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Jim Krenov’s lecture this week dealt with a number of areas which directly related to work underway at the school. He began with applied edges and talked about the considerations including graphics, dimensions and shaping. He then talked about process of mocking up stands for a cabinet and emphasized the importance of grain graphics. In our work, craftsmanship and the careful selection of grain is often what differentiates what we do from other craftsman. Jim has emphasized this point in many of his lectures this year.

Todd’s mockup underway of easy chair. Todd has since moved onto arms and the crest rail. When designing a chair the craftsman has to be conscious of all of the aspects of making fine cabinets with the added concern of ergonomics and perhaps a greater degree of structural integrity.

Todd demonstrated the process of making drop pulls this week. Shown are some notes and the beginnings of a drop pull. Drop pulls ad a formal element to any work, and while they are not suitable for every piece they are but just another option.

One of Lael’s door panels awaiting the inlays which have been positioned to ensure correct prismatics. The parquetry for this piece uses conventional and inlay methods. The panels have undergone several processes to get to this stage. Lael has returned to Alaska to be with his wife Catherine over the spring break.

Steve sorts through his claro walnut and yew veneers. Steve has to stretch is claro walnut veneers and has had to saw up a lot of yew to find appropriate interior veneers. A fine example of the workmanship of risk. Steve, with many of our students, has enjoyed having Todd at the school and are taking full advantage of another set of eyes.

Lael uses the mechanical press to set in his inlays for his parquetry. The mechanical press with fixtures can be used for curved work, it excels with flat work especially when having to do small pieces such as the inlays in his parquetry.

Juliette checks the fit of the joinery for her frame. Juliette used a thorough mockup which included the joinery in poplar before moving onto the imbuya which will later receive a figured imbuya panel.

Jacques uses a spline to attach rail to veneered panel. With the joinery complete, each piece will now undergo surface preparation and refinishing prior to glue up. Joe Amaral, one of Roberts former classmates was consulted on the finishing of the spalted maple which has the reputation of sucking up finish. A thinned down epoxy will be used as a sealer coat followed by polish or shellac with perhaps a few coats of wax. Jacques has a sample panel underway which works with our “Don’t commit until you have to.” approach.

Cole flushes up baked in edges on one of his substraights. Cole’s final piece incorporates nearly all of the aspects covered in the craftsman program including joinery, selection of material, solid and veneered construction and metal work.

Ian dry fits one last time before he begins a series of glue ups of his rockers side frames. The sculpted components are pre shaped and will be later refined following assembly. Exceptional work in a demanding wood.

Jacques uses a simple jig to size his shop made hinges. Our students are required to make the hardware for their first piece, many enjoy the process and have continued making the hardware for their second pieces. There is a quiet satisfaction knowing one has done all the work in a piece. Jacques has been an enthusiastic student taking full advantage of the after hours access to the school and has made significant progress as a craftsman since arriving at the school.

Juan Carlos’ substraights with baked in attached and applied edges chosen. Not shown are the forms that were made to bend the substraight. Curves add significant work and a larger material waste factor. The subtle curves and panel detail of this piece are well worth the time involved.

Scott celebrates his birthday with a cake made by Jacques. It appears Jacques’ talents extend beyond the benchroom. As is tradition the person who celebrated their birthday last is responsible for brining the cake.

Scott begins to look for parts for his chair in part of his plank of narra over five inches thick. One of the special planks that was brought back from Gilmer’s in October. Scott finished his cabinet a few weeks ago and has hit the ground running with every intention of having his chair complete for our year end.

The Benchroom This Week…

Mar 09, 2007

 

JK’s Lecture this week began with a thorough review of cabinet and card scrapers. Jim then introduced NK drawer construction which will be demonstrated later this week and discussed the possibilities and considerations for hung drawers. Jim’s talks continue to inspire the students and faculty of our small school.

Lael cleans up the edge of his parquetry panel. Lael is submitting this piece for jury consideration in the upcoming “From The Edge Of The Forest” Objects made of indigenous British Columbia wood show which takes place June 15 to July 14, 2007 at the Cityscape Community Art Space 335 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver British Columbia.

Jacques presents his first piece to the class. Jacques finished this piece some time ago and is already well into his second, a veneered showcase cabinet of doussie and spalted maple.

Juan Carlos presents his first piece to the class. Juan has moved onto a curved veneer wall cabinet with an amazing frame and panel door. Beatrice, Juan Carlos’ wife made “arapas”, a Venezuelan specialty for
the presentation which were amazing.

Scott presented has cabinet on a stand to the class and is already nearing completion of his chair mockup. This piece covers many of the methods covered in the first portion of the program with the only exception being coopering. His first piece titled “Isabella’s Treasures” was made for his daughter who he and his wife Kathy adopted almost a year ago. The cabinet is nicely done with many lovely details to be discovered. We have enjoyed having Scott and his family here at our school.

Federico’s compound curved cabinet in macassar ebony and wenge dry fit to trace the curve of the door on the top and bottom for shaping. Federico has since completed the veneering of his parquetry back panel and has made the custom hinges for this deceivingly complex piece.

Steve edge joints his yew veneer for the interior of his claro walnut cabinet on a stand. Steve had to go through a lot of yew to find suitable material for his piece. He also had to be very careful to get enough claro walnut veneers and edging for his piece out of his plank.

Jacques assists Ian with the dry fitting of his chair enabling him to determine placement of stretchers. The workmanship of this piece is spot on and I know Ian is anxious to begin the shaping after all the intense joinery has been complete.

Jacques preparing the port orford cedar surfaces of the back panel interior of his showcase cabinet. Jacques and a few others continue to take full advantage of the extended shop hours available to our students.

Head piece veneers of Jon’s guitar, with hand cut joinery for sides complete. So many of the methods we use in fine furniture making is transferable to instrument making.

