If you are over 40 you probably remember a singer named John Denver. I
love his music. One of his songs was written about the area where
I live. “Take me home, Country Roads” describes Jefferson County, WV
more than anywhere else in the state. Blue Ridge Mountains and
Shenandoah River are only located in one place, Jefferson County. John
was an avid spokesman for the environment and in some ways I agree. I
think we are called to be good stewards of the world in which we live.
This is not only relevant to the environment but in the way we approach
woodworking.
I like to work primarily in native
hardwoods from my area, and especially from a known source. I normally
purchase my wood from Local Woods (see my links page for their website.)
Scott is very helpful, friendly and seems to be an overall good guy.
They have great prices and usually a pretty
good selection available.
I am pretty frugal (ok, I’m a tight wad) and I tend to save even the
smallest cut offs. The pieces I don’t use go into fireplace for those
cold evenings. I even think I’m pretty responsible with the finishes I
use. I like to use shellac the most, it dry fast, easy to repair and for
most of the products I put out, it works well. For the item that I make
for the kitchen, those are finished with Walnut oil. I find it easy to
use and it works just as well as or even better than mineral oil.
I
don’t like using water-born finishes other than paint. I think that it
leaves the wood looking lifeless which goes against what I am
looking for in a piece. I will occasionally use a wiping varnish but
that is normally over several coat of shellac and then only to give a
piece more water resistance.
As a fellow wood
worker, ask yourself these questions: Are you being responsible with
your materials? Are you getting the most out of that piece of wood? Are
you responsible with your finishing material; is there another option
that will work just as well or better?
As spring
approaches, I would encourage you to go take a walk in the woods. Enjoy
the renewal of life; it’s really an amazing thing to see. If you have
the opportunity plant a few trees, not for yourself but for the
future wood workers. And by all means, share woodworking with a child
and teach them to be good stewards of what the world has given us.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Immortal Wood
While driving down one of our many country roads
(yes, that was an intentional hint for upcoming blog) I realized how
amazing woodworking is in what it does.
Woodworking takes the body of a living organism that has lived for up to hundred or even thousands of years then takes those remnants and transforms them into to something beautiful that can last another lifetime. We take this material and open it up for the entire world to see the beauty that was trapped inside. May times this beauty comes from the stresses that that tree experienced while it was growing, the high figure of maple is believed to be related to stresses as the tree reacted to wind or other external forces. Burls on many species of word are basically warts that infect the outer layer of
the tree.
If you look back at some of the most beautiful pieces of woodworking across the ages, they all have one thing in common. The displayed the natural beauty of the wood, either with highly figured veneers or excellent selection of grain patterns. The art of woodworking entails many things, but one of the most visible is the ability to help something else express the beauty that was hidden within.
Do we do this in other aspects of our lives? Do we take as much care to help someone express the beautiful soul that hidden within them. As a husband and father, it is my job to help my family express that inner beauty to the world. Give your family a safe space to show that side of them. Help them
through those stressful times of life, that stress builds inner strength and
beauty that will show later in life.
Woodworking takes the body of a living organism that has lived for up to hundred or even thousands of years then takes those remnants and transforms them into to something beautiful that can last another lifetime. We take this material and open it up for the entire world to see the beauty that was trapped inside. May times this beauty comes from the stresses that that tree experienced while it was growing, the high figure of maple is believed to be related to stresses as the tree reacted to wind or other external forces. Burls on many species of word are basically warts that infect the outer layer of
the tree.
If you look back at some of the most beautiful pieces of woodworking across the ages, they all have one thing in common. The displayed the natural beauty of the wood, either with highly figured veneers or excellent selection of grain patterns. The art of woodworking entails many things, but one of the most visible is the ability to help something else express the beauty that was hidden within.
Do we do this in other aspects of our lives? Do we take as much care to help someone express the beautiful soul that hidden within them. As a husband and father, it is my job to help my family express that inner beauty to the world. Give your family a safe space to show that side of them. Help them
through those stressful times of life, that stress builds inner strength and
beauty that will show later in life.
