young apprentice

Sam is constantly coming out to the shop to "help" his dad get some work done. It both slows me down to a near stop several times a week and delights me. The other day after one of Sam's visits, I had to pause and laugh at his excellent job cleaning up. There were these regular patterns in the sawdust where he had dragged the broom one direction and then another believing that this was how it was done. Now firmly out of an effective pattern I turned on some good music, swept the floor and tried to get back into the project puzzling at the opposing forces at work in the shop. It is the worst best place to do woodworking.

Here are some doors that went to an enormous entertainment center I built earlier this summer. There were four upper doors made in a revised French Country style. The finish was sort of a cream with some light glazing. Overall, the piece had quite a bit of ornamentation, something that is outside of the average IB project, which was good for a change.

Some odd rails with the tenons cut into them, ready to assemble.

My best helper Sam helping me dry fit the parts together.

Gluing and assembling the various parts.

Driving the stiles home before clamping.

Metal Cover

This summer we worked on a beautiful home in Idaho. It was situated on a butte overlooking the most picturesque river. It was a really good project and it kept us very busy. I will hopefully be able to sneak back up there once the floors are finished and snap some photos.

In the bathroom there was this tricky sump pump that was a little difficult to design around. The contractor suggested a big steel sleeve to hide it. We also were able to conceal a remote steam shower unit. This is the unit in progress and again with the first coat of patina.
The finished metal is a deep auburn rust with some lighter marks here and there. It has since been capped in walnut with a bench that fits next to it. It will also have a towel bar wrapping around it. An interesting kill-several-birds-with-one-stone sort of a project.

The -A- table

Hey gang, check out some pictures of our latest table on the website. The goal is that this will be a part of a signature line that is intended for everyone, not just the wealthy. At $1750 it is still not inexpensive, but I challenge anyone to find a table that is made in America with a solid 8/4 (which finishes off at 1 3/4 inches thick) cherry top for less money.

This table has a hand rubbed finish, which I truly love. The danish oil and paste wax make for a very nice smooth feel without masking the wood's character. This finish is also less fussy than a urethane or a lacquer because tables get scratched. Especially if you have kids, it is going to happen! Instead of scratching through to the unfinished wood and having peeling issues, all the owner has to do is rub some more wax on it and let the wood be wood, acquiring it's patina of good use.

The design is also very simple so that he wood itself becomes the primary decoration.