Beams and columns are an important part of any home’s structure. As architectural styles change, trending to larger open spaces and higher ceilings, with more complex roof designs, the need for beams becomes greater. But those beams don’t always look attractive, especially in areas of the home which were not originally finished, so the builder … Read more
The art of burning wood with electricity produces fragmented designs burnt into the surface of the wood. These designs are called “fractiles,” after the statistical principle of the same name. Without getting into complex descriptions of the mathematics behind the fractile, the basic idea is that each succeeding section is smaller than the previous. In … Read more
One of the problems in any workshop is where to put all the tools. Woodworkers and others who like to work with their hands have a tendency to collect tools over the years; buying tools to complete specific projects, replacing tools with better quality ones and finding tools which make it easier to do work … Read more
One of the many decisions in any woodworking project is the finish to apply. Beginning woodworkers think they only have two basic choices: paint or varnish. But as the woodworker gains experience, they also experiment with other forms of finish, seeking out what will make their project look the best. This is especially true with … Read more
The cypress tree, sometimes referred to as “bald cypress,” grows in the United States, along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, often in swampy areas. It is also known to grow in the Mediterranean region, throughout Asia and in ancient times, in the trees also grew in the Holy Land, as evidenced by how much it … Read more