For a while, Yorgen was a cabinetmaker for a living, but “I felt like that was a bit limiting design-wise: you have to follow the box and a door” framework. His father provided him with the idea to focus on art doors instead.

Doors artistically have more room for expression than cabinets, Yorgen said, with the only parameters being that a door must open, and it must fit into the space allotted for it. “It’s the focal point of the house,” he said. “The door is so important, because it’s the first thing you see when you enter the house and the last thing you see when you leave.”

In his work with doors, one of the things Yorgen tried to do was to make panels out of end grain, in an attempt to focus on what he saw as an underutilized aspect of wood, as well as to make the visible the age of the tree through the growth rings. With the first door he made, he also incorporated rondel glass, mouth-blown circular pieces that Yorgen describes as having rings “kind of like tree rings.”

Although that particular panel experienced more wood movement than he anticipated, resulting in the need to replace the panel, Yorgen remains committed to his goal to “push it beyond the standard door. I’m more interested in making things people haven’t seen before.”

Right now, this means that he is more interested in making doors on spec, rather than custom pieces – and that he is splitting his business into a door-focused section and a division with a broader focus, so that he can explore other projects.

For instance, right now Yorgen is exploring the use of a CNC router, in collaboration with both Laguna Tools (the supplier of the CNC) and his brother, a CAD technician. “He programs the computer; I make the parts,” Yorgen explained. He’s also making videos documenting his work with the CNC.

His interest is in exploring the CNC router as “not just a cutout machine, but for actual 3D pieces.”

“A lot of people have a strong reaction to the CNC machine. They see it as a competitor in the carving world,” Yorgen said. “I don’t use it to make carvings. Way back at the time the table saw first came into use, I imagine people thought the table saw was ‘cheating.’”

“You’re not going to use a CNC machine to round over edges; you’re going to reserve a CNC machine for places you really need to use it. There’s still a place for other tools: I use a chisel all the time; I use a chainsaw all the time.”

Right now, Yorgen is using a CNC in building a project entitled “Rest It Nest,” which he describes as a “glorified tent” treehouse constructed of wood. The sleeping platform with queen size bed includes a cable that raises and lowers the piece to hoist it up into the trees.

“There’s a ton of angles that have to be resolved, that are super-ultra-tricky,” Yorgen said. The CNC’s capacities, he added, allow working with multiple strange angles, whereas, “You just wouldn’t do it” in traditional woodworking.

The Rest It Nest is a combination of steel and wood, and Yorgen’s studio in general is mixed media, with a focus on wood as the primary material. Most of that wood is in some way involved with sourcing, he said.

“I try to stay clear of woods from afar. I don’t see much reason to do that when wood from here is so incredible.” In his California location, Yorgen finds that he enjoys working with hydrone and cypress, as well as old growth redwood harvested by a friend’s former spouse when it was allowed to collect the wood from the state’s rivers. (It’s no longer allowed, due to the disturbance of salmon habitat.) “I’m helping her mill it up into what woodworkers can use, and in the process of milling and grading, I have first pick of whatever material I want to use,” Yorgen said.

Whatever he is making, whether a public bench shaped with a chainsaw and adzes (the other in the set was shaped with the CNC), or wooden backs for cell phone covers for the new Runcible round cell phone, Yorgen says he’s interested in pushing woodworking to a new level. “Traditional is good, but there’s also more that can be done.”

The post Yorgen Kvinsland: From Traditional Timber to New CNC Techniques appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

– Paul Guncheon
Wahiawa, Hawaii

The post Scribing a Line on Thin Stock appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

– Richard Kotlarz
Mooresville, North Carolina

The post Rubber Caps Keep Air Tools Clean appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

Craftsman intends to make both demolition and construction easier with this innovative new Flex Claw Hammer. Rather than having the usual fixed claw on the head, this tool offers an articulating claw with four different locking positions. That way, you can choose the claw angle that provides the best access and mechanical advantage for the job at hand. In effect, it turns the hammer into a pry bar and puts a new twist on a must-have hand tool.

The handle and claw are forged of carbon steel for maximum strength and durability, then finished with a clear coat to help prevent corrosion. A magnetic nail starter under the large striking face holds nails securely for quick and easy one-hand nail starting.

And whether you are driving nails or prying things loose, the hammer’s rubber grip provides comfort in hand while preventing slippage during heavy-duty use.

The new 18 oz. Flex Claw Hammer (item 50845) sells for $29.99, and it’s covered by Craftsman’s lifetime hand tool warranty. You can find it at craftsman.com, sears.com, Sears Hometown Stores and Sears stores nationwide.

The post Craftsman^® 18 oz. Flex Claw Hammer appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

I want to unpack your question a bit further — and forgive me if I’m assuming more than I should here. If you’re thinking of applying an oil finish to your dining room table, it’s probably because the application process is super easy: flood it on, let it soak into the bare wood and wipe it off. Easy feels doable for woodworkers of any skill level. And, you can replenish an oil finish easily, too, by just wiping on more down the road.

But an “easy” finish isn’t necessarily the right finish. Most oil finishes don’t provide much protection, because they don’t form a durable film on the surface that prevents food and alcohol spills from soaking in and staining the wood. And when it comes to a dining room table, of course, spills of one sort or another are a real concern. You also want a finish that offers durability against scuffs, heat and indentations from the normal wear and tear of use.

Instead of an oil finish, Kate, consider finishing your dining room table with polyurethane. There are other film-forming finishes too, like shellac or lacquer, but polyurethane is much easier to apply successfully. You can spray, brush or even roll it on with a foam roller — I do this often with good results. Urethane finishes form a super-durable film that resists spills, wipes clean and will keep your table looking great for many years. It’s a much better choice than any of the oil finish options. And, there are water-based polys now that are easy to clean up with soap and water and dry super fast. You can apply several coats in one day.

Rob Johnstone: Shea oil (also shea butter) is derived from the fat extracted from the shea nut, found in Africa. Because it is an organic fat, I believe it will become rancid over time. (Although I could find no documentation to corroborate my opinion.) In terms of finish on a dining table, I completely agree with Chris that a more durable finish would be my preference — one that forms a more protective barrier for the wood.

One exception to the rule of thumb Chris provided about oil finishes is products like Watco oil, which is an oil that has additional agents added. Watco is more like a super-runny varnish — and for that reason could be built up to form a durable protective film … if you’ve more patience than Job and not a lot else to do with your time.

The post Will Shea Oil as a Wood Finish Go Rancid? appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

-Henry

See the Gallery Below:

The post Yellowheart Cradle and Chair appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

“Clean office? I’ve heard rumors of their existence.” – Greg Little

“I’ve never found the time to carve this, but it is a sign that would do well to hang above your desk: ‘If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what is an empty desk?’” – Dr. Eric Jones

“Don’t worry! You’ll be cluttered up in no time. My workshop generates clutter all by itself. In the 70s, there was a book called The Peter Principle. It agrees with us that a clean desk/workshop is to be avoided. Turn your back, and you’ll be back to normal.” – Ed Amsbury

The post Clean Office (and Shop)? For How Long …? appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.