I have released my fourth video, and have a few more in the pipeline. The Straightedge videos cover a skill or subject, like router inlay or working with Melamine. These videos are from 15 to 30 minutes long. Straightedge Shop Tip videos are 5 to 10 minutes long, and cover some specific technique or tip, like compensating for bandsaw drift. I am also considering a third type, a Straightedge Quick Tip, perhaps two minutes or less, covering some smaller topic that does not require much explanation, like a shop organization tip.
I do not plan to do 'project' videos like the shows on regular television, since I find that these types of shows/videos tend to overwhelm novices. I prefer, instead to focus on particular topics or techniques, especially on topics and techniques that I have not seen covered extensively elsewhere. I try to keep to subjects that are not too difficult for novices, but at the same time may be new to some advanced woodworkers. I call the latter "horizontal knowledge".
Unlike shows on television, which are essentially etched in stone once they air, I plan to let these videos evolve if necessary, the way books come out with second (and sometimes third) editions. For this reason, I greatly value your feedback, so please to not hesitate to send me an e-mail. If there is something unclear in a video, I want to know; and if there are parts that really got the concept accross, I want to know that too, so that I can continue to improve the material.
iTunes
I am happy to announce that The Straightedge is now available through the iTunes Store
Turning Urban Lumber
May 2010
Every day, in urban areas, trees are cut down for various reasons. These trees are a veritable treasure trove of lumber that can be reclaimed, as opposed to finding its way to the junk yard or fireplace. As well, many of the species of wood growing locally in your area may be otherwise unavailable from lumber suppliers. This episode covers the steps required to reclaim such wood for turning.
Not Another Card Scraper Video
Mar 2010
If you have been getting less than satisfactory results with your card scraper, then perhaps this video is for you. Often it may seem that the process of preparing a card scraper is downright mystical, and that those can do it have some sort of magic. However I do not like mysticism and magic, and I find more often than not, that there is simply a single link missing in the chain that keeps woodworkers from getting shavings out of their card scrapers. Hopefully this video will help you flush out whatever is keeping you from getting those sought after shavings, and send you on your way to scraping utopia.
Router Inlay Basics
Dec 2009
This episode of The Straightedge covers the essential knowledge and skills required to do router inlay. Router inlay is a fantastic way to embellish a project, and is not as hard as it may look.
Compensating for Bandsaw Blade Drift
Nov 2009
This Straightedge Shop Tip addresses a phenomenon that all too often vexes woodworkers who are new to resawing on the band saw, sometimes frustrating and discouraging them to the point of giving up: band saw blade drift. This is unfortunate since being able to resaw effectively unlocks a door to new design options and even advanced techniques. The good news is that once you understands drift and how to compensate for it, you will be able to resaw with confidence.
Working with Melamine
Jul 2009
In this episode my wife coerces me into building some closet organizers for the kids' closets by threatening to buy them from a manufacturer of mass produced furniture. The solution? Make them out of melamine particleboard. I take time out after a glue-up to explain what you need to know when working with melamine particleboard.