Letter from Canada: Vic Tesolin on his new book
Dear Woodworkers Down Under,
It’s been too long since I’ve been to your beautiful country. I will be sure to plan another visit once it becomes safe and possible to travel again. In the meantime, I thought I would give you a bit of an update on some things happening here at Vic Tesolin Woodworks. For the last two years I have been working on another “Minimalist Woodworker book”. While this book can stand on it’s own, it is a complementary follow-up to my first book, “The Minimalist Woodworker”.
“Projects From the Minimalist Woodworker” is a collection of projects that builds on the hand tool skills covered in the first book. Each project introduces new techniques that you can add to your toolbelt of skills in the shop. I cover topics like dovetailing, veneering, and cabinet construction. I also show you how to make a couple of woodworking hand tools that I could never be without.
In this book, you will find step-by-step instructions for the following projects: violin knife, smoothing plane, dovetailed box, perch stool, album crate, 6-board chest and a hanging wall cabinet.
Like the first book, all of the projects include plans, materials, photography, and instruction guiding you through each build. Also, all of the projects are shown being made with hand tools. Now I am not a hand-tool only woodworker, but as many of us know, you don’t need power to be a woodworker. I’m all about making woodworking accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable. I strive to remove barriers to woodworking. Not having power tools is not a good reason to not woodwork. No power, no problem. Hand tool woodworking can be extremely gratifying and is a great way to learn a new skill and work with your hands.
If you’re new to hand tools, this is a great book that shows you the practicality of them. That being said, anyone, with any collection of tools can benefit from this book. The projects all have a duality to them: if they turn out well you can feature them in the house, but if there were some tough lessons learned, you can use them in the shop. I’m really happy with this book and proud of the projects in it.
Well folks, that’s a quick overview of the book. You can always read a bit more about it, and check out what else is going on at VTW by going to my website www.victesolin.com. I really do to get down to Australia and New Zealand again soon. I miss the sights and most of all the people. I’ve met many great woodworkers and life-long friends. I hope you are all safe and healthy and I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
Enjoy the book and your time in the shop!...Vic
Projects from the Minimalist Woodworker: Smart Designs for Mastering Essential Skills
Pages: 144
Author: Vic Tesolin
Publisher: Blue Hills Press
Published: May 2021