As the knowledge of carpentry, cabinetmaking, joinery, and other various forms of woodworking grows amongst the current generation of practitioners we hear more and more about specific tools that were once made, were once common, and now are referred to only in the misty eyes of craftsman. We read that if we had this particular thing or that particular thing our work would be so much better. Many of these desirable tools have been reproduced in questionable quality or have been snapped up by collectors so that the only affordable samples are not very good. The purpose of this site is to provide what any good museum should provide: A knowledge-base of museum quality tools and a description of tools and techniques that once existed but are now gone. A museum should not be a fossilized, nostalgic look back to the past, so we hope to show how older tools can help you to be a better woodworker.

A great resource for making traditionally handcrafted Windsor Chairs.  As GCS puts it, “I’ve read this website from start to finish, it should be a book! Someone has spent a great deal of time for this to be so organized and complete. I use the internet all the time and it is rare to find so much detail in one spot. Thanks to you, whoever you are!” You can view chairmaking slideshows as well as find a chairmaker, find an instructor, or browse through chairmaking tips.

Founded in 1947, the International Wood Collectors Society is a non-profit Society devoted to distributing information on collecting wood, correctly identifying and naming wood specimens, and using wood in creative crafts.

People from all countries around the world are invited to join IWCS, enjoy the benefits of membership and discover more about nature’s wonder material — wood!