Journal
Field notes from the bench.
Workshop builds, tool restorations, and interviews with the people who use these things every day.
- Workshops · 6 min
Shop Tour: Dale's Bench in Redmond, Oregon
The 400 square feet where Ridgeworks started — and still ships out prototypes today.
Editors · 2026-05-30 - Restoration · 9 min
Restoring a 1918 Stanley No. 4
A hundred-year-old plane, four hours of work, and a smoothing plane that outperforms most new ones.
Ellis Torres · 2026-04-22 - Interviews · 12 min
Interview: Timber Framer Joyce Yamada
On raising a barn with hand tools, teaching apprentices, and why she'll never own a power planer.
Editors · 2026-03-10 - Builds · 15 min
Building the Ridgeworks Workbench, Weekend by Weekend
A five-weekend build for a proper joiner's bench in hard maple. Cut list and photos.
Dale Merrick · 2026-02-14 - Materials · 5 min
Why Hickory (And Not Fiberglass)
Fiberglass handles don't loosen and don't break. So why do we still make them from wood?
Dale Merrick · 2026-01-08 - Field Notes · 7 min
Traveling With Hand Tools
How to fly with chisels, saws, and marking gauges without losing anything to the TSA.
Nina Fowler · 2025-12-22 - Interviews · 4 min
Notes from an Apprentice's First Week
What a 22-year-old learned trying to cut a straight line for the first time.
Beau Larsen · 2025-11-15 - Workshops · 8 min
Heating a Workshop the Right Way
Woodstoves, radiant, mini-splits — how to warm a shop without ruining your finish work.
Editors · 2025-10-05 - Field Notes · 6 min
The 2025 Gift Guide for Real Makers
What to buy a woodworker who already owns most of it, according to us.
Editors · 2025-11-30 - Interviews · 6 min
Why We Still Teach Hand-Cut Dovetails
A jig cuts a perfect dovetail in ninety seconds. Here's why you should still learn to cut one by hand.
Dale Merrick · 2025-09-01