Todd Sorenson, guest teacher from the College of the Redwoods has been a welcome addition to the shop. His sound knowledge of the material and his fine abilities as a teacher has been a pleasure to experience. We are grateful that Todd will be joining us for the next six weeks.

Lael edge glues the inlay squares for his parquetry cabinet of hemlock, yew and port orford cedar. This piece even in its early stages is stunning. Lael has a fine eye and good hands.

Cole put aside the dovetails for the time being as he works out his substrates for the veneered portion of his traditional Japanese hibachi. Cole is incorporating most of the methods covered thus far this year in this piece.

Scott assembles his chair mockup. Scott has really hit the ground running on his chair mockup no doubt at least in part by having our guest teacher, Todd Sorenson here from California.

Juliette uses her block plane to square the ramp of her coopering plane prior to running the slot for cap screw. Plane making, like many of the things we do encourages a sensible balance between the use of hand and machine tools.

Juan Carlos’ curved panel substrates out of the press. Juan has begun the process of applying his baked-in edges. We are pleased that Juan Carlos will be joining us for a second year of study.

Todd sits in Scott’s mockup. Todd’s extensive work with Ejler Hjorth-Westh has been a tremendous asset as we have several chairs on the go in the shop including one that Todd is currently in mockup stages of building.

The Benchroom This Week…

Mar 04, 2007

Jason leads a walkaround. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jason for giving me the best week I have had since I began teaching; a full week of woodworking. Teaching has become a passion for me however if you are not practicing what you teach, sooner or later you run out of things to talk about.

Federico’s parquetry back panel of macassar ebony and wenge prior to edge gluing. Federico has begun making the custom hinges for his cabinet which will allow the the doors to swing on his compound curved cabinet.

Lael’s parquetry door and side veneers ready to be laid up on substraights. Lael has had to become very creative not only with his piece but with how he is working his material. Lael has a good aptitude for this craft and it has been a pleasure to watch his progress as a craftsman.

Ian’s upholstery frame for his rocking chair showing tapered laminations with compound angle, twin-tenon joinery. There are many lessons in this chair, almost a shame to cover up all this joinery and tapered laminations with leather upholstery.

Scott’s cabinet nearing completion will be presented to the class this coming week. Scott will be taking on a chair for his final piece where he will appreciate having Todd Sorensen at the school who is here taking part in our journeyman program. Todd is a two year graduate of the College of the Redwoods’ Fine Woodworking Program where he has also taught on occasion. Todd has also worked extensively with Ejler Hjorth Westh who is know for his chair work.

JK’s lecture this week primarily dealt with chair making, a subject he humbly claims to know little about. The lecture was informative, inspiring, thought provoking and as always, entertaining. With Jason here this week Robert managed to complete the joinery for his chair and gave him something to talk about.

 

Juliette uses a file to soften the corners of her dovetailed box made of imbuya. Carving, a developing passion, continues to occupy much of her time at the school.

Steve uses a negative template to search through his shop-sawn claro walnut veneers. Steve’s cabinet will be made of a very sweet piece of curly claro walnut and some lovely local yew.

Cole chops a set of tails for his traditional Japanese hibachi of teak which will later be lined with copper. This week, in between cutting some fine joinery, Cole managed to make a pair of Chinese scissors. Cole’s
innovation and enthusiasm for tool making has been exciting to watch.

Jon planes the scarf joint for his guitar neck of Spanish Cedar. Guitar making has much in common with fine furniture making including a sensible balance of hand and machine tools. JK talks fondly of George Bolin a resident craftsman at Carl Malmsten’s School where he trained. Jim later on was instrumental (excuse the pun) in changing the life of one of his students, Jack Bogdanovich who has generously sent us a complimentary copy of his new book “Classical Guitar Making: A Modern Approach to Traditional Design”.

Jacques celebrated his 26th Birthday this week. With his veneers laid up on substraights, Jacques has begun searching for the rails for his cabinet. Jacques took full advantage of having Jason here last week and continues to make fine progress on his piece.

Juan Carlos’ completed cabinet of pear, bubinga and plum. Juan has since moved onto a curved veneered wall cabinet. In addition to having a good eye Juan has great hands and it shows in his work.

Jim Krenov’s lecture this week dealt with marquetry, parquetry and setting up a small shop. He reflected back on his time with Carl Malmsten and in his little shop in Stockholm. Jim’s silver chest will be the topic of an upcoming lecture. We are grateful for Jim’s involvement with our small school.

Lael’s exceptional first piece concave frame and panel wall cabinet of Swiss pear and red cabruva. We are in the process of having our student work photographed, when completed their work will be posted in student gallery on our website.

Last week we made our yearly pilgrimage to see Robert Prinse, a local sawyer and friend of the school. From left: Ian, Robert Prinse, Jacques, Lael, Steve, Claire, Juliette, Jason and Cole. I finally managed to convince Robert to part with a piece of curly, spalted maple that I have coveted for many years.

 

Jon bending sides for his classical acoustic guitar. The wood is an unknown tropical hardwood from New Zealand, which resembles goncalo alves.

Jon cutting the back of his guitar. The back is book matched material, edge jointed and planed and scraped to a final thickness of just over 1/16″.

Robert assists Jacques in selection of the material for his cabinet of doussie and curly spalted maple.

Juan’s bent laminations of bubinga for his stand. The laminates required a hot piped pre-bend in order to make the tight inside radius of 3/8″.

Scott’s cabinet sitting on a dry fit, sculpted stand of red cabruva. One can spend hours discovering and enjoying the many subtle delightful details in this piece.

 

Team work is where it’s at. Juliette, Jason and Ian apply glue to the dovetailed joinery during glue up.

Detail of Scott’s dry fit stand which features mortise and tenon construction. It includes mitered corners to minimize short grain.

