Writing for Wood News Online

For over a year and a half now, I've been writing articles and, mostly, book reviews for Highland Woodworking's Wood News Online.  This has been a lot of fun for me, since it combines my twin loves of woodworking and writing.  But it has come at a price--I have not had the time to be a faithful contributor to this blog as a result.   I'll try to make up for that in the future.

In the meantime, it might be of interest to know some of the postings I've made to Wood News Online.  My first article  appeared in May 2012 and was called "Hand Planes: Unlocking the Mystery"; it was a review of techniques for using hand planes in woodworking.  This article draws on my experience in teaching handplane techniques at my local Woodcraft store.

This was followed by a series of book reviews.  You can find an index to the issues of Wood News Online at http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/wood-news-woodworking-magazine.aspx, which has links to all my book and DVD reviews.

In May 2013 I also published "Seven Steps to Peak Handplane Performance," which discusses setting and adjusting a handplane to get the best results from it.  This article also draws on my experience teaching restoring old handplanes at my local Woodcraft store.

Since the first article, I've published a review a month, sometimes about DVDs, but mostly about books.  A couple of reviews have dealt with woodturning but mostly they have been about woodworking techniques, with emphasis on hand tools.  Next month's review, which should be released the first week in January, will be about Marc Spagnuolo's new book Hybrid Woodworking.

I've really enjoyed doing this.  It's a good way to keep my woodworking reading regular.  I learn new techniques and skills through my reading.  And it gives me a chance to express myself in writing.  What could be better?