And we're back...

Moving forward trimming the fat, shifting gears, adjusting to the economy is what's been going on.

Project #2 Complete!!!

Yes! It's finally finished. What a process. I ordered glass and it should be here today to protect the top from the elements. I learned alot form this piece and it was an exercise in true patience. I might add a shelf support to strengthen the top in case a large tv needs to go on top. Hopefully I will present tomorrow, and then focus 100% of my attention back on the chair.

Pics to come soon!

md

Status Update

so it's rather difficult to keep regular blog updates with a poor internet connection. and for some reason, my connection is better in the mornings than at night. go figure.

but as of late, things are moving along. i've 99% finished the sideboard and have started in on the next baby, an easy chair. no idea as to what kind of wood or cushion material to use as of yet. i am embarking on the mockup phase to get all of the angles and measurements dialed in before moving on to the secondary mockup. here's a pic of the initial design that is based off of a 1950s chair by edvard and tove kindt-larsen. more danish modern baby!

Dovetails Complete

so after about a week +, my dovetails are now finished, well at least the joints for 2 drawers are complete. i didn't realize how long this takes, but now having done it once (and twice, chalk one up to learning) i feel comfortable now in doing there and will try to squeek out a simple box along the way sometime before school ends this may. (sob sob)

tomorrow (less errand for the furniture show) will be spent on the finishing the rest of the drawers (rabbet for bottom panel, tweaks to the back of the drawer) some options for the bottom might be some cedar of lebannon, cypress, nutmeg, or port orford cedar.

i am glad i went with 2 drawers instead of 3. i think i got in a little over my head on this project, but that's what i am here to do is learn, right?!

after completion of the drawers, it's on the the back panel. then hanging the doors followed by the base. then it's on to the door/drawer pulls, flipper flappers and the buttons which will all be made out of macassar ebony.

It's been awhile...

happy 2010 out there! got the first semester under my belt and class begins back on the 4th of jan. i haven't been in the shop for over 1.5 weeks and and really joneing to get back at it.

the first semester was a learning one. for 2 months or so we work on several basic exercises including building 3 (smoother, jointer, and coopeing) wooden handplanes, krenov style. next we're some jointery tests (all done by hand) thru-dovetails, half blinds, mortise and tenon, the perfect board, dowelling, frame and panel, coopering and a few others.

upon completing these, we moved into the first project. i made hallway table made form american elm and kwila, which i will post when i get them. this was a "simple" project and i really wanted to focus on perfection (whatever that means). i'd say the greatest thing that i've taken away is that everything can be fixed and there's no need to panic, sh!t your pants...there's always a fix for 99% of when things go awry.

so after that, was onto my next project, the lowboard/sideboard/credenza, which is currently underway. the piece is made out of some peruvian walnut, apple bending ply, and have incorporated half-blinds dovetails, shopsawn veneers, and currently am making my own brass knife hinges. i've pulled out all the stops on this project and and trying to learn as much as i can before my departure in may. i'de like to do a third project of either a hollow wooden surfboard or a pair of mid century modern armchairs...only time will tell.

after that, there is an option of going for a second year (if selected) and possibly attending capellagarden in sweeden for one semester. we'll see how things go.

so that's my update for now. batteries are recgarged, surfed 10 out of 11 days and am ready to crank once again.

Notch Taper

Platform Taper Bed