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Charles Neil Woodworking
Monthly Newsletter
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Please Support
Our Sponsors
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 My World
Busy as always, like it that way. We just got about 20" of snow so I got to shovel a bit, enjoyed all I care to!
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Safety at the Table Saw!
Use a Good Push Stick & Splitter
One of the most dangerous things you can do at your table saw is to NOT use a push stick and get your fingers too close to the blade. I too, sometimes don't use one, but it is just not safe.
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Simple & Inexpensive Vacuum Press
Roarockit!
 A great item to have in your shop for veneering and laminate bending without breaking the bank.
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| Mortising Machine
Setting Up and Sharpening Tips
 One of the most important maintenance tasks in your shop is to keep your tools honed sharp and clean.
This article tells you how I keep my mortise machine chisel nice and sharp.
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Some Tips on Streaming Video
So much information is available online now and one of the most popular formats are videos on demand such as our video player at our web site. Problem is there are so many variances still that many have difficulties watching on-line so we found some things that might help.
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The Finish Line
High Gloss Sheen
If you look out and around the forums, you will see a lot of folks want that super, high gloss finish. While I'm not personally a fan of high gloss unless I'm tricking out a motorcycle or nice Corvette, seems like a lot are....
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My Tool Chest
Sweet Finds of 2009
Through the year several tools/products have become staples in my shop. Thought I'd share them with you.
The tools/products are ones I have personally found to do an exceptional job. Most I have told you about but here's a review.
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 Woodworker Profile
John McDwyer
Legrange, New York
John became a friend over a year ago when he called my shop with some questions and John checks in with Sherri ever so often as well. John is a Firefighter and was at Ground Zero, I asked him if he wouldn't mind writing a little bit about that as well, so....here is John's Woodworking story in his own words.....
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Woodworking Tips
A Sticky Mess!
I have the natural talent for getting glue on everything and everywhere. If you've been watching my show and seen my shop clothes, then you know what I'm talking about...but I try and be very careful about getting glue on my wood, so I tape. Especially in corners and right angle joints.
Now, don't use the cheap 'Box Store' tape, glue can soak in and get under it and you have a mess. Not going to tell you how I know, but a whole pile of drawers and a small chisel chipping glue out will convince you to get good tape!
The blue painter's easy release does pretty well. But, sometimes hunks and lumps of glue are exactly where you don't want them even when you are careful. Scraping, chiseling and foul language is usually part of the removal process, here are a couple of tips based on experience!
- Acetone or Denatured Alcohol remove glue better than water, especially if it has started to set up. Acetone works on epoxy and polyurethane glues as long as it isn't set up.
- If it is set, (not epoxy or poly) take a heat gun or hair dryer and warm the glue/tape and using a sharp, flat chisel, you can peel it off.
I learned the last trick after spending 30 minutes cleaning up one drawer and 20 minutes with the heat gun on 11 others, convinced me! |
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2009 In Review
It has been a tough year but we have been fortunate that we could keep on track with our plans for new DVD releases have been completed (sometimes late but made it) our newsletter got a facelift, we started our weekly show, 'Mastering Woodworking with Charles Neil' and many client projects completed.
IIf you haven't checked out the show, now is the time....from now until January 1, 2010, you can log in for a sneak peek at the shows, the archive and the show forum. To login, the username is Guest, the password is password, both are case sensitive. Our next project will be starting soon, a mahogany LowBoy with a crotch veneer top and drawer fronts and cabriole legs. Lots of new skills and techniques to add to what we have already covered with our first piece.
I want you to know, the show is totally viewer supported and contrary to a lot of thinking, it is not all about making money, we gotta eat too! :) This format is the best way we have found to bring education and an honest, no holds barred format. It doesn't matter if you like me, how I look or anything else, it's about getting you to new levels in your woodworking. This show is up close and personal in my shop. It's every detail, every trick I know. I know it's not cheap but we know the value is there. Give it a try and be sure to check out the forum and what the subscribers have to say, their questions and the answeres. If you don't like it, you don't subscribe, if you do, follow the instructions to get subscribed. Neat projects coming for 2010.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed holiday season. |
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Contact Info
The Workshop of Charles Neil
118 W. Stonewall Street
New Market, VA 22844
540-740-3620
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