It's Wood - A Show About All Things Woodworking

Today I am going to introduce you to Uli Kirchler, a woodworker born and raised in Italy. We met in his shop and he showed me many of his works of art. Every piece he showed me blew me away. His attention to detail, his creative design all of it hallmarks of a master. He would likely disagree, but I am here to tell you he is, and I am not just saying this because he cooked me lunch. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did doing the interview.

The PNCI is where trades people learn apprentice and journeyman training for carpenters, millwrights, interior/exterior specialists and more.  The program is free to students creating a unique opportunity for training and work.

Founded over 50 years ago, Uneeda specializes in abrasives for the woodworking industry. You may have never thought much about sandpaper but after this show you might think of that course piece of paper a little differently.   these days.

For many years Roy Underhill has taught us that a more historical method of woodworking can be fun and enriching. I sat down with Roy and we spoke via skype about his show, his school and some of the philosophies on woodworking he has carried all his life.

As season one comes to a close we have met some amazing people and heard some wonderful stories. Come along with me and hear some highlights of this season. We will be back for season two shortly with more stories from the realms of woodworking. Remember, if its wood, its good. 

Ron Hock has designed and made blades for planes as well as kits to make hand planes, kitchen knives and many more cutting products. Ron has a close relationship with the Krenov School of Fine woodworking as well. Asked to design blades by James Krenov many years ago Ron has dedicated himself and his business to making some of the most respected blades around.

In our 4th and final episode in the series on the Krenov School of fine woodworking I am talking with David Welter an instructional assistant at the school for a several decades. His experience in woodworking was a perfect addition to the school and then with the krenov foundation. David also had the honor of spending time at the school with James Krenov and he will share some stories with us.

Today I get to share some time with four students enrolled in the program at the school. This new generation of fine woodworkers made me feel encouraged that the skills we all love will continue through these passionate student who are about to tasked with carrying the flag of woodworking into the future.

On this episode I sit down with Ejler Hjorth-Westh a teacher at the Krenov School. Ejler hails from Norway and loves nature, boat building and passing on his experience to the students at the school. We sit down with some great food and drink all home made from his garden and fish he caught.   

In part 1 of the series on the Krenov School of Fine Woodworking in Ft. Bragg California i'm speaking to Laura Mays the school's program director. She will tell us about the school's history and where they are headed in the future. She also explains how they are keeping the legacy of James Krenov alive and passing on his methods to new generations of fine woodworkers.

On my recent trip to Fort Bragg California to visit the Krenov school of fine woodworking I had a chance to sit down with Brian Newell a graduate of the school. Although he claims to be a lapsed woodworker his current project is filled with woodworking, or soon will be. Brian is creating a worker space down town Ft. Bragg and I spoke with him about his vision. 

today I am sitting down with Kevin Drake of Glen-Drake tool works. Glen-drake tool works creates tools to last a lifetime, they are beautiful, their function is outstanding. You may be familiar with the Tite-mark marking gauge but glen-drake tool works makes many other tools and Kevin is going to tell us all about those as well as his theory of tool making.

Sustainability is a buzz-word being thrown around a lot today. Ryan Temple of Sustainable NW wood explains how his lumber yard serves both the woodworking community and the forests themselves and what sustainable should really mean.

Today you will meet John Furniss. John is a skilled wood turner who feeds his passion for woodworking by creating unique items that he sells to adoring fans. Another unique thing about John is that he is completely blind. I can hear your reaction now, how does a blind man do wood turning? Well john is going to tell us all about it.

On this episode I am spending time with Gary Leake on whidbey Island A woodworker whose passion is to search the countryside for a special one-of-a-kind, piece of timber, be it cherry (a favorite), maple, walnut or cocobolo, that has character (meaning highly figured, tigered spalted, etc) and turn it into a finely engineered and ultimately beautiful piece of furniture, so unique it is considered a work of art.

Today I sit down and talk with Jonathan Glowacki of the Portland Peppermill Company. We talk about the bravery of starting a company to do something you are passionate about and how it feeds the creative soul. Jonathan has taken creating peppermills to an artistic place and his story is fascinating. 

On this episode we will hear all about the women’s woodshop in Minneapolis Minnesota.  Founded by Jess Hirsch as a place for women and non-binary folks can learn shop skills in a supportive and non-discriminating environment. If you are not familiar with the term non-binary, it simply means a person who doesn’t identify as a specific gender. We will learn why this type of shop is important and how it all came to be.

On this episode i'm talking to Gary Martin, Gary has been involved in woodworking for quite a few years and has worn many hats, pattern maker, wood shop teacher and so much more. He's going to tell us all about his journey starting woodworking at age 4 years old through today.

On the final part of my 3 part series on the Port Townsend School of Woodworking I am speaking to three students enrolled in the school. Brandon Denning, Chip Gaber and Sam Allison have begun their journey into woodworking and share some of the insights they are learning in this amazing school.

On part 2 of my 3 part series on the Port Townsend school of Woodworking I am talking to Abel Isaac Dances. Abel joined the School faculty in April 2011 and has since become the lead instructor in several of the Jim Tolpin design classes and the intensive Woodworking Foundation Course.  We are going to hear about these courses and what it is like to be a teacher at this amazing school.