In the 15 years John and I have run this company, we’ve never had a big “sale” for our books and tools. Sure, we’ve had to occasionally drop the price on a product we are closing out (remember “The Book of Plates?”). But we’ve tried hard to keep our prices fair and consistent, so that…
Read moreIf you have ever visited the Greenville Woodworkers Guild in Upstate South Carolina, you probably marveled at… everything. The machines. The space. The lumber storage. The multimedia room and furniture display areas. Me? I loved the sign over the slop sink. Above that sink was a sign that explicitly stated what was and what was…
Read moreThis week I’ve been reading a newly published set of six history books. And unfortunately, I should read them as quickly as possible because these books are designed from the get-go to fall apart in short order. As a consumer this is maddening. The set cost me $550 (or $91.66 per volume). And after inspecting…
Read moreWhen my mom died last year we tried to throw nothing in the garbage. We gave away everything to neighbors, friends and the local shelters. She would have wanted it that way. But no one wanted this white plastic shower caddy. So I took it, even though I don’t like plastic. I turned it into…
Read moreOne of the more important books in the Covington Mechanical Library is an inexpensive paperback from the 1990s. Long out of print, derided and forgotten. It’s “Building Classic Antique Furniture with Pine” by Blair Howard. And the reason I keep it on our shelves is because it makes me a better editor. Whenever I’m bleary…
Read more