When I set out to design something, I sometimes find it helpful to make a list of requirements. If designing a chair, my list might look like this: the seat must be at an appropriate height and shaped or upholstered for comfort; the chair must bear the weight of the user; it should have a … Continue reading Designing from Scratch
How to Read Instructions
I recently learned that the fine print doesn't always contain the most important, critical information. First I Researched I've been experimenting with casting using the Smooth-On's Crystal Clear resin and did my first pour in the making of Deconstructed. The resin wasn't cheap and casting was new to me, so I did my research before purchasing the … Continue reading How to Read Instructions
On Preparation
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. - Benjamin Franklin Preparing is not the same as planning. I think of planning as forethought specific to a task or project, such as creating detailed drawings, cut lists, or mock-ups. I would also include organizing construction steps in a logical sequence, which is often the extent … Continue reading On Preparation
Exactly as Precise as Required
If it looks right, it's probably right. In my work, I've always tried to avoid numbers. Mostly, I used numbers to communicate with the rest of the world. For example, it was more helpful to tell you that Relationship Study was about 45 inches wide than to gesture with my hands. Recently, I made a … Continue reading Exactly as Precise as Required
Risk
Some woodworkers work in a very calculated way. For example, to manage the risk when dealing with the compound angles involved in Angle Madness (or, as I call it, "Why I never want to own an AMP-v2), Paul-Marcel worked through sketches, full-size drawings, calculations and a mock-up before committing to his good material. Each of these steps before cutting … Continue reading Risk
Maple Trestle Table, Session 11 – Straight Lines on Wonky Surfaces
On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working. That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 11 – Straight Lines on Wonky Surfaces
Maple Trestle Table, Session 4 – Clamping Odd Shapes and Sketching on Wood
On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working. That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 4 – Clamping Odd Shapes and Sketching on Wood
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 