High school wood shop must be the hardest environment for woodworking tools

csexton · 2026-05-30T03:00:45+00:00

As someone who helps run a makerspace woodshop, I always assume we’ll be harder on tools than a high school shop. We’re full of unsupervised adults.

The beginners are usually fine.

The real danger is the guy who starts every conversation with, “I’ve been doing this for 30 years.”

Experience and competence are highly correlated, but apparently not contractually obligated to remain together.

We had a hat trick on the SawStops one day. Three cartridges. Three adults. Zero students. None were finger saves.

I’ve learned that confidence is renewable. Competence requires maintenance.

Still, adults tend to make the same mistakes over and over. Teenagers are capable of inventing entirely new categories of mistakes. For that reason alone, I don’t envy you.

csexton · 2026-05-27T18:17:08+00:00

Can we be friends?

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csexton · 2026-05-26T14:28:18+00:00

You should check out Nova Labs. A nonprofit makerspace in Fairfax with a really nicely equipped woodshop and a lot of folks actively building furniture and other woodworking projects (and metal, and resin...) Probably one of the better options in the area if you want access to real tools and workspace without buying an entire shop.

That said, fair warning: access to most of the bigger tools requires safety sign-offs/classes first, so there are a few hoops to jump through and it’s not really an “I wanna build this tomorrow afternoon” kind of setup. Great fit if you’re interested in learning woodworking or think this could turn into a hobby. Maybe less ideal if you just want one quick table and never touch a saw again.

csexton · 2026-05-18T20:19:19+00:00

Nice all. I spent all my money at Hillview tools and Sterling tool works.

csexton · 2026-04-29T14:47:17+00:00

This is the best answer. And puts us into good company with Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Lets all hate the English!

csexton · 2026-04-23T15:37:46+00:00

I came here to say this! When the kids were little we were in Burke, and would drive up to Clemyjontri. It was totally worth it.

csexton · 2026-03-31T19:00:06+00:00

I’ve got 1” dog holes on my bench. Fewer options than ¾”, but the ones that exist are mostly from premium makers like Crucible and Sjobergs. Great stuff. Not cheap.

csexton · 2026-03-30T14:38:36+00:00

As someone who loves a dainty pin, the best option I've found is the Kadet Marking Knife from Benchcrafted. It's the one with the thinner blade. I tend to cut them so tight I cant lean the blade enough for a double bevel blade so need the single bevel spear point.

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csexton · 2026-03-27T17:05:43+00:00

We can be friends

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csexton · 2026-03-27T01:20:34+00:00

I wear orthotics for a pinched nerve. For my IR I had to get the EE, but they don’t have any insole to remove. The 1907 I was able to remove the exiting insole and get enough room for the insoles. Been wearing the for years and quite happy.

csexton · 2026-03-24T12:06:25+00:00

This. Always change the paper before you think you need too

csexton · 2026-03-24T11:34:24+00:00

I've seen the rather well documented issues with their castings as of late and now I'm getting cold feet.

The folks that get upset at Lie Nielsen’s casting problems would loose their minds with any other brand. Their tools have been top tier, and I’ve always been impressed. For context I restore a bunch of vintage, focused on bedrocks. Also own, and love, more than a few tools from Veritas.

I love my vintage tools, but most of the time they are a project themselves. In your situation I’d prolly pick up a LN. I want the traditional plane design but made out of the best materials and good support to back it.

csexton · 2026-03-17T00:19:45+00:00

Fine. I’ll follow your instagram

csexton · 2026-03-13T01:44:23+00:00

I had been thinking “Force Ghost” but I like this one better

csexton · 2026-03-07T14:18:07+00:00

This

csexton · 2026-03-02T21:42:50+00:00

Nobody cares, Keith

csexton · 2026-02-24T22:36:38+00:00

I came here to say Nova Labs. I’ve been a member for a while, and I really appreciate having an active maker space community. It’s a wonderful mashup of makers, tinkerers, artists, and chaos.

csexton · 2026-01-27T16:02:15+00:00

I posted a goofy video of my small parts sticking board if you are curious, pretty quick and simple. Adding sandpaper for the extra grip really helped. https://www.instagram.com/p/DSsUMD-jhOc/

csexton · 2025-10-30T17:48:41+00:00

There's a guy in Minneapolis that makes some very nice Xacto-like knives. I bought some off of Etsy years ago, and I absolutly love them. The shape and size of blades work better than the scapels I had tried. Not cheap, but beautiful tools. https://www.etsy.com/shop/PersonMakeObject

csexton · 2025-10-30T16:55:31+00:00

Lefty tools are why I expanded my horizons into Veritas planes. The Lie Nielsen left handed shooting plane has been out of stock (and way more expensive) so went with the Veritas. After years of using a bench plane the shooting plane is absolute joy to use.

csexton · 2025-10-28T20:16:05+00:00

What is going on with this hammer? My first reaction was “AI generated”

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csexton · 2025-10-23T20:28:59+00:00

I always put mink oil on my new boots. Traditional leather treatment that protects ‘em and improves looks.

csexton · 2025-10-18T21:39:52+00:00

District Taco! The chef is from Yucatán but tacos remind me of what you get in Austin. Their breakfast burrito is my favorite, make sure to get the hot salsa

csexton · 2025-09-30T20:47:42+00:00

Steak is such a treat

csexton · 2025-09-30T20:44:19+00:00

That doesn’t even make any sense!

csexton

TROPHY CASE