Adriana Knouf
@zeitkunst.bsky.social
Artist, writer, xenologist. Based in Amsterdam.
Artistic practice: https://tranxxenolab.net
Newsletter: https://letters.tranxxenolab.net/
This account only posts cross-posts from my Mastodon account. Please follow me there @zeitkunst@post.lurk.org.
Artistic practice: https://tranxxenolab.net
Newsletter: https://letters.tranxxenolab.net/
This account only posts cross-posts from my Mastodon account. Please follow me there @zeitkunst@post.lurk.org.
Back to the stand, finished now!
All edges were gently rounded using the spokeshave...they're not "perfect" roundovers but I like it that way.
Four coats of boiled linseed oil over two days. Renaissance wax for sealing. I think the wax and my smoothing plane is what gives the shininess of the
All edges were gently rounded using the spokeshave...they're not "perfect" roundovers but I like it that way.
Four coats of boiled linseed oil over two days. Renaissance wax for sealing. I think the wax and my smoothing plane is what gives the shininess of the
July 20, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Back to the stand, finished now!
All edges were gently rounded using the spokeshave...they're not "perfect" roundovers but I like it that way.
Four coats of boiled linseed oil over two days. Renaissance wax for sealing. I think the wax and my smoothing plane is what gives the shininess of the
All edges were gently rounded using the spokeshave...they're not "perfect" roundovers but I like it that way.
Four coats of boiled linseed oil over two days. Renaissance wax for sealing. I think the wax and my smoothing plane is what gives the shininess of the
Back at it! Making a slightly larger platform this time as a gift. I'm showing all of the messiness here, pre-final planing and finish. I tried a different way of chiseling out the waste but still had some rather large gaps on my pin boards. I think I just need to adjust the intensity of my mallet
July 13, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Back at it! Making a slightly larger platform this time as a gift. I'm showing all of the messiness here, pre-final planing and finish. I tried a different way of chiseling out the waste but still had some rather large gaps on my pin boards. I think I just need to adjust the intensity of my mallet
Saw some cool art. And some hand planes in a painting.
May 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Saw some cool art. And some hand planes in a painting.
Small table/platform complete!
As I was learning dovetails this weekend I was like, "why don't I try and make a small dovetailed platform in some of the sapeli offcuts I have from Quanto Canto? How hard can that be?"
(If you don't know, sapeli is a very hard, dense wood, harder than hard maple,
As I was learning dovetails this weekend I was like, "why don't I try and make a small dovetailed platform in some of the sapeli offcuts I have from Quanto Canto? How hard can that be?"
(If you don't know, sapeli is a very hard, dense wood, harder than hard maple,
May 20, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Small table/platform complete!
As I was learning dovetails this weekend I was like, "why don't I try and make a small dovetailed platform in some of the sapeli offcuts I have from Quanto Canto? How hard can that be?"
(If you don't know, sapeli is a very hard, dense wood, harder than hard maple,
As I was learning dovetails this weekend I was like, "why don't I try and make a small dovetailed platform in some of the sapeli offcuts I have from Quanto Canto? How hard can that be?"
(If you don't know, sapeli is a very hard, dense wood, harder than hard maple,
The carcass is dovetailed and assembled!
Somehow the entire thing is square too :)
My dovetail skills are improving, slowly. I'd say that out of all the dovetails in this piece maybe 2-3 of them are really good :) But a lot of the gaps will disappear once I do the final planing.
Tomorrow I'll
Somehow the entire thing is square too :)
My dovetail skills are improving, slowly. I'd say that out of all the dovetails in this piece maybe 2-3 of them are really good :) But a lot of the gaps will disappear once I do the final planing.
Tomorrow I'll
May 19, 2025 at 11:27 PM
The carcass is dovetailed and assembled!
Somehow the entire thing is square too :)
My dovetail skills are improving, slowly. I'd say that out of all the dovetails in this piece maybe 2-3 of them are really good :) But a lot of the gaps will disappear once I do the final planing.
Tomorrow I'll
Somehow the entire thing is square too :)
My dovetail skills are improving, slowly. I'd say that out of all the dovetails in this piece maybe 2-3 of them are really good :) But a lot of the gaps will disappear once I do the final planing.
