Nick Offerman's Blog, page 4

Off Cuts! episode 2

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Episode 2 of ‘Off Cuts’: Redwood Slab continued, makin’ it strong!

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Whiskey & Woodchips: the Offerman tasting corner #1

 

Our tasting guide/guru Thomas has some words on our first OWS tasting corner:

Several years ago, the shop was contacted with an unusual commission request: a bung mallet. Ryan Montgomery, proprietor of Montgomery Distillery, a kickass craft distillery in Missoula, Montana, wanted a mallet to use on the barreling of their first aged spirits. This year they were kind enough to send us a couple bottles of their very limited “Early Release Straight Rye Whiskey.” Clearly, a post-work tasting was necessary! It should be noted that woodworkers, by nature, are often congested, and spend most of the day breathing and eating sawdust. With that in mind, here are the crew’s tasting notes, in mostly their own words

Montgomery Distillery “Early Release Straight Rye Whiskey”

Distillery: Montgomery Distillery, Missoula, Montana

Specs: 2 years old, aged in new oak barrels. 90 proof, 45% ABV.

Mash bill: 100% rye

Color: Medium amber

Nose: Molasses, Sherry, “lumberjack’s armpit” (read: oaky and herbal?), butterscotch, maple, camphor, “I just smell wood and alcohol”

Taste: Smooth and spicy, but not overpowering. Crème brûlée, honey, cherry, tobacco, orange. “stings like a splinter”

Finish: buttery, long finish

Overall, we concluded that it was an excellent rye, we just wished the bottles were bigger.

We give it 8 out of 10 chisels.

keep tasting…

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Off Cuts! episode 1

We are please to present Matt Micucci’s new shop series, ‘Off Cuts’!

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OWS and Would-Works, a woodworking program for those in need

Matt Micucci has been spending Saturdays with Would-Works, here’s what he has to say about it:

It’s a bright, sunny Saturday morning in downtown Los Angeles. To be more exact I’m in the area known as Skid Row. It’s early but the streets are filled with the hustle and bustle of it’s tenants. I can’t seem to find the exact address I’m supposed to be at so I pull my car over. As I scan my iphone for past e-mails with the address a woman holding a broom taps on my window. ‘If you’re just going to sit there would you mind pulling up so I can sweep this area of the the street?’ she said. I looked around and realized I had parked right in front of her tent. As I moved my car forward I could see my contact Connor waving from across the way telling me where to park. I could tell this was going to be a truly educational and inspiring day.

Would-Works is a program created by a young man named Connor Johnson. It’s designed to give men and women in need an opportunity to work towards specific goals. More specifically Connor provides a workshop where people living in poverty can learn basic woodworking skills, create beautiful items for sale, and earn money for their goals. For example, if someone needs new eyeglasses, rent money, or clothes for an upcoming job interview, they can sign a contract with Would-Works outlining their goal and commitment to completing it. Every hour the artisan works they earn 10 credits. If for instance the new eye glasses they need are $200 dollars they will need 200 credits which equals 20 hours. Over the course of a few workshops they can achieve their hours and Would-Works cuts a check for $200 directly to the eye doctor.

We at the Offerman Woodshop often get very busy during the fall as we gear up for the holiday season. It’s sometimes challenging for us to keep up with our web store items while tackling larger, custom furniture jobs. So we decided to team up with Connor and the Would-Work artisans to help us on some sanding and finishing. As I parked I was greeted by 5 Would-Works artisans all helping to unload my car and set up the work space. Today we were working in a narrow garage like space with dim lighting. The normal gymnasium they use had been unavailable to us. We set up some folding tables, connected a few clip lights and went to work. One thing we were concerned about was the specificity of each item. We have a sanding and finishing quality at OWS that is very high. But the 5 workers were a quick study and highly detailed in their work.

As Connor and I worked alongside these folks I got to learn a little more about them and their stories. The common thread between them was a desire to work and better their lives. No one wanted a hand out. They wanted to earn their money. And the level of work they did was beyond the 10 dollars an hour they earned. The sense of pride as they are working is palpable among the sound of orbital sanders. For this Saturday they had a purpose. A job to do.

Connor explained to me that every night on Skid Row in Los Angeles there are 4,000 to 5,000 homeless men, women and children. The program he has created is small. But the mission is huge. And honest. And it’s working!

