Plat Yonezawa Co., Ltd. and the 360° Yonezawa Open Factory Executive Committee announced they will hold the third annual “360° Yonezawa Open Factory” event from 11 to 13 September. The city-wide initiative provides public access to the workshops and factories that are central to the region’s manufacturing heritage. Open factory event models like Yonezawa’s showcases […] The post Yonezawa to host third 360° Open Factory vent, expanding programme appeared first on Zenbird - Gateway...| Zenbird – Gateway to Sustainability in Japan
There is a unique satisfaction that comes from catching a fish on a lure you fashioned with your own hands. There’s nothing else quite like it. Anyone can purchase a polished plug or shiny jig from a store shelf. No special skill is needed to do so. But when a tuna slams into a trolling […]| Catholic Stand
Before Jadeite was the craze, Nephrite was the de-facto jade for the Chinese literati and aristocrats and this tradition went back to over 2,000 years ago. Prior to that, jade were used for more ritual and ceremonial purposes and it was around the Warring State era that jade took on a more mortal and moralising role (although still remaining its importance as a ritual item).| Hanfugirl
The feather inlay jewellery embellishing craft is one that has thousands of years of history. This article gives an overview of the craft and its historical references, as well as introduces the mo…| Hanfugirl
Reflections on Cal Newport's 'So Good They Can't Ignore You', and the order of passion and mastery.| cekrem.github.io
Notohahaso is rebuilding earthquake-resistant kilns for sustainable charcoal production while fostering community resilience.| Zenbird - Gateway to Sustainability in Japan
A handsome staircase is always the glory of any home interior. It is also subject to many onerous contemporary code requirements, and requires the highest level of finish carpentry in the house. Planning ahead is all important. Many carpenters and not a few architects have heard me say that the best way to design a... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Like every part of my new home in Southern Oregon, I wanted the garden fence and gates to reflect the architectural style I enjoy the most—the craftsman style that I learned to love while living in California, surrounded by bungalows and Greene and Greene homes. I can’t count how many times I’ve visited the Gamble... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
After several meetings, site visits, and of course navigating through circuitous telephone menus, I finally obtained the documentation needed to satisfy all the requirements to get a demolition permit in-hand. The only requirement that I became concerned about was the hazardous material inspection. The inspector took no less than nine samples from different parts of... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Have you ever wondered how a furniture builder can replicate several pieces that are all exactly the same without the use of any fancy CNC machines? Well fortunately there is a method that won’t break the bank, and can be done in a reasonable amount of time. All it requires is some scrap wood or... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Producing the Katz Roadshow has provided benefits I never imagined. One reward has been the almost electrical experience of meeting carpenters who share the same passion for craftsmanship—which in our business also means a passion for productivity and solid profits; a passion for education and teamwork; a deep distaste for waste, and an eye for... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Murphy Beds are incredibly popular, probably because they help us use space more efficiently, and today, with living space at a premium, that’s critical. It sure was for me. I wanted to use the guest cabin I built down by the river as a yoga studio—after all, guests aren’t that common, but yoga is. And... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
If you’re building today you’ve probably succumbed to the demands of the ubiquitous smartphone, being assaulted with job-related texts, emails, and notifications—not to mention Instagrams from Mike Guertin and tips from Gary Katz on THISisCarpentry. As much as I love technology, it can be a relief to take an afternoon off, and just hold and... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Carpentry is more than a job for me, more than just a trade, and more than a profession, too. Carpentry is rooted deep within me, along with my Swedish origin. I know this for a fact because I spend more time appreciating other carpenters’ work, and appreciating architectural ornamentation, than I spend doing anything else... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Some of you suspected the same thing that I did. And we were right to be suspicious. The reason I had so much trouble getting the real estate broker to accept my offer was because there was another buyer! Apparently, another investor was so sure the deal was done that he hired a structural engineer to... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Not long ago, on the way to a Katz Roadshow event in southern California, Scott Wells and I stopped off to visit an old friend of mine—Mark Martinez. I’ve known Mark for nearly twenty years; yet I’ve never really known him, not until he visited my place just a week before we toured his facility.... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Most contractors and carpenters are familiar with ‘once in a lifetime jobs.’ For some of us, a once-in-a-lifetime job is simply having a client that appreciates your work, and when the job is finished, doesn’t complain about your final invoice (with all the extras!). Instead, they just write you a check and say thank you,... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
When I bought my little house in southern Oregon, I knew I’d be removing the existing concrete patio and the funky patio cover. The concrete had been mixed in a wheelbarrow and poured in sections, maybe over a decade or two, at least that was the forensic evidence. In some places the finish was smooth... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Hi TiC Readers, I have a somewhat perplexing exterior siding puzzle coming up, and I’m hoping that maybe one of you has previously experienced something similar and possibly already figured out an ingenious solution. A Note from the Publisher: This is a “reader” question submitted by Rick Arnold, one of our contributing authors. Rick will... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