Tomorrow I'll
Sharpening nerdiness ahead, so please move on if you're not interested :)
This, my friends, is a burr. First time I've gotten a continuous burr off my chisel while honing on the strop. I was pleased :)
(For those who don't know, a burr is what is created when sharpening and honing, as it's the
This, my friends, is a burr. First time I've gotten a continuous burr off my chisel while honing on the strop. I was pleased :)
(For those who don't know, a burr is what is created when sharpening and honing, as it's the
May 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Sharpening nerdiness ahead, so please move on if you're not interested :)
This, my friends, is a burr. First time I've gotten a continuous burr off my chisel while honing on the strop. I was pleased :)
(For those who don't know, a burr is what is created when sharpening and honing, as it's the
This, my friends, is a burr. First time I've gotten a continuous burr off my chisel while honing on the strop. I was pleased :)
(For those who don't know, a burr is what is created when sharpening and honing, as it's the
Time to learn the ever tricky dovetail!
All hand cut of course. I've watched hours of tutorials on it, so I had a good idea of how to approach things. The first three photos are from my second complete joint which has nearly perfect tails, but my cutting out of the waste around the pins leaves a
All hand cut of course. I've watched hours of tutorials on it, so I had a good idea of how to approach things. The first three photos are from my second complete joint which has nearly perfect tails, but my cutting out of the waste around the pins leaves a
May 16, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Time to learn the ever tricky dovetail!
All hand cut of course. I've watched hours of tutorials on it, so I had a good idea of how to approach things. The first three photos are from my second complete joint which has nearly perfect tails, but my cutting out of the waste around the pins leaves a
All hand cut of course. I've watched hours of tutorials on it, so I had a good idea of how to approach things. The first three photos are from my second complete joint which has nearly perfect tails, but my cutting out of the waste around the pins leaves a
Latest steps: chiseled out a rebate for the back, cut out areas for moldings, and cut and shaped a curve with roundovers. My spokeshave worked somewhat okay but is still a bit fiddly. And my HBM spokeshave with a round bottom is a piece of shite, useful only as a boat anchor. Had to do some
May 14, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Latest steps: chiseled out a rebate for the back, cut out areas for moldings, and cut and shaped a curve with roundovers. My spokeshave worked somewhat okay but is still a bit fiddly. And my HBM spokeshave with a round bottom is a piece of shite, useful only as a boat anchor. Had to do some
Early work on a new build whereby I am following a course that teaches all of the basics of hand-tool woodworking. So all of these pieces have been shaped, planed, thicknessed, and squared by hand. I used my refurbished rebate plane to cut the groove on the back. And then cut the dado for the
May 13, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Early work on a new build whereby I am following a course that teaches all of the basics of hand-tool woodworking. So all of these pieces have been shaped, planed, thicknessed, and squared by hand. I used my refurbished rebate plane to cut the groove on the back. And then cut the dado for the
Who needs cardio when you have to resaw wood?
Those four boards were once two boards before they were hand sawn in (basically) half. Got some work to do on my resawing skills, but they're close enough for the next steps in this project.
Those four boards were once two boards before they were hand sawn in (basically) half. Got some work to do on my resawing skills, but they're close enough for the next steps in this project.
May 11, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Who needs cardio when you have to resaw wood?
Those four boards were once two boards before they were hand sawn in (basically) half. Got some work to do on my resawing skills, but they're close enough for the next steps in this project.
Those four boards were once two boards before they were hand sawn in (basically) half. Got some work to do on my resawing skills, but they're close enough for the next steps in this project.
(cont'd)
And that's a restored fillister plane and its first shavings. I sharpened the nicker and the iron together (from their dull, vintage state) within maybe 10 minutes total. And got beautiful, twirly shavings with a glass-smooth finish.
So yes, I heartily recommend that sharpening course.
And that's a restored fillister plane and its first shavings. I sharpened the nicker and the iron together (from their dull, vintage state) within maybe 10 minutes total. And got beautiful, twirly shavings with a glass-smooth finish.
So yes, I heartily recommend that sharpening course.
May 8, 2025 at 9:35 PM
(cont'd)
And that's a restored fillister plane and its first shavings. I sharpened the nicker and the iron together (from their dull, vintage state) within maybe 10 minutes total. And got beautiful, twirly shavings with a glass-smooth finish.
So yes, I heartily recommend that sharpening course.
