TONGUE IN TEAK - I MADE A TABLE

Let’s start by saying, I did indeed make a table, but I had a lot of help along the way, as you will see. I was very privileged, this week, in being able to attend a summer furniture-making course, at Chichester College, in West Sussex. A week-long, intensive course, with a couple of lectures in the evening added in for good measure. Though the week was long and very tiring, it was also very enjoyable and if I was in a position to do the year long version of the course, I would jump at the chance. Chichester is a lovely city, with a very beautiful cathedral and gardens - just a little way from the harbour and beach.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IN THREE DAYS TIME, THESE 10 LENGTHS OF ASH WOULD BECOME A TABLE.

BEFORE WE WERE LET LOSE ON THE ASH, WE PRACTISED THE MORTISE AND TENDON JOINT ON SOME PINE.   

The first two days of the course was all about getting to grips with joinery, lap joint, dovetail, mortise and tendon and the like. We also spent some time learning the best way to sharpen tools and in particular chisels. This is something, that I have struggled with, since doing my letter carving. I’ve come to realise that, the sharper my chisels are, the easier it is to cut the letters. I won’t go into the details of how to keep your chisels sharp, but suffice to say that it involves glass, and several grades of wet and dry paper and a lot of patience and effort. One of the teachers - who will remain nameless - but whom we will call Keith! in this blog - has turned chisel sharpening into a sort of art form. He tells me that it involves many hours on your own, in a shed, away from family and friends, polishing metal so fastidiously, that you can see your reflection of your face in it eventually. One of my fellow learners on the course, Guy, was soon hypnotise by Keith's hand movements and became a devoted member of the new religion Children of the Latter Day Sharpeners. 

THE TABLE STARTS TO TAKE SHAPE.

I CARVED MY WIFE'S INITIALS INTO THE FRONT OF THE TABLE. JUDITH ROSEMARY

THE TABLE IS GLUED TOGETHER AND HELD IN PLACE BY CLAMPS

The other three days were set aside in order to build a small, tapered-legged table. I was advised, at the outset, that the table would have a hinged lid and be made from Ash and Walnut Burr Veneer. The joints for the legs would be mortise and tendon. I will not go into every single aspect of the build, as that would only bore you, but have a look at the pictures, with the comments, and you will get a taste of what was involved. 

GUY CLEANS THE EXCESS GLUE FROM HIS JOINTS WITH IAN LOOKING OVER.

Our main teacher for the week seemed to be an expert in everything. He reminded me of a character in a song by the Jam, called David Watts (original by the Kinks). You will have to look up the lyrics to see what I mean. Ian had a, you can-do attitude ie every one of my many mistakes could be remedied. Ian knew every tool, hand or electric and how it worked, how much it cost, and where you could buy it. Without Ian, I would have brought home some veneered firewood, rather than a fine little table. Where, if you stood back a bit, closed one eye and photographed it at an angle, you’d have a half decent table! Your wife will also like it, especially if you put her initials on it. But don’t expect much of a reaction from your kids, except for “it’s a bit small ain’t it?” or “the legs stick out funny.” “That’s skill that is; and it’s called tapering and they took Ian, I mean me, hours to get right you know!!!” Grrrrr.

THE VENEER IS BUTTED TOGETHER, BEFORE BEING STUCK TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE

It was gone midnight on Friday night before we left the workshop. We were all tired and hungry and fit to drop. I still had the long drive to London to go. It was 2.30am before I finally arrived home. The table was almost complete but not quite. It would have to be finished later in the day. After a few hours sleep, I was able to attach the top of the table and give it a wax finish. 

GUY, ROB AND IAN WITH THE ALMOST FINISHED TABLES. GUY LOOKS ASLEEP ALREADY.

THE FINISHED TABLE

WITH OPEN LID, MY HINGES ARE A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.

THIS IS A  ENLARGEMENT OF THE VENEER TOP. IT REVEALS A SPOOKY IMAGE, THAT  SOMEONE SAID LOOKS LIKE A DEVIL. I MUST ADMIT IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS I FELT LIKE THE DEVIL HAS BEEN ON MY BACK AT TIMES. I WAS RIGHT, HERE HE IS ON MY TABLE TOP

AND FINALLY

Below is what can be achieved on a full time wood working course. This amazing chair and ipod docking station, was made by a student in the same workshop. Who only picked up a chisel for the first time two years to go. Fantastic design and workmanship. I want one of those docking stations!

USEFUL LINKS

http://www.chichester.ac.uk/Mature-Students/What-can-I-do/Furniture-Summer-School/