Christmas in February, Part 2

Well today I took the family on the road trip down the freeway, to the Sturt School For Wood in Mittagong. This weekend was their 'Tools and Techniques' exhibition weekend, and today was the day I'd arranged to meet Chris Vesper of Vesper Tools, to pickup some of the nicest layout tools you're likely to ever see.

I bought Chris's Joinery Kit #1, which includes a 7" Try Square, 7" Sliding Bevel, Mini Joinery Knife and small sliding square with extra blades.

As you'll see from the photos, these tools are gorgeous! Craftsmanship is second to none and Chris was easy to communicate with to make the arrangements.

Chris was out of stock of the Figured Blackwood infill bevel gauge, so I opted for the brass version, and saved myself $70 off the kit price in doing so! The timber used for the marking knife and square has lovely figure through it and I couldn't be happier.

Also at the show were a few other makers, including Colen Clenton and HNT Gordon. Terry Gordon spent a good amount of time showing a few of us blokes just how well his Gidgee planes work, and gave me a few more tools to add to my wish list.

The Joinery Kit #1

7" Try Square with Figured Blackwood infill. This baby has -0.007mm of deviation over the blade, making it an A+ master square. Sweet!

7" Brass Sliding Bevel

Mini Joinery Knife in Figured Blackwood

Precision double square with extra mini blade

Terry Gordon's Gidgee planes

Colen Clenton tools - squares, marking gauges and dovetail markers

Vesper Tools display

Vesper Tools display

Christmas in February, Part 1

Well I've recently been lucky enough to use some money I had available and get my woodworking tools collection really up and running.

First it started with a surprise from my wife, arriving home to the Shapton sharpening stones I'd been wanting. Awesome! Thanks to David at Henry Eckert.

Next, with the budget set, I trawled through heaps of catalogues and websites trying to put together 'the' list that would allow me to get woodworking and developing skills, while not going over my spend limit.

I put in a few orders online with some overseas suppliers and again with some Aussie dealers too.

My favourite tool is the Blue Spruce Toolworks mallet which was not counted in my budget, but was my valentines day present. This is a tool I've wanted for over a year and the thing is BEAUTIFUL! Quilted Maple head (infused with acrylic resin), African Blackwood handle, joined with a steel tenon. The fit and finish of this is every bit as good as it looks in the web photos and well worth the investment.

Next to arrive was some Ledin Wing Dividers and some Richard Kell tools from Workshop Heaven in the UK. Richards deluxe brass dovetail marker and bevel gauge are well finished and I'm looking forward to putting them to good use.

With all those unwrapped, I can't wait for the next tools to arrive - in fact I'm picking them up from Chris Vesper tomorrow. More on that then.

The gorgeous Blue Spruce Toolworks 16oz. mallet

Ledin 4B Forged Wing Dividers

Richard Kell Deluxe Brass Dovetail Marking Gauge

Richard Kell Brass Bevel Gauge