First page of the Dowd’s archive.

Homestead Heritage – Lie-Nielsen Event December 4-5, 2015

Posted by bedhead on December 5, 2015 with No Commentsas , , , , , , , ,

I drove up to Homestead Heritage (608 Dry Creek Rd., 76705) in Waco, TX today, as it was the first day of the Lie-Nielsen Handtool event. As usual, Lie-Nielsen have two of their workbenches onsite, as well as their tool line, ready to hold, feel and see how they behave on wood, as well as a great staff ready to help customers with all facets of their visit.

One specific new item was on my radar, the new honing guide, which is built to the high-standards of Lie-Nielsen. I know almost everyone has used one of the ubiquitous inexpensive side-clamping honing guides before, and they can work just fine; especially after spending the time “tuning” them up. No tune up needed on the finely machined Lie-Nielsen version, which is completely obvious as soon as you pick it up, and the tight tolerances said to me “I’m a high-end tool”! The honing guide is made from stainless steel, brass and bronze, so rusting is not an issue.

The honing guide comes with the standard set of jaws installed, but Lie-Nielsen also offers other jaw sets, to handle specific portions of their tool line. The other jaw sets available are the Mortise Chisel jaw pair; Chisel jaw pair; Long jaw pair; 30-degree Skewed Jaw Pair, Right; 30-degree Skewed Jaw Pair, Left; 18-degree Skewed Jaw Pair, Right; and 18-degree Skewed Jaw Pair, Left. Remember this honing guide and jaws are made to handle Lie-Nielsen irons/chisels, so don’t expect them to work with every make of tool that needs sharpening, just so that is clear.

Guest demonstrators at the event are Dowd’s Vintage & Antique Tools, Texas Heritage Woodworks, and The Society of American Period Furniture Makers.

Saturday, December 5, the event is open from 10a.m. to 5p.m.

Homestead Heritage has also extended it’s annual Homestead Fair through Saturday, December 5, 2015, and it opens at 9a.m.

There is a lot to see and experience at one location. Go check them out.

Thank you for stopping by, and as always, please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Lee Laird

 

Dowd’s Tools – Austin

Posted by bedhead on August 7, 2015 with 2 Commentsas , , , , , , , , , , ,

Last weekend we went down to Craft Pride, located at 61 Rainey Street in Austin TX, to see our good friends Lynn and Tracy Dowd, who were having their Dowd’s Tools event. They always have a large range of tools, and I almost always find something that must follow me home. While each event is obviously different, since the tools they sell are antiques, or at least used. Lynn and Tracy also have to decide what portion of their tools to carry along to each event, so if you are looking for something specific, contact them directly as they very well may have it.  Their contact information is:

Lynn & Tracy
Dowd’s Vintage & Antique Tools
Garland, Texas
972-271-8665

 

I took a few photos at their event, as well as some of the items I procured. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any shots with Tracy in them.

Dowd's sign on its tripod.

Dowd’s sign on its tripod.

 

More tools and some nice Stanley planes.

More tools and some nice Stanley planes.

 

One of many tool chests, along with mingling patrons.

One of many tool chests, along with mingling patrons.

 

Lynn (on the right) and others at event.

Lynn (on the right) and others at event.

 

Some wooden hand planes.

Some wooden hand planes.

 

A range of saws, from panel to back saws.

A range of saws, from panel to back saws.

 

And now for some of the cool tools that “followed me home”:

 

Cool old Piano wire cutter, which I plan to test on guitar fret wire.

Cool old Piano wire cutter, which I plan to test on guitar fret wire.

 

Saw tooth jointer, used to level the teeth, prior to filing for sharpening.

Saw tooth jointer, used to level the teeth, prior to filing for sharpening.

 

Nice old Buck Brothers chisel, with super narrow shoulders, which almost come to a point.

Nice old Buck Brothers chisel, with super narrow shoulders, which almost come to a point.

 

Starrett adjustable setup block.

Starrett adjustable setup block.

 

If you have the opportunity, either go to one of their events around Texas, or stop by the HQ, in Garland. They are great people and always have some cool stuff.

 

Oh, and here is info on their upcoming event:

THE URBAN FLEA
Outdoor Vintage Market
701 Avenue A
Garland, Texas 75040
(Located directly behind RESURRECTED DESIGNS at 701 Avenue A in downtown Garland just one block off the square.)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH
10 AM – 5 PM

 

Thanks as always for checking out my article. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

 

Lee Laird