Jack of All Grains

Jack of All Grains Simple wooden items for everyday use. Made from local timber, using traditional hand tools and age old techniques.

A look at the current project we’re working on…
04/09/2026

A look at the current project we’re working on…

Notching a cool frame this week! Frame is for a large double bay port for a tractor and trailer. Looking forward to rais...
04/03/2026

Notching a cool frame this week! Frame is for a large double bay port for a tractor and trailer. Looking forward to raising this one! 😊

Pine shelving unit ready to head off to its new home.This unit designed to fit on a landing between floors in a local he...
04/01/2026

Pine shelving unit ready to head off to its new home.

This unit designed to fit on a landing between floors in a local heritage home here in Nelson.

Some bts from this weekends’ filming 🎥
03/30/2026

Some bts from this weekends’ filming 🎥

Little video showing the work flow using a hold fast while I ease the edges of some shelves that will be fitted into sto...
03/27/2026

Little video showing the work flow using a hold fast while I ease the edges of some shelves that will be fitted into stopped dados.

Not sure how I managed without these handy work holding friends for so long! They can’t do everything but they sure can do a lot… 😊 they are fairly inexpensive and can definitely recommend trying them out if you haven’t!

A couple of other photos showing how they can be used in pairs along a length, in this instance cleaning up the ends of the stopped dadoes in the side panels of the unit.

Another tool I’ve been delighted with this last year has been the router plane. This mid size Veritas one has been amazing for applications like this. Though I particularly love it for housing hinges and other door hardware.

I personally find it faster to use one of these and a chisel than setting up a router and building a bang up jig for the hinges I’m working with that day. A lot more pleasant too… No dust, no noise! 😎

Another number added to the small list of Canadian pole lathe turners! My friend Daniel came to stay for 3 days last wee...
03/24/2026

Another number added to the small list of Canadian pole lathe turners!

My friend Daniel came to stay for 3 days last week to learn to build a lathe and turn bowls!

He is working as a timber framer so the off cuts he brought along for us to build with were pretty substantial! This lathe is a beast and doesn’t have even the hint of vibration which is great.

We included some new design features after my visit to see last year, one of my favourites being the new pedal design that allows easy pedaling with either leg to help reduce fatigue. Also an S bent poppet centre to again help with vibration and short tool handles for shoulder bracing. No back rest yet but we’ll get there soon!

Daniel did an amazing job with his first bowl, getting some seriously clean finishing cuts off the jump which isn’t easy. It certainly took me a lot longer to get my head around the cutting of the hooks.

He is going to cut the headstock down shorter at a later date and do something creative with it.

Needless to say he is full of beans an excited to get going turning more. One thing I love about teaching others is getting to experience that early excitement and wonder over and over again. Happy turning!

Wild Cherry bowl fresh off the lathe. Equinox bringing some beautiful sunny days here, feeling grateful for spring time ...
03/24/2026

Wild Cherry bowl fresh off the lathe.

Equinox bringing some beautiful sunny days here, feeling grateful for spring time 🌱

Cool barn down in Washington. Wabi-sabi.
01/06/2026

Cool barn down in Washington. Wabi-sabi.

Old no.4 cutting sweet 😊
01/02/2026

Old no.4 cutting sweet 😊

Lovely to finally visit Geoff at his workshop during our brief stop in Bristol. So wonderful seeing what he’s build ther...
10/03/2025

Lovely to finally visit Geoff at his workshop during our brief stop in Bristol.

So wonderful seeing what he’s build there and the space he’s providing for others to learn especially in the absence of Cherry Wood Project these last years.

Geoff showed me some of the alterations he’s made to his lathe set up after studying George Lailey’s set up to allow for more ergonomical and efficient use so we can look after our bodies as we age 😅 I’m definitely going to be making some of these alterations to my own set up.

We turned an Oak plate together (mostly Geoff!) and had a good old catch up. Thanks for having us up mate and hopefully won’t be quite so long till we meet again 😊

Today, I became a Canadian citizen 🍁 🪓 🇨🇦
09/04/2025

Today, I became a Canadian citizen 🍁 🪓 🇨🇦

Shot of the wash house porch frame from today after its first winters duty. Had a lot of fun building this one! ...
04/08/2025

Shot of the wash house porch frame from today after its first winters duty.

Had a lot of fun building this one!

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Nelson, BC
V1L

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