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    Shop Tours

    Shop Tour: Michael Fortune

    Michael’s shop is full of woodworking genius and practicality, and in this video he gives our own Ben Strano a personal tour of his workshop and studio.

    Author Headshot By Michael Fortune Mar 06, 2020

    If you like words and woodworking, being an editor at Fine Woodworking is a dream job. Sure, there are stresses—deadlines being the biggest—but the rewards are amazing. Part of the job is traveling to authors’ shops to photograph and document the techniques or projects they are demonstrating. That’s the dream part—the photo shoot is like taking a one-on-one class with a master. It’s an incredible experience, and each author visit is new, fresh, and loaded with learning opportunities.

    One of my favorite trips was to Michael Fortune’s shop in Peterborough, Ont., Canada, back in 2008. Michael is an award-winning furniture maker and designer, with an awe-inspiring, self-built shop a couple hours from Toronto. It’s in a rural setting surrounded by a vast forest.

    When I arrived at the address, I wasn’t very sure that I was in the right spot. You can’t see the shop from the road, plus this was before I became a modern traveler with a smart phone. As I made my way up the drive, I saw to my left chairs hanging in the trees in random ways. I instantly knew I had found my woodworker.

    Click photo to see full size

    Michael’s shop is full of woodworking genius and practicality, and in this video Michael gives our own Ben Strano a personal tour of his workshop and studio.

    -Tom McKenna

    Resawing Veneer on a Sawmill

    Michael Fortune demonstrates one of his favorite outdoor activities, using his sawmill to resaw wide veneers.

    Bandsaw Tips: How to eliminate drift from your cuts

    A sharp blade isn’t the only answer to bandsaw drift. In this video Michael Fortune shows you two fixes to make your saw run true.

    How to Gear Up for Glue-Ups

    by Michael Fortune

    Keep the right stuff on hand and get better results

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    Comments

    1. GregBStevens | Mar 13, 2020 09:43am | #1

      Great video tour. Any idea who makes the shop apron that Mr. Fortune is wearing?

      1. User avater FWW Editor
        BenStrano | Mar 13, 2020 11:39am | #2

        I believe it's a bucket boss apron he's had for years and years. I don't know if it's still available.

    2. GregBStevens | Mar 13, 2020 01:07pm | #3

      Cool. Thanks, Ben.

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