Students were introduced to marquetry this week. Jason followed up his lecture with a demonstration using the double bevel method. Jason is a fine craftsman with a warm and gentle way of sharing his craft. We are
grateful to have him with us and hope to see more of him in the coming years. He is in the process of setting up his own shop in rural northern British Columbia and already has several commissions in queue.

Jacques’ veneers with a negative template used to select pattern. Jacques managed to get fourteen veneers out of his 8/4 stock only jointing as required between cuts on the bandsaw.

Ian uses a simple fixture to hold a curved laminated rail in place for mortising. Ian’s chair will serve as a complete overview to many aspects of chair making. With the side frame joinery dialed in, Ian has moved onto the joinery for the tapered laminated frame, which will support leather upholstery.

Federico’s curved parquetry doors of macassar ebony and wenge. The wenge veneers are slightly thicker creating a step, which is lightly softened using needle files.

Jacques uses a shooting board and plane to shoot the edges of his veneers prior to edge gluing.

Students were introduced to parquetry this week. Federico used the back panel for his piece as a tool for showing students the many possibilities available with veneer. Federico is a fine craftsman and teacher and it is always a pleasure to watch him share his craft with others.

Cole pares his second set of tails of his traditional Japanese hibachi. Cole has been a pleasure to watch. He comes in, puts his head down, gets it done, and well!

Jason unselfishly put his piece on hold to allow Robert to spend some time at his bench. It was long over due and Robert continues to enjoy this special gift from Jason. At this point the joinery is nearly complete. Robert expects to be moving onto shaping next week. Todd Sorenson arrives from California next week and will replace Jason as our visiting journeyman.

The Benchroom this week …

Feb 5, 2007

Jacques uses XY table on one of our Davis and Wells boring machines on mortises for angled joinery for stand of wenge. Students are asked to use the free had method for their first piece. When they get into compound angle joinery and joinery with curves the XY table is employed.

Lael’s cabinet awaiting doors just prior to student show which took place I our gallery on January 27, 2007. We are currently photographing first semester pieces. Watch for them in the student gallery section of our website.

Second year student Federico discusses drawer fitting with first year student Juan Carlos. Juan’s drawers have a piston fit. With the cabinet now complete Juan has turned his attention to the bent lamination stand of Bubinga. Juan’s architectural background is evident in his work.

Federico uses a template to check the faring of the interior curve of substraight of his doors. The interior shaping is done with his coopering plane built during the first semester of his first year.

Cole uses a shop made chisel to fit his shop made hinges in his curved and tapered door. Students are shown machine and hand tool methods shown advantages and disadvantages of both and encouraged to uses the method or combinations of methods that feel right for them. Our experience has shown that many of our students use the machines to rough out their work and use their hand tools for refining the final fit.

Steve’s walnut box complete in time for the show opening. His first piece includes many of the skills covered in the first semester. Hand cut dovetails, open mortise and tenon, frame and panel, surface preparation, edge treatment, hinge making and installation and finishing just to mention a few.

Juan Carlos’ carved ambonya (red narra) burl panel sits in place for glue up. The design of this cabinet meant careful observation of wood movement issues. This carved panel is captured between the four interlocking boxes of pear and plum. This piece has since been glued up ad Juan is currently working on the stand.

Shop made brass hardware used to attach stand to cabinet. In the true spirit of community Cole, having already completed his piece made the hardware for Jacques who was busy completing the stand in time for the show.

Jacques’ cabinet of English Brown Oak and stand of Wenge in place just hours before the show. Jacques left the shop after 2:30am the morning of the show and was back at 8am to attach the stand.

Yvonne holds Maaike, Ian and Marnie’s daughter. Maaike wore her Inside Passage Carhartt bib overalls for the open house and show. Children really prove how insignificant any thing we make really is.

Over the past few weeks first year students have been introduced to veneer construction. Robert demonstrated flat and curved panel work including form making and using both vacuum and mechanical presses. Ian followed up with tapered laminations which he is using for the interior upholstery frame for his rocking chair.

Jon uses a file to refine the template for for guitar. Since this photo was taken Jon has made many of the jogs and templates required, sawn the material and edge jointed his plates for the front and back and has began bending the sides.

Federico uses a method previously used by Robert to hold the plates for a violin during the shaping process to make a form for veneering compound curve veneered panels. The low expanding foam is placed in a shallow box the panel is wrapped in plastic and held in place in the mechanical press while the foam dries. Once complete a perfect negative of the door remains. The form is then used with a vacuum or mechanical press to apply the veneers to the core.

Scott’s drawers fit with let go. The drawers are tapered slightly from front to back and run smoothly in the drawer pockets, also tapered to produce a silky run and tighten slightly just before they leave the pocket, preventing drawers from getting dropped.

A beginning, sketches and sample patterns created using the natural prismatic of the material. In this case the hemlock will be cut on the diagonal at approximately 8 degrees and then sawn into veneers of 3/32″ which will be arranged, cut and shifted to create the intended pattern. The pattern Lael intends to use will also require inlay work. As a result a router bit needed to be modified with a 3 degree taper.

Ian discusses the joinery for his chair during recent walkaround. Walkarounds continue to serve as an opportunity for students to share and learn what is going around them with their classmates.

This week we had three presentations. Cole, Steve and Lael presented their pieces to the class. In keeping with tradition students are asked to present their pieces once complete to the class. An opportunity to talk about their inspiration, the material, triumphs and tragedies along their journey.

Lael’s parquetry cabinet mockup to be made of hemlock, port orford cedar and yew. Warm tones of local woods.

Scott’s cabinet of beech nearing completion. The joinery for the stand is complete with the shaping of the legs and rails and pulls left to finish. As with all our first semester pieces students were asked to make all the hardware for these pieces. This was a very ambitious piece and incorporates everything covered in the first semester and is being made for a very special little person, his daughter.

Jacques built up substraights receive baked in edging prior to shop sawn spalted maple veneer. We are pleased that Jacques will be joining us for a second year. His commitment to the school and his craft has been most evident since he arrived.

