The Heirloom Craftsman

02/09/2026

Classes are about 1/2 full at this point - even the ones in May/June!

If you're thinking about getting in, now's the time to register...

Hand Tool Woodworking LessonsWhether you’re a complete beginner or want to refine your woodworking skills, come to our Mt Horeb workshop to learn the traditional techniques of hand tool woodworking.Take a look at the courses we’re currently offering, then follow the registration information belo...

02/04/2026

Want to learn hand tool woodworking from someone who uses the tools every day? Visit www.Heirloom-Craftsman.com or come visit the Mt Horeb shop in person.

09/21/2024

Time for a social media break!

Please note: If you wish to reach me, visit my website for contact info:
www.HardwoodCraftsman.com

I’ve never been one for social media, and I only started my IG and FB accounts in order to showcase my work to customers. I’m going to stop posting and let these apps sit idle for a bit.

After about 150 posts, I hope most people can get a sense of my skills and capabilities; I’d rather spend my time focused on the current project, and not on how best to photograph it.

If you’re interested in the posts showing my work in progress, stop in my shop and see it in person!

09/07/2024

Victorian Coil Spring Rocker Repair

Donna brought this in with catastrophic damage to both back posts - there were split in pieces.

After disassembling the back, my shop-mate Rob (who is a very skilled turner, in addition to being a luthier), made 2 new posts on the lathe. It took some advanced geometry to replicate the joinery, but eventually I had everything back together.

All that was left was a stain match and a polish. Now this rocker is ready for the next 125+ years!

08/13/2024

Child’s Rocker Seat

A customer brought this to me because she wanted her granddaughter to be able to use it. She was thinking about painting the chair, but wanted a contrasting wood seat, so we decided on cherry (one of my favorites).

After shaping a chunk of cherry into a trapezoid, I planed the surface smooth. Next I shaped the seat for a little butt (🤣), then beveled the bottom edge to make it look a little lighter.

A few coats of shellac and a quick wax polish and it’s ready to ride! (I don’t think I would even touch the patinated paint).

07/17/2024

Butternut Desk

This desk came to me with a large crack down the center (big enough to drop nickels through), a missing piece of trim, and in need of some refinishing. It has been in her family for generations, and I think it’s from the turn of the century. It’s made of butternut, the lighter cousin of walnut.

First, I had to address the crack, which was not of consistent width. I opted to cut thin strips of butternut and glue them in the crack, that way I could use 2-3 strips in the extra wide areas.

Then I had to make a tiny piece of curved trim. It was so small (1” cube, basically), that I had to hand carve it.

After those repairs were done, I stripped the old shellac off the top, applied another few coats of fresh shellac, then a quick polish.

Hopefully this now gets passed down another generation or two (try that with the mass-produced crap built today).

07/03/2024

Signage!

I finally got my sign posted for all of the University Ave traffic…

05/18/2024

Shaker Furniture at Smithsonian

I’m taking a break from the shop to bring my daughter to DC where she starts her internship Monday. Among other sights, we’re visiting the Smithsonian American Art Museum, which has a small but impressive exhibit on Shaker Furniture.

05/11/2024

😳😳😳

“If your dovetails aren’t holding, nail them!”
…said no competent woodworker ever.

04/05/2024

Whale of a Repair

Doug brought me this beautiful whale decoration that is made of redwood. It had fallen and the tail broke into several pieces, with one small piece disappearing in the shuffle.

I put the tail back together like a puzzle, then needed to replace the missing piece. Redwood is hard to come by, but my friends at Brunsell had a scrap left over from a job that I was able to use.

After glueing a new piece in place, I carved it to match the shape and contour of the rest of the tail. Then all that was left was to hide the broken joints with some wax and stain.

I never cease to be amazed at the broad array of projects that come into my shop.

03/23/2024

Train Depot Bench Repair

Last weekend while I was demonstrating antique restoration at Atomic Antiques, I worked on a train depot bench. One of the decorative finials was missing, so I needed to replace it. It is comprised of 3 pieces that are glued together around the top of the seat back. I started by removing an existing finial to use as a template.

I took a chunk of mahogany and cut it to the rough dimensions (in my shop I would’ve used the band saw, but during this demo I only had a fret saw with me). Then I filed it to the final shape before cutting it into the required 3 sections. Next I carved the decoration into the front to match the other finials. Finally, I colored and polished it so that it disappears - I think you’d have a hard time identifying the replacement.

This beautiful bench is currently for sale in Booth 8 .