JLC magazine recently asked me to answer a reader’s question: What’s the right height for chair rail and wainscoting? Of course, everyone always wants the short answer, so here it is: Somewhere between 26 in. to 32 in. off the floor. Now here’s the same answer I wrote in JLC, and I’ll bet you’ll regret... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
We recently did another Katz Roadshow Finish Carpentry event at Jay-K Independent Lumber, in New Hartford, NY. This yard is one of our favorite Katz Roadshow hosts—these folks really get it; they want to help their customers by providing quality educational events. During one of the breaks, Jonas Kelly, the current President of the yard,... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
For over twenty years, hundreds of passionate, fine woodworkers enjoyed the unique experience of learning directly from James Krenov, founder of what was then known as the College of the Redwoods, Fine Furniture Program in Fort Bragg, California. James Krenov trained under Swedish furniture designer, Carl Malmstem. Like Malmstem, Krenov reached out to people through... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Lately, my crew and I are installing a lot of flat stock casing in the homes that we trim out—which means I also have to make more and more radius casing to finish the tops of windows and doors that have arched heads. Besides the sizes of the openings always being different, some openings require... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
…with appreciation to the Katz bros. It all started when my wife decided we needed a new gate on the side of the house. The existing gate worked, but being 20 years old, it needed more than just a facelift—it needed a structural lift, too. I’m sure you know what I mean! Linda found a... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
I love how people can’t resist jumping to conclusions—as if they can’t live without a firm judgment, a conclusion to every question, no matter what that judgment is. For instance, people always ask me what I do. I tell them I’m a musician. Honest. And every time I say that, without exception, I’m asked: “Can... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
In part one of this article, I explained that if you’ve built a straight stairway or two then you’ve already mastered most of the skills you will need to build a curved stairway. Tasks like setting hardwood treads, installing newel posts, and assembling the handrail parts are all very similar. There are really only a... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
I recently took a little job to build a shelter over an entry door for an historical New England house. The budget was low, but the job satisfied my new motto: “Never again will I build something I didn’t design.” I wanted to build something that could have been part of the original house, but... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
In “My Living Room Wall: Part 1,” I documented the design concepts, the firewood box, and the stone mantel-shelf; now we’re onto the cabinets and shelves. Installing the tops and trim, the face frames and doors, as well as the tapered columns, took a lot of thought and a lot of time. Other than baseboard molding,... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
I’m fortunate not to be a packrat. I know many people who are. My father would never throw away anything! Which is probably one reason I’m so averse to saving stuff. I’ve even thrown away a few things I had to buy again! But there is one thing I’ve always had a problem with—books. My... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Be careful what you wish for! I’m sure you’ve all watched shows on HGTV or DIY and, like me, you’ve probably wondered if the hosts know anything about building, if they know anything about flipping a house quick and cheap. Now here I am about to have my own show; it’s my turn, and suddenly... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Design, Tools, & Lathe Work My wife, Helen, is a grammar school teacher—third and fourth grades. For over twenty years, every weekday evening, as soon as dinner is finished, Helen carries a pile of papers to the dinner table and sets about grading each one, with diligence and care, because in the end—regardless of the... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Years ago, I visited Rowan Oak—William Faulkner‘s home in Oxford, Mississippi. Rowan Oak is more than just a Pulitzer-prize winning author’s home. It’s an example of Greek Revival architecture, and it was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1968. I figured my visit might make a good article, and so I brought my camera with me.... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Every now and then you get to do something really fun. One of my recent, fun projects was a dining room ceiling in a new private residence with a 1920s design theme. We ran hundreds of feet of Pickwick paneling in this home—complete with hidden doors to storage areas, and the wall switches were push-button. The... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Hard lessons from a tough winter It was the dead of winter in 2014, and the roller coaster that I own (better known as Megna Building & Remodeling, a residential remodeling company in NJ) had dipped down into a slow, flat spot on the tracks of my business. Feet of snow covered the land... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
I wanted a BIG entry door for my new shop—at least 4/0 x 8/0—so I wouldn’t have to fight carrying materials into the shop. Sure, I installed a 12-ft. wide custom roll-up right next to the entry door, but I open that ‘garage door’ rarely, especially in January, February, August, and September, and barring a... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
How to earn respect and guarantee higher profits. There was a time when tradesmen were some of the most respected citizens in a community. Wheel-wrights, masons, joiners, carpenters—people who worked with their hands—were respected like doctors, lawyers, and accountants are today. Until the industrial revolution modernized construction, tradesmen studied their craft. They apprenticed for years... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