The Offerman Woodshop is excited and proud to help with the Would-Works’ mission and we plan to continue an ongoing partnership.

Please check out the Would-Works website: http://would-works.com/magento/

Perhaps consider purchasing one of their fine bottle openers or cutting boards for a holiday gift.

They are currently looking for a more permanent home base to work out of so if anyone has a lead please feel free to contact : hello@would-works.com

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Free Woodworking Class for Vets

November 11th is Veteran’s Day.

On Saturday, November 14th, Off the Saw in Los Angeles will be honoring our veterans by offering a free Introduction to Woodworking class to any vets of any war who wish to participate. Please contact laura@offthesaw.com to sign up.

Off the Saw’s commitment to vets is just a small token of thanks to those who have, and are currently, serving our country.

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Labor Day Sale

ATTENTION LABORERS!  Get yourself a set of new britches at 10% off in our store through Friday the 11th.  Work hard, work dirty, look pretty.  OWS

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***Fourth of July Special***

 

Folks.

We are less than a week away from the most glorious of the American holidays, and I don’t mean International Bacon Day.  I mean the day that, in its glorious amalgamation of grilled meats, freshly brewed beer, outdoor revelry, and incendiary artwork, has no rival among all the holidays of mankind.   So, in order to contribute to your Fourth of July shenanigans in our small way:  starting right now, the first hundred orders will get a free (and insufferably badass) OWS “America” koozie.   Plus, step up your barbecue attire with the new  “work hard work dirty” OWS tank.

Offer last until the end of day July 5th, good while supplies last.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nick’s new book “Gumption” is now on presale!

Dear friends of OWS – we are proud to announce that Nick’s new book is now on Presale!!

“Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America’s Gutsiest Troublemakers”

In this book – Nick focuses on the lives of people who have inspired him. From George Washington to Willie Nelson, he describes a few dozen of these heroic figures and why they inspire in him such great meaning.

Check it out at the following online outlets:

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Lift Light Charity Event

LIFT, a not-for-profit that helps alleviate poverty and homelessness, asked us to make a light up sign for their charity event last week.  Luckily we have a resident light designer!  Jane took the reins gladly, here are some photos from the event and the process of making the light.

In addition to auctioning off notable artwork, LIFT attendees could donate and light up a bulb!

More and more bulbs were lit as the night progressed.

Each letter had two layers, a back-lit larger orange letter created a ‘drop shadow’ effect.

The front layer of letters were painted a gradient blue, getting lighter at the top, to emphasize the meaning of the word.

A peek inside, nice and tidy wiring.

One by one they came together!

The crew at the event.  Congratulations LIFT!!

More information about LIFT

 

 

 

 

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Work Sharp 3000 introduced by Matty!

Matty gave us all an introduction to the Work Sharp 3000 recently and would like to impart this knowledge to all of you!

This winter the shop received the Work Sharp 3000 Sharpener. I won’t mention the previous methods of sharpening (both old school traditions and modern sharpening wheels). But lets just say sharpening our tools was a chore that many disliked and often put off for too long. Remember the old adage ‘Teach a man to chisel he works for a day. Teach a man to sharpen a chisel he goes to the bar early.” Don’t know that one? How about this old chestnut: “A dull tool makes a dull mind”. No?

“Sharpen your chisel or shizzle my nizzle”? These are some woodworking classics that have been passed down from generation to generation. In any case we all know the benefits of working with sharp tools. It’s significant for accuracy, safety, and time.

The Work Sharp 3000 is capable of sharpening many things. So far I’ve only used it on my most recent chiseling project. We were cutting and fitting over a hundred dove tails in white oak. I started the project by bringing a few chisels up to speed. Then placing a micro bevel on them.

The Work Sharp made short work of it. Once the micro bevel was on re-sharpening took less then 30 seconds per chisel. It’s so easy. The heat sink device keeps your tool cool without oils and water. There is an adjustable fence that helps guide the chisel when plunging. Even changing angles is a piece of cake. It’s the simplest and most accurate way I have ever learned to sharpen.

I’m still relatively new to woodworking but I have truly learned the benefit of working with a sharp and accurate tool. I was sincerely impressed and I highly recommend picking up the Work Sharp 3000 for your shop.

P.S. How about this one: “One sharp chisel in the hand is better then two sharp chisels in the bush.” Anyone? No? Ok.

Work Safe!  — Matty

 

 

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