Ho No

I don't know how it got to be Christmas, ZOOM, now it's New Years eve.
In my world, everyday minutes go by in seconds, yet paradoxically big plans are always the same distance away.
Fortunately all the Christmas projects were small (jewellery boxes and turned items etc.), so feelings of being behind were gone when each job was completed.

My first class of the new year is the treasure box at Lee Valley Downtown.
This was originally a kids project that was all butt joints and nailed, (a kit with a little cutting required). The little box attracted a lot of attention from both parents of the kids who made them as well as anyone who saw the original in the shop that I thought it would make a good beginners adult course. All the box needed was a few more challenging joints.

I had intended to get one built for display in the store to promote interest in the course, however time has sped up once again and the class is sold out.
My only fear now is if the description gives the impression of a box that is more blanket,than bread.

I have included a picture of the original, and will build the new (perhaps larger) version on Monday.

Split, Shave and Turn Movie on Youtube

Well I finally got a movie up on Youtube
At the last bunch of seminars I have asked permission to set up the camera and film some of the goings on at the seminars.

My initial thought was that it would be good for people to look at a seminar demonstration again for a reminder of how to do something that we had covered in the class.

I also wanted to promote the seminars.
The vast majority of the feedback I get is that people had fun and learned something, and at each seminar I have fun and learn something so why not have more seminars.

The problem with the film a seminar Idea is despite what many employers want to believe, multitasking is a physical impossibility, sure you can tie a broom to your belt and sweep the floor whilst you walk to the copier, however the floor wont get done very well.

My proof of this thinking is my initial attempts to film some seminars, this resulted in rather static shots of me standing and talking or someones back as they leaned against the bench or shelf that the camera was on

I then found out that filming was the easy part compared to editing.
So I set up the camera and filmed a bunch of different operations at a bunch of different angles with the intention of editing everything into a logical sequence of events.
The next revelation was that logical is boring, I suppose that is why the calculus books on tape don't sell too well

The result of all this brain activity is my first attempt at film making, and there is nowhere to go but up. I just have to remind myself like the song in the video says its a slow boat ( what? you can't just use any music) see it while you can, it's called Split Shave and Turn

Perfectly Imperfect

I Conducted my mitred box class at the Lee Valley east store last week. It was a challenge, as I hadn't done this project for 2 years and my notes from last time neglected to mention whether I had prepared the raised panels before the day of the class.

I now suspect that last time I had completed panels prior to the day, as this time the assembly of the boxes were about 2 hours behind schedule.
Thankfully I had a really charitable group of people who patiently waited while I ran pieces through the router table.

I had laid out most of the carcase boards so people could take advantage of the "defects" (or knot).
I was pleasantly surprised when one person chose a panel with a knot hole in the centre. This led to a discussion about aesthetics, which led to Wabi Sabi, a subject that has been occupying my design thoughts lately.
In trying to explain my Wabi Sabi perspective last Saturday I used the work of George Nakashima as an example(Table picture), but I thought I had better try to distill a definition.

The way of Wabi Sabi honours the humble and unconventional.
Wabi Sabi is frequently associated with the Japanese tea ceremony. Wabi Sabi fosters balance throughout all of life as well as design, celebrating the unusual occurrences of nature as valuable, not as defect to be removed.
Wood that is less than impeccable is regarded as humble, the idea being that humans need constant reminding by nature that the imperfect is the norm. (as we are nature and less than perfect).

The day was once again a reminder to me that the road is better than the Inn, even if it is bumpy and takes longer than you planned.

Thanks for a perfect day

Hand Applied Finishes

Hand planes

I did my hand plane seminar at Lee Valley Scarborough last month, and once again I had an excellent group of guys who participated in not only using the tools but in sharing their insight.

What I especially enjoy about the seminars is connecting and re-connecting with people. One of the guys has been to a couple of my seminars so we got to catch up on things and swap stories of our summers.

Another participant was a high school shop teacher who brought a few #5 Stanley planes as well as some fascinating information from the other side of the generation gap.

It was timely as I had just read an article in September 5th's Maclean's magazine entitled "why our kids can't use a hammer"

The picture is of the enclosed tail vise I mentioned (photo from Wood magazine) it is a great way to hold boards whilst using the hand plane. This is what I was missing from the seminar bench, however we borrowed the bench pucks from the showroom and I was really impressed how well they held a board in place as I worked the surface.

The article I mentioned during the class was called,"Try back-beveling your plane blade" by Chris Gochnour in the March/April issue of fine woodworking.
This sharpening technique will help you tackle difficult grain.
Another excellent reference text is called Hand Tools, their ways and workings by Aldren A. Watson