And that's a restored fillister plane and its first shavings. I sharpened the nicker and the iron together (from their dull, vintage state) within maybe 10 minutes total. And got beautiful, twirly shavings with a glass-smooth finish.
So yes, I heartily recommend that sharpening course.
Sharpening woes sorted!
I had followed all of the standard advice to get diamond plates and water stones for my sharpening. So I did. And struggled greatly with them, along with the mess. I couldn't get a decent edge, quickly. I always had to use a honing guide. I was rather despondent...if you
I had followed all of the standard advice to get diamond plates and water stones for my sharpening. So I did. And struggled greatly with them, along with the mess. I couldn't get a decent edge, quickly. I always had to use a honing guide. I was rather despondent...if you
May 8, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Sharpening woes sorted!
I had followed all of the standard advice to get diamond plates and water stones for my sharpening. So I did. And struggled greatly with them, along with the mess. I couldn't get a decent edge, quickly. I always had to use a honing guide. I was rather despondent...if you
I had followed all of the standard advice to get diamond plates and water stones for my sharpening. So I did. And struggled greatly with them, along with the mess. I couldn't get a decent edge, quickly. I always had to use a honing guide. I was rather despondent...if you
Why buy new tools when you can restore old ones?
Got these two wood, brass, and steel try squares for a great price. Just by the design, rust, and pitting on the steel I imagine they're at least 50 years old but could be much older. After taking my silicone sanding disks to them, and applying
Got these two wood, brass, and steel try squares for a great price. Just by the design, rust, and pitting on the steel I imagine they're at least 50 years old but could be much older. After taking my silicone sanding disks to them, and applying
May 7, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Why buy new tools when you can restore old ones?
Got these two wood, brass, and steel try squares for a great price. Just by the design, rust, and pitting on the steel I imagine they're at least 50 years old but could be much older. After taking my silicone sanding disks to them, and applying
Got these two wood, brass, and steel try squares for a great price. Just by the design, rust, and pitting on the steel I imagine they're at least 50 years old but could be much older. After taking my silicone sanding disks to them, and applying
I have, for the past two days, undesirably woken up early, probably because of the rising sun in my easterly bedroom window, but decided to walk groggily to the kitchen to see Venus in her morning aspect, a sight I rarely see as a result of my night owl nature.
May 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I have, for the past two days, undesirably woken up early, probably because of the rising sun in my easterly bedroom window, but decided to walk groggily to the kitchen to see Venus in her morning aspect, a sight I rarely see as a result of my night owl nature.
And finally, what am I making? Winding sticks!
These are sticks used to determine whether a board is "in wind", or has a twist in it. They're indispensable (so I'm told) when trying to flatten rough wood. You sight from one stick to the other and see how the back stick disappears behind the front
These are sticks used to determine whether a board is "in wind", or has a twist in it. They're indispensable (so I'm told) when trying to flatten rough wood. You sight from one stick to the other and see how the back stick disappears behind the front
April 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
And finally, what am I making? Winding sticks!
These are sticks used to determine whether a board is "in wind", or has a twist in it. They're indispensable (so I'm told) when trying to flatten rough wood. You sight from one stick to the other and see how the back stick disappears behind the front
These are sticks used to determine whether a board is "in wind", or has a twist in it. They're indispensable (so I'm told) when trying to flatten rough wood. You sight from one stick to the other and see how the back stick disappears behind the front
Okay, so this "tool" is actually used to make dowels :)
You cut stock to around the size of the hole, just a fraction of a mm larger, and then you hammer it through. Presto! You get a cylindrical piece of wood.
Professional ones use tempered steel and cost at least €80. Mine uses mild steel from
You cut stock to around the size of the hole, just a fraction of a mm larger, and then you hammer it through. Presto! You get a cylindrical piece of wood.
Professional ones use tempered steel and cost at least €80. Mine uses mild steel from
April 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Okay, so this "tool" is actually used to make dowels :)
You cut stock to around the size of the hole, just a fraction of a mm larger, and then you hammer it through. Presto! You get a cylindrical piece of wood.
Professional ones use tempered steel and cost at least €80. Mine uses mild steel from
You cut stock to around the size of the hole, just a fraction of a mm larger, and then you hammer it through. Presto! You get a cylindrical piece of wood.
