Home and How To

The Woodwright's Shop

For more than 37 years, Roy Underhill has shared his love of American woodcraft. Using only the hand tools of early America, Roy proves that woodworking doesn't have to be noisy, dangerous or expensive. His insights into the principles of the craft reveal the enduring relationship between tools and material, between human hands and creations of culture.

The Venerable Bead

26m 46s

Roy Underhill shows how to cut bead moldings with hand planes for corners that look sharp and last longer.

Episodes

  • The Venerable Bead: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Venerable Bead

    S37 E13 - 26m 46s

    Roy Underhill shows how to cut bead moldings with hand planes for corners that look sharp and last longer.

  • Combination Planes 37th Season: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Combination Planes 37th Season

    S37 E12 - 26m 46s

    Can you replace a chest of molding planes with one complex metal contraption? Roy pits monster planes against their wooden ancestors.

  • Brian Boggs, Chairmaker: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Brian Boggs, Chairmaker

    S37 E11 - 26m 46s

    An Asheville artisan shows the secrets of the steam-bent green-wood chair

  • Forging the Hold Fast: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Forging the Hold Fast

    S37 E10 - 26m 46s

    Haul out the anvil and forge this essential bench tool! Blacksmith Peter Ross shows how to forge historical versions of this powerful gripper.

  • Lumberjack Fan Carving: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Lumberjack Fan Carving

    S37 E9 - 26m 46s

    A Michigan master of folk carving whittles white cedar fans and birds of a wooden feather.

  • Dovetailed Grease Pot: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Dovetailed Grease Pot

    S37 E8 - 26m 46s

    Walnut and boxwood make a little box with a secret lock to stash the woodworker’s pal.

  • Carving Away with Mary May: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Carving Away with Mary May

    S37 E7 - 26m 46s

    Classical carver Mary May gives Roy his first lessons on woodcarving – along with a proper rebuke for edge tool abuse!

  • Big Ash Mallet!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Big Ash Mallet!

    S37 E6 - 26m 46s

    Make a proper joiner’s mallet and you’ll never be lonely again! With ash head and hickory handle, Roy shows how to make a mallet for the ages.

  • The Roubo Bookstand!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Roubo Bookstand!

    S37 E3 - 26m 46s

    One piece of walnut makes a beautiful bookstand as we follow the formula of an old French master.

  • Holly Wood Spectaculars!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Holly Wood Spectaculars!

    S37 E2 - 26m 46s

    Steve Latta shows how to create decorative veneer patterns using oval engines, sharp knives, and patient perfectionism.

  • Who Wrote the Book of Sloyd?!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Who Wrote the Book of Sloyd?!

    S37 E1 - 26m 46s

    Sloyd, the late 19th century Swedish system of learning woodworking was intended to develop skilled, industrious, and morally upstanding citizens. We’ll give it a try, and hope it’s not too late for us!

Extras + Features

  • Firewood Carrier: Promo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Firewood Carrier: Promo

    S36 E8 - 30s

    Chair-maker Elia Bizzarri shows Roy how to make a split oak firewood carrier inspired by the classic wooden harvest rake.

  • Saw Like a Butterfly!: Promo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Saw Like a Butterfly!: Promo

    S36 E7 - 30s

    The great poet-athlete Muhammad Ali inspires the best lessons in woodworking – Saw Like a Butterfly, Plane Like a Bee!

  • Swedish Shrink Box: Promo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Swedish Shrink Box: Promo

    S36 E6 - 30s

    Woodworker Peter Follansbee shows Roy Underhill how to make Swedish shrink boxes from hollowed wood with inserted bottoms.

  • Wedged Tusk Tenon: Promo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Wedged Tusk Tenon: Promo

    S36 E5 - 30s

    Roy and workbench builder Will Myers test out the strength of the classic wedged mortise and tenon joint for take-apart furniture.

  • Waving Arm Whirlygigs: Promo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Waving Arm Whirlygigs: Promo

    S36 E4 - 30s

    Figures from history including Benjamin Franklin and Muhammad Ali inspire Roy’s new line of waving arm wooden whirlygigs.

  • Carved Oak Desk Box: Promo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Carved Oak Desk Box: Promo

    S36 E3 - 30s

    Master of Pilgrim-century furniture Peter Follansbee joins Roy to make a slope-lidded, carved box from carved white and red oak.

  • Sliding Lid Boxes: Promo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Sliding Lid Boxes: Promo

    S36 E2 - 30s

    Roy shows how to create easy-to-make wooden gift boxes with mitered corners and lids that slide in grooves.

  • Van Gogh’s Chair: Promo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Van Gogh’s Chair: Promo

    S36 E1 - 30s

    Roy brings Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpiece back to life as a post impressionist (and rung) version of his famous chair.

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