I've been recovering from my trip to WIA this week. I felt incredibly proud to be there with Claire Minihan, Tim Manney and Caleb James. The next time you hear someone grumbling about todays youth...just send them my way and I will blow them out of the water with the talent and incredible work ethic of these three. I could go on and on about the show, it was a highlight of my year.
Here is a stool that I brought along. I really shouldn't have heaped building this onto my plate while preparing to leave, but I had this itch to build something new and fun and it certainly fit the bill.
The "magic" part of this is twofold. First of all, in the first photo, it looks like a 3 legged stool in the photo even though it has 4. With curved legs like this, that can only mean one thing. The sightlines run directly from the front leg to the rear on the opposite side of the seat. I've never done this before and am very pleased with the results.
The rear legs are closer together in the seat and are reamed at a slightly greater angle.
The other "magic" is the finish, which only took a few hours start to finish and came out great. I was hoping for a worn black lacquer look to go with the Asian style and am very pleased. I'll share the process in another post soon.
I agree Pete. These youts are making me feel OLD and tired. There's Hope!!!
ReplyDeleteBill
So are you going to blog about making long-nosed brad point bits out of cheap twist bits? Inquiring minds and all that.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for blowing my little mind with your chair building classes at WIA. It made me want to quit my cabinet shop and build windsor chairs in my basement. Maybe one day, but for now I'll just have to do that as a release from all the sheet goods I push. Thanks also to Claire, Tim and Calab for showing me someone our age can make a living doing the amazing work they do. They should expect tools orders from me in due time.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Neil
Stjones, I did a series on the bits back in 07' if you can believe that. I think it starts out with "My Favorite Grind", but you can find most of the posts on bits if you search "drill bits" in the search box,
ReplyDeletecheers,
Pete
Neil,
ReplyDeletethanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the classes, it was a thrill to be there.
Pete it was great to finally get to meet you. I have to say I was going to pass on WIA this year, until you were announced as one of the speakers.
ReplyDeleteI have been reenergized after your classes and talking with Clair, Tim and Caleb. You have associated yourself with some very exceptional and extremely talented folks.
I will be in the shop rehabbing some (3) old drawknives tomorrow and then putting my new Drawsharp to work.
Cheers,
Ray
Ray,
ReplyDeleteyou made quite an impression as well, everyone in the booth spoke of you by name and very well! Have fun with those knives. Be sure that the spine of each knife is silky smooth before you start! Let me know how it goes,
cheers,
Pete
I love the look of that stool. Did you bend the wood for the legs to achieve the curve near the foot?
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteGood of you to mention the fabulous young folks assisting in your area. I enjoyed talking to Claire while playing with the travisher.
The Windsor Innovations session was excellent way to begin WIA 2013.
Keep up the inspired work, thanks much.
Uh Oh! I was worried we were going to give you a complex calling you "old man". Looks like it worked! :)
ReplyDeleteI think this weekend was a never to be repeated experience. It was just the right energy at the right time. Really enjoyed myself. I wish I had taken at least one picture. Just goes to show how much fun and non-stop action it was.
Wow that finish is beautiful! I look forward to reading about how it was created. Sounds like I missed something fun at WIA, I need to find an excuse to attend one year, luckily I am still young :)
ReplyDeleteThe legs are indeed bent and because I used air dried oak, they only sat in the form for a few hours.
ReplyDeleteCaleb,
I love being the "old man" amongst you guys, it give me an excuse to ask for help!
Peter, great meeting you and thanks for answering the questions I had on the Windsor rocker, I knew you were getting pulled in 5 directions, so thanks again. Caleb, that you for the time spent on the moulding planes and showing me the calipers.
ReplyDeleteNot only do Clair, Tim and Caleb have the fine attributes Peter has enumerated, the young'uns share another very important virtue: good table manners.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rick, if you have more questions, just ask, given a bit more time I might just make sense!
ReplyDeleteTico,
Whenever we go to these events, Claire talks about you like you are the destination, and I agree. Thanks for joining us and making such cool tools!
Tico,
ReplyDeleteI have seen you post here for years now. It was great to meet you and have a chance to sit down and dine with you as well. See you at the next show I am sure.
Rick,
It was my pleasure.
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ReplyDeleteGood Site
ReplyDelete