This is a picture that my wife told me to get or not come home! Nice to have that kind of support. I don’t know how the kids would feel about her statement since my youngest is the only one that has ever said “no mommy, don’t kick daddy out!” Why tempt fate? So I made sure I got the photo.
This picture is of the second night at the Woodworking in America conference. I was un-stressing from the day. My first assignment was to introduce Mr. Michael Dunbar. Yes, that Mr. Dunbar. A person of legend whom I have never met. I hope I didn’t mess it up. On Sunday, I was slotted to introduce Mr. Frank Klausz another legend I have never met. After hearing him answer a question with “because that is stupid!” I was glad I called him “Mr.” Klausz.
One of the great benefits of being Chris’s apprentice is being able to help out and go to these events. WIA was spot-on fantastic. It was hard to pick which seminar to go to. On day two, I was privileged to introduce Brian Boggs. Wow! I had no idea of how much there is know about wood. I sat in awe as he explained things about wood that I had never heard before. Hearing the meticulous way he monitors wood moisture and applies hide glue twice, it is no wonder his chairs don’t come apart. In fact one of the people asked him about joint failure on his chairs, to wit he said with sincere humility, I don’t know because I have never had a chair come back.
I got to hear about 18th century chisels from Adam Cherubini and watch him use his four-foot plus bowsaw. He had to look behind him before sawing so he didn’t take someone out. I watched an attendee from Idaho round the corner and spy Adam. Her mouth opened and her camera came out. I bet that picture was a keeper.
Last but not least is my new international drinking partner, Phil from Phillyplanes in the UK, which reminds me of the only downside to the event. The 8 a.m. starting time.…
— John Hoffman
John
WIA was awesome – rubbing shoulders with so many woodworking legends was almost too much! And I thank you for taking pity on an innocent foreigner – glad we found the Paddy Wagon.
‘Til the next time…
Philly
Oh darn John,
A beer with Roy Underhill is my secret fantasy! (and you met Adam, lucky bastard). I hope I will make it next year!
Yes I forgot to mention there was beer there!
JH
What was the question that Mr. Frank Klausz answered with "because it’s stupid"?
John was Brian Boggs applying hide glue to drying wood? Tell us more, please.
Ray
Hi sorry for the late response. On Mr Klaus: He said he beveled the inside of the tails so the assembly is easier. Someone didn’t hear the statement completely and asked if he beveled the inside or the outside of the joint. Well if you bevel the outside it would be visible and the joint would look sloppy, but when that point became obvious, Mr Klaus said I don’t bevel the outside of the joint because it would be stupid, to wit the crowd laughed and it was all in good spirits.
On Brian’s chairs, he said that the chair parts are kept in a kiln up to the point that they are pulled out for gluing. He said he keeps the legs at 4% moisture. I mean he is completely aware and monitoring the exact moisture of the wood. He also does amazing things with hide glue. He (I could be a bit off here because I was overwhelmed with information) gets stronger or weaker bonds from hide glue based on the tempature the glue is. He also double glues the joints. He coats them, lets the glue dry then glues the joint again with hot glue and assembles. He also has the joint tolerences down pat.
Hope that helps, thanks for the questions.
John