I've just finished a very enjoyable two days, one to one teaching in my workshop. This is a lot easier than carting everything to West Dean College to teach and I get to sleep in my own bed. The only disadvantage is the small size of my workshop means I can't teach a group.
Here is Jim trying out my new Sauer and Steiner smoother to do some finishing planing. It worked very well with no tear out on the rippled ash and is very comfortable and friendly to use.
The two days were spent making a dovetailed box with a frame and panel lid. I had machined all the parts beforehand and made a box alongside Jim so I could demonstrate the techniques involved.
The carcass was made from quarter sawn olive ash and the solid panel was figured walnut.
I doubted whether Jim would be able to finish the box in two days but he did so with an hour to spare. They were 10 hour days with only a short break for lunch but never the less he did very well to get it done. What is all the more remarkable is that apart from making a dovetail alignment board before he arrived Jim had never cut dovetails before and indeed had never made a piece of furniture in his life!!
The dovetails were cut straight from the saw with every one fitting first time with no adjustments, which is more than I can say about the dovetails on the box I was making!
Jim did all this work himself, including perfect fitting hinges, no wonder he's smiling!
Looks fabulous well done Jim, don't forget David, I'm next ��
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Martin, I'll be in touch. Show season has started and I'm flat out making tools at the moment. All the best, David.
DeleteIf you ever come over to Maryland, I'd be happy to have some one to one instruction in my shop!
ReplyDeleteThank you I've had a few invitations to come to the US but it's a long way and it's so much easier teaching from my workshop where I know I've got everything I need.
DeleteLooks great, and glad to see someone do soooo well with great instruction and great tools.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the great instruction, I just showed him once and he did it! All the best, David.
DeleteLooks great and congrats to Jim. I wonder whether you can recommend a good supplier for good quality hinges, and what is your favoured method for cutting them - hand router or electric?
ReplyDeleteThe hinges on this box were made by Brusso and very nice quality. Andrew Crawford also makes great hinges for boxes. Both types are stop hinges opening to 95 degrees. As with many tasks I usually use both hand and power tools, a Makita laminate trimmer to remove the bulk of the waste and to give an accurate depth and then finish of to the line with sharp chisels. All the best, David.
DeleteIt was great instruction and the best course I have been on, the second best was David's Success with Hand Planes course at West Dean, that course taught me that it was my planes that needed sorting out not me! The finished box is testament to David's help and guidance over the two days, we both made mistakes but that was a positive because that's also how you learn. I am now inspired to make another piece, hopefully to the same standard. Thanks David, Jim
ReplyDeleteThank you Jim, there has been plenty of interest in the blog post of your box and all of it very complimentary. I look forward to seeing your next piece. All the best, David.
DeleteNice box, particularly like your board for planing the box sides, I
ReplyDeleteguess you use it for drawer sides as well. I usually cut a board to width to suit the drawer I am working on, it hangs around my workshop for a couple of months after and either gets cut for something else or gets binned,I then have to find something suitable for the next drawer job and the process repeats again and again!
Me too! I'm sure there must be a better way of doing this, I'll have to give it some thought. All the best, David.
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