The Bench Talk Blog —
News & notes from your friends here at Mr. Sawdust
This is simply our place to share whatever’s worth telling about all things Mr. Sawdust. We call it that as a nod to the original Bench Talk — which was a truly one-of-a-kind newsletter circulated to students & friends of the first Mr. Sawdust School of Woodworking (starting back in the late 70’s).
Speaking of the original newsletter — would you believe we’ve scanned every-last-one (that we could find) and put them up online? You’re welcome to go enjoy each one. There’s a little something for everyone — you’ll see.
On that note, we’ve done one more thing. In between all the down-to-business details & class information, Wallace mixed in a small treasury of simple pieces of advice, thoughts on everyday life, curious quotes, and things we just plain love to read. We’ve pulled these choice lines out and gave them their own home – something we’ll call Coffee Talk here. We think you’ll appreciate it all just the same as we do.
The Master Plan
"There is a Master Plan for each of us. Because we do not comprehend this Plan without living through it, we must each devise our own 'working drawing', our tentative goals — and detailed drawings for our momentary, precise actions.”
Bringing back a century of timeless designs
While I started out just making “a few more shirts for the shop”… I kept at it for a few more.
Something over a hundred designs, for now. Factor in the color variations, that’s something over 1,000 distinct “wearables”. So, I guess I made a few more than a few.
Mr. Sawdust's thoughtful advice to a paraplegic woodworker
More than a few of the qualities that made Wallace such a class-act and an uncommon character – are all woven into his reply – to a man he never met, and likely never would. An instructor, an optimist, a salesman, a problem-solver, and simply a woodworker lending an ear, ready to make a new friend of a stranger.
The Biggest Little Saws You’ve Never Seen
These little radial arm saws are exactly half the size of the same model you might have and love in your workshop. While they’re miles from perfect, they’re neat enough to share, just as they are.
The Story Behind the Mr. Sawdust MBF
A story about a fantastic saw find, with some Mr. Sawdust history along the way…
Fascinating early DeWalt photo archive
A hidden-gem archive of early-era DeWalt machines/photos.
Thank you to Tommy Tompkins
Thank you to Tommy Tompkins and his great YouTube woodworking videos!
It’s Fall Again!
This is an excerpt from one of the Bench Talk newsletters, published by Mr.Sawdust while operating the "Mr.Sawdust Schools of Professional Woodworking" in Chester NJ during the 70's and 80's.
Happy New Year from the folks at Mr. Sawdust!
I always like to begin a new year with "A Pep Talk from Mr.Sawdust”. He was a great motivator – and we can all use some of that when beginning a brand new year!
Another Side of Mr. Sawdust
Saying goodbye to summer is always bittersweet – Autumn is ahead of us – such a beautiful season! Today I share the story of "Another Side of Mr. Sawdust."
A tribute to Mrs. Sawdust, Jean Kunkel.
On March 23rd the Kunkel Family lost it's matriarch – "Mrs. Sawdust" – Jean Sanatass Kunkel. She will be profoundly missed!
A Christmas Surprise
The days before Christmas in Mr. Sawdust's home were filled with secrets—special projects being completed...lots of love and excitement! Here is a memory of a "Christmas Surprise" shared by Mr. Sawdust's daughter Mary.