I developed a serious interest in making sawdust with power tools. Luckily I didn't hurt myself.

I sold or gave away all of my tools and wood when I left California for Thailand.  I do miss it sometimes but it doesn't make sense to try to get up to speed with woodworking here.

My new woodworking neighbor buddy is starting a user-driven web site called CraftBuddy.  It's a free place for people who do all kinds of work with their hands to get together, contribute knowledge and show off their work.  I plan to write some articles, starting with one about my acoustic guitar project.  I highly recommend you join and make the world a better place by sharing your skills.

I've moved to Paso Robles, California in June 2007 and I'm building a new woodworking shop in the building behind my house.

This is my old woodworking shop back in Austin.

Projects: (newest at the top)

• Mission Dresser - in progress
• Another oak bookcase, 3rd in the series
• Router table
• Ben's Tiger Maple and Rosewood Box
• Replica of Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar page 1 and page 2
• Faheem's rolling tool stand
• Faheem's playhouse
• Another oak bookcase
• Jim & Mary's bookcase
• Computer rack
• Killing then repairing my Table Saw
• Guitar holders
• Oak bookcase
• Knife block
• Morris chair, from Norm's plan.
• Rolling tool stand
• Jewelry cabinet, from Norm's plan.
• Turning bowls
• Baby cradle
• Steamer trunk
• Action figure storage cabinet
• Rolling Table Saw cabinet for my Delta 36-600 table saw.
• My backyard deck.

Video archives for

• New Yankee Workshop,
• Wood Works,
• DIY Handmade Music,
• DIY Woodturning
• DIY Tools and Techniques
• DIY Ultimate Workshop
• DIY Refinshing
• DIY Habitat for Humanity

Special tools

I've had the good fortune to meet David Marks, award winning craftsman and host of the DIY Channel's Wood Works show, several times. The first was an informal class at the Austin Woodcraft store on March 6, 2004, a sharpening, scraping, inlay and finishing class he taught on December 6, 2004, a visit to his workshop in California, and a bowl turning class on October 26, 2005.

Tommy Silva at the Austin Home and Garden Show, Sep. 18, 1999

My trip to M & G Sawmill

Pictures of the This Old House Winter 2006/2007 project in Austin

Favourite links:

• His Plaidness, Norm Abram and the New Yankee Workshop See my list of recorded videos
• David Marks and Wood Works.  See my list of recorded videos
• Delta
• Jet
• DeWalt
• Porter Cable
• Woodcraft has a store in Austin
• Woodworking News Group: rec.woodworking
• The Scary-Sharp system - it works!

Every now and then, I have something from my shop for sale, generally because I'm in the process of upgrading. To see what's for sale now, check here.