I just returned from a successful ‘rust run’ to Maine where I spent several enjoyable hours perusing the extensive collection of old tools at The Liberty Tool Company located in the small town of Liberty, Waldo County, Maine.

This was a trip that has been in the works since I visited their sister store, Captain Tinkham’s Emporium, last year. It certainly was worth the wait but after this visit I sure wish that I visited a whole lot sooner!

The Liberty Tool Company is owned and operated by The Jonesport Wood Company which maintains three locations, the one here at Liberty, Captain Tinkham’s Emporium in Searsport and the Hull’s Cove Tool Barn just outside of Bar Harbour. Their primary mission is the search for and recovery of usable woodworking tools for reuse as well as for the collections of the Davistown Museum.

Liberty Tools, the larger location of the three, is New England’s largest secondhand tool company and it is easy to see why! The place is jammed full from floor to ceiling with what appears to be every tool that was ever available to man. Seriously, I have never seen so many tools amassed in one place.

Here, have a look for yourself:

Continue reading 'A Visit To The Liberty Tool Company'

Why do just one when you can do three? I was able to get even more picture frames completed over the last few weeks. Once again, these were made with the same Walnut that the last few frames were made of. And, yes, I still have a bit more wood left for a couple of more. After almost eight years in our home it certainly is nice to finally get some pictures on the walls (that’s what she said ).

The larger one is approximately 12 1/2″ X 10 1/2″ and the two smaller ones are 8 1/2″ X 10″ and they are finished with wipe-on poly. The beautiful watercolors of the alluring American Southwest scenery was painted by Barb McGinley.

The frame was routed with a 3/8 roundover bit on the inside and a 1/2 cove bit for the outside leaving a raised face where a channel (two channels for the large frame) was made using the table saw blade.

Here’s a couple of closeups of the frames:

Continue reading 'Even More Walnut For The Walls'

I finished another Walnut picture frame recently. It’s just a bit of simple woodworking but it sure fills the empty wall space.

This frame is around 16″ X 13″ and it is finished with several coats of wipe-on poly.

It was also made from the old upright piano ends that I mentioned in a previous article.

Continue reading 'More Walnut For The Walls'

This month’s get together of the Atlantic Woodworkers Association brought us back to our regular meeting place at the Home Depot for a special presentation on pen turning by our newly past chairman, Cecil Canam. In addition to other facets of woodworking Cecil is an avid woodturner and is quite passionate about turning pens. We certainly saw why tonight!

Cecil is also a member of the Nova Woodturners Guild. He turns bowls, Christmas ornaments, bottle stoppers and more. He says that very little scrap goes to waste around his shop!

The presentation started with an overview of safety considerations while turning with emphasis on wood toxicity and glue fumes. This was followed by a required tool list and an explanation of each tool’s use.

The process for turning a pen was clearly explained from choosing the wood and the pen kit style to the actual turning and finishing, and then finally putting all the pieces together, both literally and figuratively. This was done while turning pens so it was easy to see, relate to and understand each step.

Cecil turned several pens during his presentation including this Sierra style pen made out of Rosewood:

Continue reading 'Passionate Pen Turning At The AWA'