Spike Carlsen

Spike is an editor, author, carpenter and woodworker, who’s been immersed in the world of wood and woodworking for 30 years. He’s author of the award-winning "A Splintered History of Wood: Belt Sander Races, Blind Woodworkers and Baseball Bats" as well as "Woodworking FAQ" and "Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects." He’s written for Men's Health, Backyard Living, Make, Old House Journal, Fine Homebuilding, Fresh Home, The Minneapolis Star Tribune and other publications. He is former Executive Editor of Family Handyman magazine where he wrote hundreds of articles on home improvement and woodworking, and oversaw the creation the Readers Digest, Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual. He’s made appearances on the CBS Early Show, HGTV and Modern Marvels, and currently writes “The Great American Woodworker” for American Woodworker. Prior to picking up a pen he worked as a carpenter for 15 years, and ran his own construction and remodeling company. He and his wife Kat have five children and live in historic Stillwater, Minnesota.