Thailand

I am off in Thailand with my son, wife and new daughter, who we are in the process of adopting. It is an interesting country. Very tropical and friendly. It would be nice to speak the language as that is the main barrier to getting a better sense of the place. We are almost through the adoption process. We visited a furniture factory one day. The pictured logs are teak and rosewood from right to left. The woman in the purple shirt is cutting mother of pearl inlay with a small bow-saw. The man carving is working a project of deep relief carving that will take him 6 months or so. the rosewood table and chairs feature the inlayed mother of pearl. The boat is one of many very interesting craft to be seen on the Chao Praya river in Bangkok. Most are wooden and they all see to go very fast.

Finished Hunt Table

Here are a few shots of the Hunt Table all finished. It really is a pretty table. It has so many different looks with both leaves down, one down, or both up. Click to see more photos of this table on my website.

Off to Ireland

Finally, today is the day that all of this furniture left my shop and started its journey to Ireland. One drop leaf dining table, one 6' settee, eight Tall Waltham arm chairs, and two Grand Waltham Arm chairs.

The shipper actually arrived alone. One

person. So for two and a half hours we wrapped and taped to get the work ready for the ride. Usually shippers will send two or three movers to load things up. He was lucky I was available to help. Loading that dining table alone would have been interesting.

Well, now I have a shop with a lot of extra space. Hopefully, everything will make it to Ireland safely. If not, I may have to go for a working holiday.

Finishing a Waltham Rocker

I am applying the second coat of gel varnish to this Waltham rocker. It will get probably four coats of varnish in all. At this point it has two coats of milk paint, one coat of penetrating oil before the gel varnish. It is a bit smelly. That's why the vapor mask. I use this gel varnish for my painted furniture because it leaves a nice soft sheen. Most finishes get too shiny over milk paint, and oil alone is not enough protection against wetness. There is nothing quick and easy about a good finish.

Hunt Table or Irish Wake Table

My latest project is known as a Hunt Table or an Irish Wake Table. It will be on it's way to Ireland soon I hope. It is a very elegant design consisting of a narrow center portion of the table supported by four square legs with an apron structure. There are two large leaves that open to be supported by double gate-legs that swing out from the center of the table.

The leaves have a rule joint. This is a fairly common way to join a leaf, but it is a joint that needs a great deal of patience to make sure that it works smoothly. The oval shape of the top was also a bit of a challenge but I love the graceful shape.

Later, I will post images of the base structure. It is coming along nicely.

Wedged tenon joints

Today I am working on one of my 6' Cod Rib Settees that will be shipped to Ireland.  Below is a video that illustrates the wedged tenon joint that makes my Windsor chairs and benches strong and long lasting.  When done right, this joint will stay tight even through seasonal changes.

Getting Started

I am starting this blog to hopefully replace my What's New? page on my website.  Today is hopefully one of last of the really cold days (below 10 degress F) of the winter.  At the moment, I am working on a 6' settee and am still working on the design for an Irish wake table.  This is a narrow table with two wide leaves. Images to follow.