Turning Screwdrivers in the Zone

The gang over at the Woodworker's Zone runs online classes in their WoodWiki section that are really interesting and fun to follow along with. The current class happens to be on making a screwdriver, using the 4-in-1 Screwdriver Kit from Rockler!

Instructors Jim and Steve (or router-jim and stwoodie as they're known on the Woodworker's Zone site) do a really good job of going into great detail on the how-to of turning the handle, and yet still allowing for plenty of creativity on the students' part.

Students are encouraged to set up their own progress logs in the forum, and then post their finished work in the gallery. It's really interesting to read through these logs to see the incredible array of designs, and how each one was made. Here are just two of the many finished examples to be seen there:



And did the instructors turn a few themselves? Jim laughs that he might have gone a bit overboard (see his fabulous set of screwdriver samples below!) but he wants everyone to know that they make excellent Christmas presents! Jim says, ''The kit is a lot of fun because it allows infinite design possibilities.'' (Which he has clearly shown!)

Steve has also posted numerous iterations of the handle, but he saved his pièce de résistance for last, and we got to see it first! (See first image, upper right). And yes, that is the front and back of ONE piece. I'm still trying to figure out the gluing-up on that one!

We obviously couldn't post all the gallery pictures here, so be sure to head on over to the Screwdriver Gallery at the Woodworker's Zone to check out the results from this fun online turning class!

Note: Our fabulous 4-in-1 Kit was designed by renowned turner Alan Lacer, who also designed our awesome ice cream scoops! The Screwdriver Kit is on sale right now, so pick up one (or several) and try out the online class at Woodworker's Zone for yourself! With Rockler's Alan Lacer Hardware, the detailed instructions from the class, all the support and camaraderie from the forums at the Zone, you'll truly be able to Create with Confidence!

Read All About It: New Additions to the Blogroll

We've got a few more additions to the Buzz Saw Blogroll today - some we think you'll really enjoy.

Syzygy... adventures in woodturning and woodworking by Keith Larrett
Keith's blog has got sections on both woodturning and "flatwork", and reviews, "musings," and even surfing the web for woodworking topics. He shares his woodworking experiments (like ebonizing), his successes and also his failures, reminding the reader to "enjoy the journey". And don't miss his "About" page, where he explains the name of his blog!

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Five Great Sites About Antique Woodworking Tools

antique tools

A lot of us find the old ways of woodworking fascinating (although we may not practice them ourselves!). There are some really amazing sites out there where you can find more information about antique woodworking tools or old woodworking machines. Here are five great sites that we've found (in no particular order); feel free to add links in the comments section if you know of other good sites!

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