DVD Reviews

Scrapers are a great tool …when they work. Most don’t come with an owners manual, much less instruction on how to sharpen and and use them. Sadly, they’re often relegated to a dark corner of the shop.

In this DVD, Rob reveals his secrets to getting optimal results from five common scrapers. - Card scrapers, Stanley No.80 cabinet scrapers, and three plane style tools offered by Lie-Nielsen Toolworks. The No.112 Large Scraping Plane, No.85 Cabinet Maker’s Scraper, and No.212 Small Scraping Plane (pictured below).

Correct sharpening of the blade is critical to getting fine curled shavings rather than dust. Rob takes his time shaping, sharpening and turning a burr on each of the blades with attention paid to the details of each step.

After looking over Rob’s shoulder during the sharpening process, the viewer is treated to a demonstration of procedures for installing and adjusting the blade. Naturally, Rob must show off a bit by making mounds of curly shavings from figured wood as he shows the correct posture and technique.

Scraping Wood is the manual which ideally would be supplied with each scraper - demonstrated by a professional woodworker who also happens to be an excellent instructor.

Rob is the host of a series of woodworking videos and travels extensively conducting hand tool workshops. He and his wife Kim live in Grand Bay, New Brunswick Canada.

Originally posted Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Cutting dovetails by hand involves a saw appropriate for the task - but which one?

In this DVD, Rob answers this question by demonstrating a variety of saws. He offers comments on the pro’s and cons of Gents Saws, Japanese “pull” saws, and those of the “pistol grip” design. He even demonstrates how to file the teeth of a gents saw to improve the way it cuts.

When you’ve reached this point in the video, you likely have a pretty good idea of which saw you want to purchase for the job. …but Rob’s just getting started.

Rob carefully shows you how to hold the saw and position your body to achieve precise and consistent results.

Finally, he takes you through exercises to develop the sawing skills needed to confidently master hand cut dovetails.

As a woodworking instructor, Rob has a good understanding of the challenges facing the student. He specifically addresses these difficulties which adds measurably to the instructional value of the presentation.

Combine Mastering the Dovetail Saw with a good book such as Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking or Rob’s Hand-Cut Dovetails DVD and you’re on your way to success in this rewarding endeavor.

Rob is the host of a series of woodworking videos and travels extensively conducting hand tool workshops. He and his wife Kim live in Grand Bay, New Brunswick Canada.

Originally posted Saturday, December 23rd, 2006