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Just finished building this Irish Gibson chair. It’s probably the simplest chair construction I’ve encountered. Details on our blog today.As the rain began to taper off in the afternoon, Jonathan looked both chests over one final time to see if there was anything he missed. His bony fingers searched for dust nibs, his eyes scoured for irregularities. He had been over these pieces time and again but wanted to make sure all was satisfactory. Mr. Johnson was pleased. The proportions were most agreeable, the drawers ran smooth, and the paint was just right. Nothing ostentatious, just tasteful and neat. It was a $14 well spent. Of all the furniture Jonathan made for his neighbors, this commission was the largest. Most customers ordered light stands, blanket chests or simple kitchen chairs, but the money from this project was an unexpected godsend to their family. — from “Hands Employed Aright: The Furniture Making of Jonathan Fisher (1768-1847)” by Joshua A. Klein #Hands_Employed_ArightAnd how should we finish up this Chest of Drawers? “The Joiner and Cabinet Maker” suggests grain-painting it to look like oak, then adding wooden knobs that are ebony or painted to look like it. Also recommended: Adding a strip of flat or beaded wood around the bottom of the case to cover the dovetails. Then paint this strip black as well. Contemporary tastes don’t go for grain-painting, and we like our joinery exposed. And this chest looks just fine to the modern eye if simply varnished. In fact, some people have asked me if the piece was a Shaker design. That’s an interesting comment, as early Shakers were from England and were trained in the shops of 18th-century masters. It wasn’t until the Shakers started training their own followers in cabinet making that the Shaker style became extremely refined like what you see in the Eastern Shaker communities in the middle 19th century. The chest in this book is made using American black cherry, which does not take well to complex dyes. So I decided to use a finish that would be simple, as this is not a high-style piece, and would be in line with the practices of the period. — from “The Joiner and Cabinet Maker” by Anon, Christopher Schwarz and Joel Moskowitz #The_Joiner_and_Cabinet_Maker@RudeMechanic on Twitter
- Dec. 14 Open House Special Guests blog.lostartpress.com/2019/12/13/dec… https://t.co/zMVQUFb7Sa 17 hours ago
- Another Gibson Chair blog.lostartpress.com/2019/12/12/ano… https://t.co/ACP2BcWsFP 1 day ago
- 2019 Anarchist’s Gift Guide, Day 10: Berea College Brooms blog.lostartpress.com/2019/12/10/201… https://t.co/x4MO81trXA 4 days ago
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Category Archives: Grandpa’s Workshop
The Artistry of Tools
The trades of the carpenter, joiner, cabinetmaker and turner, and their tools, have long been an inspiration for artists. Woodworkers and tool historians have, in turn, studied artwork to learn how tools were used in the past and how they … Continue reading
Books in the French Tradition
You know that this post is going to be about André-Jacob Roubo. But not entirely. For me, woodworking books in the French tradition begin with a title we haven’t been able to publish from the “other André” – André Félibien’s … Continue reading
In the meantime, tomorrow, there is school.
This is an excerpt from “Grandpa’s Workshop” by Maurice Pommier. Pépère watched me with a strange expression. He ran his fingers through my hair, and he said, in the softest voice : — That’s the story… — But I woke up just afterward! Tell … Continue reading
Posted in Grandpa's Workshop
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Pépé Clothaire’s Tool Chest
This is an excerpt from “Grandpa’s Workshop” by Maurice Pommier. The darkest corner of Pépère’s shop both fascinates and frightens me. It is full of spiderwebs and dust. It is there that Pépère keeps the tools he doesn’t use anymore. … Continue reading
Posted in Grandpa's Workshop
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‘Grandpa’s Workshop’ in Chalk and Asphalt
Graphic designer and woodworker Tom Buhl reproduced an illustration of “Grandpa’s Workshop” for the Santa Barbara I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival, and it is quite cool. You can see more photos of the painting being made here. See more … Continue reading
Posted in Grandpa's Workshop, Personal Favorites
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The Mad Chef Abuses Fine Belgian Beer
Editor’s note: Normally, we would not post a blog entry such as this, where a writer abuses a fine Belgian ale. But because this is Brian Anderson, who happily translated “Grandpa’s Workshop” for all of us, I am willing to … Continue reading
Posted in Grandpa's Workshop
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The Mad Chef’s Milk Paint gets a Shellacking
Despite word from Tibet from my milk paint supplier that Agnes the yak was busy assembling her hope chest and flirting shamelessly with a certain strapping young specimen of yakhood, I decided that I needed to take the bull by … Continue reading
Posted in Grandpa's Workshop, Mouldings in Practice
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