The London School of Furniture Making

This small school based in North London is a very good customer and Helen who runs the school sent me these pictures of her students work. Here's a very nice deep box in mahogany with a pivot hinge lid. It's being proudly displayed by a very pleased student!

This is a similar style box but smaller  made from some wild grained ash, one of my favourite woods.
You can see more of the school and the work done there, on their website http://www.furnitureschool.co.uk/p/home-page.html

Dovetail Course Available to Book now!

West Dean College has just released the details for the next dovetail course I'll be taking. It runs over the weekend 6-8th May 2016 and costs £252 including materials. As always if you are interested don't delay as it books up quickly!
Details here https://www.westdean.org.uk/study/short-courses/courses/we6154-hand-cut-dovetails-made-easy

The course is for intermediate woodworkers, not beginners, and you will need to bring sharp tools along, although I will have saws and dovetail guide to borrow.

Each person will be making this dovetailed box complete with mitred lining and tilt top lid.
BTW these pics are of a students box, not one I made.

The course is intense but good fun and we are allowed to work on into the evening for those who want, or need to!

Adam Gamble Furniture

Adam Gamble is new customer and in our exchanges he told me he served a full apprenticeship at The Barnsley Workshop, lucky man! http://www.barnsley-furniture.co.uk/
A look at his website, which is still under construction, showed some wonderful workmanship. http://adamgamble.co.uk/

The piece that really caught my eye was this arts and craft style cabinet, clearly showing his Barnsley roots. Everything looks right about it, but it's the lovely details which really lift the piece, subtle but so effective.

Planes for Sale On Ebay

I've just posted a few more planes for sale on E Bay. Above is a very nice Preston smoother see the listing here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151914646082?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Next is a pre war Norris smoother, the adjuster needs attention but otherwise a lovely plane, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151914847594?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

An early Bedrock 5 1/2 jack in great condition http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151914862067?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

A rare Mathieson 4 1/2 smoother
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151914827602?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
And lastly below an equally rare Spiers No 14 smoother
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151914656463?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Fun Chair from the US

Dave a customer from the US sent me this picture of a popsicle chair he made for young children, very sweet!
If you are interested in seeing the full step by step project along with detailed plans you can see them here http://www.instructables.com/id/Childs-Popsicle-Stick-Deck-Chair/

Lovely Walnut Tool Chest

Michael from MI in the USA sent me these pictures of his version of my Mark 2 tool chest and a fine job he has done! Above were his first set of hand cut dovetails, I wish mine had looked like that!

 Here are all the parts ready for assembly.

The lid separated from the base, always a nerve racking time!

The completed box comes alive with a nice oil finish.

A nicely fitted interior with both a piston fit tray as well as a soft close lid. Michael really took his time over the piston fit and has been impressing his family and friends!

 A very neat chisels tray and below the completed interior.

Michael describes himself as a novice woodworker who undertook a number of firsts on this project. He says he's learned a lot in making his chest and he should be very proud of the end result.

Wooden Swords

Kim, a good customer from the US, sent me some pictures of some fine wooden saws he has made. I'd never heard of such things but you live and learn. There's more detail on his website  http://tangswords.wix.com/tang-wooden-swords