Woodworking Masterclass S01 E01

Summary

In this woodworking masterclass, Steve introduces a project where he'll transform rough Thorn Timber into a period-style side table, featuring dovetail drawers and Cabrio legs. Over the course of the series, Steve shares valuable woodworking techniques, tips, and tools, including making useful jigs and working with both power tools and hand tools. The project incorporates traditional techniques, such as using winding sticks and hand planes to flatten wood, making sprung joints, and the importance of reading grain direction. Steve also demonstrates building the carcass, highlighting the essential skills and joy of woodworking for all levels of expertise.

Takeaways

• 😀 Steve welcomes viewers to his woodworking masterclass, where he'll be transforming rough timber into a beautiful period-style side table.
• 😀 The project includes traditional techniques, such as dovetail drawers and hand-matched Cabrio legs, providing opportunities for both novice and experienced woodworkers to learn and refine skills.
• 😀 Steve emphasizes the importance of using rough-sawn timber over dressed timber for its cost-effectiveness, availability, and flexibility in achieving the desired thickness for furniture.
• 😀 When working with rough timber, the first step is to flatten one surface using hand tools like a scrub plane, a converted number four, and a shooting plane before running it through a thicknesser.
• 😀 A bench hook, a simple and useful workshop aid, is created from scrap timber and will be used for various tasks throughout the project.
• 😀 Winding sticks are introduced as a tool to identify twists or warps in the wood before flattening it, helping woodworkers understand the specific areas that need attention.
• 😀 Steve demonstrates how to use the scrub plane to remove stock, followed by a converted plane to smooth out the board, and finishes with a joining plane for precision.
• 😀 The importance of understanding and working with grain direction is highlighted to ensure smooth, efficient planing and prevent issues like tear-out or uneven edges.
• 😀 A sprung joint is explained as a superior method for joining boards, offering compression to prevent splitting when the wood naturally expands or contracts with temperature changes.
• 😀 The process of jointing, squaring, and planing the edges of boards is demonstrated, with tips on handling end grain and using a block plane for clean, sharp edges.
• 😀 In the next episode, Steve will cover constructing the carcass of the side table using dovetail joinery and other hand tools, continuing to share tips and techniques for building fine furniture.

Q & A

Why does Steve prefer using rough-sawn timber over dressed timber?

Steve prefers rough-sawn timber because it is generally cheaper, allows for a greater selection of species, and offers flexibility in thickness. Unlike dressed timber, rough-sawn timber can be machined to a custom thickness, and any imperfections or blemishes can be removed during machining.

What is the first step in preparing rough timber for woodworking?

The first step in preparing rough timber is to flatten one surface. This is done by checking the board for twists or warps, using tools like a scrub plane, a converted number four plane, and a shooting plane to remove any imperfections.

What is a bench hook, and why is it useful in woodworking?

A bench hook is a simple workshop aid that holds wood securely while it is being worked on. It is easy to make and very useful for tasks like flattening timber or cutting, as it prevents the wood from slipping on the workbench.

How do winding sticks help in flattening timber?

Winding sticks are used to detect twists in a board. By sighting down the board with the winding sticks, you can identify areas where the board is higher or lower, helping to determine where to plane the board to achieve flatness.

What is the function of a scrub plane in the flattening process?

The scrub plane is used to remove a large amount of material from the board. It has a very severe blade angle that allows it to quickly flatten the high spots in a warped or twisted board.

What is a sprung joint, and why is it used in furniture making?

A sprung joint is a method of joining two boards where the edges are slightly concave, creating pressure when the boards are clamped together. This compression helps prevent the boards from splitting as they expand and contract with changes in moisture.

Why does Steve use hide glue for wood joinery?

Steve prefers hide glue because it allows for corrections after mistakes, as it can be undone, unlike modern glues that create permanent bonds. Additionally, hide glue has been used for centuries and provides a strong, traditional bond.

What technique does Steve use to create square edges on boards?

Steve uses a jointing plane to create square edges on boards. He ensures the plane's movement is guided by his body weight, and he makes small, controlled shavings to achieve a smooth, square edge.

How does Steve ensure that the boards are joined without gaps when creating the tabletop?

Steve uses a sprung joint, which applies extra pressure to the ends of the boards during clamping, creating a strong bond and preventing gaps. This method ensures that the wood expands and contracts without creating splits.

What is the importance of grain direction when planing timber?

The direction of the grain is important because planing against the grain can cause tear-out. Steve emphasizes planing uphill, following the direction of the grain, to ensure smooth cuts and prevent damage to the timber.