BobLang's Blog at LumberJocks.com http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog Fri, 17 May 2013 01:29:06 GMT New Book on Arts & Crafts Furniture Coming in June http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/36064

14 of my articles on building reproductions of Arts & Crafts style furniture, that were originally published in Popular Woodworking over the last 9 years have been collected in a new book “Classic Arts & Crafts Furniture: 14 Timeless Designs”. You can pre-order a signed copy directly from me.

Details and a preview at my website

]]> Fri, 17 May 2013 01:29:06 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/36064 BobLang BobLang SketchUp Class Schedule http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/32279 I have a busy few months ahead, teaching SketchUp at both Woodworking in America conferences (Pasadena, California October 12-14 and Cincinnati, Ohio November 2 & 4) Then I’m hosting a four-day class in Cincinnati November 16-19, and I’ll be traveling to Atlanta for another four-day class November 27-30 thanks to the Gwinnett Woodworkers Association.

If you want to learn how to use SketchUp to plan your projects, without the frustration that can come from trying to teach yourself, consider joining me for one of these classes. Complete details on my blog

]]> Sat, 29 Sep 2012 23:49:45 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/32279 BobLang BobLang SketchUp Classes in Cincinnati Nov. 16-19 http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/32077 I’ll be teaching a four-day class on SketchUp this Nov 16-19 in Loveland, Ohio (Suburban Cincinnati area). What can a class give you that free online videos don’t? A structured series of lessons to help you over the hurdles that most new users struggle with, someone who knows what they are doing looking over your shoulder to coach you on your technique, and a fun group of fellow woodworkers. And cushy seats, breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks.

More information at readwatchdo.com

]]> Sat, 15 Sep 2012 22:48:17 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/32077 BobLang BobLang New Book of Craftsman Furniture Shop Drawings http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/31475 If you’re a fan of Arts & Crafts, Mission, Craftsman or Stickley furniture, you should have a look at my new book the “Great Book of Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture”. It’s a compilation of three of my previous books, 328 pages of authentic details, techniques for building reproductions and shop drawings of 57 original period pieces.

You can buy a signed copy now from the author (me) and have it weeks before it will be widely available. Visit my website and get free shipping until Labor Day.

Bob Lang

]]> Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:26:34 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/31475 BobLang BobLang Arts & Crafts, Mission, Stickley Furniture Fans http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/30809

My new book, the “Great Book of Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture” is headed to the printer, and should be available in about a month. This is a compilation of three of my previous books, “Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture”, “More Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture” and “Shop Drawings for Craftsman Inlays & Hardware”. It contains measured drawings for 57 authentic pieces from the American Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th century.

You can get more information and reserve a copy directly from me at my website.

]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:26:50 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/30809 BobLang BobLang Woodworker's Guide to SketchUp Google+ Hangout http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/30594

I finally had a chance today to try out Google+ Hangouts, and I think I have found an exciting and effective way to share techniques for using SketchUp to design, plan and understand woodworking projects. Hangouts are a way that up to 10 people can interact online. With a hangout, you’ll be able to see what my screen looks like as I work, and if you’re having a problem with a technique, I can look over your virtual shoulder and see what’s happening on your screen and help you out.

I’d like to take this for a test drive, so I will be hosting a Hangout this Saturday, June 23rd at noon Eastern Daylight time. I don’t have a formal agenda for this, I’d like to spend about an hour showing some of the techniques from my book, classes and blog. I’ll also answer questions and show how I go about designing and planning furniture and cabinets using SketchUp.

There is a limit of 10 participants, so the first 9 e-mails I receive will get an invitation. If there is enough interest, I’d be happy to hold a second or even a third session. I think there is a great potential to use this technology to share, teach and learn, so I’m hoping to hear your ideas for possible class formats and subject areas.

Leave a comment below, with your suggestions, and visit my website to get on the list for this first of what I hope will be many hangouts.

]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:10:58 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/30594 BobLang BobLang Who Designed Stickley Furniture http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/30081 Read this excerpt from the introduction to my upcoming book “Great Book of Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture”. It discusses who was involved in creating Gustav Stickley’s Arts & Crafts masterpieces, and what we don’t know about history.

]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 16:56:57 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/30081 BobLang BobLang New "Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture" http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29707 I’ll be spending the weekend proof-reading the new compilation of three of my books, “Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture”, “More Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture”, and “Shop Drawings for Craftsman Inlays & Hardware”. Then the book heads to the printer, and I should have copies available to sell this summer. Details on this blog post

]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:30:51 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29707 BobLang BobLang SketchUp Classes in Cincinnati http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29684 I will be teaching SketchUp classes in Cincinnati, beginning this summer. The date, price, and location will be announced soon, but in the meantime, here is the plan. Classes will consist of two, two-day sessions, taught over a long weekend . . .
Click here for detailed information

]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:33:38 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29684 BobLang BobLang SketchUp Shortcuts Cheat Sheet http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29521 Speed up modeling in SketchUp by using a few simple keyboard shortcuts. Here is a pdf file for download that lists the most commonly used tools, and where to tap on the keyboard to make them magically appear.

Free Download SketchUp Shortcuts PDF

]]> Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:27:38 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29521 BobLang BobLang Old Repair on Stickley Chair http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29470 Here is a picture of an old Stickley Morris chair, with an unusual repair. It’s a good patch that I didn’t see at first, and now that I found it, I admire the skill of the guy who did it. Can you spot the repair?

Visit my blog for the full story, and a larger image

]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:05:26 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29470 BobLang BobLang Use SketchUp Without Learning SketchUp http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29378 Most software programs demand that you learn how to use them before you get any benefit. SketchUp, on the other hand delivers an incredible amount of information that you can mine with little effort, even if you can’t draw a line.

This post on my blog shows what you can get from existing models, and all you need to learn are a few simple commands.

]]> Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:26:31 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/29378 BobLang BobLang 10 Things I Wish I Had Known About SketchUp http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/28934 I’ve been posting on my blog about several things that took me a while to catch on to when I learned to use SketchUp to design, plan and communicate woodworking projects. I hit the goal of #10 earlier today, and thought I would share it. Follow this link to read this collection of tips and tricks for getting the most out of SketchUp in the least amount of time.

10 Things I Wish I Had Known About SketchUp

]]> Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:53:53 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/BobLang/blog/28934 BobLang BobLang