Pencil Problems
Those of you who have known for a while may recall
that I have love/hate relationship with a certain item in my shop, my
pencil. While my shop was in its former location, they would get upset
with me and disappear at an alarming rate. Now this was not totally
unjustified by them, I would often blame
them for my errors; cuts too short, cuts too long, mortise in the wrong location, you get the picture. I would blame the pencil when it reality it was my own inexperience or inattention to detail. I would curse at them, slam them on the table and just generally treat them unfairly. As result, they would hide from me at every opportunity. I would set one down on the bench and turn away for a moment and it would be gone. If I added it up, I must have brought over 200 pencils into that shop. When I moved the shop, not a single one was found.
Now that the shop is mostly moved, I have resolved to stop blaming my pencils. I see now that I was wrong in blaming them from someone else’s errors. I have found the true culprit for the errors, my tape
measure.
In truth, the lesson here is simple. In our haste, aggravation and inattention, we often take out our frustrations on the ones around us who do nothing more than support us in our endeavors. Perhaps today is a good day to thank that significant other who puts up with our antics, and let them know we really do appreciate their support.
them for my errors; cuts too short, cuts too long, mortise in the wrong location, you get the picture. I would blame the pencil when it reality it was my own inexperience or inattention to detail. I would curse at them, slam them on the table and just generally treat them unfairly. As result, they would hide from me at every opportunity. I would set one down on the bench and turn away for a moment and it would be gone. If I added it up, I must have brought over 200 pencils into that shop. When I moved the shop, not a single one was found.
Now that the shop is mostly moved, I have resolved to stop blaming my pencils. I see now that I was wrong in blaming them from someone else’s errors. I have found the true culprit for the errors, my tape
measure.
In truth, the lesson here is simple. In our haste, aggravation and inattention, we often take out our frustrations on the ones around us who do nothing more than support us in our endeavors. Perhaps today is a good day to thank that significant other who puts up with our antics, and let them know we really do appreciate their support.
Introduction
As I thought about what to title this blog, one
title that I like was "Wisdom of Woodshp" but I had second thoughts
about it. I could never promise to be wise or sage like in every post.
I'm just a common guy who loves to get covered in fresh saw dust. I hope
to pass on some of the lessons I've learned from my family and a few
that I had to learn the hard way.
Let me tell a little be more of my back ground. I'm am deeply rooted in woodworking, My Great Grandfather Alexander Mooresfeilder, my Grandfathers, Sylvester McNabb, Ralph Walker and Walter Thompson, my Father Gary McNabb and my Brother Adrian McNabb. Each has had the call of the woodshop at one degree or another.
I like to think that I am carring on a family tradition and in the process live up to the expectations of those who came before me. I was blessed to be able to spend many hours in my Grandfather Sylvester's shop up in Glenburn, ND. I learned so much in that shop, both about woodworking and life. I'm not sure he understood how much of an influence he had on me.
My Grandfather Ralph was also a major influence in my life. I get my sence of Honor and Duty from him. He was veterian of WWII and Korea. He tinkered in the shop but it was his strength and loyality that impressed me.
My Grandfather Walt, well in actuality was my step-grandfather, He was one of the most loving, accepting men I have ever known. He welcomed me to a new family like I had been a part of it from birth. He loved his small shop and would put out all mannor of projects.
Each one of these men had a significant impact in my life and each taught principles that guide me to still today. My hope is that you will take the time to have a positive impact in a childs life. You can make a difference, you may never see it but that seed will still be there.
Let me tell a little be more of my back ground. I'm am deeply rooted in woodworking, My Great Grandfather Alexander Mooresfeilder, my Grandfathers, Sylvester McNabb, Ralph Walker and Walter Thompson, my Father Gary McNabb and my Brother Adrian McNabb. Each has had the call of the woodshop at one degree or another.
I like to think that I am carring on a family tradition and in the process live up to the expectations of those who came before me. I was blessed to be able to spend many hours in my Grandfather Sylvester's shop up in Glenburn, ND. I learned so much in that shop, both about woodworking and life. I'm not sure he understood how much of an influence he had on me.
My Grandfather Ralph was also a major influence in my life. I get my sence of Honor and Duty from him. He was veterian of WWII and Korea. He tinkered in the shop but it was his strength and loyality that impressed me.
My Grandfather Walt, well in actuality was my step-grandfather, He was one of the most loving, accepting men I have ever known. He welcomed me to a new family like I had been a part of it from birth. He loved his small shop and would put out all mannor of projects.
Each one of these men had a significant impact in my life and each taught principles that guide me to still today. My hope is that you will take the time to have a positive impact in a childs life. You can make a difference, you may never see it but that seed will still be there.
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