In the early 2000s, he started buying tools. “I was avidly reading magazines like Woodworker’s Journal. Then I decided to get real.  I bought a table saw, jointer, band saw and a planer. It was a big investment for an amateur woodworker. I have kept upgrading, but still have and use two of those original tools.”

He started by making boxes. “Boxes use the same techniques required for larger pieces. It was a lot cheaper to practice on boxes until I really learned techniques. I was basically self-taught for about 10 years.  In those early days, I did everything with machines; then I discovered the joy of using hand tools.” That happened when Jim took the nine-month course at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine.

Now living in the Lakes region of New Hampshire, Jim says, “I get much of my wood from a local sawmill.” Since there are no large lumber stores nearby, he also adds variety by purchasing wood online. “My favorite woods are cherry and curly cherry because I like the finished product,” Jim said.

In 2012, Jim made the decision to become a professional, full-time furniture maker. He specializes in furniture with a contemporary style, which he feels emphasizes the beauty of the natural wood grains and figures. “Manipulating colors and patterns in wood to complement lines, curves and surfaces in furniture comes intuitively to me.”

At the 2015 Fine Furnishings Show in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Jim’s Standing Desk project won the New Product Debut/Innovative Design award, sponsored by Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, an accomplishment that Jim found thrilling.

He has also created both a Wishbone Floor Lamp and a Wishbone Standing Coat Tree – the latter in response to a show attendee who looked at the lamp and said it would make a great coat tree. To create this request, Jim uses flexible green wood that still retains its bending ability. The base consists of thin pieces of tiger maple interwoven in and out of base supports, then inserts into slots. He laminates thin pieces of wenge to make the base and center supports. The end result of the Wishbone Standing Coat Tree has branches for hanging items.

Who knows, perhaps Jim will find more inspiration from those who attend the shows he’ll be participating in this year.

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– Serge Duclos
Delson, Quebec

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-Charles Mak
Calgary, Alberta

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 With a 16-1/2-in. swing over its cast-iron bed (12-in. swing over the tool rest base) and 40-in. between centers, this lathe can handle a wide range of project types and sizes. The rotating headstock also enables the operator to choose the most comfortable outboard position for turning large workpieces, such as bowls and platters. Its headstock locking handle is accessible from the front of the lathe, eliminating the need to walk around the back of the machine.

The lathe’s new, extended spindle nose houses dual headstock spindle bearings and allows greater access to workpieces. It’s also indexed for 36 stop positions. A convenient spindle-lock latch frees up both hands for other operations. The top of the headstock features a rubber tool mat.

Powered by a 1-1/2 HP (4.6 amp), TEFC motor that delivers torque throughout its wide speed range, the three-phase motor’s Variable Frequency Drive makes it possible to operate the lathe on 115-volt household current. An easy-to-read digital speed display is conveniently located on the front of the headstock.

ACME threads have been added to the tailstock to improve quill engagement, along with an anti-rotation key to facilitate tailstock adjustments. The banjo employs a non-marring, positive-locking, wedge system to securely hold the tool rest and prevent slippage.

The JWL-1640EVS has several optional accessories, including a tailstock swing away (item 719001; $289.99), a 20-in. cast-iron bed extension with post (item 719401; $269.99) and a lathe guard (item 719002; $89.99). The JET JWL-1640EVS Variable Speed Woodworking Lathe is covered by a 5-year warranty as well as JET RED Assurance, the industry’s most dependable service and support guarantee.

“The full-featured 1640EVS lathe provides all the power, control, versatility and convenience valued by today’s woodturners,” said Katie Davidson, JET’s Product Manager.

Visit jettools.com for more information or to locate a dealer for the new JET JWL-1640EVS Woodworking Lathe. It sells for $2,499.99.

The post JET^® JWL-1640EVS Woodworking Lathe appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

Tim Inman: I’ve struggled with this issue, too. My best efforts seem to come by using a credit card to rub hard on the backing surface. This seems to stretch it and makes it easier to pick off. A knife blade is good to pick up the backing strip, too.

Chris Marshall: Lyle, funny you should ask this question. Last September, another reader faced the same conundrum as you, and he got a bunch of good suggestions from fellow eZine readers in reply. Click here to read them all — and good luck solving this commonly suffered, “sticky” situation.

The post How Do You Peel Off the Backing from Double-sided Tape? appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

Thomas Bodin
Waukesha, WI

See the Gallery Below:

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“Oh, crap.  You caught me completely off guard for the first time since I first read about the kerfless band saw blade many years ago. It has been a long day, and I was in a gullible state this evening. I had a long reply to your career change all typed up in all seriousness, and then it hit me right between the eyes.  Good one, old buddy and now I look forward to reading the rest of this special edition. Again I say it: you got me.” – Charles Buster

“Well done, Rob. You had me going until I realized the date. Thanks, buddy, for the chuckles and all your great work.” – Steve Bailey

“April Fool, of course! At sixty, you’re just getting dry behind the ears!” – Jack Stanford

“Sorry to hear that you are giving up the editor position. On April first, no less.  I think you should consider going on the standup comedy circuit.  You could see the country, meet new friends, and generally stay broke and humble.  We would miss you, of course.” – Mark Aldrich

“I read the piece twice; nowhere did I see “April Fool,” so I assume that you are seriously leaving the greatest job  any woodworker could possibly ever have. As for a new career. I think that number one would be my choice. Juggling becomes you. You looked quite comfortable juggling those circular saws. Who knows, maybe 20 years from now you will be hanging up your saws in favor of a new  career in chicanery or legerdemain.“ – Tony Kiernan

“I’d go with Power Tool Juggler as long as the guards are in place. Safety first, right?” – Tim Nelin

“NASCAR, no less? I didn’t think that you married THAT much money.  It takes about seven a year to field a competitive team (million). However, for about 25, you could probably field four competitive teams. What a bargain. There are benefits in numbers.” – Rich Flynn

“For your new career, I would go for the NASCAR senior circuit.  Even if you are not allowed to drive a car or work with the pit crew, the atmosphere must be really exciting.  Also, think of the people watching you could do! You might be able to use your talents with 3D modeling software to design new parts for the crew.  You could take your experience with CNC router machines and learn CNC machining center skills.

“Most of all, enjoy yourself.  Stop looking over your shoulder to see where the next approaching deadline is.  Life is too short to worry all the time.  If you have your health, have some food to eat and something to drink, you are 90% of the way to true happiness.” – Walt Hoppe

“Have you considered big game hunting? You have done an excellent job of shooting the April bull for a number of years, and buffalo or Rhinoceros should be an easy transition.” – Robert Barth

“You don’t need to go far from the Twin Cities for surfing, just across the cheddar border to Lake Michigan. Here’s some info from Travel Wisconsin about the Malibu of the Midwest. Besides, then you can pick another career since you can’t go surfing all year long in Sheboygan. A twofer.” – Rich Hall-Reppen

“Go with the Yogi master. It will give you more time to come up with next year’s April 1 edition.” – Tom VanPay

Speaking of next year … – Editor

“Good try, but 70 years ago, my mother put cardboard sheets in my pancakes.” – Harold Horchover

And we’re waiting to see everyone else’s photos of their creations from the April 1 edition’s Free Plans. – Editor

“I loved the paperweight project so much that I couldn’t wait to build it. It was easy to build and works beautifully.  Thank you for running a project I can make. “ – Tom Walz

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