Shop Notes & Rambles
The Rambles are the stories lived and learned over decades — the moments, the lessons, and the shop life that shaped the craft. They accumulate here, sorted by publish date. If you want the curated version, explore the Workshop Library.
Oscillating Belt Sander — Simplicity and Effectiveness. You Need One
An oscillating belt sander doesn’t look like much, but in a small shop it punches way above its weight. It keeps edges square, stops burn marks, prevents belt lines, and even converts into a spindle sander when you need curves cleaned up fast. It’s one of those rare box‑store tools that quietly earns its place under the bench — and by the end of this story, you’ll see why every woodworker eventually realizes they need one.