2023 Review

I'm a little late with this post.  Let's see what I accomplished last year.  As usual feel like I didn't do enough.

Tool Rehab or Making

J. Kellogg wooden jack plane.  This plane needed a lot of restoration - new base of handle (tote), new wedge, new-to-this-plane double iron fitted, strike button added, mouth closed with an insert.

J. Kellogg 16" jack

W. Tyzack Sons & Turner backsaw

Not much restoration needed, but I did reshape the handle

Made a travisher, though I've not had any chair seats to hollow out to test how well it works.

This makeshift travisher uses the blade from a heel shave

Disston #70 dovetail saw

This little saw was a raffle prize at a tool show.  It cleaned up
nicely and has become my dovetail saw of choice.

Projects

This wreath was made up of 66 (nearly) identical interlocking pieces

I added some carving after building this Shaker two-step stool

This rustic post and rung stool was made from a local tree that had
fallen in a storm.  It has a Danish paper cord seat.

This and a couple more "Roubo" phone stands featured a bit of carving

This garden bench was made from an old table top

The democratic armchair was the highlight project of the year for me.
It was made from kiln-dried red oak (except the seat) using interesting
techniques to get straight grained pieces.

This scrap-wood project was a simple but fun one

This dovetailed and lidded box is fairly simple, but just came out so nice

An interesting little stool uses no glue.  The through cross-wedged
tenons keep it very rigid.

A carved sign for my wife's daughter and SIL

Miscellaneous

After waffling a little, I bit the bullet and got a flight to Amana, IA to attend the Handworks event oput on by the people at Benchcrafted.  The show was fantastic.  It was so great to be among so many people with like interests.

Roy Underhill giving the keynote address / comedy hour

And on a personal note, the highlight of 2023 was becoming a grandfather for the first time.

Such a tiny little bundle of joy

Well, after looking at this, I guess the year wasn't so bad after all.  Heavier on the projects and lighter on tool making / restoring, the way it should be.

Wishing you all a 2024 filled with woodworking goodness.