Cole’s mockup for traditional Japanese hibachi. The larger box will be constructed of solid teak using hand cut dovetailed joinery and lined with patinaed copper. The small box will be veneered construction with hand cut dovetailed drawers and shop made brass hardware. An this ambitious piece is moving along nicely.

Ian continues work on his joinery. With the machine operations done he now turns to his hand tools to refine the fit of his joinery prior to the extensive shaping done by hand. The upholstered frame is also underway which will wrapped with leather. Ian continues to set a high standard of craftsmanship respected by all.

With Juliette’s spice box nearing completion she has continued to carve spoons as a side activity. The box will now contain hand sewn packets of lovely fabric with attached carved spoons of boxwood. The knife shown was a gift made by Cole one of her classmates.

I can’t say enough good things about Robert Van Norman’s skill as a teacher. I never thought that I would have the patience or skill to hand-cut dovetails or hand plane surfaces and edges. As a matter of fact I would have considered myself a skeptic. I did know that there was something about woodwork done by Krenov students that just seemed “right”. This led me to a basic woodworking class taught by Robert. What a revelation! I still use all my machines, but then I can shut them off, open the doors, listen to music (or shavings) and really enjoy the wood.

Yes, I can make subtle edges and sweet surfaces. I can cut refined dovetails with a chisel. Robert’s skill with both wood and students of all abilities makes studying with him a true joy. He gives clear demonstrations, then gently cajoles his students into doing better work than they thought possible.

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have studied with Robert over 12 weeks in 2003. Robert was a patient and insightful instructor teaching both basic and advanced techniques, helping to tie them together with the necessary philosophy, approach and attitude that inspire a desire for perfection. His own knowledge, personal skill and dedication were invaluable as a teacher and mentor. Robert went above and beyond to make the course an amazing personal experience. For anyone interested in fine woodworking, I highly recommend the chance to study with Robert and his team. You can enter with few skills but a wish to learn, and leave with a solid working foundation and ignited passion.

Ian’s laminations for rockers. Notice the thick top laminate which was steam bend prior to glue up. This was done to accommodate the sculpting joinery which is currently underway.

Scott’s cabinet with back panel fit. The frame is beech with panels of Spanish cedar. Scott managed a tremendous save when during his final glue up he neglected to insert one of the panels. Mortises were cut through from the outside to free the rail. Floating tenons were inserted with the panel in place. This was a compromise free repair with exceptional results.

One of Jacques’ handmade hinges fit. Notice subtle shaping of hinge corresponds with the side of his cabinet of English Brown Oak. Detail, soften edges of mortise and holes for screws tapped allowing alignment of slot of screw with hinge.

Stephen’s dovetails nicely fit, in walnut with first coat of oil on exterior of box. The frame and panel lid is underway featuring a curly Claro walnut panel which was sawn a few weeks ago to allow for settling.

Back of Lael’s wall cabinet, as lovely as the front. Almost a shame to hang on a wall. This piece is exquisite and the workmanship exceptional. Lael has a promising career ahead of him as a maker of fine things.

Interior of Lael’s wall cabinet of pear awaiting curved frame and panel doors and curved front drawers. The drawers are nearing completion and the doors are fit. Lael has finish fit the doors and has shop made wall hangers to install prior to the show.

Ian dialing in the fit of of twin open mortise and tenon joinery. In this joinery “Anything effects everything”. Ian has all the personal attributes which define a craftsman and it show in his teaching. We are very fortunate to have Ian as one of our teachers.

A lovely smile.

Juliette’s dovetail joinery complete for a spice box in a imbuya, appropriately in a wood with a spicy fragrance. Juliette has really enjoyed our school emphasis on hand skills and it shows in her work.

Scott’s frame and panel doors dry fit. Notice the careful attention paid to the graphics and the details. The workmanship of this piece is spot on. Scott will be making a chair for his second piece which will include tapered laminations and compound angled joinery.

Federico’s cabinet dry fit. This piece is simply stunning, which is the only thing simple about it. The workmanship and attention to grain graphics is precisely what we strive for at our school. We are very fortunate to have Federico as a second year student at the school and will has been a source of inspiration to all of our students and faculty.

Scott sneaking up on scribe line. Square foreground shows scale. Scott maybe heading back to the metal work area to make a few tools to facilitate getting into those tiny sockets.

Lael’s drawers fit and awaiting pulls. Curved front dovetail joinery was covered by Robert in last weeks demo. These joints are extremely well done and the pulls are now underway which consist of a recessed pull in a carved socket.

Juan’s drawers ready for bottom grooves. Juan has an wonderful eye and personal aesthetic, this combined with the fine hand and machine skills he has developed since arriving at the school make him someone to watch in the coming months and years!

Jacques’ cabinet complete with initial mockup for stand to be made of wenge. The mockup is painted poplar to help establish weights, as darker woods tend to relay lighter weights. This has been a very ambitious first piece which, he has had to make use of many of the additional hours made available to him in order to complete for the show. The piece all I would hope for from a student. Jacques’ in addition to being a fine craftsman keeps the mood light and has been a pleasure to have around.

Cole’s cabinet complete awaiting door and shelf. Cole has made his wall hangers and will need to install them, the door and finish his pull to have his piece ready for the show. Well done Cole.

The Benchroom this week …

January 1, 2007

Lael’s back panel partially dry fit showing joinery. Lael has done a wonderful job in the selection of materials and craftsmanship of this piece. Pictures never seem to do justice with a piece like this. The craftsmanship and selection of materials are so important in our work. Come and enjoy the many details of this piece and others with our open house and student show which takes place at our gallery on January 27, 2007. The open house runs from 1-4pm with Student Show at 7pm. If you are unable to attend but would like a tour of our facility call Yvonne to arrange a tour.

