Hand Cut Dovetail Class at the HatchSpace

Just before all of the social distancing that we are now experiencing, I was lucky to be able to teach my Shaker Bench- Making Hand-cut Dovetails.  I am not sure when I will be able to offer this class again but it was great fun to be teaching again especially with this very nice group of people.

This class took place at the HatchSpace in Brattleboro, Vermont.  They have a very professional setup staffed by quality people. See more about the HatchSpace.

In this two day class, students each make a "Shaker Bench" while learning how to cut dovetail joints by hand.

I do hope to also teach out of my shop but will definitely teach again at the HatchSpace when opportunity allows.  Take a look at my Classes page on my website to see information about this class  and also about my Build Your Own Cod Rib 12 Double Paddle Canoe.

Here are some shots from this last class.

photo by Peter Smichenko

photo by Peter Smichenko

Stay well!
Tim

Woodworking Classes Offered This Spring at the HatchSpace in Brattleboro, Vermont

This Spring I am offering two of my most popular woodworking classes at the HatchSpace in Brattleboro, Vermont.    The Shaker Bench class already has enough students to run so sign up soon if you are interested.  We just listed the Cod Rib 12 class but I expect it to sell there as well.
To sign up, go to the HatchSpace website.

Make Your Own Shaker Bench:
Cutting Dovetails by Hand
March 14, 15, 2020, Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm

We will focus on making hand-cut dovetails while making this very useful bench/table.

Build Your Own Cod Rib 12 Canoe

June 14-19, 2020,  Sunday - Friday, 9am-5pm

      

In the past, I ran my own program of woodworking classes and these two classes were favorites of students.  I have decided to mix things up a little this year and offer these two classes again.

Feel free to contact me with any questions. Space is limited to 4 per class so you will get a lot of individual attention.

Mid Century Modern Bench w/ Drawers

This Mid Century Modern bench has minimal look with rich warm wood that can fit in a modern or traditional setting.  The proportions of this bench were designed to fit in an entry hallway.  The drawers were for kids gloves and mittens and it is a good spot for taking off  shoes and boots.  It is strong statement of style as one enters the home.   This bench is made of walnut and ash. The walnut on this bench is stained so that it will remain dark. Walnut will lighten over time if it is not stained.  Cherry would also be a good choice in place of the walnut.

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As all of my work is made to order, this bench could be made deeper and taller for more of dinner bench.  Also, it could be made in almost any length. The original of this design was 14' long and was built in two sections, joined in the middle.


Take a look at my website to see all of my furniture. The page of Benches and Settee (the same thing really) is here http://www.timothyclark.com/settee.html

Enjoy the warm weather,

Tim

bunny in the yard

Three Versions of My New Waltham Windsor Chairs

My Waltham line of chairs is made up of an arm chair, side chair and benches. These are all finished in milk paint and have some traditional detailing. They are designed to have a traditional look but with a comfortable fit of a modern chair. They have a deeper seat and my trademark "Floating Back" design that gives with the sitter.

The New Waltham chairs are the same chairs but with a more modern look.  They have a natural finish and most are made of cherry and ash.

My New Waltham Side Chairs are designed to be a chair with ample room and comfort.  The seat is round and inviting and it easy to move around in. You can sit straight or turn easily to accommodate changes in position or for entry and exit from the table.

 

Below is a shot of the New Waltham Side Chair with a New Waltham Arm Chair. Notice that the arm chairs arm rail passes behind the back spindles. This is my trademark "Floating Back Design" that allows the back to flex with the sitter. It is much more comfortable than a traditional Windsor that does not allow for this movement.

Below are two New Waltham Arm Chairs and a Tall New Waltham Arm Chair (center). Most of my customers order the standard New Waltham Arm Chair but occasionally individuals order the Tall version for the ends of the table or for a stand-alone chair.

All of my chair designs can be found at http://www.timothyclark.com/chairs.html

Please take a look and contact me to discuss the right chair for you.

