Woodworking School Blog, News
Outstanding Woodworking Student Work
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 26 October 2011 17:36
- Written by Lonnie Bird
- Hits: 724
As a woodworking instructor nothing pleases me more than to see the beautiful work by students. It’s very satisfying to see students advance from basic joinery and construction to mastering complicated pieces. Below are a few photos of recently completed student work:
Martha Agriesti—as you can see in the photo of this beautiful line-and-berry chest, Martha has attention to fine details. Martha built this piece in the May Keepsake Box class. The box features dovetailed construction, dovetailed bracket feet, and a hinged lid with breadboard ends. However, the most outstanding feature in this piece is the line-and-berry inlay, and as you can see in the photo, Martha perfected it.
Mike Maready—tiger maple is both beautiful and challenging; this dressing table demonstrates that Mike has both the patience and skill with hand tools to master this difficult wood. In addition to the dovetailed drawers and curvaceous cabriole legs, this piece also features a carved ogee fan prominently displayed on the front apron.
Paul Brown—Paul has mastered the skill of cutting dovetails; his dovetails are flawless and if you’re in a class with him he’ll surprise you at how quickly he can cut them. He attributes his finely honed skill to lots of practice. Paul has constructed many pieces of dovetailed casework at my school, a blanket chest, keepsake box, a spice box and this finely crafted secretary desk. The detailed gallery features a carved “tombstone” door flanked by fluted pilasters. Paul was pleased when a recent visitor to his home thought that his desk was an antique.
Ed Gerrard—Ed has a love of woodworking that goes back many years and it’s very obvious as you work with him. Like all fine craftsmen Ed’s not satisfied with less than perfection and he works diligently to achieve it. He built this line-and-berry spice box in the May class; Ed’s inlay on the door is striking and behind the door are thirteen finely fitted dovetailed drawers.
Many thanks to Martha, Mike, Paul and Ed and to all the others that have made 2011 a great year! And please, keep the photos coming.
–Lonnie
Gene Bushey
Posted at 2011-11-21 22:45:44
I'm attempting to put the finish on a tiger maple candle holder and was wondering what dye color you used prior to the topcoat?
Tom Stephenson
Posted at 2011-11-02 06:56:14
Lonnie, I am building a workbench like those found in your shop and your books. Can you comment on adding or not adding a tail vise to help hold work? Thanks.
Lonnie Bird
Posted at 2011-12-07 10:46:08
[quote]Lonnie, I am building a workbench like those found in your shop and your books. Can you comment on adding or not adding a tail vise to help hold work? Thanks.
I've never been a fan of the tail vise and a dog. The compression between the vise and the dog can easily bow the work; as a result, the workpiece becomes distorted. Instead, I prefer to use planing stops; the stop does not distort the work and there is no need to continually open and close the vise and reposition the dog.
I like to keep the workbench design simple. When it is necessary to secure the work, I'll use the face vise, clamps or a holdfast.
ed gerrard
Posted at 2011-10-30 17:32:30
Hi Lonnie,
I have about finished my tall case Roxbury clock. I am down to mounting the door on the hood and have a question. Does the lower hinge swing and rub on the case, or do you put a brass washer under it, so the hinge rubs on the washer? I did the last clock with the bottom hinge just rubbing on the hood, but I never liked that idea. I forgot to ask you when I was there.
Thanks, Ed Gerrard
Hickory, NCLonnie Bird
Posted at 2011-11-01 20:05:36
Clock hinges pivot on brass nails and so they really don't do a great job of supporting the door. To create a small reveal at the bottom of the door I bend the hinge slightly. Under the stile opposite of the hinge I glue a very small wedge. The wedge, along with the slight bend in the hinge, create a small reveal and prevent the hinge from rubbing on the case.
Douglas
Posted at 2011-10-30 08:32:02
Outstanding student work! It's amazing that you can pass along your skills so masterfully to your students. I'm looking at your Woodworking Essentials Class for 2012 in hopes that I can come.
Find us on Facebook
Martha Agriesti
Posted at 2011-12-01 17:33:48
Lonnie, I am honored that you put my work among the outstanding student work. You have some very talented students, and what great company to keep.
Reply to comment