Lael’s cabinet in Swiss pear, awaiting back panels, doors and drawers. The drawer fronts which follow the curves of the of the cabinet will be shaped of solid wood, in this case red cabruva using planes, spokeshaves and chair scrapes which were made and tuned by each student earlier in the semester. Cutting dovetails on a curve will be the topic of Tuesdays lecture where Robert will demonstrate the complete process from shop drawing to drawer.

Jacque’s cabinet prepared for installation of drawer pocket partitions. The workmanship of this piece is exquisite and we are expecting wonderful things from this young man from the Maritimes.

Jacque’s back frame and panel during initial glue up. The frame is of english brown oak with panel of local spalted curly maple. The maple was a gift from Robert who purchased the wood locally several years ago.

Scott’s back beech frame with measurement sticks for panels. Students are encouraged to use story and measuring sticks to avoid mistakes caused by relying on measurements.

Bruce shares his experience with tapered laminations with the group. The three tapered lamination components in wenge will form the wall bracket for his hall table of kwila. Bruce is taking part in our journeyman program, which offers graduates on Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking or the College of the Redwoods and opportunity to work and share their knowledge and experience with our craftsman students. Next month we will be joined by Jason Klager one of last years graduates who in addition to completing his piece for our year end student, faculty and alumni show will be demonstrate marquetry to this years class. Todd Sorenson, a College of the Redwoods graduate, who just finished teaching a semester at the College of the Redwoods will be joining us in March and April. In addition to providing some teaching relief, which will allow Robert to spend some time at his bench, Todd will be working on a chair for the upcoming College of the Redwoods twenty fifth anniversary show which takes place in September. Robert also intends to have the chair he is making prepared for this show.

Juan’s back scratcher another side project and a small plane, made by Jason Klager during last years Craftsman Program set up late one evening for photo. I am beginning to think that our students have far to much time on their hands. In addition to the required hours of the Craftsman Program which runs from 8am-5pm Monday through Saturday, students have access to the shop in the early mornings from 6am-8pm and the evenings from 5pm-9pm. This combined with the required hours provides students with access to the school for up to 90 hours per week. And while we do not recommend students take advantage of all of these hours it does provide students with flexibility of working with their body rhythms.

Ian’s tapered laminations for upholstered frame component. Precise workmanship is required for this Danish inspired chair, something we have come to expect from one of our Resident Craftsman & Teachers.

Cole’s planelette made for edge treatments. Cole has developed a keen interest in tool making which he has taken full advantage of since arriving at our school.

Scott’s panels of Spanish cedar underway and will receive a few light coats of shellac prior to assembly prior to assembly which will protect them during handling but leaving the lovely fragrance of the wood to be enjoyed.

Side of Federico’s compound curve veneered parquetry cabinet in macassar ebony and wenge. The applied edge was removed prior to veneering and carefully applied after aligning with grain on sides. While our school is inspired by the teachings of James Krenov and much of our work is influenced by his and our teachers, students are encouraged to find their own voice in their work.

Jon’s practice joinery in ash for meditation stool. Some pretty complex joinery that requires a sensible balance of hand and machine tools. The actual piece is to be made of kwila, a sustainable wood native to New Zealand.

Ian’s practice joinery for side frames of chair in ash before moving onto the East Indian Rosewood. We encourage students to complete practice joinery in inexpensive wood before moving onto precious materials.

Bruce’s tapered laminations settle in parts racks, a side project began by Ian and completed by our students as a mortise and tenon fitting review. This week we will be reviewing topics covered in the first semester before moving onto second semester topics the following week.

Lael during final glue up of drawer compartment glue up in pear. In behind, not shown is Jacques who is assisting Lael. Students are encouraged to have glue up buddies assisting or standing by. Remember, glue changes everything! Pear is a friendly wood but very unforgiving. Joinery needs to be done exceptionally well if the piece is to be considered a success. Lael returned to Alaska for break to be with his wife who has been very supportive of Lael as he pursues his passion. Lael arrived in Roberts Creek just weeks after they were married.

Steve uses a Oberg cut file to gently soften the edges of his dovetailed box. A few weeks ago during one of his lectures Jim Krenov reminded students of the importance of kindly edges, a defining characteristic present in the work of Jim and his students. Steve returned to Powel River for the break and enjoyed his time reconnecting with his family who have shown tremendous support for him as he pursues his education.

Juliette’s dovetails in Imbuya. Juliette had very limited experience prior to attending this school. Her progress has been remarkable! She is considering an acoustic guitar for her second piece. Robert has instrument making experience which he will need to brush up on if he is to be in a position to assist her. Juliette shares one thing in common with all our students and faculty, a love of the material and the process of working it with refined hand skills.

Students often have side projects to balance the intensity of their pieces. Juliette has really taken to carving. This spoon, carved of local yew has been carved using carving tools and a fine knife made and given to her by Cole, one of her fellow students.

I spent two weeks in Robert Van Norman’s class‚ in Ontario 2003, and I am thrilled now to start making treks from Minnesota to the west coast. Robert’s depth of knowledge about furniture-building will benefit any woodworker who approaches tools and wood with curiosity and love. But what Robert can do with furniture and wood is only half of it. He is a natural teacher: attentive, patient, generous, and smiling. Robert treats his students with great respect. My questions were welcome every step of the way, even when they sounded suspiciously like the questions of the day before and the day before that. Robert meets his students exactly where they are and simultaneously pushes them forward. I would travel to Tierra del Fuego for the program offered at Inside Passage; I’m grateful it’s only to Roberts Creek! (Although South America would be nice, too.)

Jacques’ uses a file, shooting board and angle jig to shape the sides of his shop made knife hinges to follow the curve of the sides of his cabinet.

Juan’s multiple drawer box cabinet complete with edge treatments dry fit ready for finish.