Professional ones use tempered steel and cost at least €80. Mine uses mild steel from
... for the new tool I needed to make, I decided to try and drill a hole through 6mm thick steel with a hand cranked brace (what we call a drill these days, although this tool is "properly" called a brace). Was it hard? Not really...it just took a very long time in comparison to a cordless drill,
April 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
... for the new tool I needed to make, I decided to try and drill a hole through 6mm thick steel with a hand cranked brace (what we call a drill these days, although this tool is "properly" called a brace). Was it hard? Not really...it just took a very long time in comparison to a cordless drill,
Second stick done! The inlays (of what I think is oak) are not "perfect", but given that it was my first time doing it I'm still pretty pleased with how it went. One last thing to do, which required making a new tool...
April 12, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Second stick done! The inlays (of what I think is oak) are not "perfect", but given that it was my first time doing it I'm still pretty pleased with how it went. One last thing to do, which required making a new tool...
Working on my next hand-tool only project, another tool for my future projects :) Did some inlay of walnut in what I think is hard maple. If anyone can guess what this thing is part of I'll be duly impressed!
April 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Working on my next hand-tool only project, another tool for my future projects :) Did some inlay of walnut in what I think is hard maple. If anyone can guess what this thing is part of I'll be duly impressed!
More photos from the build.
April 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
More photos from the build.
Finally, my first complete hand-tool only project--a mallet.
Bought birch and ash firewood from the big box store, shaped it with a hatchet, and planed, sawed, chiseled, and card-scraped the two pieces you see that makeup the mallet. Birch head and ash handle. Cut my first mortise (a tapered one,
Bought birch and ash firewood from the big box store, shaped it with a hatchet, and planed, sawed, chiseled, and card-scraped the two pieces you see that makeup the mallet. Birch head and ash handle. Cut my first mortise (a tapered one,
April 9, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Finally, my first complete hand-tool only project--a mallet.
Bought birch and ash firewood from the big box store, shaped it with a hatchet, and planed, sawed, chiseled, and card-scraped the two pieces you see that makeup the mallet. Birch head and ash handle. Cut my first mortise (a tapered one,
Bought birch and ash firewood from the big box store, shaped it with a hatchet, and planed, sawed, chiseled, and card-scraped the two pieces you see that makeup the mallet. Birch head and ash handle. Cut my first mortise (a tapered one,
Meanwhile, I'm part of this pretty cool exhibition too, if I do say so myself, curated by some incredible people and alongside some very allied artists. Come by before 1 June if you can if you find yourself in Berlin.
https://kunstbruecke-am-wildenbruch.de/en/exhibitions/cosmopolitics
https://kunstbruecke-am-wildenbruch.de/en/exhibitions/cosmopolitics
April 4, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Meanwhile, I'm part of this pretty cool exhibition too, if I do say so myself, curated by some incredible people and alongside some very allied artists. Come by before 1 June if you can if you find yourself in Berlin.
https://kunstbruecke-am-wildenbruch.de/en/exhibitions/cosmopolitics
https://kunstbruecke-am-wildenbruch.de/en/exhibitions/cosmopolitics
Saw a cool looking hat today, nbd.
April 4, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Saw a cool looking hat today, nbd.
When you know that you should reboot your server but you're worried about all of the various projects that you've started servers for and didn't write the correct services for and are unsure if they'll restart after the reboot. Oops.
March 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
When you know that you should reboot your server but you're worried about all of the various projects that you've started servers for and didn't write the correct services for and are unsure if they'll restart after the reboot. Oops.
Grinding my tools like it's the early 20th century :)
(Sometimes learning hand woodworking is like yak shaving. You want to make a mallet? First need to restore, sharpen, and setup a plane. Want to chop the mortise? Need to grind, sharpen, and polish your chisels first. And maybe restore and
(Sometimes learning hand woodworking is like yak shaving. You want to make a mallet? First need to restore, sharpen, and setup a plane. Want to chop the mortise? Need to grind, sharpen, and polish your chisels first. And maybe restore and
March 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Grinding my tools like it's the early 20th century :)
(Sometimes learning hand woodworking is like yak shaving. You want to make a mallet? First need to restore, sharpen, and setup a plane. Want to chop the mortise? Need to grind, sharpen, and polish your chisels first. And maybe restore and
(Sometimes learning hand woodworking is like yak shaving. You want to make a mallet? First need to restore, sharpen, and setup a plane. Want to chop the mortise? Need to grind, sharpen, and polish your chisels first. And maybe restore and