For this first post, I’d like to relate how a couple of old, oily rags motivated me start this blog.

On his Woodworking Magazine blog, Chris Schwarz posted a discussion of the remarkably old rag that he uses to wipe down his tools to prevent corrosion. It has been exposed to all sorts of oils and, from the looks of it, to more than its share of sharp edges. I was struck at how it looks almost exactly like the similarly ancient rag that I use in my shop.

Now this is about as mundane as you can get in the world of woodworking. It is, however, of considerable practical significance. That rag is essential in my shop. Yet I’m reasonably sure you won’t find this topic covered in your favorite textbook that purportedly covers everything you need to know to work wood. You’ve got to stop by someone’s shop and look over his shoulder to get this kind of information.

Working alongside another woodworker would allow one to observe habits and acquire useful skills by absorption as much as by explicit instruction. Over time, one might discover the thinking of the craftsman, the logic and the wellspring of his work. A wide range of thoughts would likely be shared. Work with the hands is not far from the soul.

I believe we modern small shop woodworkers have much to gain from visiting each others’ shops, albeit in the virtual world. For so many of us woodworking is largely done in isolation while the abundance of formal learning materials still leaves us with a void.

So, in this blog, I invite you to stop by my shop, look over my shoulder, hear what’s on my mind, and, of course, offer your comments.