Wilson Burnham Guitars

Varnishing can be done by any person with little or no practice, and is suitable for common articles of furniture; but French polishing cannot be done successfully without considerable practice, though when skillfully managed it enhances the beauty of most woods. Paul N. Hasluck, Wood Finishing , 1897 Practice, practice, practice. We all know how that goes, keeping at something until you get better at it, but if you go about the work inefficiently then you won't get any better. At least, that is how it is with me. You must observe, remember the results and work on improving them the next time you step up to the work bench. What was it that Yoda said in The Empire Strikes Back ? You must unlearn what you have learned. There are times I wish I had learned from a master French polisher, as it is I read whatever I can get my hands on about French polish, and I often reference Ron Fernandez's wonderful video on French polish. I know I need to French polish on a regular

This guitar has a Western Red Cedar top, Claro walnut back and sides, Royal ebony fretboard, Indian rosewood bridge and a 650mm string length. This guitar has a beautiful voice and is loud! I was amazed at how loud it is as soon as I got the strings on and tuned to concert pitch. It is easy to play and I am blown away by the musical nuances that can be created with this guitar. Please click on Guitars Currently Available or Studio Model to read more about this wonderful guitar!

Tools thrive with loving use and perish under thoughtless abuse. Roy Underhill, The Woodwright's Shop , 1981 I started collecting vintage tools when I did't make much money. I know that sounds strange, but when you think you are always strapped for cash you want things around you to make you feel wealthy. Vintage tools were cheap and readily available twenty years ago when I started, now I notice it is hard to find good, inexpensive quality tools in flea markets and antique stores in Colorado. It seems like collecting good user tools is "the thing to do" because they are less expensive than new quality hand tools that are on the market. Or is it "the thing to do" because many woodworking magazines and internet forums say it is? I use hand tools by choice, they are quiet and allow me to do excellent work. When I was a framing/finish carpenter I used power tools because the job/work demanded speed and not quite so much excellence, "good enough&qu

One learns by doing a thing; for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try. Sophocles I love hats. After seeing a posting on the Lost Art Press blog (click here ) about making your own carpenter shop hat, I had to try it. I used the instructions that you can find at Tools for Woodworking (click here ) and ended up with a really nice hat. It goes well with my English heritage, my progenitor, Gabriel Burnham, sailed from England to Maryland in the early 1700's, but when I was working full time as a house carpenter I always wore a baseball cap. Here's a challenge for all you woodworkers - make such a hat and post a photo of you wearing it on your blog. Don't be afraid, I did it!