Back to the workshop being a workshop

I have not posted too much in the way of new projects, but this is not because I have not been building stuff. I while ago I got some wood from my hometown, some from an uncle and others from a mill located near my Dad's homestead.

The wood from my uncle was a mix of Oak, Cherry, spalted beech and curly Maple - most of this wood was cut from the family land so has some very cool provenance. The other wood is some very spectacular birdseye maple from the same area. This wood is destined for a very special project,which will be revealed down the road.

I don't normally work with Oak as it brings with it some challenges in the working, and I find it quite pedestrian in appearance - that being said, I have the wood, I must answer its calling. To me the choice was easy, make some pieces for family from this wood. The first piece is for my Dad's Apartment and is a stand for his phone and a few things currently on a bookshelf that has seen better days - the footballs are a special touch.

Oak Cabinet for my Dad

The next piece just finished is a table for my oldest son's new apartment. He has recently moved and asked me to make him a small table for the kitchen; he wanted pub-style (imagine that!) table a little higher than normal at 36" high. This table is an original design and the top is 30" square, stained brown as he requested.

Brendan's table

Master’s works

I saw a picture of Bill & Sarah Carter on my online acquaintance David Barron’s blog recently and thought it was time to look into picking up another Bill Carter plane. I have long been an admirer of Bill’s work and really appreciate the artistic approach he takes to his work, in particular the tiny planes he makes from rescued tenon saw backs. I sent a note off to them and was surprised and disappointed by the response – seems Bill is winding things down in his plane making business. That changed my decision on what I was buying, as I was thinking a mitre plane; but once I realized the door was closing I changed it up to another tiny mitre plane, which to my mind is quintessential Bill Carter. Here’s a couple of shots of my new plane, and a shot of the old one I bought last year.

If you are a fan of Bill’s work better move quickly, not sure how many more planes Bill will decide to make.

My first Bill Carter Plane Purchase