October 31, 2014

Check Out the ACW in WOOD Mag's Workshop Jigs, Tips & Ideas 2014

October 31, 2014/ Todd Clippinger

I was standing in the checkout line at Lowe's the other day and picked up a copy of WOOD Magazine's latest special publication "Workshop Jigs, Tips & Ideas 2014." While perusing through, I found myself on page 58 giving some tips from my shop!

This is actually an article that I had written for an earlier issue of WOOD Magazine and they had recycled it into a special publication issue focusing on tips & ideas for the shop (just as the title describes of course.)

I like the special publications various woodworking magazines print even though they are simply recycling the articles. The reason I like them is, if you are not a subscriber to any certain magazine, it is a good way to get information focused on a single topic, just as this one offers a nice collection of tips for the shop.

The special publications often focus on a single style of furniture such as Shaker or Craftsman, or it may be a type of furniture such as built-ins and bookcases. It does not matter that the article was published in a previous issue, the information is still relevant and you are getting a series of articles focusing on a single topic rather than having the information spread out over several issues.

In this issue I am part of a larger article where 4 of us in small, one-man shops give tips that we really use everyday. As I was reading through the rest of the issue, I did note that there actually was a lot of good information on finishing, storage, and using the main tools such as the table saw and bandsaw.

So, as I was reading it in the checkout line, by the time I hit the cash register I decided to buy it and finish reading it at home. I think you will enjoy it if you can find one. I am on page 58 but there is also whole magazine of great information if you check it out for yourself.

Your friend in the shop,

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love - Share the Knowledge

April 06, 2014

Guess Who's In The Latest Issue of WOOD Magazine:)

April 06, 2014/ Todd Clippinger

An Article on Design & Prototypes

The current issue of WOOD Magazine (May 2014, Issue 225) has a good article on designing projects and building prototypes. The article contains 6 points on the process of taking a project through the design and prototyping, to a finished project.

"How Do You Do It In Your Shop Todd?"

The staff at WOOD Magazine asked me to contribute information on how I design and use prototypes. For the article they ended up using a picture of me building a full-scale cardboard fireplace for a client, and a key quote for the side-bar titled "5 Must-Know Design Principles.

I give kudos to the staff at WOOD Magazine, the article is practical and accurate in depicting the design and prototyping process. It lays out the steps that I use as a professional in designing and building a project for clients. So Kudos to the staff at WOOD Magazine for a great article that shares how it is really done.

WOOD Magazine May 2014, Issue 225 Article on Designing & Prototypes

I Share in Great Company!

I was pretty excited to see that I share in great company with this issue. Friend and fellow woodworking blogger, Matt Vanderlist from Matt's Basement Workshop, has written an article for this same issue's "Unvarnished: Straight talk from the WOOD-wide Web." Matt shares some gold nuggets for the growing woodworker.

In fact, what Matt shares are exactly the lessons that I learned in my own journey as a woodworker and craftsman. I believe that what he shares is a valuable read for every woodworker and you should check it out.

Also be sure to visit Matt's website: Matt's Basement Workshop. He is a prolific woodworking blogger and I am sure you will enjoy what he shares with the woodworking community.

Matt Vanderlist writes a great article for "Unvarnished."

Be sure to check out the latest issue of WOOD Magazine, it is slated to stay on the store shelves until May 6, 2014. As always, they have some great articles by some great guys;)

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love - Share the Knowledge

August 28, 2013

Design Article For WOOD Magazine

August 28, 2013/ Todd Clippinger

The October 2013 issue of WOOD Magazine is now on the stands and inside you will find my latest article.

One of the most frequent questions I receive is how do I get inspiration for my designs. This is also a topic the editors at WOOD Magazine get requests for, so they asked if I would share a page on how I get inspiration for design.

Design Inspiration Article for Oct 2013 Issue of WOOD Magazine p.22

The topic of design and getting inspiration can actually become a pretty lengthy topic and a very complex one which can easily fill a book. But we boiled it down to some simple take-away points that you can apply to your routine.

If you think getting inspiration and designing has to be complicated and requires a formal education, I challenge you to think again. I have no formal training and am self-taught. I think that many things come down to not what you are looking at but rather how you are looking at them. I also think there are some habits you can develop that will help you hold onto your ideas for immediate development and for use in the future.

So be sure to check out my latest article in the October 2013 issue of WOOD Magazine for tips on getting inspiration.

The current issue has two covers so it may not look like the one that I have. One of my friends sent me the cover image from the one he received so keep an eye out for either one.

The October issue of WOOD Magazine features 2 different covers so keep an eye for either one.

I am pretty excited to share this article with everyone in the woodworking community. It is my 3rd woodworking article in less than one year with WOOD Magazine: November 2012, America's Best Home Workshops, and October 2013. I am on a roll!