periodcraftsmen. 

Friday 3 February 2017

All LADS together

We have talked about the great work that the Mens Sheds movement is making on the blog a couple of time previously, on occasion we get to meet some of the shedders and see what they are working on . When we had an invite from the LADS (Littlehampton and District Sheds) telling us about their renovated premises in an old ship yard in Sussex England it sounded too good to miss. So on a chilly January morning we met up with the shedders who told us about the two sheds in their district and their project to renovate what had become a fairly run down storehouse, into a place where they can meet and work together on community projects. There is a real mix of skills here like most sheds we visit, from people who have never picked up a tool to retired craftspeople and tradesmen. If you want to learn new skills and get involved you can, but if you want a place to meet up with new mates drink plenty of tea and a chance to have a natter about things with a common interest this is a great place to start.
This is the short film we made with the LADS many thanks to them for sharing their stories as well as a great cup of tea and bagels!


Triton is the official tool suppliers for the UKMSA. You can find out a lot more about the UK Mens Sheds association and advice about starting a shed in your area at their website.


Friday 13 January 2017

Best original woodworking content of 2016

At the end of the year we wanted to share a review of some of the best original content from the Triton blog of 2016. It’s been a busy year for us filming in Europe and the USA to bring you stories about woodworkers and their lives, as well as sharing tips, ideas and book reviews. If you have any ideas for new content you would like us to produce in 2017 please do get in touch or leave a comment and thanks for connecting with us this year.

Timber Mountain Men Colorado A beautiful film in a stunning location high in the mountains above Colorado springs.


 PeytonHigh School Woods Program. A community determined to offer great vocational education brings disused buildings back to life with the support of awesome volunteers.  



Aprils Paintcabinet. Triton Brand Champion April Wilkerson shows you how to make a mobile paint cabinet for the workshop.

Makingspace, we visit the Dallas Makerspace an outstanding organisation giving people the opportunity to make and create together.


Architecturalmodel maker Charlie Palmer talks about the craft of putting a city block on your desktop


Marc Besnier a craftsman whose business Au Fil Du Bois makes quality wooden sleds and dog carriages







With the launch of the TWX7 workcentre two great makers demonstrated the versatility of this machine with their projects. George Vondriska from Woodworkes Guild ofAmerica demonstrates a simple picture frame  with no mitres and Chris Marshal from woodworkersJournal sets about making an heirloom tool chest.


In August we returned to catch up with Ben Crowe at Crimson guitars two years on from our initial visit to find a very different business and a happy guitar maker on great form.


Towards the end of the year we introduced our latest Brand Champion Matt Cremona from Minnesota USA with an insight into the man as well as some additional films made together with April Wilkerson. We will be seeing a lot more of both Matt and April in 2017.  


Keep up with all our activity supporting the woodworking community by following us on Instagram , Facebook  YouTube and Twitter and by following our blog here on the Triton Tools website.

Monday 9 January 2017

Setting up a hand plane with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson

Using a properly set up hand plane is a really satisfying thing to do. A gentle hiss as it glides across your board and wafer thin curly shavings fall to the floor. But if you don’t set it up properly or have a blunt blade installed it’s a very different story of frustration, chattering blades and damaged boards. If you have just got your hands on a fancy brand new plane or want to breathe life into an older vintage model you have to set the thing up properly before use. In this film Triton brand champions Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson look at the process of setting up and tuning a hand plane.




Tuesday 3 January 2017

Sharpening tips with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson

Using really sharp tools is a great idea when your woodworking, it produces better results is really satisfying and is inherently safer as you apply less pressure and have more control with a sharp edge, this should not be a revelation to most of our readers.  But just what is the best way to get a really good edge on your tools? There are complete books on sharpening and guys who make a living from going round shows demonstrating techniques and selling all kinds of jigs and tools to make the job easier or more accurate. In reality the process is relatively simple and the tools you use are a lot more to do with personal preference and the size of your pocket book than anything else.    In this film Triton brand champions Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson look at the basics of sharpening a chisel and how that can be applied to many other tools. Check out Matt’s top tip for keeping an edge on your tools and avoid sharpening altogether.