Links

Disclaimer: The lists here are not exhaustive. They contain companies and sites that have a good a reputation in the woodworking community, based on informal observation of magazines, forums, blogs, and my own experience. There are no doubt others who should be listed.

Wood Toxicity
Historical Tool Information
Tool Manufacturers
Tool Dealers
Tool Retailers
Custom Services and Finished Goods
Woodworking Classes
Forums and Websites

Wood Toxicity

These links deal specifically with wood toxicity and allergies. Not a happy subject, but one you should be aware of. Allergic reactions can cause serious health problems. They can be caused by simple skin contact, dust inhalation, or dust in the eyes, both brief and long-term. This also includes fungi present in wood.

Historical Tool Information

These sites contain historical information authored or gathered by tool enthusiasts, typically focusing on a particular brand or type of tool. Many are also dealers in used tools.

Tool Manufacturers

These specialty companies (ranging from one-man operations on up) currently manufacture hand tools. Some of their items are more expensive due to their low-volume specialized market, but are usually worth it. Customer service is generally outstanding; they genuinely care about their products and their customers.

I own tools from these companies:
  • Glen-Drake Toolworks: (Kevin Glen-Drake) Layout tools and specialty hammers.
  • Tools For Working Wood/Gramercy Tools: (Joel Moskowitz) Saws and holdfasts.
  • Lee Valley/Veritas: Planes and other items under the Veritas brand.
  • Lie-Nielsen Toolworks: Planes, chisels, saws, and instructional videos. I  have to admit to being extremely partial to them. These are premium tools: excellent design, materials, and workmanship. A suitable benchmark against which to measure your other tools. While expensive, a beginning woodworker wouldn't go wrong by pulling out the credit card and ordering everything needed from them.
Other companies:

Tool Dealers

These sites deal primarily in used and antique hand tools.

I've bought tools from these dealers:
Other dealers:

Tool Retailers

These companies sell new tools, supplies, books, and DVDs. Woodcraft Logo 120x60

Custom Services and Finished Goods

These are marketplaces for finding artisans who do custom work:
These are marketplaces where artisans offer finished goods for sale:

Woodworking Classes

I offer basic classes in several formats. See the Hand Tool Instruction page.

The following schools offer specialized woodworking instruction.

I've taken classes at these schools:
  • The Breed School: (Allan Breed, South Berwick, ME) Historic reproduction fine furniture and carving.
I hope to take classes someday at these schools (I know the people by reputation and from books, magazines, and videos, and have met some of them; many bring in excellent guest instructors):

Forums and Websites

Forums are great places to ask questions about all aspects of woodworking. They often constitute vast bodies of knowledge accessible through search functions. The participants are happy to respond and share their knowledge, though discussions and differing opinions can get heated. Some of the people should be listed as national treasures, they know so much and are able to convey it so well. Some well known names in the woodworking community can be found on them as well. While I've focused on the hand tool forums, there are other forums at these sites, such as turning, carving, and power tools.
These are websites and other links that don't fall under any of the above categories:
  • David Marks: Host of the WoodWorks TV show. Some episodes are available online under the TV link.
  • In The Woodshop: (Derek Cohen).
  • Lie-Nielsen Toolworks YouTube Channel: Lie-Nielsen has posted a number of excellent videos, both instructional and demos of their products.
  • Robin Wood: Traditional turning.
  • The New Yankee Workshop: (Norm Abrams) The official site for the PBS series. While Norm's primarily a power tool guy, there's a soft spot in my heart for this show.
  • The Woodwright's Shop: (Roy Underhill) The official site for the PBS series, containing a number of episodes online.
Last update: July 28, 2010
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