Enjoy the Spring weather,

Tim

Custom Windsor Benches- contemporary and traditional

I have found a nice niche in the furniture making world with my contemporary Windsor benches or settees.  While both lines that I build are rooted in tradition, my New Waltham line features natural finishes that show off the warm wood of the pieces and has a more modern look.  These work well for someone who loves wood everywhere or just wants a warm accent to contrast furniture or surroundings that are not rich in natural wood.   My Waltham line features, pieces with milk paint finishes and hand carved details that give a more traditional look while not screaming "fife and drum".  These pieces also have a warmth that is a nice contrast to an ultra modern decor while blending with a more rustic or period surrounding.  More of my benches and settees can be found at my website. TimothyClark.com 

5' Waltham Bench with thin crest rail

cherry highlights are seen at edges of the rail with a
rubbed out finish

the carved "gutter" detail is part of my
painted  Waltham line.

When I paint a piece, I ask the customer if they want more or less "wear through" of the paint.  As the paint is rubbed out there is sometimes a small bit of rub through.  My favorite look is to rub through a bit more at high contact edges. This adds highlights that define the lines of the piece. You can ask for more or less of this.The bench below is a 3' version of my Waltham bench with the traditional crest rail.    This rail  results in the most traditional look of my designs. 

This last year, I added a bench with an arm rail to my Waltham line.  This design is based on my Waltham Arm chair.  If a bench is to be used at a table, I suggest a bench without an arm rail but this design works well in a hall or a spot where the sitter does not need to slide in from the side.  

The arm rail passes behind the back spindles as in all of my arm chair designs.  This is my "Floating Back" design.

Enjoy the snow,

Tim

Contemporary Windsor Bench with Arms

Waltham Bench with Arms

4 1/2' Waltham Bench w/arm rail

Up until now, my Waltham line of benches did not have arms but I made four of these at the request of a client.  I am very happy with how it worked out.  I made this in a 4 1/2' and a 5' version.  This bench is $3800. and the Waltham Bench (the one without the arm rail) is $3000.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions and do take a look at the rest of my work at TimothyClark.com
This bench is built of poplar for the seat, cherry for the rails and ash for the spindles, legs and stretchers. It is finished with black milk paint, linseed oil, varnish and wax.

The faceted seat front was new for this design. It shows up in my Waltham Side Chair seats but no where else until now. It just seemed like the right thing to do as I was shaping the seat.

The bench above just had it's arm rail mounted. You can still see the spindle tenons and wedges at the top of the  arms and under the seat. Once these are cleaned up, it will be ready for paint.

Ziggy says "When is Spring coming?"

Happy Winter,

Tim

Cherry Pencil Post Beds

Cherry Pencil Post Bed

Over my 30 years of making furniture professionally, I have a few designs that have been mainstays of my business.   My Pencil Post Beds are one of those.  I seem to consistently make at least 2 and maybe 4 of these each year.  The bed is a lot of cherry. 2 1/2' square posts at the base with a  transition to an eight sided taper.  This transition is made by way of a carved "lamb's tongue".   The facets of the eight sided taper are scribed with a spar makers scribe and then power planed to rough out stock to get close to the scribe lines.  The final sizing is done with a hand plane.  

Bolted joints make for a solid, quiet bed.

Every bed is made custom to fit the customer's mattress dimensions and to finish off at the height desired by the customer.   At present, I offer three options for finishing off the posts.  They can be left bare, they can have cross bars (known as testers), or they can have finials.  I turn the finials by hand. The finials incorporate a 1/4" diameter steel post that sticks out of the bottom. This is simply dropped into the hole at the top of the post. No wooden peg to break off.

The rails are joined to the posts with an exposed bolt that makes a very solid joint that will not wear out. If the bed were to "loosen up" over the winter due to wood movement, they can simply be tightened.  I discovered this design on an original Shaker meeting house trestle table that was made to break down for storage. I loved the practical honesty of the bolt. There was no attempt to hide it behind a brass decorative plate or to sink it deep into the wood.  It was celebrated for what it was. The right material for the job.  I do offer a completely hidden bolt design but there would be an extra cost as I have custom nuts made for the bolts and the woodwork required is time consuming.   I prefer  to see the blackened bolt as a detail that contrasts nicely to the warm wood.  Check out this and other designs at www.TimothyClark.com.

Queen size bed with finials.

Posts after final shaping ready for finish sanding.

Detail of the post and finial.  

Enjoy the crazy weather we are having.  Rain and 50 degrees yesterday.  Today, 15 degrees and a snow storm. 

Lucy says, "Just enjoy the weather!"

Tim