For the past two years I have been lucky enough to be a student in the Preservation Carpentry program at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, MA. I’ve been in the building business for the last ten years, and a carpenter for around half that time, mostly working doing renovations, trim, cabinets, and the... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
This article was originally published in 2005 by the Journal of Light Construction. Maybe I visit the Gamble House too often. Maybe not often enough. But that’s where I got the idea for this mantelpiece. Several JLC LIVE attendees asked about getting plans for the mantel. I hope this article is more helpful. The ‘cloud... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
The last time I built gates, for my old home in L.A., I didn’t spend too much time on the design. My dog was jumping over the top of the old gates and I just wanted to get them built. But this time, with a cattle guard in front of the gate, I didn’t have... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Developing and Producing Rake Crown with a Shaper and Band Saw The most important part of carpentry is design. If the design isn’t right, if the drawings are mediocre or worse, no amount of joinery skills will save a project from failure. Unfortunately, executing proper drawings prior to cutting wood and creating sawdust isn’t a... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Traditional Methods for Developing and Producing Rake Moldings The required joinery for a molding that transitions from level to rake around a corner frequently puzzles many carpenters. At first glance it appears that it should work, but upon experimentation, it can be maddening to find out that it won’t. A Note from the Publisher: NOTE:... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Drawing and Developing Rake Crown Profiles A little over a year ago we published an article about Eave Returns. While the focus of that article was about creating a “Poor Man’s Return,” we continue to receive comments and emails asking about how to develop the required molding profiles for a “Classical” eave return and pediment.... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
At an almost commodity price For almost fifteen years I’ve been meeting a friend of mine, Ken, on Friday mornings. He’s retired, but he still does a few small jobs. Sometimes he gets one that is a little over the top and asks me to help. Recently, he pulled out a picture of a door... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
I’ve been using a SawStop cabinet saw for more almost ten years. And for nearly that long, I’ve been hoping they would come out with a real portable table saw. Sure, a few years ago they introduced their Contractors Saw, but that monster weighs 310 lbs.! Definitely not my idea of portable. Well, the wait... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
We live in a society that undervalues blue-collar work. In the late 80s and early 90s, when computer technology grew by leaps and bounds, industrial arts classrooms were turned into computer labs; students were taught that a four-year degree was the only accepted path after high school. Today, we see a huge increase in the... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
I saw my first pattern book while visiting the Huntington Library Rare Books department in 1992 or 93. The book was Designs by Inigo Jones, written by William Kent and published in 1727. By the time I opened that book, I’d been working as a carpenter for more than fifteen years and specializing in finish... Read the full article| THISisCarpentry
Thirty years ago, if you needed an old house head block with a bullseye or rosette in it, you would have had to buy one pre-made or seek out one of the few rosette cutters on the market. Either way, it would’ve been too small for a typical renovation of an old house. Today, there are some rosette cutters that have interchangeable blades with the ability to have custom knives cut. But they’re too expensive, especially if you only need a few. And rosette cutters are hard to use on a drill p...| THISisCarpentry
Revolution has been the slogan and banner for generations of creative idealists. But they seem more concerned with a love of transgression than of life.| The Foundation for the Future of Classical Music
Aryan Davachi, Principal The Rug Finder A Tale of Tradition, Craftsmanship, and Timeless Elegance Antique rugs and fine wine are two exquisite treasures that evoke a sense of timeless elegance and sophistication. While they may seem unrelated at first glance, these two worlds share many similarities in terms of craftsmanship, [...]|
A software development community for beginners, professional and artisans| Sébastien Dubois
Today, August 28th, 2023, my company Newfound Research turns 15. It feels kind of absurd saying that. I know I’ve told this story before, but I never actually expected this company to turn into anything. I started the company while I was still in undergrad and I named it Newfound Research after a lake my […]| Flirting with Models
In Return StackingTM: Strategies for Overcoming a Low Return Environment, we advocated for the addition of managed futures to traditionally allocated portfolios. We argued that managed futures’ low empirical correlation to both equities and bonds and its historically positive average returns makes it an attractive diversifier. More specifically, we recommended implementing managed futures as an overlay […]| Flirting with Models
A critical review of Research Affiliates's paper "Reimagining Index Funds," finding unintended style drift in the construction methodology.| Flirting with Models
Summary Much like in 2008, managed futures as an investment strategy had an impressive year in 2022. With most traditional asset classes struggling to navigate the inflationary macroeconomic environment, managed futures has been drawing interest as a potential diversifier. Managed futures is a hedge fund category that uses futures contracts as their primary investment vehicle. […]| Flirting with Models
We have published a new paper on the topic of rebalance timing luck in option strategies: The Hidden Cost in Costless Put-Spread Collars: Rebalance Timing Luck. Prior research and empirical investment results demonstrate that strategy performance can be highly sensitive to rebalance schedules, an effect called rebalance timing luck (“RTL”). In this paper we extend […]| Flirting with Models