Thursdays tip

Thursdays Tip
Well- sort of

It's not a tip but rather a reminder. I was reading the October issue of Fine Woodworking magazine and turned to an article by Bob Van Dyke, founder and director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking. The article is about the simple wooden wedge and all of its uses. The title of the article is 'The Versatile Wedge.' Use these simple shop helpers to tackle tricky glue-ups, hold parts at the bench, and more.

I have a collection of How-to and woodworking books from the 50's and 60's and all of them show a simple wooden wedge being used for different purposes. The wooden wedge was the first woodworking clamp. Take a look at a traditional style trestle table and the wedge is used to lock the table in place and keep it sturdy. There are all kinds of clamps available at home centers and woodworking catalog stores. And all of them promise to do this, or do that, but a simple wedge can do all of the same tasks. You can save your self a lot of money on specialty clamps by making some wedges of various sizes and a few wooden jigs.
As adults we tend to over complicate things, when there is a simple solution staring right at us.

If you don't have a copy of Fine Woodworking magazine you can buy one at your local book or grocery store and online atwww.finewoodworking.com. Bobs article is on page 32 in the October edition.
Have a look and enjoy the simpler things. I've had the pleasure of teaching for Bob. Check out the school and all of the courses it has to offer at www.schoolofwoodworking.com

As always - Thanks for watching following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve