Prior to the widespread adoption of chainsaws, two-person crosscut saws were common. Today their use is rare, partly because sharpening them requires expertise and some specialized tools (Saw Tools Archives – Crosscut Saw Company). The people who knew how to do it well are also rapidly disappearing. Here’s a link to the US Forest Service […]
For as long as humans have been building things from wood, there has been a need for workbenches to hold each piece as it is planed and sawed to final dimensions. I would guess the use of traditional workbenches peaked around the beginning of the 20th century prior to the widespread adoption of power tools. […]
I’ve been a fan of the Optimus 8R camp stove since I saw my Scoutmaster using one on backpacking trips over 30 years ago. They aren’t as light as modern backpacking stoves they don’t require a pump or compressed gas canisters which makes them super reliable. They also look great with the brass fuel tank.
If you like old power tools, you should definitely read about vintage Porter Cable belt sanders. They are prized by woodworkers for their balance and power and are often referred to as ‘locomotive’ sanders due to their styling. The Syracuse Project blog (Blog 1 — The Syracuse Project) seems to have a plethora of information […]
The American Society of Civil Engineers maintains a list of historic landmarks. If you want to find some near your home, they have a map of all the sites. One historic site that I’ve visited recently is the Crozet tunnel.