Ian completes the form for the interior tapered laminated frame for leather upholstery. The frame is assembled using double open mortise and tenon joinery. Ian has been busy with preparations of all the forms, jigs and fixtures required to make the two rocking chairs, one in East Indian Rosewood, the other in Teak.

Scott’s hinges drilled and shaped prior to reaming. A square and dime show the scale of these finely made hinges using minimalist tools. We were recently contacted by Konrad Sauer, the maker of fine Infill planes www.sauerandsteiner.com, who will be visiting our school sometime in the new year. Konrad was looking for input on hinge making, as he has undertaken the task of making the hinges for his entire kitchen. If his planes are any indication the hinges and kitchen will be spectacular!

Lael cuts the profile in the ends of his curved door panels. Like many of the things we do, Lael put a lot of careful preparation into preparing his material and jigs for what took only a few seconds. The result is impeccable.

Federico is busy exploring the possibilities for the parquetry in his compound curved veneer cabinet of Macassar Ebony and Wenge. Congratulations go out to Federico on the successful completion of the Seattle Marathon last month. He is now setting his sites on the Vancouver marathon which takes place this spring.

Lael’s doors ready for finish. All surfaces and edges have been repared and surfaces which will not be worked after glue up have been finished with five coats of shellac and wax.

Robert’s rear chair leg in Wenge with mortising nearly complete.

Robert uses a spoke shave and chair scrape to shape rear chair leg.

Jacques uses a knife to layout locations for his shop made knife hinges.

Juliette’s mockup spoons of boxwood for ceramic containers of spice box. A nice break from cutting dovetails, she is exploring shape, size and texture before committing to the seven she will need to make for her spice box.

Juan’s mock up pulls. In addition to the pulls for this piece, which will likely be of Palisander Rosewood which goes nicely with the Pear and Plum, Juan intends to carve a center rosette which will be nestled between the four boxes.

Jacques’ cabinet dry fit with hinges installed. Notice the subtle taper of coopered doors. The workmanship of this piece is exquisite.

New beginnings, Jon had to set his cabinet of Satin Walnut aside for now due to wood movement issues. In the mean time he mocks up a mediation stool, currently underway.

Cole refines the edge treatments of his cabinet prior to the installation of his shop made hinges. Cole has done some beautiful work since arriving at the school. He has complemented his woodwork with plenty of tool making.

Juan uses a gentle touch with a scraper between coats of shellac. A scraper finely honed with a very light hook is ideal for touching up surfaces between coats.

Juliette transfers pins to tails. Juliette has really embraced the heavy emphasis of hand tools in the program.

Federico’s top core of laminated yellow cedar dome shaped prior to the crass banding of mahogany. Parquetry starting to take shape underneath.

One of Steve’s sweet dovetailed corners in Walnut with shop made paring chisel with Purple Heart handle in foreground. Steve has selected Port Orford Cedar for the bottom and Claro Walnut for the panel in his frame and panel lid.

One of Lael’s doors glued up showing softened corners and the precious touch of color of the panels.

Jon cuts one of the practice double mortises with mitered and housed shouldered tenons for his meditation stool of Kwila.

Ian checks the fit of the laminations in his male/ female rocker form. The chair Ian has undertaken is filled with learning as well as teaching opportunities. Ian will be showing the class tapered laminations in the coming weeks.

Yvonne takes a break from her busy schedule to visit with Maaike, Ian and Marnie’s daughter.

This week Jim Krenov spoke to the class about finding your own voice in your work. His words continue to inspire the next generation of woodworkers. Now that projects underway, Jim has offered to provide weekly feedback to our students throughout their journey here at the school. (more…)

The Benchroom this week …

Oct 30, 2006

We are pleased to announce our guest faculty taking part in our Journeyman Program for the 2006-2007 Craftsman Program.

Stephen Esdon, a graduate of Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking will be joining for November and December. Since graduation Stephen has been busy setting up a cooperative shop intended for graduates of our school. Stephen will use his time at the school to complete a piece for our annual student, faculty and alumni show which takes place the middle of May of 2007.

Jason Klager a graduate of Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking currently working out of his shop in Prince George British Columbia. Jason will be joining us in January and February of 2007. Students will benefit from another set of eyes and observe a fine craftsman in action as he prepares his piece for our annual May show.

Todd Sorenson will be joining us for March and April of 2007. Todd is currently teaching at the College of the Redwoods and has studied extensively with Ejler Hjorth-Westh also an teacher at the College of the Redwoods. Todd was the first craftsman to take part in our Journeyman Program last year and was very well received by our students. He is a fine craftsman and teacher and we are please that Todd will be joining us during a very busy time as students are preparing their final pieces for our year end show during which time Todd plans to build a piece for the College of the Redwoods twenty fifth Anniversary Show which will take place at the Highlight Gallery in Mendocino California in September of 2007.

One Friday of last week, Students and faculty were treated to a field trip arranged by Gary Kent. Bradley Hunt and his two sons Shawn, to the left and Dean center at their shop in Davis Bay just down the road from our school. These three craftsman are in the midst of a large commission which includes a couple of totem poles currently underway. Their work and approach to their craft is inspiring and we are grateful for them making time for us.

The following pictures show the progression of the crest rail for the chair Robert is making for our first semester student and faculty show and open house which takes place at our gallery January 27th 2007. This chair was designed by Vidar Malmsten, a friend of Jim Krenov’s and the son of Carl Malmsten. Vidar made the originals in Jim’s basement shop in Stockholm Sweden and is used daily by Jim and Britta Krenov.

The crest rail is cut in two planes and typically requires 12/4 or 3″ stock. Finding 12/4 stock can be a challenge so the following process was used to orientate 8/4 or 2″ stock on the diagonal allowing the double curve to be cut while achieving the desired graphics.

Wenge laminated between poplar carefully laid out ready to cut.

Four cuts have been made and the blank is squared up leaving the wenge running on the diagonal.

