STL184.5: Chris Schwarz

STL184.5: Chris Schwarz

Author: FineWoodworking.com March 8, 2019 Duration: 37:41

Chris Schwarz is a furniture maker and writer who works from a German barroom built in 1896 in Covington, Ky. He is one of the founders of Lost Art Press, a book-publishing company that specializes in handwork, and Crucible Tool, a company that makes hand tools for woodwork. Chris is the author of several books, including Workbenches: From Design & Theory to Construction & Use (F+W Media), The Anarchist's Tool Chest, Campaign Furniture, The Anarchist's Design Book and Ingenious Mechanics (Lost Art Press). In addition to his publishing efforts, he builds casework and Welsh stick chairs for clients all over the world.

Chris' class at Fine Woodworking Live is titled: Compound-Angle Joinery, Minus the Math
Mastering compound angles typically means mastering trigonometry. But it doesn't have to be that way. Compound angles can be measured, laid out, and cut without any math—or even numbers. Chris will show you the methods he uses for replicating unusual (sometimes radical) compound angles to build his Welsh stick chairs. The method requires just a wire clothes hanger, a sliding bevel, and a ruler. (Oh, and you'll also need to bring an open mind.) The technique allows you to replicate compound angles from photos or drawings, or to create new designs using half-scale models (made with that clothes hanger).

Register now for Fine Woodworking Live 2019!

Enter for your chance to win Fine Woodworking's Shop Giveaway: Upgrade to Laguna!

The winner will receive a prize that includes:

  • 14|12 Bandsaw
  • F2 Fusion Tablesaw
  • 1 HP Dust Collector
  • REVO 12|16
  • 6″ Jointer ShearTec II

Ever find yourself in the middle of a project, staring at a tricky joint or a piece of lumber that just won't behave, wishing you could ask an expert? That's the space where Shop Talk Live-Fine Woodworking lives. Hosted by the editors and seasoned contributors from Fine Woodworking magazine, this isn't a formal lecture. It's the sound of a conversation happening right in the workshop, where real questions from woodworkers at every level meet practical, time-tested answers. You'll hear the specifics-discussions on tool tuning, finishing nuances, joinery adjustments, and design problem-solving-all grounded in decades of collective hands-on experience. The dialogue is direct and the advice is applicable, whether you're building your first box or restoring a classic piece. This podcast from FineWoodworking.com pulls back the curtain on the craft's finer points, turning those moments of frustration into breakthroughs. It’s like having a master woodworker right there with you, offering clarity and confidence for your next cut. Tune in for the kind of shop talk that makes your time at the bench more productive and a lot more enjoyable.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Shop Talk Live - Fine Woodworking
Podcast Episodes
STL327: Live from Woodworking In America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:17
Rollie Johnson, Gary Rogowski, and Phil Huber join Amanda in front of a live audience at Woodworking In America 2024. For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning For more i…
STL326: No Finish? No Problem! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:25
Seri Robinson, a.k.a. Dr. Spalting, says the best food-safe finish is no finish at all. For more information about Woodworking In America 2024 - https://www.woodsmith.com/article/woodworking-in-america-2024/ Links from t…
STL325: From logs to lumber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:08
Amanda is joined by Brenon Plourde and Logan Wittmer to discuss milling logs, drying lumber, and their mutual "problem" of hoarding the perfect board. For more information about Woodworking In America 2024 - https://www.…
STL 324: Bridging creativity and technicality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:24
Amanda chats with Larissa Huff and Adrian Ferrazzutti, arguably two of the most creative woodworkers in our world. Both chat about boxes and prototypes, and their workflow. Mike and Ben answer a couple questions from our…
STL323: The woodworking behind your favorite records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:55
Woodworker and recording engineer Kenny Varga joins Ben to discuss building furniture for some of the most famous recording studios in the world. For more information about Woodworking In America 2024 - https://www.woods…
STL322: Life is like a table saw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:37
Mike, Anissa, and Ben discuss new the issue of FW, beveling bookshelves, bench height, and what direction to turn a table saw miter gauge. Find out more about Woodworking In America here: https://www.finewoodworking.com/…
STL321: One podcast, two Mikes. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:15
Ben and Mike Mascelli talk finishing and upholstery, Then Amanda chats with Mike about his thoughts on our "fine woodworking" question from the last episode.. Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers…
STL320: What is "fine woodworking?" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:38
Ben and Amanda chat with Vic about bandsaw accessories and what constitutes "fine furniture" Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biwee…
STL319: You make your own dowels? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:47
Phil, Mike, and Ben discuss store-bought vs shop-made dowels, what wood to use for floating tenon stock, and whether CAD models negate the need for full-size mockups. For more information on our upcoming woodworking trav…
STL318: Back to School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:14
Amanda is joined by Ashley Pieper and Bonnie Elisabeth Hawk to discuss woodworking education and how it has carved a path for them in their furniture making careers. For more information about our eLearning courses - htt…