New "Featured Maker" series at Wacky Wood Works

 Wacky Wood Works has a new feature that has just started, it is called "Featured Maker." The goal is to throw the spotlight on various creators and share their story of how they got into woodworking, what they make, and a bit of their philosophy from the shop. 

Image and logo property of Wacky Woodworks

I was honored to be the first one interviewed to kick off the Featured Maker series. But I don't want to give anything away, you can check out the interview at Wacky Woodworks Featured Maker page. 

I have had Wacky Wood Works in my Links page for some time now. One of the cool things about the internet is that the woodworking community is a global one and the host of Wacky Wood Works, who's online name is Nighthawk, is from New Zealand.

I always find it interesting to get a peak into the shops of people from around the world. Often I find both a mix of familiar and unfamiliar brands of tools as a lot of machinery sold in other countries is not seen here in the American market. 

Getting to see other shops and projects allows us to see differences in philosophies and experience regional dialects in design. But for all of the differences that I find myself looking for, the similarities are stronger and what binds us together as a community. 

No matter where we live, I find that we all share a great love of the craft and desire to help others succeed in their projects by lending experience and advice. All in all, I think the online woodworking community is a generous one and I am glad to be a part of it. 

Be sure to check out Wacky Wood Works and all of Nighthawk's projects. Also be sure to start following the Featured Maker series and get to know the stories of other makers from around the world. 

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

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

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.)

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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

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An Informative Surprise in the Mail

Things have been crazy with my business schedule and I just got around to tending my email this morning, which has been building up over the last couple of weeks. Occasionally I find interesting things in my email, and this morning I got one that I thought would be great to share with you guys. It is an infographic about wood shared by Furniture UK. It is pretty informative on the topic of wood and I think you will enjoy it. 

One thing I have noted, is that when information is coupled with good graphics, not only is it more interesting to read, but it makes the information stick a little better in my cluttered head. This infographic is both visually and intellectually interesting. 

I hope you enjoy this infographic titled "Wood's The Difference?" 

I have another video in the hopper that has been recorded and I have been trying to edit. My schedule is very dynamic, sometimes it slows down and sometimes it speeds up so fast I can't keep. Right now things are crazy and I have been working insanely long hours, so stay tuned and I will try to get the video out in another week...or so;)

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love - Share the Knowledge

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