Templates are used to layout the cuts to be made from the front and the top. Careful cutting on the bandsaw requires only minimal fairing prior to shaping by hand.

The first cut reviles desired graphics. After all these years predicting grain graphics I still get a sense of satisfaction when careful planing leads to the desired result.

Crest rail showing desired graphics ready for shaping by hand. When cutting a double curve, rift sawn material is used so that the grain follows each of the curves. In this case flat sawn material was used on the diagonal essentially creating a rift cut, this allows the grain to follow the curve on all four faces.

Jacques planes coopered doors of English Brown Oak. Each of the staves are cut on the bandsaw and shot with a hand plane at the desired angle constant with the shop drawing derived from the mock up. The staves are glued up and shaped in pairs before the pairs are laminated. This allows the maker to concentrate on one joint at a time. A combination of a friendly wood, a fine plane and a skilled craftsman produces a nearly invisible joint and lovely shape.

Juliette and Robert discuss grain graphics for her spice box of Imbuya. Material selection including graphics and tones are such an important aspect of our craft.

Ian’s sketch considering ergonomics. Ian’s mockup is underway, with his attention to detail and his abilities as a craftsman we can expect a rocking chair is as comfortable as it is beautiful. Aesthetics, ergonomics and structural integrity all play an equally important role in chair making.

With Scott’s mock up dialed in and his wood, in this case European beech re-sawn and set aside to settle, Scott does a more detailed mockup of the sliding doors compartment to determine grooving and rabbit depths.

Jon is making a convex cabinet of satin walnut. Jon uses a spoke shave to shape the two edges of his doors which meet on a double curve in the center. Once this fit is dialed in a rabbit will be run along the curves prior to the shaping of both the outside and inside surfaces using his coopering and smoothing planes.

Cole shares during walk around. Cole has really embraced tool making aspect of our craft. This week, while mocking up Cole recognized the need for a compass plane which he made while allowing the parts for his cherry cabinet to settle after re-sawing. Walk-arounds are a wonderful opportunity to our students to share their work with their classmates.

Lael explores the possibilities using a precious bit of color found in his plank of pear. Sometimes re-sawing can lead to disappointments, other times it reveals new possibilities.

Stephen pares a practice set of pins in eastern walnut. Students are encouraged to cut practice joints to become familiar with their woods working properties while their parts settle after re-sawing.

Juan’s mockup has revealed some of the challenges associated with solid wood construction. Mocking up and working drawings give students the opportunity discover potential problems and work appropriate solutions.

Federico’s model and side to door mockup of compound curved veneer cabinet to be made of Macassar ebony. Federico has completed a number of mockups and scaled models allowing him to work out many of the details of this very complex piece. The core material has been laminated, veneers cut and shaping templates refined. Federico will now focus his attention on the shaping of the lumber core material prior to the cross banding of a very thin shop sawn mahogany veneer. The surfaces will then receive baked in edges and parquetry veneer of Macassar ebony.

The Benchroom this week …

October 23, 2006

Students and Faculty are busy at work preparing pieces for our second annual first semester open house and show which takes place January 27, 2007 and includes fine cabinets and chairs.

Robert lays out the legs for a chair in wenge. Grain graphics is so important and was JK’s lecture topic this past week.

Lael demonstrates hand planing to his wife Catherine who was down from Anchorage Alaska for a visit.

Federico’s test for a compound curve veneered panel with a shop made lumber core substrate. Robert has spent the last year holding back the Federico’s reins and has let up. Federico’s compound curved veneered parquetry cabinet in Macassar Ebony with stepped shop sawn veneer is sure to turn a few heads at our second annual student and faculty open house and show that takes place January 27, 2007.

Lael celebrates a birthday. As is tradition at our school the previous birthday recipient brings the cake, in this case Jon.

Robert scrubs a plank of Afrormosia looking for chair parts that were not to be.

Ian presents his sideboard of teak, bocote and beech to the class. It features four NK drawers to sliding drawers and many hours of work. And yet he and his partner Marnie still made time for buying and renovating a home not to mention have a baby. This piece as well as Federico’s parquetry cabinet were purchased by Jim Astorian from Germany. Jims commitment to our school is significant. It comes at a very good time for these two craftsman during their second year of study.

The workmanship of this piece is exquisite. It is moments like this that makes teachers extremely proud. Ian is a fine addition to our teaching staff and is currently working on a rocking chair that is in mock up stage for our first semester show.

Federico presents his parquetry cabinet of Claro walnut, wenge and African blackwood with interior of Spanish cedar, mahogany and yew to the class. This piece also purchased by Jim Astorian, is allowing us to hold these two pieces at our gallery for the next two years before being shipped Kronberge Germany.

Zeppy, Jon and Jaylene’s daughter takes a nap under Jon’s bench during the presentations.

Scott’s mock up of his first piece. Five drawers and three doors. Ian and I wonder what he will do with the rest of his time. All kidding aside, students flew through fundamentals in an effort to increase project time. Scott is a very capable craftsman this piece is destined for his lovely daughter Isabella.

Cole tries a new method of mocking up using foam insulation which is easily shaped with surforms. Students use a variety of materials including wood, cardboard, and paper to convey their intentions.

Jacques and Lael look at one of the planks of English Brown Oak. Where to start with all the possibilities.

A partial group shot at Gilmers in Portland. A successful wood run. The group was also joined by Claire, Jacques partner as well as Beatrice, Juan’s wife and her mom Beatrice. Lael’s friend Lyric from high school and his wife Sarah put us up for the night at their home located only a few minutes from Gilmers. Their hospitality was very much appreciated.

Jacques debarking a rather large half plank of English Brown Oak. Jacques phoned ahead and when we arrived Jim McDermott had already pulled four of the most spectacular planks of English Brown Oak I have ever seen.

Scott, Lael, Jacques and Cole unload a massive plank of European Beech from the van. After clearing customs Robert missed the last ferry and slept the night in the van with the wood in Horseshoe Bay. The wood took priority leaving Robert only a narrow corridor.

After a day of looking through stacks of planks the class was joined by Miles Gilmer and Jim MacDermot for pints at the Pyramid Brew Pub conveniently located just a few blocks from Gilmers.

Chi Chi, Juan and Beatrice’s dog arrived from Venezuela and is the newest addition to our family. Having animals around adds to the atmosphere in the shop.

Juan’s initial sketch and mock up for a cabinet to be made of pear. Each of the boxes will house drawers of plum. Juan’s strong architectural background is evident in his work.

Jacques lays out the parts for his cabinet on plank of English Brown Oak. The cabinet will house a few drawers and will sit on a stand of a wood yet to be decided. Another ambitious piece by a fine young craftsman from New Brunswick.

Stephen and Lael scrubbing planks looking for the possibilities. This is where it all begins with our work, with the wood.

Jacques’ doors and sides of concave coppered resawn. The lighter wood toward the outside and darker towards the middle. on the concave doors.

Jon and Scott looking for inspiration. The tones, the graphics, the grain a place to start.

Juliette paring a set of dovetails. Juliette received this chisel by mistake in a recent tool order. I could be wrong but I don’t think it fits the scale of work we do.

Lael uses a negative template to find suitable grain for his top and bottom. Lael is looking at some local Arbutus for the panels which should go quite well with the amazing pear to be used for the carcass. The doors will be coopered panels set into curved frame and panel doors.

Scott holds part of a large pear plank for Lael as initial cuts are made prior to heading to the bandsaw. If I was to describe the benchroom today I would sum it up to teamwork and shavings, and lots of both.

Scott lays out parts for his cabinet. A large plank reveals many possibilities and curiosities.

The Benchroom this week …

October 16, 2006

Students, Alumni, Faculty and Friends all gathered at Robert and Yvonne’s fro a thanksgiving supper, it must have been fun because no one remembered to take any pictures. This year we were joined by Juan’s mother in law who is visiting from Venezuela. Beatrice’s mother also brought Venezuelan chocolate. The great thing about thanksgiving is that we can do it all over again in another month with our students and their families visiting from the United States.

Students and Faculty are busy completing the last of the fundamental skills prior to moving onto first projects next week. Since the last benchroom this week. Students have covered drawer making and fitting including carved pulls. A casework exercise which included doweling, partitions as well as the making and fitting of a frame and panel back. Robert also gave the students a demonstration on sharpening of Japanese saws.

Over the next few days student will complete their coopering planes already underway and use them and their previously completed jointer planes in a coopering exercise. On Saturday Ian will take students through a sketching workshop in preparation for the mockup process which JK will cover in his weekly lecture on Monday and followed up with the hands on demonstration by Robert on Tuesday. Walkarounds, a favorite of last years class, will commence on Wednesday. Ian and Federico will treat the class to the first presentations of 2006-2007 later in the week.

Ian demonstrates cutting of the open mortise and tenon joint. While Robert and Yvonne took part in the recent Victoria Woodworking Show Ian led the students through doweling, partitions as well as frame and panel.

Federico assists Cole with his jointer plane. Our students have really embraced the tool making aspect of the program this year. In addition to making several planes each student has made a number of carving knives, chisels, spokeshaves, chair scrapes and layout tools including bevel gauges and even a scribe. All of these tools will see use here at the school and for many years to come.

Cole cuts the rear set of pins for the back of his drawer. Once each student completes the drawer with the front of local cherry, sides and back of eastern maple and bottom of Alaskan yellow cedar bottom the drawers are carefully fit to their tool cabinets. Working in a variety of woods allow students to become familiar with working properties of each.

Jon cleaning up set of rear tails of his drawer. Shop made chisels and knives make this task much easier and more enjoyable. This only emphasizes the close connection which exists between the maker, the tools and the material.

Scott displays his handmade scribe of cocobolo, steel and brass. Students are encouraged to make many of their own tools. Scott demonstrates the the possibilities are endless. Scott has done some fine work here at the school.

Lael cleans up the rabbit of dowel exercise carcass prior to glue up. Students make a small dowelled carcass, complete with a splined partition and fitted frame and panel back. This is a wonderful exercise which allows students to put together many of the skills required in fine cabinet making.

Sorry Jacques, I couldn’t resist. Jacques discovers the downside of fitting drawers from the front of a cabinet without access to the back. A drawer that goes in a smidgen to far and… Oh well it happens to the best of us. Jacques made up for this with a fine job on the joinery followed by a sweet fit. Jacques has shown me a few initial sketches of a cabinet on a stand with coopered doors for his first piece. A true Krenovian, almost dropped out of College after reading “A Cabinet Makers Notebook” to become a woodworker.

Robert & Juliette discuss her jointer plane glue up. The plane has since made shavings and is bound to serve Juliette for many years to come.

Its hard not to cherish a finely made tool. This jointer of bocote works as good as it looks.

Steve giving his coopering plane a final check prior to glue up. Prior to any glue up students are encouraged to sit down at their bench and go through the glue up step by step in a dry run. This ensure all appropriate steps have been taken and all required materials are available. Students are also encouraged to glue up in pairs as a second set of eyes is always an advantage.

Juan checking the shape of forward ramp of his coopering plane prior to glue up. We eliminate the need for an insert, at least initially by pre-shaping the front ramp to the honed iron. Once complete the ramp placement can be dialed in and the plane can be pinned with locator dowels.

Isaac Breau, Jacques father joined us for a day in the shop. Under Jacques careful eye Isaac made a small bevel gauge.

Friends Juliette and Tadi

We began this week with Jim Krenov’s lecture on knives and dovetailing. Each week the students and I have been treated to Jim as he reflects back on his life as a craftsman, teacher and writer. His words are as inspiring as ever and we are grateful for his presence at our school. (more…)